britannia cruise tips

Ultimate Guide to P&O Britannia

P&O Cruises has been a much-loved cruise line with British cruisers for decades and offers traditional cruises to popular destinations such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norwegian Fjords. In this ultimate guide to P&O Britannia , I share everything you need to know about the flagship to make the most of your cruise holiday.

Key Facts about P&O Britannia

P&O Britannia was launched in 2015 and was last refurbished in 2019. The cruise ship was built by Fincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy) and is a Royal Class ship, making it a sister to: Royal, Regal, Sky, Enchanted, Majestic and Discovery Princess.

Britannia has 1,836 cabins for up to 3,647 passengers and has 1,350 crew.

Where is P&O Britannia right now?

You can discover the exact location of Britannia cruise ship using this cruise tracker and take a look at the Britannia webcam from the Bridge.

Cabins on P&O Britannia

Britannia offers a range of cruise cabins to suit all budgets and preferences:

• Superior Deluxe Balcony (equivalent to a mini-suite)

Inside cabin

A standard inside cabin on P&O Britannia is 170 square feet, which is ample space for two people. This cabin has a TV, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities that are replenished daily.

There is generous wardrobe space with shelves and drawers, which I found was plenty of storage for a fortnight’s cruise.

There is a security safe to store any valuables and it’s worth mentioning that we could fit an iPad easily into it.

The en-suite bathroom is stocked with toiletries from The White Company and a notably there was a shower door (instead of a shower curtain).

Pool towels are already in your cabin when you arrive so that you can use them on the ship or at the beach.

An inside cabin is a perfect option for those who like to spend their time enjoying the ship’s facilities and public areas. I also like how dark the room is if you want to sleep or take a nap during the day.

Balcony Cabin

A standard balcony cabin on Britannia is 212 square feet, which is a good size space for two people. This cabin has a TV, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities that are replenished daily.

There is generous wardrobe space, shelves and drawers, which was the same amount of space as an inside cabin. The balcony has the addition of a small table and comfy chair.

The balcony has enough space for two chairs and a small table. I would say the size of the balcony is not huge but fine if you enjoy to sit outside and get some sea air.

The en-suite bathroom appears to be the same size as the inside cabin and is stocked with toiletries from The White Company. It has a shower with a door and pool towels are already in your cabin.

Superior Deluxe Balcony

A superior deluxe balcony cabin on Britannia is 281 square feet, which is a good option for families (sleeps up to four) or couples wanting a bit of luxury and inside space to relax. This cabin has two TVs, a fridge and tea/coffee making facilities that are replenished daily.

The cabins amenities are very similar to those of inside and balcony cabins but has the added bonus of a separate sitting area, which can be curtained off if the settee bed is required.

I would compare this to a mini-suite on sister ships with Princess Cruises.

The bathroom has the addition of a bath with the shower head over it, I think this is a luxury that many would be happy to pay extra for.

Suite cabin

For passengers wanting the ultimate luxury cabin or want to cruise as a family with enough space for everyone, a suite offers 382-689 square feet.

There are four grades of suite on Britannia and are located forward, mid-ship and in the aft. As it’s the most expensive type of cabin on Britannia, I’d fully recommend doing plenty of research before booking so that you choose the right one for you.

Take a look at this guide to choosing the best suite on Britannia .

A suite comes with a long list of perks and benefits:

• Priority embarkation/disembarkation
• Access to an exclusive hospitality lounge with a selection of teas, coffees and fresh pastries while you wait to board
• Exclusive welcome reception with hot and cold canapés and complimentary alcoholic drinks
• Box of chocolates
• Fresh fruit
• Daily canapes
• Coffee machine
• Breakfast in an exclusive venue (Epicurean Restaurant)
• Inclusive room service
• Butler service
• Full-size whirlpool bath
• Priority tenders (where applicable)

Dining on P&O Britannia

There are plenty of dining options on P&O Britannia, with complimentary and specialty restaurants to choose from.

There are main dining rooms, casual dining venues and specialty dining restaurants.

Main Dining Rooms

You will be allocated the Oriental main dining room for traditional set time dining if you enjoy eating at the same time every evening.

Oriental Restaurant   Breakfast: 08.00 – 09.30 (Sea Day) 07.30 – 09.00 (Port Day) Dinner: 1st sitting from 18.30, 2nd sitting from 20.30.

If you prefer a bit more flexibility in the time you eat, I would recommend dining at the Meridian main dining room or Peninsular main dining room.

You can choose the style of dining you’d like when you book your cruise on Britannia.

The main dining rooms all offer the same menu, which changes each night.

In my opinion the food is of a good standard and features traditional British dishes such as Beef Wellington and Bread and Butter Pudding. I particularly recommend the fish dishes.

Meridian Restaurant Lunch: 12.15 – 13.45 (Light lunch option – Sea days only) Dinner: 18.00 – 21.30

Peninsular Restaurant Breakfast: 08.00 – 09.30 (Sea Day) 07.30 – 09.00 (Port Day) Lunch: 12.15 – 13.45 Afternoon tea: 16.00 – 16.45 Dinner: 18.00 – 21.30

Once a cruise, there is a special Gala Night menu that shouldn’t be missed. This is typically offered on the first formal night of the cruise. Please be aware that this may differ on summer 2021 UK cruises.

Each dish in the main dining room is nicely presented and portion sizes are not too large so you can enjoy all three courses. If you have a larger appetite you can always order extra portions of any course.

Casual Dining Venues

On P&O Britannia you can opt for more casual dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner with healthy and fast food choices, depending on what you fancy.

The buffet is open from 6am to 12 noon for breakfast. It can get very busy but signage at the entrances indicates peak times to avoid.

I would recommend leaving the main buffet dining area and finding a table outside for a peaceful start to the day, away from what can be chaos.

The buffet has a rolling menu so there is always food available between 6am and 2am, here’s a guide to times throughout the day in the Horizon Court Buffet:

Breakfast: 06:00 – 12:00 Lunch: 12:00 – 15:00 Afternoon snacks: 15:00 – 17:00  Children’s tea: 17:00 – 18:00 Theme dinner: 18:00 – 21:30 Late night snacks: 21:30 – 02:00

The themed dinners in the buffet change nightly and offers a wide selection of cuisines from around the world. You can find the schedule for the buffet dinner themes on you in-cabin TV.

Other complimentary casual food options include:

• Pizzeria on Lido Deck 16
• The Grill on Lido Deck 16
• Grab & Go on Lido Deck 16

I particularly like the Grab and Go option as there are freshly-made individually wrapped sandwiches and salads that you can take from the fridges. This is a healthy alternative to the pizza and burgers also on offer on the Lido Deck.

Specialty Dining Restaurants on P&O Britannia

For an additional charge, you can book a table at one of P&O Britannia’s specialty restaurants.

You can book in advance before the cruise or once you’re onboard but be aware that once you get on the ship, dining times may be limited.

The Beach House

The cheapest specialty dining option on Britannia is The Beach House at just £7.50 for a three-course meal. It’s a pop-up restaurant situated in a section of the Horizon Court Buffet and is only open in the evenings.

I dined at The Beach House twice on my last cruise on Britannia and liked it’s casual atmosphere and tasty food.

The menu takes inspiration from Caribbean and American cuisines to deliver menu choices that are sure to appeal to families and friends looking for comfort food and hearty dishes.

The Beach House menu has vegetarian options and limited vegan options so it can be enjoyed by all preferences.

The Glass House

Situated in the ship’s atrium, The Glass House meticulously pairs light, tapas-style dishes with a selection of wines that cannot be enjoyed anyway else on P&O Britannia.

British TV presenter and wine expert, Olly Smith, has had a hand in the menu so it’s fair to say that some thought has gone into the food and drink on offer.

I’d recommend reading my blog post, dedicated to The Glass House and its menu .

A popular specialty restaurant on P&O Britannia is Sindhu , located on Deck 7. This restaurant offers contemporary Indian cuisine and is open for dinner every night from 6pm to 9pm and a light lunch on sea days from 11am to 4.30pm.

Sindhu has a cover charge of £20 per person, which is excellent value given the quality of the dishes. It can seat up 140 covers per night but beware, this still gets booked up in advance.

It has its own bar and lounge area in front of the restaurant that is a chilled area for pre or post-dinner drinks.

The Epicurean Restaurant

The Epicurean Restaurant offers modern, British fine dining and is located near the Crow’s Nest on Deck 16. This specialty dining venue is open for breakfast for suite guests and dinner for any passengers with an advanced booking.

The menu features a selection of classic and contemporary dishes, along with an extensive cheese menu, hand picked by cheese expert Charlie Turnbull.

You can also enjoy Eric Lanlard’s afternoon tea at The Epicurean on sea days but should be pre-booked.

The Limelight Club

If you enjoy dinner and a show, The Limelight Club offers just that. A variety of acts perform during the cruise, which differs depending on your dates and itinerary but can be pre-booked before your cruise.

I would say 80s and 90s musical acts are the main theme of the Limelight Club.

Four menus are rotated throughout the cruise so if you decide to watch more than one act, you won’t be stuck with the same menu.

The menu is limited and I personally think that there are a few strange combinations and textures but the performances certainly make up for that.

The cover charge varies according to the performers but expect to pay between £25 and £35 for a three-course meal.

Entertainment on P&O Britannia

Throughout the day on board P&O Britannia, there is entertainment and activities to get involved in.

I’d recommend watching my tour of Britannia to help you become familiarised with the entertainment venues on the ship.

You can also take a look at the 50 free things to do on Britannia included in your cruise fare.

Live music can be found in most of the bars and lounges in the evenings. If you particularly enjoy dancing, I’d recommend heading to The Crystal Room for big band music and ballroom dancing.

Headliners Theatre

The Headliners Theatre is a two-tier theatre seating 936 cruise passengers.

There is a selection of tribute acts, cabaret-style shows and guest performers throughout the cruise with P&O’s magic show, Astonishing, also making an appearance.

There are two or three performances per night to accommodate cruisers with different dining times so it’s very unlikely you’ll not be able to find a seat for one of the performances each evening.

The tiered seating means that you will always be able to see the stage and accessible seating is located near the Deck 7 entrance to the theatre.

Bars and Drinks on P&O Britannia

There are 13 bars onboard P&O’s Britannia so there’s no chance of going thirsty!

Beer lovers will find plenty of choice on the menu in Brodie’s, whilst wine connoisseurs should feel at home in The Glass House. Both of these venues offer drinks flights so that you can sample a selection of beer and wine before finding your favourite.

Brodie’s is P&O Cruises’ onboard pub, a hub for live music, sport and entertainment. This venue is named after P&O’s co-founder, Brodie McGhie Wilcox. You can expect British bottled beers, spirits and wine here.

This venue can get quite busy, particularly in the evenings when there are quizzes and games being hosted.

There are some quieter ‘break-out’ spaces along one side with comfy seating and the casino is situated on the opposite side. There is waiter service or you can order directly from the bar.

For classy cocktails, martinis and bellinis, I would recommend a visit to the Blue Bar in the atrium with the added bonus of people-watching.

It’s the main bar situated in the atrium and is a great place to meet friends and family before dinner. It’s very popular on formal nights as the place to sip your champagne or bellini. It gets quieter after dinner as passengers head off to the other venues so for a drinks with friends it’s a nice spot.

Live Lounge

On Deck 7 aft, the Live Lounge is an entertainment venue that offers live music and doubles as the ship’s nightclub.

On some occasions, this venue was completely empty and we popped in to get a quick drink at the bar. This is where the 80s night is held but don’t worry, fancy dress is not required or encouraged.

The Crow’s Nest

For fantastic front-facing views during the day and elegant drinks at night, The Crow’s Nest is a bar that can be found across the P&O fleet.

The bar isn’t open all day but in the evening it turns into a sophisticated piano bar for after-dinner drinks. This venue can be quite popular on formal nights.

If you enjoy sipping a cocktail and watching the wake view, the Sunset Bar on Deck 16 is a perfect spot. This is my favourite bar on Britannia and we enjoy spending some time here in the late afternoon, during sailaways.

Drinks prices are fairly reasonably and are no more than what you would pay on the high street. You can see the full list of drinks on Britannia with prices to give you an idea of what’s onboard and how much you should budget for.

A drinks package may be worth purchasing for your Britannia cruise but be aware that drinks packages are not available to purchase on short cruises.

There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks packages as well as a child’s package, which I think is excellent value. Take a look at the options so you can decide for yourself.

It’s important to note that drinks packages cannot be shared and therefore, P&O Cruises will not allow just one person sharing a cabin to buy a drinks package.

Laundry on P&O Britannia

I’m sure that when you’re planning your cruise on Britannia, laundry services are furthest from your mind but it’s useful information to know, especially for longer cruises.

The good news is that the launderettes found on the cabin decks are free to use, all you need is washing tablets. Check my complete P&O laundry guide for all the information you need.

P&O Britannia FAQs

What is the dress code on p&o britannia.

During the day, casual holiday clothes can be worn such as shorts, t-shirt and summer dresses. You should avoid pool wear in the inside, lounges, bars and restaurants. Footwear must be worn inside.

Evening casual wear can be worn on non-formal nights of your cruise. This is best described as outfits you would wear to a nice restaurant. Smart dark denim can be worn with a nice top or open neck shirt.

Tracksuits, sports wear and trainers are not permitted in the evenings. If you are cruising in the Caribbean, tailored shorts can be worn in the buffet.

On Gala Evenings and Black Tie Nights you should wear something special. Typically on P&O Cruises, passengers choose to dress very formally with black being the overriding choice for many.

Many men decide to wear a dinner jacket and bow tie but don’t be put off by this. A dark business suit and tie is perfectly acceptable. Cocktail dresses, jumpsuits and ball gowns are worn by women.

How many swimming pools does Britannia have?

P&O Britannia has five swimming pools in total. There are two main pools on the Lido Deck, an adult-only pool in the Serenity area, a small terrace pool on the Sun Deck and an indoor hydrotherapy pool in the Spa.

Are you allowed to take alcohol on a P&O cruise?

Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in US ports) and older is allowed bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit, or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time only.

Alcohol over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest before the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20 per bottle, per occasion which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account. 

Any alcohol purchased in port must be declared once you return to the ship. It will be stored safely for you and returned by the final evening of your cruise.

Is tea and coffee free on P&O Britannia?

Tea and coffee is free of charge on P&O Britannia except specialty teas and coffees from Costa Coffee. There is tea and coffee making facilities in your cabin, which are replenished daily.

Can I take bottled water on P&O Britannia?

Yes, an unlimited amount of water and soft drinks can be brought on board with you for your P&O cruise. There is one small bottle of water per person in your cabin on arrival.

How much is WiFi on P&O Britannia?

WiFi is not included in your cruise fare with P&O Cruises so if you want to be able to connect a device to WiFi on your cruise, you will need to purchase one of three WiFi packages available, starting at £7.75 per day. These packages are cheaper if you pre-purchase them at least three days before your cruise, using your My P&O Cruises account.

I opted for the Browse Package and found it allowed me to do did everything I needed such as social media and Googling port information.

P&O Britannia Tips and Advice

I hope that you’ve found this guide useful. If you have any questions about Britannia, I would be happy to help with any queries you may have. You can either use the Contact Me page or simply use the comment section below to ask your question.

Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food. Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!

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P&O Britannia Cruise Ship Guide

P&o britannia cruise ship guide, p&o britannia cruise ship guide: a comprehensive overview.

Embark on a journey aboard the P&O Britannia, a marvel of modern cruise ship engineering, offering a blend of traditional British elegance and contemporary design. Launched in 2015, Britannia stands as the flagship of P&O Cruises, boasting an array of dining options, activities, entertainment, and accommodation to suit every taste. This guide delves into every aspect of the Britannia, ensuring that potential cruisers have all the information they need to plan their perfect holiday at sea.

Dining Options: A Culinary Journey

Britannia offers an extensive selection of dining venues, ranging from complimentary options to specialty restaurants with a surcharge.

• Meridian, Peninsular, and Oriental Restaurants : These main dining rooms offer flexible ‘Freedom Dining’ or set-time ‘Club Dining’, serving British and international cuisines. There’s no extra charge for dining here.
• Horizon Buffet : Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a wide variety of dishes with no additional cost.
• Sindhu : For a taste of India with a British twist, Sindhu presents an exquisite menu crafted by celebrity chef Atul Kochhar. Expect a cover charge of around £20 per person.
• The Glass House : A wine bar and restaurant offering small plates and perfectly paired wines curated by expert Olly Smith. Dishes are individually priced.
• The Limelight Club : A unique combination of dining and entertainment, featuring live performances. A cover charge applies, typically around £25 per person.
• Epicurean : Where fine dining meets art, offering modern British cuisine. Expect a surcharge of approximately £28 per person.
• The Beach House : Casual dining with American and Caribbean influences. A minimal surcharge applies for certain dishes.
• Market Café : A French-style patisserie offering sweet treats and specialty coffees with individual pricing.

Activities and Entertainment: Fun for Everyone

Britannia is a hub of activity, offering something for every age and interest:

• The Cookery Club : Led by renowned chefs, these hands-on cooking classes are a unique feature (charges apply).
• Headliners Theatre : Presents West End-style live shows, musicals, and comedy nights.
• The Studio : Hosts guest speakers, cooking demonstrations, films, and more.
• The Retreat : An adults-only oasis offering a tranquil escape (day passes available for purchase).
• Sports Arena : Offers a variety of sports, including football, basketball, and short tennis.
• Pools and Spa : Several pools, including a family pool and adult-only Serenity Pool, plus a luxurious spa offering various treatments (charges apply for spa services).

Cruise Itineraries: Explore the World

Britannia offers a wide range of itineraries, including:

• Caribbean Cruises : Embark on exotic journeys, visiting multiple islands and soaking in the vibrant cultures.
• Mediterranean Cruises : Explore historic cities, beautiful coastlines, and diverse cultures.
• Norwegian Fjords : Discover breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and majestic fjords.
• British Isles Cruises : Experience the beauty and heritage of the UK and Ireland.

Cabin and Accommodation Options: Comfort and Style

Accommodation on Britannia ranges from Inside Cabins to luxurious Suites. Each cabin category is designed with comfort in mind, offering ample storage, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, and a bathroom with a shower. Balcony Cabins and Suites provide additional space and amenities, including a sitting area and enhanced bathroom facilities. Suites also benefit from exclusive perks such as a butler service and access to The Epicurean for breakfast.

The General Feel and Ambience of the Vessel

Britannia is celebrated for its modern British elegance, combining classic elements with contemporary design. The ship’s atrium, with its stunning starburst sculpture, is the heart of the vessel, radiating luxury and sophistication. With a focus on British heritage, the ship exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a favourite among British cruisers.

Who Might Not Enjoy a Cruise on P&O Britannia?

While Britannia offers a wide range of amenities and activities, it may not suit everyone:

• Those Preferring Smaller Ships : Britannia’s large size and capacity might overwhelm those who enjoy more intimate cruising experiences.
• Crowd-Averse Travellers : With a passenger capacity of over 3,600, the ship can feel crowded, especially during peak seasons and at popular venues.
• Seekers of Ultra-Premium Experiences : While Britannia offers luxury, particularly in its Suite accommodations and select dining venues, those seeking an all-inclusive, ultra-premium cruise experience might find it lacks some of the exclusivities and personalised services offered by smaller, more premium cruise lines.

Watch Our P&O Britannia Full Ship Tour Below!

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Britannia Deck Plans & Reviews

Activities & entertainment

• Aerobics Studio *
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Dance Classes
• Enrichment Lectures
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Hot Tubs (5)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Hydrotherapy Suite *
• Late-Night Activities
• Oasis Salon *
• Oasis Spa *
• Organized Activities & Games
• The Retreat *
• Children's Play Area
• Scuba's
• Headliner's Theatre
• Nightly Live Music
• The Live Lounge
• The Crystal Room
• Bar - Top Deck Bar *
• Sunset Bar - Aft Bar *
• The Blue Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Brodie's - Beer Pub *
• Sindhu - British-Indian *
• Horizon Restaurant - Casual
• Beach House - Casual Steakhouse *
• Market Cafe - Coffee & Sweets *
• Java - Coffee Bar *
• Lido Grill - Fast Food
• The Epicurean - Gourmet *
• The Cookery Club - Interactive *
• Meridian Restaurant - International
• Peninsular Restaurant - International
• The Crow's Nest - Observation Bar *
• The Pizzeria - Pizza
• Lido Bar - Pool Bar *
• Riviera Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Live Lounge Bar - Showlounge Bar *
• The Limelight Club - Supperclub *
• Ice Cream Grab n Go - Sweets

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Britannia Activities

Entertainment & Activities

Headliners Theatre is a 936-seat venue at the front of the ship on decks 6 and 7, which hosts musical performances and theatre productions in the evenings. It's a hi-tech space and features a giant LED screen, which provides digital scenery and acts as a backdrop to musical performances.There are three shows per night -- at 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. -- and all last about 50 minutes.

On Britannia, there are four main shows which all use the LED screen to great effect. Brand new is “Astonishing”, a magic and illusion show devised by Britain’s Got Talent magician Stephen Mulhern -- it will leave you thinking "how did they do that?" from start to finish. Other shows include: "Sounds of the Underground", which is a trip through mid-90s London complete with a "Cool Britannia" soundtrack; "Once Upon a Time", a more family-orientated show billed as a 'wedding day fantasy adventure'; "I've Got the Music in Me!", which is a revue show featuring a variety of tracks from the most popular West End and Broadway musicals; and "Gravity", a more daring show billed as a 'futuristic rock musical'. It's a first for P&O in that it's quite risque and the music is modern (i.e. within the past 20 years). The shows really show off the theatre's gadgetry, with stunning lighting and sound effects and dancers 'flying' through the air and over the audience.

As well as the shows, Headliners hosts musical performances from impersonators as well as the real thing: R&B great Jimmy James packed out the theatre on several nights of our cruise. During the day it becomes a cinema.

You won't be bored on Britannia: there's a plethora of games and activities all day, from quizzes and trivia to cooking demos and even line dancing.

Located on Deck 15, The Cookery Club is flooded with light and fitted with the most up-to-date kitchen cookware, TV screens, speakers and a dining table for eating your creations. It fits 25 people (including one disabled-accessible workspace) and more when family classes are fun. All the preparation is done for you, as is the washing up. The current resident chef is Terrence Alexander – who will guide you through the three-hour sessions (£45). Or if the celebrity chefs are on board you can have a class with them. The classes with Marco Pierre White cost from £100 per person; Eric Lanlard’s are £75.

Because the Cookery Club does not have space for an audience, cooking demos take place in The Studio on Deck 7. They are hosted either by one of the two chefs from The Cookery Club, or a celebrity chef if he or she is onboard. The Studio also hosts afternoon films, live radio broadcasts and talks from onboard speakers.

A rolling set of quizzes, trivia and bingo takes place throughout the day in Brodie's pub (Deck 6). The Crystal Room, llocated on Deck 7, just behind the Headliners Theatre, hosts talks from guest lecturers during the day.

There are two venues for dancing in the day: the Live Lounge and the Crystal Room. The entertainment team hosts line dancing and the like in the Live Lounge; the Crystal Room is where the more serious students of dance go to learn new ballroom moves from the ship's two instructors.

Bridge and whist take place high up at the top of the ship in the Marlow Suite, the ship's card room. Enrichment activities such as language classes take place in the Ivory Suite next door (Deck 16). Both rooms are exquisitely decorated in white and gold, and it's easy to imagine a wedding blessing taking place in these suites (which they are designed for, as well as card games).

You’ll find live music throughout the day across the ship. The resident conortations duo Sarah and Ben play regularly in the Starburst atrium. There’s a DJ on the Lido Deck pool throughout the afternoon which is where sailaway parties also take place. And the Live Lounge is also a popular music venue at night, where sounds alternate between the DJ and resident Party Band PULSE.

Outdoor activities include everything from deck quoits (Deck 17) to basketball and table tennis tournaments in the Arena (Deck 18).

The Limelight Club (Deck 5): is a combined entertainment and dining venue in the tradition of a supper club (see Dining), just off the main atrium. Its big draw is the chance to see entertainers and guest performers from stage and screen up close and personal. Acts vary from theatrical performances to live music, such as jazz, pop, blues and soul. The format is thus: starters and main, followed by a short 'taster' show (an introduction by the star, plus one or two songs), then dessert and the main act, which lasts about 45 minutes.

Booking is essential. Cheryl Baker and Chesney Hawkes were the sell-out star attractions when we were on board. However, once the live entertainment finishes, the venue turns into a late-night club and people can drop by for drinks and dancing – and to catch a glimpse of the acts before they depart. They’re usually happy to sign autographs or have a chat. The club is open from 7:30 p.m to midnight.

The Crystal Room (Deck 7):  Dance enthusiasts should not miss the Crystal Room, a show lounge dedicated to the love of Latin and ballroom dancing. It's got a wooden floor, chandeliers, silver and black decor and a special exhibition of dancing memorabilia donated by famous dancers, including those in "Strictly Come Dancing", with which P&O has a long-term link-up. Located just behind the Headliners Theatre, the Crystal Room is a delightful spot that turns into a dance hall in the evening with live bands performing. Each song is introduced by dance type -- foxtrot, tango, rumba etc. -- rather than the song title, and couples of all ages will leap to the dance floor to show off their moves, which is an absolute delight to watch. It will be the main venue for all Strictly-related activities when the stars are onboard. It's open 7 p.m. to late.

The Live Lounge (Deck 7): For a different kind of dancing, make your way to the Live Lounge, the ship's late-night disco, situated right at the back of the ship on Deck 7. Though billed as a night club, it has the look of a performance venue, with a tiered semi-circle of seats round a small dance floor backing onto a stage. During the day, it often hosts kids' themed parties. In the evening, it showcases singers, bands, comedians and tribute acts of varying quality. Once the live entertainment ends, the venue turns into a nightclub with a DJ. It's open 7 p.m. to late.

The small casino adjoins Brodie's pub on Deck 6 starboard. It features a number of slot machines, as well as gaming tables for roulette and blackjack. Tournaments take place throughout the day, including afternoon roulette and live horse racing (via a satellite feed, of course). The slots are open from 10 a.m. to late; the gaming tables are open from noon to 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to late.

Quiz addicts who can't get their fill during the day should head to the Horizon Restaurant where there is a team cruise quiz most nights. You'll find karaoke in Brodie's on certain nights.

Britannia Bars and Lounges

Most of the bars and entertainment venues can be found in or just off the atrium, with a couple of exceptions. They are all very much designed to appeal to British tastes and current fads -- whether that be sampling wines from around the world, discovering obscure regional beers from around the UK or enjoying an artisan gin looking out from the top of the ship.

The Blue Bar (Deck 5): This is an odd little space tucked to one side of the atrium and a bit hard to find. It's an elegant cocktail bar in silver, black marble and midnight blue that should, in theory, be an ideal pre-dinner meeting place, but it isn't. (That honour is taken by Olly Smith's The Glass House.) During our five-day cruise, I didn't see a single person in there. Open 10 a.m. to late.

Brodie's (Deck 6): Set in a large space just off the atrium, Brodie's is popular throughout the day, with a variety of entertainment including quizzes and live football screenings, as well as live music and karaoke in the evening. Designed in smart tones of brass, wood and a black-and-white geometric floor pattern, it's designed to resemble a large pub and is named after one of the founders of P&O Cruises, Brodie McGhie Wilcox.

Brodie's also has The Great British Beer Menu, which features an astonishing 70 different bottled beers, ales and ciders from 56 UK counties including pilsners, ales, stouts, gluten-free beer and speciality beers such as Chocolate Tom from Robinson's Brewery in Cheshire, Ginger Hare from Bath Ales in Somerset and Orange Peel from the Wadsworth Brewery in Wiltshire, starting at a cheaper-than-pub price of £3.85 per bottle. The casino adjoins Brodie's. Open from 10 a.m. to late.

The Glass House (Deck 7): Wine expert Olly Smith's wine bar is a very popular gathering place all day, given its central location at the top of the atrium. Smith has chosen a range of 40 wines to offer by the glass, half of which are new to P&O. They are partly influenced by the ship's itineraries, so he has drawn from Croatia and Italy; but you can find wines from farther afield, including vintages from Uruguay and Japan. The 'Wine Flights' are fun, allowing you to sample three regional varieties, complete with Olly's tasting notes, from £9.95 for three 125 ml glasses. You can accompany the wine with a fine selection of tapas-sized dishes, as well as more filling mains (see Dining). Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Crow's Nest (Deck 16): Located high atop the ship, this bar takes up a prime piece of real estate right at the front and affords spectacular views. It's a P&O Cruises' favourite, appearing on most ships in the fleet, and on Britannia it's the biggest yet. The venue is done up with a generous use of marble and floor-to-ceiling windows. During the day it's quiet and peaceful, and indeed we saw a number of people fast asleep on the very comfortable chairs and sofas dotted about. At night, it turns into a sophisticated pre- or post-dinner venue. You don't chance upon the Crow's Nest -- you head here -- and it's ideally situated if you're dining in the nearby Epicurean. It also adjoins the library and the nearby Marlow Suite, which is the ship's card room.

The Crow's Nest features The Great British Gin Menu, which includes 20 British-distilled gins from around the country including small, artisan brands such as The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (Argyll), Tarquin's Dry Gin (Cornwall), Darnley's View (Edinburgh), Silent Pool Gin (Surrey) and Ely Dark Chocolate Gin (Cambridgeshire), as well as big names such as Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray and Hendrick's. A selection of tonic waters, including Fevertree, Fentiman's and Bottlegreen, complement the gins.

Riviera (Deck 16): The partly covered Riviera bar is the main bar for the Lido Deck. Open 8 a.m. to late.

Lido (Deck 16): This outside bar is opposite the Riviera, on the other side of the two main pools. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunset (Deck 16): This popular spot, right outside the Horizon Restaurant, takes up the whole of the aft of the ship. It's perfect for sundowners and smokers, who can smoke on the port side.

Serenity (Deck 17): This bar is solely for the use of passengers who have booked The Retreat. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Britannia Outside Recreation

There are two main pools on the Lido Deck (Deck 16). Sailaway parties take place here, with a live DJ and dancing. It's a large space and, despite the number of passengers onboard, it never felt crowded. There is a shallow paddling pool between the two main pools, for toddlers. (Swim nappies are OK here.) There is also a plunge pool at the aft of Deck 17.

There is another outdoor pool on Deck 17 in The Retreat. The Retreat is an adults-only enclave at the top and front of the ship, and is technically part of the Oasis Spa on Deck 5. It has a capacity of just 84 people and numbers are strictly controlled; you gain access by purchasing a one-day or full-cruise pass. It's open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The area is serene and calm, with day beds and cabanas for spa treatments. You also get a designated lounger, bathrobe, slippers, towels, free fruit and smoothies, and unlimited access to the two hot tubs.

Passes for The Retreat cannot be pre-booked, but are available to purchase onboard at the Oasis Spa, subject to availability. They tend to book up quickly on the first day of the cruise, though one-day passes are sometimes available on the day. Passes to The Retreat can also be obtained when booking a spa package. A day pass costs £25 per person. Prices for full-cruise passes for one person or a couple are: £120 per person (£200 per couple) for seven nights; £180 (£300 per couple) for 10 to 12 nights; or £240 (£400 per couple) for 14 nights.

You can also eat up here by ordering food via the 'Resort Stewards'. Breakfast (9 a.m. to noon) includes smoothies, cereals and paninis for free, but drinks will set you back £2 for a small orange juice, which is a bit steep. Lunch (noon to 3:30 p.m.) includes salads and light dishes such as smoked salmon and paninis. Afternoon tea includes sandwiches, pastries and scones from a buffet (served from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Outdoor fun is centred around the purpose-built Arena at the aft of Deck 18, the Sports Deck. The Arena is designed as a basketball court, but offers a range of equipment for playing various sports including short tennis, cricket and football. Friendly tournaments for adults and children take place during the day, and some evenings the Arena doubles as a sailaway venue when the weather is particularly inclement. (It's open, but far more sheltered than the Lido Deck.)

The Arena is surrounded by tiered viewing decks and even has an adjoining bar. Screens on either side of the bar are set up for passengers to play the latest motion-sensing video games. There is also a ping pong table and two golf nets near the Arena.

The Sun Deck is up on Deck 17, overlooking the Lido Deck. It has two hot tubs, one on either side looking down on the main pools and plenty of sun loungers. You could also head up to Deck 18, which is quieter and doubles as the tiny Promenade, but you'll have to share it with joggers.

Britannia Services

Reception is off the main atrium on Deck 5. Taking the front desk out of the atrium itself is an inspired move because it means the atrium is left to savour and enjoy, with the lines of people enquiring about their bills relegated to a corridor.

The shore excursions desk is diagonally opposite and beside it is a shop selling essential goods and logo items. All the rest of the shops are found on Deck 6. These include shops selling watches, duty-free items and jewelry. Brand names sold onboard include: Omega and Chopard, Beaverbrooks, Rituals, Desigual and Crew Clothing.

The photo gallery is on Deck 7. There are a few passenger photos on the walls for you to peruse, but mostly you look for your own photos and choose what you want via touch screens. Future Cruise Sales is next door if you'd like to book your next cruise while onboard.

The library is all the way up on Deck 16, right at the front of the ship, just behind the Crow's Nest. It's well stocked and a good size. All the books are in English, and you can take out two books per person and keep them for one week. There are also four computers for passenger use. The ship has Wi-Fi throughout, available in three 24-hour package options; The Connect Package (£7.75 for 24 hours) provides social media access and internet messaging services; The Browse Package (£12.50) offers internet browsing (with the exception of video streaming), internet messaging, email and social network access; and The Works Package (£24.95) offers web browsing, including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music streaming, video calls, email, instant messenger services and social media access. There's also a new "Pay As You Go" option which costs 65p per minute.

The library is open 8 a.m. to noon, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on port days. On sea days, it is open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and then 7:30 to 9 p.m.

The games rooms -- the Marlow Suite (named after P&O's long-serving former boss, Carol) and the Ivory Suite -- are in the opposite corridor. There are bridge tables for bridge and whist in the Marlow Suite.

There are two free self-service launderettes toward the aft of every floor. You can buy washing powder from the ship shop opposite reception on Deck 5.

Spa & Fitness

The Oasis Spa is at the front of the ship on Deck 5, just beyond reception. It's an odd spot, somewhat marooned, and it's unclear why P&O has chosen to put it here when the 'outdoor spa' area -- The Retreat -- is 12 floors above it. Theoretically, you could be wandering around the ship in your dressing gown if you booked a day in The Retreat along with your spa treatment.

The Oasis Spa has 16 treatment rooms, a relaxation room, a lecture room, the Oasis Villa and a thermal suite. The Oasis Villa is an exclusive-use area where you can hide away for a few hours in cushioned chairs and take a dip in your private whirlpool spa. Reserve your time there (for an extra fee) at spa reception.

The thermal suite has a hydrotherapy pool, six heated stone loungers, three aromatic showers and two water beds. There are also two saunas (a mild one and a Finnish one) and a steam room. The thermal suite is very popular and fills up quickly. It costs £25 per person, per day.

Spa treatments start at £36 for a 25-minute back, neck and shoulder massage and rise to £125 for a 75-minute stone massage. There are also couples treatments, acupuncture and facials on offer.

One odd omission: the only drink on offer is water. It seems strange not to have all the various jasmine or ginger-infused teas that you get in most spas.

A salon attached to the spa offers haircuts, manicures, pedicures and men's grooming.

Lectures and seminars go on all day -- everything from how to tackle puffy eyes to improving the way you walk and how to control unruly hair. Look for discounts, such as 'buy three treatments and get a 10 percent discount', especially on port days.

The spa, thermal suite and The Retreat all get booked up early, so make your appointments or purchase your passes as soon as you get onboard -- particularly, if you'd like a treatment on a sea day.

The gym is on Deck 17 toward the back of the ship. It's well equipped with plenty of treadmills and bikes and a weight training area. The cardio equipment faces the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, so there are great views and plenty of light.

There is a large studio for group fitness classes. The gym offers a wide range of fitness classes, some of which are for free (such as stretching and cycling) and others with a charge, including yoga and Pilates (£7.70) and -- a first for P&O Cruises -- TRX (£14 per class). You can also hire a personal trainer by the hour (£47) or join a Boot Camp (three 45-minute classes) for £74.

The jogging track is also up on this level.

A wide number of walk-in seminars, such as foot clinics and wellness advice, take place every day.

The kids' club, The Reef, is located at the aft of the ship on Deck 17. Accessed by a long corridor painted sky blue with white clouds, The Reef is P&O Cruises' biggest dedicated, supervised children's club for ages two to 17-years-old in the fleet.

The Reef Club has five age-specific clubs in dedicated rooms: Tumblers (six months to 2 years), Splashers (2-4), Surfers (5-8), Scubas (9-12) and H2O for the teens (up to 17-years-old), as well as a waiting room for parents. What's particularly special about all the rooms is that they are flooded with natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows. Each group has a range of age-specific activities, games and entertainment.

All age groups must register, and Splashers and Surfers have to be signed in and out by their parents. (Parents cannot drop off at Tumblers, but must stay with babies and toddlers at all times.) There is always a Parents Talk on the first day of the cruise to introduce the staff and outline how The Reef works.

Kids club hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on sea days. Port day hours are mostly the same, but the club opens at 10 a.m. (See separate open hours for Tumblers and teens.) Parents must remain on the ship on port days if their child is at The Reef.

The welcome parties and events such as The Reef's Got Talent show and kids' discos take place during the afternoon in the Live Lounge, 10 decks below.

In addition to Reef events, the Cookery Club runs Family Classes designed for kids to get hands on experience in the kitchen. Each adult can bring along one or two children between the ages of 8 and 17 -- and the children cook for free.

A special children's tea happens every evening featuring stereotypical kid food, such as sausages, fish fingers and pizza. A children's menu is also available in the main dining rooms.

Tumblers is the stay and play area for the tiniest passengers, with soft play mats and plenty of toys. There are no organised activities; instead, it's a safe place for parents to interact with their kids. At night, the space turns into a night nursery for children up to 4-years-old, with space for 15 cots. This is a complimentary service on a first come first served basis. There is no in-cabin babysitting available.

The Tumblers room is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on sea days and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on port days. The Night Nursery operates from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Splashers is a lovely big space with loads for little ones to do, including a soft play area with a slide, a creative play area with Play-Doh and crayons, a puppet theatre, dressing up area and a library. Every day is packed with activities ranging from learning how to juggle to face painting, games and songs, ship-wide scavenger hunts and egg and spoon races. Story time takes place at 7.45 p.m. followed by a movie from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Kids do not have to be potty trained, as staff will change nappies. The facility provides nappies, but parents are encouraged to provide their own.

The Surfers room is huge, split up into a number of different areas. There is a giant soft play area with bean bags, a Lego play area, a puppet theatre, foosball, Wii TV and a number of screens for PS4 computer games. The staff limit the amount of time kids spend playing computer games, and kids of this age are limited to just 11 age-appropriate games.

Surfers have a packed daily itinerary, with shipwide hide and seek, circus skills, bowling, plate spinning, a pirate hunt and duel, and talent shows.

All kids from Tumblers through Surfers can use the enclosed Splash Zone outside the Surfers 'room, which features a pirate ship with button-activated water cannons and a shallow water play area with spray jets for toddlers. (A shallow paddling pool can be found on the Lido Deck.) There are also little (foot-powered) buggies for the smaller ones to 'drive' around in.

The Scubas room includes air hockey, pool, Wi-Fi, a DJ booth and dance floor and lots of space to chill out. There are 12 computer screens and a wide range of age-appropriate video games. On certain mornings, the ship's youth DJ teaches kids to mix and DJ. A Lego area and a craft area round out the offerings.

Mindful of this slightly tricky 'tween-age', Britannia organises a lot fewer activities for the Scubas, and children are allowed to come and go as they please.

H2O (13-17)

The H2O room for 13- to 17-year-olds is more like a nightclub than a kids' room. Teens can either join in the organised games, talent shows and parties, or hang out with friends in the dedicated chill-out areas and play video games or watch DVDs.

The teens-only deck at the aft of Deck 17 is a first for the cruise line. There is a plunge pool, lots of deck chairs and access to the H2O room. The space is simply cordoned off from the regular sun deck area, and outside of school holidays, hardly any teens use the deck. Given this, we wonder if P&O's adult passengers will try and take over the deck area when only a small number of teens are on board.

The H2O room is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on both sea and port days. Note parents must remain on the ship if their teens are aboard.

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• Aerobics Studio *
• Children's Play Area - Kids Club
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Dance Classes
• Enrichment Lectures
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• H2O - Kids Club
• Headliner's Theatre
• Hot Tubs (5)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Hydrotherapy Suite *
• Late-Night Activities
• Nightly Live Music

* May require additional fees

Find a Britannia Cruise

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• CruiseMapper
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Cruise line P&O UK (P&O Cruises)

• Southampton (England)
• Bridgetown (Barbados)

Britannia current position

Britannia current location is at North Sea (coordinates 57.05081 N / 4.20019 E) cruising at speed of 18.3 kn (34 km/h | 21 mph) en route to Stavanger. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Britannia

Britannia current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Norwegian Fjords . The itinerary starts on 31 May, 2024 and ends on 07 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Britannia

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Britannia Itineraries

Britannia review, review of britannia.

The 2015-built MV Britannia cruise ship is the largest vessel in the P&O UK's fleet. From this Royal-class are also the Princess Cruises liners Royal Princess (2013), Regal Princess (2014), Majestic Princess (2017), Sky Princess (2019), Enchanted Princess (2021) and Discovery Princess (2022). These are the ever biggest cruise vessels constructed by Fincantieri (Italy).

The vessel (IMO number 9614036) is currently UK- flagged (MMSI 235106595) and registered in Southampton .

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P and O is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

The 3700-passenger ship Britannia is the biggest ever cruise liner built especially for the British source market. The £500 million new-build is a result of four years of planning. P&O Britannia is 25,000 tons heavier than Azura and Ventura sister ships (previously the largest vessels in the P&O fleet). The Britannia ship alone boosts the capacity of the P and O line by almost a quarter – 24%. Britannia impresses with her Union Jack livery and offers British-style cruising with modern look and feel. Her homeport is Southampton .

Britannia has the most popular features of the P&O fleet, such as The Crow's Nest Bar, Atul Kochar's Sindhu restaurant, Olly Smith's The Glass House, as well as brand new amenities. P&O says that Britannia cruise ship engine power output (MAN diesel engines) is equivalent to 70 Challenger tanks’ power or 86 supercars Bugatti Veyron. Britannia cruise ship is also the greenest yet and designed to deliver greater levels of environmental and operational efficiency. The new form of the hull is expected to reduce fuel consumption by approx 20%. Along with the hull design, P and O changed the hull art as well – with the Union Jack flag 94 m / 308 ft long.

The Britannia ship is the eighth vessel to join P&O UK's fleet and named "to resonate with the forward-looking mood in Britain". Britannia is considered to be the most fitting name because of its famous long heritage, so suitable for the newest P&O addition – the favourite cruise line of Britain. Apparently, HM The Queen gave her permission to P&O use the name.

Two ships connected to the company have been previously named "Britannia". The first one entered service for General Steam Navigation Company in 1835. The second one, together with three other boats, was ordered to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary of her accession to the throne) and entered service in 1887. The "Golden Jubilee ship" had passenger capacity 410 (160 second-class plus 250 first-class) and cargo capacity 4000 tons. In 1888, on this Britannia sailed (to Bombay India ) Winston Churchill, with his hussar regiment, and then fought on India's North-West Frontier (present-day Pakistan's KPK-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province/occupied by the British between 1849-1947 via the East India Company).

Royal Yacht Britannia was the vessel decommissioned in 1997 by John Major government, but the name has been associated with P&O for a long time. In June 2013 a management shake-up at Carnival UK operations later saw the exit of Carol Marlow- the former managing director, and Peter Shanks – ex-boss of Cunard brand. Britannia is the first vessel for P&O Cruises since then. These departures were linked to boosting younger cruisers’ proportion at the UK arm of Carnival Cruises. Everyone who believes in the growth of the cruise industry now expects the new P and O cruise ship Britannia to mark a new era of success.

Her Majesty The Queen (1926-2022) was the royal godmother. She named the ship on March 10th, 2015, at Southampton's Ocean Terminal. HM The Queen was accompanied by Prince Philip and The Duke of Edinburgh. After the royal words "May God bless her and all who sail in her", The Queen pressed the button that released a Nebuchadnezzar wine (a giant bottle of sparkling wine, the equivalent of 20 regular bottles) to be smashed against the hull. This most special event was also marked by live band music performances – Her Majesty's Royal Marines band, and the Irish Guards’ Regimental Band. Also present at the naming ceremony were the Carnival Corporation's front men Micky Arison (chairman) and Arnold Donald (CEO), and also David Dingle (chairman of Carnival UK).

Decks and Cabins

MS Britannia staterooms (a total of 1837 total, in 35 grades) include 64x Suites, 1298x Balconies, 448x Inside and 27x Studios (single-occupancy cabins). The ship has no Oceanview cabins. Most staterooms are Balcony (sized 175-290 ft2). Cabin balconies are rather small (sized 35 ft2 / 3 m2). The largest accommodations are the Owner's Suites (470 ft2/44 m2, with terrace sized 210 ft2/20 m2).

The boat has 17 decks , of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The rise on the world stage of British cooking is reflected in Britannia's dining options. The Epicurean Restaurant specializes in fine dining and molecular gastronomy. It features both contemporary and traditional dishes. The Glass House is home to nearly 40 different wines from all around the world, including labels from Greece, Croatia, and Japan. Wine expert Olly Smith pairs wine with food from the menu, featuring dishes like a Wagyu burger, sea bass ceviche with lime, lobster buns, Morecombe Bay and Devon crab sliders. The first British ship to offer cooking lessons at sea, The Cookery Club provides guests an opportunity to hone their cooking techniques under the watchful eye of food experts and chefs. Aboard the Britannia, passengers can cook alongside baking queen Mary Berry and TV chef James Martin. Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar teaches guests how to make dishes from Sindhu - his signature restaurant. Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White also runs a class, demonstrating his famous dishes whilst passengers cook alongside him.

While P&O UK has already linked up with celebrity chefs for Cookery Club school, Britannia will also act as a backdrop to the first at sea celebrity-led TV cooking contest, Battlechefs, from April 4. On April 2, 2016, the ship will be the setting for another first as she will host live Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway from the top deck.

Follows the complete list of Britannia restaurants and food bars.

• The Limelight Club (supper club for specialty dining; offers live performances and the 3-course dinner menu)
• Meridian Restaurant (aft Dining Room; for Breakfast 7:30-9 am, and Lunch 12:15-1:45 pm/3-course menu; Afternoon Tea 4-4:45 pm.; club dinner dining at 6:30 or 9.30 pm)
• The Oriental Restaurant (aft MDR, with fixed seating dining at 6:30 and 8:30 pm)
• The Peninsular Restaurant (forward MDR, with fixed seating dining at 6:30 and 8:30 pm, open-seating breakfast and lunch; also serving Afternoon Tea 4-4:45 pm)
• Sindhu (Indian specialty restaurant, by A. Kochhar)
• Ocean Grill (specialty, by chef Marco Pierre White)
• The Glass House (steakhouse/seafood specialty restaurant and wine bar, by Olly Smith)
• Java Cafe (buffet-style restaurant)
• The Cookery Club (specialty restaurant and cooking club by James Martin)
• Fine Dining Restaurant (Epicurean Restaurant - specialty, dinner-only, by the Michelin star Marco Pierre White)
• Horizon Restaurant (Lido buffet; complimentary, self-service; with several food stations and floor-ceiling windows)
• Beach House (casual dining venue, dinner-only)
• Poolside drinks and fast-food bars – The Pizzeria, Lido Bar, Lido Grill, Riviera Bar, “Grab and Go”.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MV Britannia ship design is a masterpiece created by Richmond International – London-based architects, who anticipate today's Britain tastes. They are well known for creating “flowing” coherent interiors but with each area having an individual identity. While the Britannia ship may be a large vessel, every inch of the interior was carefully considered as to become breathtaking and striking. MV Britannia was designed to make guests feel special, and all of her was planned with flair and imagination. The Britannia ship offers the very best of Britain's contemporary design and an unprecedented number of facilities for passengers.

The vessel provides the best classic features of Aurora and Oriana , and a wide choice of the contemporary variety of Azura and Ventura. 13 cafes and restaurants, 13 bars, 15 passenger decks, 4 swimming pools, 9 jacuzzis – what more of all these could a traveler wish for? Another good decision on a practical level is the greater number of single cabins - more than on any other ship. Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi access, supervised kids program, laundry/self-serve laundromats, nursery.

Follows the complete list of Britannia lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Britannia Atrium (3-decks central open floor area and social hub); Atrium Shops (Regalia - clothes, souvenirs, gifts; The Wardrobe - brand fashion, watches, bags, hats); Chic - fashion boutique; Emporium - candy shop; Eternity - jewelry, Essence - perfumes)
• Market Cafe (Atrium patisserie by Eric Lanlard), Blue Bar (Atrium piano bar), Sunset Bar
• Brodie’s Pub; The Studio (multi-purpose lounge); Marlow Suite (multifunction room, doubles as Card Room)
• Headliners Theatre (836-seat, 2-decks, featuring grand scale productions, live performances, game shows)
• The Crystal Room (Lounge and Bar; daily dance classes, grand evening balls)
• The Live Lounge (music-dedicated venue; disco at night)
• The Crow's Nest Lounge (dance floor, a stage for live music; with floor-ceiling windows for panoramic views; hosts art classes, quiz games, cooking demos during the day)
• Casino; Ivory Suite (vow renewal and wedding services)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery; The Library (with Internet computers)
• Terrace Pool (adults only area, served by Terrace Bar); Riviera Pool area; Aqua Pool and Bar; Coral Pool and Bar
• adults-only relaxation areas ("Retreat" /VIP Spa terrace with private cabanas, and "Serenity")
• Oasis Spa complex (Treatment Rooms, Steam Rooms, Thermal Suite, Thalassotherapy pool, Beauty Salon)
• Gymnasium (complimentary equipment, Fitness classes; Yoga and Pilates at surcharge)
• Childrens' Facilities (Kids Play Area, The Reef Kids Programming Rooms, Nursery)
• Promenade (Walking Lane and Jogging Track); Sports Court (basketball, volleyball, football, cricket, tennis); Table Tennis; four Golf Net cages.

Itineraries

P&O Britannia itinerary program is based on homeporting in Southampton England and Bridgetown Barbados . The roundtrips include Caribbean Islands (from Barbados), ex-Southampton voyages along the Atlantic Coast, Baltic, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, "mini-cruises" to Guernsey (Channel Islands), Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

Britannia returned to the UK/Southampton on March 25, 2016 (a year after the naming ceremony led by HM The Queen) being homeported in Barbados throughout winter 2015-2016. From the UK, the ship operated short-breaks to Northern Europe and longer cruises to the Mediterranean (during summer). For the Caribbean winter 2016-2017 season, the ship was homeported in Saint Lucia (Castries) .

On June 27, 2021, Britannia became P&O UK's first liner to restart operations (following the 15+ months pause due to the Coronavirus crisis) leaving roundtrip from Southampton on a 4-night "Short Break" ( cruise to nowhere ) in the English Channel/along Devon's coast.

Britannia - user reviews and comments

Photos of britannia.

Britannia ship related cruise news

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Other P&O UK cruise ships

Britannia wiki.

MS Britannia is currently P&O UK's largest liner, as well as the ever-biggest built specifically for the UK market, Fleet's next largest vessels are  Azura and Ventura . The interior was designed by "Richmond International" - UK-based hotel design company. On February 22, 2015, the vessel was delivered at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard . The ceremony was attended by Enrico Morando (Italy's Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance), Micky Arison (Carnival Corporation's Chairman), David Dingle (Carnival UK's Executive Chairman), David Noyes (P&O UK's CEO), Vincenzo Petrone (Fincantieri's Chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

P&O Britannia (Monfalcone shipyard/hull number 6231) is powered by Wartsila marine diesel engines (models 12V46F and 14V46F) generating total power output 62,4 MW.

First Mediterranean cruise (2015, March 14) was a 14-day roundtrip from Southampton to Gibraltar , Barcelona , Monaco , Civitavecchia-Rome , Corsica , Cartagena , Cadiz . First Transatlantic cruise crossing (2015, October 23) was a 14-day itinerary from Southampton to Bridgetown Barbados , visiting Madeira (Funchal), St Maarten, St Lucia, Dominica, Grenada. First Caribbean cruise (2015, November 6) was a 14-day roundtrip from Barbados to Aruba, Grand Cayman, Jamaica (Ocho Rios), BVI (Tortola), St Maarten, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada.

During winter, the ship cruises in the Caribbean on roundtrips from Barbados . The ship was homeported in Port Castries (St Lucia) during winter 2016-2017 season. It also offers fly-cruise deals from UK ( Southampton England ). P&O UK's "flight and cruise" deals to the Caribbean are inclusive of discounted airfare to and from Barbados or St Lucia.

P&O Britannia refurbishments review

The ship's first drydock refurbishment was in 2019 (October 8-22) at Damen Shipyard Brest (France) . During the drydock works were implemented the following changes:

• All interiors were refreshed (shipwide).
• ( Landing Deck 5 / midship Lobby) a permanent Art Gallery was added (adjacent to Blue Bar / Atrium bar)
• (deck 5 midship) The Atrium was redesigned with new color schemes and relaxed live entertainment (music, informal acts).
• (deck 5 midship) Market Cafe's menu upgraded with new gourmet sweets (recipes by Eric Lanlard / French patissier and celebrity chef)
• (deck 5 forward) To Oasis Spa and Salon (ship's wellness complex) were added two express pods for treatments - one for high-tech spa massages, the other for express skin treatments and LVL lash lifting.
• ( Tween Deck 6 ) The onboard shopping was upgraded with new luxury brands - Jo Malone London (candles), Tom Ford (designer fashion), Michael Kors (designer clothing and accessories, handbags, watches, shoes), Clifton (custom design clothing), Edinburgh Gin (alcohol).
• ( Main Deck 7 midship-starboard) Java Cafe (buffet restaurant's) menu was upgraded with alcoholic beverages.
• (deck 7 midship-aft-starboard) Photo Gallery upgraded with Dixons Electronics Hub selling gadgets (imaging, computing, audio) from premium brands like Amazon, Apple (electronics, computer software), Microsoft (software), Sony (electronics, gaming), Canon (imaging and optical products), Fitbit (trackers, wireless wearables), GoPro (action cameras), Bose (audio devices / headphones, speakers, wearables).

On MS Britannia, P&O also introduced a try-before-you-buy program with consultant-managing tasting tables in the ship's beauty and make-up areas.

Drydock 2024 (conducted in April) included upgrades to various areas, including all public spaces, all passenger and crew staterooms, redesigned Lobby Hall (an extension of the Loyalty Desk and Cruise Sales Desk), enhancements to the Market Cafe, a substantial renovation of the crew areas. The children's splash pool zone was revamped with interactive water features. The Sunset Bar's capacity was increased with extra seating.

Fun ship facts

During its first year of service (March 10, 2015 - March 25, 2016), the Britannia cruise ship:

• sailed more than 90000 nautical miles (103570 ml / 166680 km)
• hosted 730 theater shows
• served 94457 meals
• operated 43 itineraries (visiting 31 different countries and calling on 61 seaports).

During that time, the ship carried 116900+ passengers, who consumed ~375000 cocktail drinks, ~2,8 million cups of tea, 292000+ scones.

The vessel was laid down in 2011, its name was announced in 2013. P&O Britannia features a 308 ft / 94 m long Union Jack flag on hull's bow - world's biggest of its kind. The vessel is the first Monfalcone -made cruise ship with 2 funnels. The last ocean liner with 2 funnels (SS Eugenio C) was delivered by Monfalcone shipyard in 1966.

For the naming ceremony was used a nebuchadnezzar British Brut NV (from Winston Estate Winery, England's Sussex region). For the cruise ship's christening event, thousands of bottles "Rose Vintage 2011" and "Brut NV" were delivered.

MV Britannia ship's godmother was Her Majesty The Queen of Great Britain (Elizabeth II/1926-2022). On the naming ceremony, she was accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Philip. The event took place in Southampton on March 10, 2015. The list of other P and O cruise ships named by British Royals includes Oriana (April 6, 1995, by HM The Queen), Aurora (April 27, 2000, by HRH Princess Royal) and the ships Oceana and Adonia (both named on May 21, 2003, by HRH Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Phillips).

The cruise ship's namesakes are the ferries Spirit of Britain (P&O FERRIES) and Stena Britannica (STENA LINE).

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All-you-need-to-know Caribbean Cruise Tips for the Britannia // Sponsored

What a whirlwind adventure! One day I am still recuperating from the excessive Christmas feasts and the next thing I know is I am packing for my first cruise sharing my Caribbean Cruise Tips with you. I couldn’t believe that British cruise giant P&O had invited me over to the Caribbean on the Britannia, to explore tropical Caribbean islands.

After about two days with many travel mishaps, such as baggage delays, refused plane tickets, hotel stays and chasing after a sailed ship, I finally boarded the Britannia in Antigua (not after enduring the slowest immigration process in travel – “Ah, Rosa*, did you take out the wrong documents again?”) but not before pushing my luggage onto some unfortunate crew member and rushing off to my very first tour around my very first Caribbean island, collecting a lot of Caribbean Cruise Tips for you.

So to tell you why I am now converted to never even thinking about doing a cruise to in fact recommending it now, I have summed up questions that I was asked while doing the cruise so you can find out what makes a P&O cruising holiday special and how to make the most of it.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part One:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Have your flights and transportation arranged with plenty of ‘just in case’ time inbetween. If you leave the ship, make sure you are back in time or else the ship sails – unless you booked a tour on board, for which the cruise will wait in case it runs late. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

Table of Contents

How do you find your way around a ship as big as the Britannia?

You cannot imagine how it feels to see the ship rise above you that would become your home over the next nearly two weeks. It was a gigantic ship! In fact, the Britannia is the largest in the P&O fleet with 18 floors to boot and the widest range of restaurants and event rooms possible. Even on the very last day did I get a little bit lost and had to consult the floor plans.

One thing that helped me with orientation was that the ship had three different areas with stairs and lifts, the middle one leading only halfway up and me being high on level 12, I usually avoided walking in the first place. Also, the room numbers are divided between odd and even numbers, so if you catch yourself in the wrong corridor, you have to walk all the way to the next elevators.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Two:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Get your hands on a handy cruise floor plan map for your pockets and mark your room and areas that you visit a lot. Place the room key into its socket the minute you enter the room and carry it with a lanyard (take one from home, for instance). [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

How does the ship’s interior look like?

In my room, I immediately spotted a big bottle of champagne and Belgian chocolates on my table and stepped outside on my little private balcony. If you can, always book a cabin with one! Once I had taken great leisure in claiming my space and arranging my clothes on the wardrobe hangers and decorating the place with books, jewellery and magazines, I decided to explore the ship.

My room had been decorated very tastefully with brown and grey tones, unique stone art above the bed and a giant flat screen but that was nothing compared to the rest of the ship. The overall tones were of a warm brown, green, gold and silver range with absolutely fascinating art everywhere. In restaurants I spotted installations by many British artists, and even jewellery makers or sculpturers. My favourite place was the winding staircase connecting restaurants, bars, shops and the on board pub beneath a stalactite-like chandelier.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Three:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] If you tend to get seasick, take travel pills with you and book a lower inside cabin. Enjoy a stroll around the cruise ship and find your favourite spots. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

What about the food, is it good?

As you have probably heard, cruises are mostly all-you-can-eat celebrations of delightful gluttony. I can hereby confirm this and no, I don’t feel guilty an inch. With the Britannia you can have different dining options. I enjoyed Freedom Dining, which means I could walk into the standard restaurants, such as Oriental, Peninsular and Meridian , at any time I liked during their opening hours without having to reserve a table. Only once did I have to wait with pager in hand but it beeped after a mere two minutes.

You should definitely try all restaurants if you can as each has their own menus, special decor and atmosphere. Did I mention the specialty food? My favourites were the Waldorf salad and steak on lava stone in the Beach House, the beef with chocolate sauce and the dessert chocolate sphere in Sindhu , panacotta in the Meridian and the smoothie and cheese omelette in any restaurant serving breakfast. For lazy or particularly early days, I had breakfast brought to my room and let me tell you, croissants and hot chocolate taste so much better when consumed on an ocean balcony.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Four:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Check the restaurants’ opening times daily in The Horizon magazine. If you missed out, you can always head up to the Horizon buffet restaurant. Set yourself a food and drink budget on board as otherwise you might be tempted too much to try absolutely everything and paying with your room card is very easy to do. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

What special treats does the Britannia have foodwise?

For a very special experience, I had a reservation at the Limelight Club, which is a supper club with a decadent three course menu followed by a private show. It has limited seats and therefore feels rather exclusive, which becomes even more so when finding out that such a dining experience is rather unique to the Britannia cruise within the world of cruising overall. Also, the ship’s signature restaurants such as the Glasshouse with its fine wines and select beer can be found across different P&O cruises but not under one roof anywhere else.

Saving the best for last, The Cookery Club is a state of the art class led by chef Lizzie Kennedy, who was handpicked by celebrity chef James Martin himself, in such a way that even complete cooking newbies would know how to master the select dishes. If you are lucky, you can even cook with other renowned chefs or even P&O’s Food Heroes themselves, such as Eric Lanlard. I tried my hand at two cooking classes, learning more about Caribbean Roots with spicy chicken (mine was a special unspicy Caribbean chicken, seeing that I can’t handle my spicy food ) and rum banana dessert as well as a dessert class on making pavlova and chocolate mousse. We received the recipes in a beautiful little booklet to keep and redo at home.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Five:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Visit all restaurants but book specialty restaurants, cooking classes, afternoon tea sessions and the Limelight Club early. The best time to visit the latter is on a black tie night. Pack enough fancy outfits and costumes for black tie nights and for going out. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

Will I have the opportunity to stay active while on board?

To work off all your new tons of calories (which are so worth it!), you can head over to the gym, participate in the many sports classes, be active in the swimming pools or just head over to the shore and do a good old harbour exploration. I personally liked walking around and seeing the areas we docked at myself, strolling up and down shopping lanes and getting a little bit off path in areas that are a little further out. Ask the crew on the tour planning deck for insider tips on what to see and do.

Personally, I found staying just in the ports too boring, so I made sure to book my tours in advance (after having learned that they pretty much sell out the day before at least) via the 24h booking computers near the reception. If you want to head to the best beaches, you could also get a taxi onshore and spend a day basking in the sun.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Six:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Attend the Port Talks to find out what to do in each port in advance and ask the crew for local tips. Check your onboard Magazine, The Horizon, for daily sports programs and dance lessons. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

How is the entertainment on board the Britannia?

So now you know how to elegantly stuff your face while wearing a beautiful ball gown and hunt down the best spots in the Caribbean, you need to know where to get the best fun. You could check out a local karaoke bar, such as in St Lucia, or you could take advantage of ample opportunities to see ridiculously talented singers, actors and comedians on board in the many Headliner shows.

For instance, I saw a swing concert by no other than Jonathan Wilkes, who performed on Robbie William’s hit album from 2001 and still calls him buddy. It was a brilliant concert, but so were the performances of opera singer Ben Makisi and Britannia’s own talents, for instance. If you want to get involved too and do a little dancing, join the highly popular Sailaway Parties the night before each sea day, where you will be entertained by the pool under the setting sun as the ship sets sail (metaphorically).

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Eight:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Remember that the main entertainment slots are 8:30 and 10:30 pm so you can go to dinner in time (which takes at least an hour!) and not miss the show as you have to be punctual. If you feel lazy, relax on your bed and take advantage of your flat screen or head into the library. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

Is it ok to just sit back and relax?

All of this can wear you out, no matter how lazy a sunbather you are (trust me, I met a woman who brought her husband food because he would not move away from the subbed all 14 days of their cruise). I was extremely tired each night and could not even take advantage of the big TV screen in my room with recent cinema releases (shame on me!). I was told it might have been the rocking motion of the ship, which I always slightly felt. Never mind, it could also have been the pampering in the Oasis Spa with its lovely beauty ladies coming from all over the world.

So by all means, go and check out the spa options, including massages, hydrotherapy and acupuncture. If you are uncertain, you can always have a free consultation or attend the different talks on facials, beauty treatments or Chinese medicine, to name just a few. I had my very first massage ever on board the Britannia and booked a second appointment rightaway. I regret nothing.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Nine:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Watch out for special massage deals in The Horizon, especially towards the end of the cruise. Book a complimentary consultation for facials, massages and other treatments to get an idea of what would suit your needs. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

Is Travelling Solo OK?

That was a question I heard plenty of times, on and off board. And you know by whom? All the lovely people I met without even trying. Everybody was just so warm and welcoming, not just the staff. You get the option to sit on a big table with strangers or by yourself. But either way you choose, if you are dining alone, you will receive curious glances and questions will follow. Embrace it because the conversations will be extremely interesting.

What I loved besides learning more about other people’s travels and their prior cruise experience (I added a Norway cruise to my bucketlist!), is the freedom to just retreat into my own sanctuary, i.e. room while couples had to share the space. A big bonus! But even if you aren’t travelling by yourself, you still can split from your partner or group just like the many multi-generational families did. There always is something going on for everybody’s taste and that’s what I loved about this cruise. Plus, it’s so big, you don’t even have to run into one another.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Ten:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Enjoy the freedom of doing exactly what you want, when you want. Choose to sit at the big table and meet people. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

Help! What should I pack?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. When it comes to packing for a cruise, you should start with a big suitcase and check your cruise itinerary, looking out for smart casual and black tie nights. Basically, you should go crazy on fancy and glamorous outfits for the night and well put together looks for the day.

To get a better idea of what exactly should go into your luggage, have a look at my packing list for first-time cruisers with a free downloadable list to tick everything off neatly so you won’t forget a thing. Since you will have space to put your clothes in your cabin, I suggest to not pack sparingly. I wish I had packed more than one pair of heels and etui dress. Just imagine the possibilities… Well, I’m wiser for next time.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler icon=”caret” title=”First Caribbean Cruise Tips Part Eleven:” style=”fancy” color=”#ffbc66″] Check the luggage limitations for your airline (generally 20kg) and then go crazy on fancy outfits but don’t forget outfits for active days, i.e. swimming, hiking, gym. You don’t need to bring your own towels but please take the ones you get on board back to the ship. Always! And don’t reserve sunbeds with them all day. It’s just rude. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

So what really sets apart P&O cruises?

I have only been on the Britannia so far but like I said, I got to chat to a lot of fellow cruisers and you won’t believe how many of those were cruise veterans and had already booked a follow up cruise through the loyalty program on board (which gives you extra spending credit) and they were raving about their P&O cruises, such as on the Azura or Ventura .

What made it special was the overall atmosphere and feeling of glamour on board. Mostly everyone was nicely dressed (with the exception of the occasional Hawaiian shirt) and black tie nights were rigorously adhered to. Everyone was well behaved, the interior style was extremely chic, from the grand Atrium to the posh spas. The selection of restaurants and live entertainment was ridiculously good and never disappointed. I mean, where else do you have celebrity chefs like Marco Pierre White or Atul Kochhar whip up a special cruise menu?

It was definitely a travel event every day. And I am honestly not exaggerating. Have you ever been on a cruise and would you like to go now? Do you have any Caribbean Cruise Tips yourself?

I would like to thank P&O Cruises and the staff of the Britannia again for this wonderful trip of a lifetime. No wonder so many guests had returned and had become real cruise veterans. As always, my opinion is entirely my own and true at that. *name changed by author

About Annemarie

It had to happen, after ditching the 9-5 for a prolonged break, Annemarie's wokaholic tendencies led her to start a daily blog about her adventures. Annemarie has released books about her tumultuous travel adventures and creates quirky travel video series .

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Carl Wright says

This is so very well written up. I have never been on a cruise before, always unsure if I would enjoy it or not. Your tips covered every possible angle I could think of and answered a lot of questions! Thank you! :)

Travel on the Brain says

Hi Carl, thank you for your nice comment and your honest words. I had never been on a cruise before either and before that always snubbed the thought of those who went but it’s really different to what I expected and talking to the other travellers, it seemed to be a genereal misconception. I am happy my article helped clarify that and gave you a better idea of what it is like to go on a cruise. I hope you can go one day. :)

Das klingt nach einem wundervollen Erlebnis liebe Annemarie. Schön zu hören, dass es dir so gut gefallen hat :)

Liebe Grüße,

Annemarie Strehl says

Mensch, irgendwie wurde mein Kommentar nie gesendet. Vielen lieben Dank für deine lieben Worte. Es war wirklich wundervoll und ich würde jederzeit wieder auf Kreuzfahrt gehen. Das Erlebnis hat meine Meinung komplett geändert. :)

GLG Annemarie

Tolles Video über die Karibik, da bekommt man doch gleich Fernweh. Liebe Grüße, Lerne

Hallihallo! Wie gehts dir so? Das freut mich, dass dir das Video gefallen hat. Es hat echt Spaß gemacht, es zusammenzuschneiden. :)

Nick Vacalo says

Great site. Have bookmarked it. Thanks :)

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Cruise Tips For Families & Single Cruisers

Things to Know Before You Cruise

Unlocking Cabin Secrets On P&O Britannia

Ahoy there! Are you considering embarking on a cruise aboard the P&O Britannia? As a seasoned traveler and cruise enthusiast, I’m here to share with you the insider secrets of the Britannia cabins.

With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide on the right cabin for your needs. But fear not, with my expert tips and analysis, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and unlock the full potential of your Britannia experience.

From the different cabin types and grades to the location considerations, fare options, and even potential issues to avoid, I’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your floating home away from home.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, my goal is to empower you with the knowledge and insight to choose the right cabin for your needs and preferences, and enjoy your Britannia voyage to the fullest.

So let’s set sail and unlock the secrets of the Britannia cabins together!

• P&O Britannia has eight cabin types with each cabin given a two-letter code called a ‘cabin grade’ that refers to the type and location of the cabin on the ship.
• PO Cruises offer three different fare types: Select Fare, Saver Fare, and Early Saver Fare, and the location of the cabin on the ship depends on the fare type you choose.
• Some cabins on Britannia have extra beds, balconies beneath smoking areas, or in the shade, and individuals traveling with children or specific needs such as autism may require specific cabin arrangements.
• P&O Cruises offer vegetarian and vegan food options, drinks packages, and deals from all travel agents, with prices as low as £40 per night. Additionally, the post contains affiliate links, and the author may earn a commission at no cost to the reader.

Cabin Types and Grades

I learned that PO Cruises Britannia has eight cabin types, each with a two-letter code indicating the type and location of the cabin. The different cabin grades group similar cabins together, ranging from single inside to suite.

The cheapest cabins are PF grade inside cabins at the front of the ship, while midship cabins with A as the second letter of the grade are the most convenient. It’s important to note that some cabins on Britannia might be noisy, near smoking areas, or have beds that block the balcony doors.

Furthermore, some individuals may be traveling with children or have specific needs, such as autism. PO Cruises offer various cabin upgrades, and some individuals have even received upgrades to balcony cabins. It’s important to choose the right cabin grade for your needs and preferences, as the location of the cabin on the ship depends on the fare type you choose.

Ultimately, the choice of cabin will impact the overall experience of the cruise, so it’s important to take the time to carefully consider your options.

Location and Noise Considerations

Considering the location and potential noise factors of cabins on this ship, it’s important to take into account the proximity to lifts and smoking areas. Cabins located near the lifts may experience some noise from the constant movement of people. Additionally, cabins near smoking areas may also experience noise and unwanted smells. Therefore, it’s advisable to choose cabins that are midship as they are typically quieter and have a more convenient location.

To help you choose the best cabin location on P&O Britannia, refer to this table:

By considering the location and potential noise factors of cabins on P&O Britannia, you can avoid cabins that may cause discomfort during your cruise. While midship cabins are typically more expensive, they offer a quieter and more convenient location. On the other hand, cabins located at the front or back of the ship may be cheaper, but they are more prone to noise and movement. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each location before making a decision.

Fare Types and Benefits

Discover the treasure trove of benefits that come with the three different fare types offered by PO Cruises.

As a passenger on the Britannia, you have the option to choose between Select Fare, Saver Fare, and Early Saver Fare.

Select Fare offers additional benefits such as the first pick of dining times and table sizes, the first priority for any available upgrades, and more flexibility to change your booking. You can also enjoy free shuttle buses in port and a choice of cabins on higher decks and midship locations.

On the other hand, Saver Fare and Early Saver Fare are the cheapest ways to cruise, but the cabin number is assigned to you. The location of the cabin on the ship depends on the fare type you choose.

While Saver Fare offers a guaranteed cabin selection, Early Saver Fare is the best option for those who are flexible with their travel dates and willing to take a chance on their cabin location.

Regardless of the fare type you choose, PO Cruises provide a range of options to suit your needs and budget.

Food and Drink Options

Vegetarian and vegan food options are available on the Britannia, making it easy for me to maintain my dietary preferences while on board.

As someone who follows a plant-based diet, it can be challenging to find suitable food options while traveling. However, PO Cruises has made it simple for me to enjoy delicious meals that align with my dietary restrictions.

Whether I’m dining at the Horizon restaurant or in one of the specialty restaurants, I know that I’ll be able to find a variety of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from.

In addition to the food options, PO Cruises also offers drink packages at varying prices. Whether I want to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or have a few cocktails by the pool, I can choose a package that suits my needs.

I appreciate that PO Cruises offers these packages as it gives me the freedom to enjoy drinks without worrying about the cost.

Overall, the food and drink options on the Britannia make it easy for me to enjoy my vacation without sacrificing my dietary preferences or breaking the bank.

Deals and Discounts

Wow, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that PO Cruises offers deals as low as £40 per night through any travel agent, making it even more affordable to experience the luxury of cruising on the Britannia.

Not only that, but they also offer discounts for Bluelight card holders, which is a great way to show appreciation for the hard work of emergency service workers.

It’s also worth mentioning that some individuals have been lucky enough to receive upgrades to balcony cabins, which is a fantastic bonus.

Keep in mind that the location of the cabin on the ship depends on the fare type you choose, so it’s worth considering which fare type would be best for you.

With these deals and discounts, there’s no excuse not to book your dream cruise on the Britannia.

Travel Planning Resources

As I plan my upcoming cruise on P&O Britannia, I’m grateful for the travel planning resources available to me. From online forums to travel agents, there are a variety of resources that can help me make the most of my trip. Here are four of the most helpful resources I’ve found:

Cruise Critic: This online forum is a great resource for solo travelers like me who want to connect with other travelers before their trip. I’ve already found some great tips on cabin selection and dining options from fellow cruisers on Cruise Critic.

P&O Cruises website: Of course, the P&O Cruises website is a great resource for planning my trip. From cabin selection to shore excursions, I can find all the information I need to plan my trip in one place.

Travel agents: I’ve found that travel agents can be a great resource for finding deals and discounts on P&O Britannia cruises. They can also help me plan my trip and answer any questions I have about the ship or itinerary.

Family-friendly amenities: As I’ll be traveling with my family, I’m glad to know that P&O Britannia has a variety of family-friendly amenities, such as kids’ clubs and family-friendly dining options. These resources will help ensure that my family has a great time on our cruise.

Bed Types and Cabin Arrangements

As a cruise enthusiast, I know that choosing the perfect cabin is crucial to having a comfortable and enjoyable experience onboard. One of the most important factors to consider is the type of bed in your cabin.

P&O Britannia offers two types of beds: Pullman and sofa beds. Pullman beds are fold-down beds that are stored in the ceiling during the day, while sofa beds are located on the floor and can be converted from a sofa into a bed at night. When sharing a cabin with family members or friends, it’s important to consider the bed arrangements to ensure everyone has a comfortable sleeping space.

Another aspect to consider when selecting a cabin is any specific needs or preferences you may have. P&O Britannia offers cabin upgrades and allocations, and opinions on the quality of specific cabins can be helpful in making a decision.

For example, some individuals may require a cabin with extra space for mobility or have specific dietary needs. It’s important to do your research and ask for recommendations to ensure your cabin meets your specific needs and preferences.

Obstructed Views and Balcony Shading

When choosing a cabin on my next P&O Britannia cruise, I will consider any potential obstruction of views or partial shading on balconies due to overhang. While some individuals may not mind a partially shaded balcony, others may prefer a fully exposed balcony to soak up the sun. Additionally, obstructed views can be a concern for some passengers who want to enjoy the scenery from their cabin.

To help determine the level of obstruction in obstructed view cabins and potential balcony upgrades, I will refer to the deck plan and research other passengers’ experiences online. It is important to note that some obstructed view cabins may have only a slight obstruction, such as a lifeboat, while others may have a larger obstruction, such as a metal beam. Ultimately, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of different cabin options will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable cruise experience.

By considering these factors and doing thorough research, I can make an informed decision when choosing a cabin on my next P&O Britannia cruise. Whether opting for a partially shaded balcony or an unobstructed view cabin, there are options available to suit different preferences and budgets.

Seasickness Prevention and Remedies

Now that we’ve discussed potential issues with obstructed views and balcony shading, let’s move on to another common concern for cruisers: seasickness. As someone who’s experienced the unpleasant effects of motion sickness, I understand how important it is to take preventative measures before setting sail.

Fortunately, there are a variety of natural remedies and medication options available to help alleviate symptoms and make your cruise more enjoyable.

First, let’s explore some natural remedies for seasickness. Ginger has long been touted as a natural remedy for nausea, and can be consumed in various forms such as ginger tea or candy. Another option is acupressure wristbands, which apply pressure to specific points on the wrist to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, some individuals find relief through aromatherapy using essential oils like peppermint or lavender.

These natural remedies can be a great option for those who prefer to avoid medication or want to supplement their treatment. However, it’s always important to consult with a medical professional before trying any new remedies or supplements.

Choosing the Right Cabin

Honestly, choosing the perfect cabin can be overwhelming, but with some research and a bit of luck, you can find the ideal space to make your cruise experience unforgettable.

First, consider upgrading your cabin to a balcony or superior balcony for a more luxurious and comfortable stay. If you’re traveling with children or have specific needs, make sure to choose a cabin that accommodates those requirements, such as a cabin with extra beds or one that’s closer to the lifts for easy accessibility.

When selecting your cabin grade, make sure to research the location and amenities of each grade to find the one that best suits your needs and budget. Keep in mind that some cabins may have obstructed views or be near smoking areas, so read reviews and deck plans carefully.

Lastly, if you have any doubts or concerns about your cabin choice, don’t hesitate to reach out to the cruise line or your travel agent for advice. With some careful consideration, the right cabin can make all the difference in your cruise experience.

Deck Plan Symbols and Meanings

Looking at the deck plan symbols and meanings, it’s important to understand the different codes used to identify cabin grades and other important features on the ship. The deck plan legend typically includes symbols for each cabin grade, as well as icons for amenities such as elevators, stairwells, and smoking areas. It’s crucial to review the legend carefully when selecting a cabin, as different locations on the ship can greatly impact your experience. For example, if you’re sensitive to noise, you may want to avoid cabins near elevators or public areas. On the other hand, if you prefer easy access to amenities, you may want to choose a cabin near the central elevators.

To help you interpret the symbols and choose the best cabin location, here’s a table summarizing the different cabin grades and their meanings:

By understanding the meanings behind the cabin grades and interpreting the symbols on the deck plan, you can choose the best cabin location for your needs and preferences. Don’t forget to also consider factors such as noise levels, proximity to amenities, and potential obstructions when making your selection. With a little research and careful consideration, you can unlock the secrets of P&O Britannia’s cabin grades and find the perfect home away from home for your next cruise adventure.

What are the best cabins for families with children or individuals with specific needs?

As someone who has traveled with children and specific needs, I recommend accessible accommodations and connecting cabins. These options provide more space and convenience, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.

How can I determine the level of obstruction for a cabin with an obstructed view?

When selecting a cabin with an obstructed view, look for options with minimal obstructions. Consider the location of the obstruction and how it will affect your view. Research cabin selection criteria and reviews from previous passengers for more information.

What is the cost difference between selecting a specific deck and cabin position?

I’ve found that the cost difference between selecting a specific deck and cabin position can vary depending on the cruise line and ship. It’s important to research upgrade options and hidden fees before making a decision.

Is medication for seasickness available on board Britannia?

Yes, seasickness medication is available on board Britannia. However, there are also alternative remedies such as natural ginger supplements or acupressure wristbands that can be effective. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication.

What are the pros and cons of partially shaded balconies on A deck?

When considering a cabin on A deck, partially shaded balconies can offer a balance of sun exposure and privacy. Balcony cabins are worth the extra cost for the added luxury.

• Bungy Jumping
• Horse Riding
• Ice-Climbing
• Kite-Surfing
• Motor Sport
• Rock Climbing
• Scuba Diving
• Shark Diving
• Snowboarding
• Stand Up Paddle-Boarding
• Wakeboarding
• White Water Rafting

Travel , Video

Caribbean cruise on britannia: honest review with p&o cruises.

Page Contents

If you haven’t observed this already, I love the concept of taking a cruise. Waking up in a new destination with a list of activities to chose from and fresh islands ready to explore. At least that’s what you get a Caribbean cruise with P&O Cruises , together with gorgeous sunshine, crystal clear waters, wildlife and rum punch.

In my view it’s also the best way to see as many destinations as possible in the Caribbean on a reasonable budget. You get a feel for each island, and if you like them enough, you can go back. And you don’t have the expense of hotel costs. Cruises often work out remarkably reasonable compared to Caribbean package holidays.

This article will run you through my experience on a two-week cruise on Britannia. I’ll talk through the islands, what I did, what other options you have and my thoughts on the islands. I’ll start with talking about Britannia herself.

If you like to watch videos of the trip rather than reading, skip down to the videos section at the bottom of my article!

Britannia at a Glance

One of the most famous ships in the P&O fleet, Britannia holds 3657 guests and 1350 crew. That felt like a considerable size to me, but I quickly found my way around onboard and it’s small enough that you’ll bump into people you’ll met on your holiday.

Britannia has 10 dining options, 7 entertainment places and 8 bars or cafes. Featuring some of the usual P&O staple venues such as Sindhu, the Glass House, The Crow’s nest, Beach House and Epicurean. My experience dining in Sindhu on Britannia was one of the best I have had on cruise, the food and staff were fantastic.

If you’re not familiar with how dining works on P&O Cruises, then you have a number of restaurants included in your full-board package, and a few restaurants that are extra. You can eat for free at the Horizon buffet more of less any time of day, which has great food. For a sit-down experience, you can book in at the Peninsular and Oriental restaurants, also included in your standard package. The latter features a menu and waiter service, so a lovely dining experience.

To step things up, certain restaurants are extra, but they are well worth it in my opinion. These include Sindhu, Epicurean, The Glass House and Beach House which is just a small fee.

There are 3 choices of room onboard which I like because it doesn’t overwhelm you with options and price difference. I had a suite, which included a balcony. This gave me space to work (yes, I was working!), and that game-changer of a balcony. I absolutely love a balcony, those sunset beers of waking up for sunrise and watching us sail into a new destination. You honestly cannot beat that feeling. You can also get inside cabins or balcony cabins.

Finally, you of course have all the expected entertainment options. You can usually find me at the Headliners Theatre for the daily shows, the sports bar of Brodie’s which usually has acoustic music, or partying at my favourite, the Live Lounge.

Caribbean Cruise on Britannia

Now that we’ve discussed the essentials about Britannia cruise ship , let’s go through all the stops that you’ll have on the Caribbean Cruise. Spoiler alert: You won’t be disappointed!

You’ll start and finish this cruise in Barbados, so make sure you check the immigration and Covid requirements for entering Barbados. I wrote an article on this, and also check Cruise with Confidence  page on the P&O Cruises website.

Depending on which day you arrive, you’ll either have a free day in Barbados at the start of the cruise, or at the end. Mine was at the start, and if you want a relaxing day head to the Boatyard . It’s within walking distance of the ship and for $30 you can use their inflatables, rope swing, free Wi-Fi and snorkel with turtles.

Top tip : get an e-SIM that covers with whole Caribbean with Airalo and get $3 free using the code  SCOTT801  or signing up from  this link.

I set Airalo up on the free Wi-Fi as you can’t set it up on the Cruise Wi-Fi. For $10 I got 1GB for a week and was valid for all the islands we were visiting, it was brilliant.

If you don’t want to head to the beach, there are plenty of Shore Experiences in Barbados. These include a sunset cruise, a 4×4 adventure, the best of Barbados and of course beach hopping. A lot of the combined trips include snorkelling with turtles and a couple of beaches. Or why not hop in a taxi and to go the Mount Gay Rum distillery? I did that on my 2017 visit to Barbados .

After a sea day we arrived at the beautiful Dutch-Caribbean island of Curaçao, and you’ll certainly notice the Dutch influence. The ship docks at the capital Willemstad , which is well worth exploring for an hour or two.

I picked an island explorer tour, which was a whistle-stop tour of the island. I picked this one as I’ve never been to Curaçao, so wanted to see as much as possible. It also finished around 2pm, giving me a couple of hours to explore Willemstad.

The tour started with snorkelling with turtles at Playa Grandi on the northwest of the island. What a way to introduce the group to the island! Perfectly crystal-clear waters and some epic shots. After that we went to the caves and viewpoint of Shete Boka Park , followed by Playa Kenepa ; one of many stunning beaches on the West Coast. Our final stop was to see the wild flamingos at Saliña Jan Kok . That really was a wonderful way to finish the tour.

Other shore experiences I was considering were the Hato Caves and beach and the Ultimate Island Experience. There aren’t any beaches within walking distance of the port, and I really recommend seeing the flamingos in the wild as that’s something quite unique to Curaçao.

Our second port was the island of Aruba, and like Curaçao it’s another Dutch territory close to Venezuela. I’d heard mixed reviews about Aruba so as I’d just done an island experience tour I decided to go it alone and rent a car.

You dock in the town of Oranjestad , which feels busy a bit like Miami. It wasn’t that easy to find a car rental, but I did find a Hertz office inside a hotel. The car was small and a bit beaten up, and cost $60 for 24 hours. I had a list of places to visit, here are my thoughts.

My first stop was the California Lighthouse , a viewpoint where everyone stops at. It was busy and honestly not worth it; however, the trip north was made worthwhile by my stop at Hadicurari Beach , a stunning kitesurfing spot on the West Coast. I then headed south to a hidden gem of a beach called Mangel Halto (a nice insider tip I got). It’s small and you can find your own private beach hidden in the mangroves, if you’re looking for a secluded beach escape, I’d recommend taking a taxi here.

My next stop was to see the beautiful street art of San Nicolas . A good starting point is Charlie’s Bar , which certainly attracts the tourists but is fascinating. From there you can wander the streets and admire the artwork. Close to San Nicolas is Baby Beach , a popular stop with several of the tours. But this was far too busy for my liking, which is a shame as it’s a stunning spot.

I then hightailed it to the East of the island for two more stops. The first was the Natural Bridge and the second Bushiribana Ruins . I was more impressed by the ruins, and these were popular spots for the UTV tours.

The Shore Excursions I was tempted by were the Jeep Safari, Catamaran Sail and snorkel or the UTV adventure. I don’t think an island highlights trip would be brilliant here, and the UTV did look fun however keep in mind you very much follow other UTVs in a line and don’t go off-road much.

St Vincent & the Grenadines

St Vincent was the first of the island that had further Covid requirements in place. Whilst I understand this is a bit inconvenient, please keep in mind that often these islands do this to protect their population, which have lower vaccination rates than the UK. St Vincent required a PCR test done onboard at an addition cost of £25.

The PCR test was extremely easy and organised by P&O, giving me an allocated timeslot the day before, with my results added to the ship’s manifest. Once you’re in the dock you meet your tour and stay in that tour “bubble”.

I decided to get out at sea today and picked a catamaran tour of the West Coast and Volcano viewing. It was only in April 2021 when the volcano last erupted! Sadly, the unpredictable Caribbean weather meant that we couldn’t view the volcano and headed back south for blue skies. We still stopped at a secluded beach and drank rum punch. The island is absolutely stunning from the ocean, so this was a great morning. Just watch out for the rum punch, the rum was 85%!

If I’m honest I had some regrets at not exploring St Vincent by land. I had a good feeling from the island and the people and remember it as one of my favourites from when I was younger.

Shore Experiences on land that would have tempted me were the Vermont Nature Hike or the 4×4 Safari. And other options by sea were the Dolphin and Whale Adventure or the Northern Grenadines Sail away. Possibly one of biggest frustrations on this cruise was trying to choose the best adventure and FOMO (fear of missing out) if you pick the wrong one! First world problems…

It’s not very often in life you get to return to a place you really love, but Grenada was one of those. I spent a week here in 2017 and felt a connection with the island and always wanted to come back.

Grenada (pronounced Green-aida) also has restrictions in place which mean you can’t leave your tour bubble, but there was no requirement for another Covid test. Because I’ve already seen a lot of this island, I picked an experience I hadn’t done, and one that looked like a lot of fun, River Tubing!

This experience was brilliant. We drove to a spot in the rainforest (even the drive is brilliant, but I do love this island), and after a safety briefing, we were given our tubes and away we went. For a couple of hours, we floated down the river, with some calm bits and some less so. But there were a group of brilliant guides there to help us through and entertain us. Their energy was brilliant. The tour ended with the chance to jump into the river and of course a rum punch!

If you haven’t been to Grenada however, I recommend something that will show you more of the island. There are a few options like the Grenada Highlights, Island Drive and Annandale Falls, or the Eco trek to Bamboo Falls.

Grenada is also famous for the Rhum Runner boat trip, following a famous pirate route. It’s basically a very boozy boat party! Watching the Rhum Runner return to port was entertaining to say the least (check out the video below!).

Ahhh coming back to St Lucia after 21 years away. I promise it won’t be as long next time! St Lucia holds a special place in my heart because one of my travel memories as a teenager was exploring St Lucia alone. I left my family to do their thing and felt the buzz of a rainforest trek, meeting locals and pushing myself.

Okay it’s not exactly the most intrepid thing I’ve done, but at that age it planted a seed for travelling along. 10 years later I went backpacking, and 5 years after that I started this travel blog.

In St Lucia I recommend anything which includes the stunning Pitons . I picked the tour Pitons and Lunch with a Local. It was a quite easy short hike for the Pitons, and I wanted to eat Caribbean food. Sadly, as you’re on a cruise where food is included you don’t get to enjoy the food as much as I’d have liked, and I was craving some good Caribbean grub. I wasn’t disappointed!

The hike was the Tet Paul Nature Trail , which was easily signposted if you want to find it yourselves. It took under an hour with a 10-minute climb which certainly raised the heartrate but wasn’t too testing, you don’t need a guide for this hike. Once you get to the top you can walk the circular route to see both Gros Piton and Petite Piton, and fantastic views over St Lucia including the tallest mountain on the island.

Following the hike, we went to lunch and ate fantastic Caribbean food, for what was included you’ll have to watch the video below but let me tell you it was delicious, especially the plantain!

There are plenty of good tours available on St Lucia, but I really recommend anything that include the Pitons, as they are such a spectacular sight. If you don’t fancy them anything that includes the rainforest of plantations are also a great bet.

Finally whichever tour you end up on, if you fancy a few more drinks and a wonderful atmosphere head to Rum Therapy bar at the port. It’s a fantastic spot for sunset right with views overlooking the ship. However, females attending alone should be warned the bar staff here are not discrete with their attention and intentions, which was a real shame and, in many ways, let down the island. I would advise against solo females going alone.

St Kitts & Nevis

Another stunning island and without doubt one of my favourites is St Kitts (Shh don’t tell the others). It’s another port that required you to be on an organised tour or take a licensed taxi to and from the port. There is so much to explore on St Kitts, but I decided to get active and did Nature Kayaking . The bonus part was this also included snorkelling which was the best part.

Our trip was only a couple of hours and first headed to Discovery Beach where we picked up our kayaks. We kayaked for around 20-30 minutes to a small bay (there were no other people), so it was suitable for people that haven’t kayaked before.

From the bay we put on our snorkels, and it was here that the real surprise of the trip. We saw turtles, stingrays, jellyfish, octopus and a shoal of squid! Look out for the video for at least that part, as it blew me away just how much we saw in around an hour.

After a quick rum punch (yes this really is part of every tour), we headed back to the port via the Timothy Hill Overlook , a fantastic viewpoint that most tours will stop at. The Port is also lively with a few nice bars if you have time. Our tour finished by 12pm, so I was on the look out for something else to do!

Top recommendation : I met up with a few people from the cruise, and decided to head to a fantastic bar, and tip from my friend Esther; Spice Mill Restaurant . This restaurant is a rustic gem on the white sands of Cockleshell Beach , which overlooks the island of Nevis. It’s also home to Hibiscus Spirits where the owner Roger distilled local rum (which I can verify is amazing).

The website describes Spice Mill as “Caribbean dining, liming and indigenous architectural experience.” What more could you ask for? If you do end up there following this article, please say hello to Roger for me, and grab me a bottle of Hibiscus Spiced Rum.

The other Shore Experiences that tempted me were the Rainforest Discovery, Discover Nevis Island or the Jeep Safari. St Kitts is definitely somewhere I’ll be coming back to for longer.

Next up was Antigua, one half of the nation Antigua and Barbuda. Known for having one beach for every day of the year (yes it has 365 beaches!) and its famous naval history. The ship docks in the capital St Johns , and as far as I could see there isn’t a beach within walking distance.

My tour was a Segway tour of Fort Worth, and this is also where you do the Horse-Riding Tour. We headed along the beach finding our balance before a couple of beach stops. After that we stopped for some fruit at Fort Worth and wandered around.

The tour leaves you for an hour at Runaway Beach , enough time for a swim and a local beer. It’s easy to see the appeal of the beaches in Antigua, picture-perfect.

Nonetheless, if I came back, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend my tour, there wasn’t really enough to see in the area. I’d look into the Island Safari, Stingray Sensation or the Best of Antigua.

Antigua is famous for the swimming with Stingrays, and although some people frown upon experiences like this one, I’ve only heard good things! Book this one fast though as it could sell-out.

Finally, friends of mine headed to Dickerson Bay Beach in a taxi. You can also take a tour there. And they went to the floating Kon Tiki Bar , which looked like great fun and a unique experience! Antigua, I’ll just have to come back for more of these experiences.

The final stop on the cruise and the moment when you realise just how fast the second week goes! St Maarten is another one where you have the choice between a beach day or a tour. This is a port where you can walk to Great Bay Beach , and there are no Covid rules restricting you to an organised tour.

It’s also home to Maho Beach , positioned right next the Princess Juliana Airport and famous for the low flying planes. I’ve felt like this is a bucket list place to go myself, so decided to get a taxi to it. There is a taxi rank right on the port and a return cost $16 per person, they give you a wristband, so they know you’ve paid for the return journey.

I arrived around 10:30 and there weren’t too many people, but as the day went on it got busier and busier. It’s a surreal experience, to watch these planes flying in so low. And every hour or so you get a quite large one come in. Sadly, nothing really huge landed when we were there.

It’s the take-off that provides the most entertainment, as the blast from the jets caused some powerful wind. So much so that people have been seriously injured. Thankfully now it looks like the bigger planes use the runway from the other side, meaning people cannot go and stupidly hurt themselves. It was still powerful enough to blow people’s stuff across the beach, so I chose to sit away from the blast. I do not need to get sand blown in my face for an adrenaline rush.

If neither of these are for you then the tours that tempted me were the Snorkel, beach and RIB experience. And anything that took to the water, as the island looks beautiful from the ocean.

Videos of my Caribbean Cruise on Britannia

I hope that gives you an insight into my experience with P&O Cruises in the Caribbean and has given you some ideas if you are planning your holiday. There are some fantastic deals with P&O Cruises right now, and not all the ships will be full.

If you have any questions at all about my experience, please drop them in the comments below.

This article was supported by P&O Cruises but as always, the opinions and photos in the article are all my own, and I think it’s clear to see I loved every minute of my time in the Caribbean!

Founder & Editor of Intrepid Escape, a huge lover of adventure, adrenaline, sport & fitness. After travelling extensively for the last 12 years, Scott started to document his travels before fulfilling an important lifelong goal by starting Intrepid Escape. He has since become a full-time Travel Writer, Videographer, Presenter and Producer.

8 thoughts on “ Caribbean Cruise on Britannia: Honest Review With P&O Cruises ”

Looking to book Britannia January 23, definitely want to (respectfully) interact with Stingrays & snorkel to see Turtles. Found your site by accident but wow how informative for us to get the best from the Caribbean! Thank you

Hi Scott, and thanks for your extremely informative review. We are taking this cruise on 28th January 2023 and the excitement is building already! Regarding the shore excursions is it particularly sensible to take the P&O excursions for security and ensuring you get back to the ship on time?

Hi, really informative page, thank you. Is it easy to book tours and things to do when you arrive on the islands? Or do you have to book the P&O ones? Thanks.

I will be going on the Caribbean cruise for my honeymoon november 2023, how much do the excursions cost? Thanks

The only thing I cannot find, is what time you have to be back on the boat???

Yes, that’s the first thing anybody would want to know. I don’t like when ships dock at you’ve finished your breakfast then you feel you have to leave and tour the whole country and be back before 5pm which is way too early. Turns into a working day and you can’t relax for clock watching. Also in Grenada by the waterfall young local can hassle you to pay them to watch them dive into the waterfall – very offputting.

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Impeccable service: The staff were friendly, attentive, and always went the extra mile to ensure a flawless experience.Cleanliness & hygiene: The ship was spotless, and the crew maintained high standards of hygiene throughout the voyage.

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P&O Britannia – 8 free ‘must do’ activities (MV Britannia)

If you are considering a cruise onboard p&o’s britannia or maybe you’ve already got one booked, this is the post for you..

Below are 8 FREE things you MUST do onboard Britannia to make the most of your cruise.

1 – P&O Captains welcome drinks

Don’t miss the captains welcome drinks in the atrium! If nothing else you’ll get a free glass of wine or prosecco. Who doesn’t love that? We were lucky enough to have captain Wesley Dunlop onboard who is hands down my favourite cruise ship captain. I don’t really care for meeting the captain normally but Wesley is brilliant.

Wesley and me!

At the welcome drinks the captain will let you know all about your cruise route and the weather to be expected. Wesley joked that “It’s going to be 24 degrees tomorrow… 12 in the morning and 12 in the afternoon!’. That was about right, we had rain every single day of out Norwegian Fjord cruise. Not what you’d expect from June really but Norway is notoriously wet.

2 – P&O Britannia’s crows nest!

The crows nest is located at the front of the ship and is THE best place to watch a sail in or sail away. It does get very busy as some people tend to ‘set up camp’ here and stay all day. We would sometimes start at the bar and then graduate towards the view as more seats became available… I imagine that the crows nest would be even more invaluable if you were staying in an inside cabin. During our cruise it did rain a lot so the top decks weren’t really an option for watching many of the sail ins/outs. The Norwegian Fjords have some of the most amazing views that I have ever seen so make sure you grab a good seat!

3 – Have a drink in the atrium

I would recommend this one for most cruises but it is even more important on a ship like Britannia. Britannia has a HUGE atrium which spans 3 levels and has various locations where you can sit down and grab a drink. It truly is the heart of the ship and is the best place to sit back and watch the world go by.

I would suggest you grab a drink and find one of the comfy blue chairs that remind me of the Graceland guesthouse (very gold and velvet). From there you can get your bearings and work out which way is front and back.

HINT: The main staircase is at the front so if you are stood in the atrium feeling confused head to the staircase if you want to go to the front. 

I found the layout of the Britannia really confusing. It doesn’t take much to confuse me but I don’t think I’m alone with this one! If you get confused just head to the atrium and you’ll be able to get everywhere from there! It’s a full proof plan.

What activities happen in P&O Britannia’s atrium?

Most of the time nothing but they do have things here sometimes like fruit carving demonstrations and bed making competitions… yep you heard me correctly! We also bought our drinks package from the atrium on the first day when they have stalls set up to let you know about the drinks packages and speciality restaurants.

4 – Table share at dinner! (WITH STRANGERS)

Some people love table sharing and some hate it. I’ve always avoided it but I did do it onboard Britannia. We had freedom dining which meant that we could show up to the dining room whenever we fancied. Perfect! We shared a table with 8 people and we got on so well that we decided to meet up again on the last night of our cruise.

I think it is due to the fact that most passengers are British that the table sharing thing works so well. I’ve honestly never been on a cruise where the fellow passengers were so polite and friendly! On other cruise lines, we have often been placed with people who didn’t speak the same language as us which made things a little difficult…

Do you have to table share on P&O cruises?

No, you don’t HAVE to. We selected anytime dining and often had a table for two. If you book the cheaper ‘select’ fair you have less priority when it comes to dining although I’ve never found anybody who was unhappy with the dining arrangements that they were given. You can request a table for 2 at the time of booking.

Even if you are hesitant about table sharing I would recommend you try it at least once.

To learn more about the dining options available onboard Britannia click here: P&O Cruises Website – Food and Dining.

Do P&O Cruises have Formal nights?

I will be writing more about this at a later date but I was seriously impressed with the formal nights onboard Britannia. P&O really provides a good opportunity to try formal nights without strictly enforced ship-wide dress codes. Most other guests did dress up and I loved seeing some of the other passenger’s outfits! There are plenty of other dining venues if you don’t want to do the formal dining thing.

P&O Food Review

I thought that the quality of the food was REALLY good. At no point could I find fault with anything in any venue. I will be bringing you a full food review with loads of pictures so please keep your eyes peeled for that one. We used freedom dining and it worked really well for us.

Below is a photo of lunch in the main dining room.

5 – Buffet lunch

Make sure you head to the buffet. Even if you are not a ‘buffet person’ make sure you stop by for a snack. They have iced buns for breakfast and Yorkshire puddings for lunch. That is my DREAM. The buffet itself is absolutely huge and although it did get busy we never had any trouble getting a seat.

The buffet is also open for snacks UNTIL 2 am. 2 am!!

Special Diets

The ‘special diets’ corner of the buffet was really impressive, they have gluten free, dairy free and sometimes vegan options. I can’t eat dairy but I managed to find myself an amazing pudding which definitely competed with my mums dairy version. I will be bringing you a full food review so watch this place!

6 – Grab and Go

I’m not sure if this is a new feature because I’ve never heard it mentioned before… Up by the pool deck they have a couple of ‘grab and go’ fridges. They have a variety of sandwiches/wraps and puddings/fruits available for you to take away. Think about it like a boots meal deal, but free! I would definitely recommend you head to the top decks at some point and pick up a sandwich to enjoy. It’s a great alternative to the buffet if you don’t want to fight the crowds at busy times.

7 – Go to the Theatre

Head to the theatre as much as you can. I usually like to go each evening but unfortunately, there was so much to do onboard Britannia that we probably only made it about half the time.

The quality of the productions and singers was really good. My personal favourite was the ‘4 tunes’ who are a four piece male group. The singers all have a musical theatre background and sung a variety of songs.

My only complaint about the theatre is that you can only get into the rows from one side. So if you’re on the edge you’d have to walk past a lot of people to get out. I like to have escape routes!

To learn more about the entertainment available on Britannia click here: P&O Cruises Website – Entertainment. 

P&O Britannia Astonishing review

There is a lot of hype about the show ‘Astonishing’ at the moment and rightly so! It is a magic/singing/dancing show produced by Stephen Mulhern and Jonny Wilkes.

We were onboard for the premiere of the show where they gave us lots of champagne before the showing. We went back later in the cruise to watch the show again and it was really interesting to see it again when not under the influence of champagne… it was still really good but definitely different.

Astonishing had a good mix of magic, singing and dancing which I appreciated. I have a very short attention span but i was entertained for the full 45 minutes.

8 – P&O sail away party!

The sail away parties onboard P&O are not to be missed. I have never seen quite like it before. You’re all given a flag and they play british pop tunes. Everybody gets up and has a dance and it’s loads of fun. Very very cheesy but I enjoy that. Some passengers had obviously bought clothes for the occasion. One man had a full union jack suit!

Should do’s:

These ones are things that I think would massively add to your cruise if you can but of course, I understand they aren’t for everybody!

1 – Try out a speciality restaurant (or 2 or 3 or 4)

Onboard Britannia I tried out: Epicurean, Sindhu, the Beach House and the Limelight club. I usually don’t try out speciality restaurants but I’m glad I did. Each one provides a unique experience. I didn’t necessarily think that the food was any better than in the main dining room (it was really good in the main dining room) but each one had very different food.

P&O Epicurean review

Epicurean was more of an experience than a meal. Everything was very theatrical and I had some ‘parsley bubbles’. At one point we were given a pipet of gin and this weird jelly eyeball to create some type of food. I have no idea!

P&O Sindhu review

I am not really a fan of Indian food but I really loved Sindhu. Mums only complaint was that the restaurant was too dark for her to read the menu. Very atmospheric!

P&O The Beach House review

The beach house is the cheapest (£7.50ish) but it was my favourite! They turn part of the buffet into a restaurant and serve things like burgers and ribs. Mum and I had a chocolate fondue dessert with churros and marshmallows. Yum.

P&O The limelight club review

The limelight club is a dinner with a show experience. You have your pre-starter, starter, main and then watch a preview performance of whoever you are watching. After this you have dessert and then watch the full show. The food was good although I felt the evening dragged on a little (literally took 4 hours). I am more of a grab and go kinda girl!

2 – Try a cooking lesson in the cookery club

Okay, this is on the should do list because it is kinda expensive. The morning that I spent with Marco Pierre White learning how to cook costs £100. But it was SO much fun and if you have the money I would definitely recommend it. Even if you don’t like cooking (I don’t).

The Cookery Club on board Britannia is a hands-on cooking school at sea. Create your very own culinary masterpieces under the guidance of the best in the business, including the Godfather of British cooking, Marco Pierre White and other Food Heroes (on selected cruises).

Photography by Christopher Ison. www.christopherison.com

Photography by Christopher Ison.

Are you cruising on Britannia?

Any cruise ship can be overwhelming and one as big as Britannia can leave you thinking ‘where do I start?!’ I hope this post gives you some ideas. I had the most amazing cruise onboard Britannia as we cruised around the Norwegian Fjords. It was my first P&O cruise and I was really impressed with the quality of the food and service onboard.

Please leave me a comment letting me know if you’ve cruised with P&O before and if you’ve got any booked where you are going?

To learn more about Britannia on P&O website click here: Britannia Cruise Ship.

If you’ve previously cruised with Royal Caribbean and are wondering how P&O cruises compare you’ll find everything you need to know here, including which has better food:

7 HUGE Differences Between P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean

P&O Cruises Menus

FURTHER READING:

10 REASONS TO CRUISE WITH P&O    –   CRUISING  ISN’T JUST FOR OLD PEOPLE

WHY CHOOSE A P&O CRUISE – HOLIDAYS AT SEA 

CRUISING WITH FRIENDS, OUR P&O CRUISES OCEANA ADVENTURE – ENGLISH MUM

P&O Britannia Cabins (Tour & Review 2019) – Emma Cruises

Saturday 17th of October 2020

[…] guests onboard were so lovely that I even suggested table sharing in my ‘8 free ‘must do’ activities onboard Britannia‘ post. Table sharing is something that I very rarely do but it was such a positive […]

Emma Le Teace

Friday 12th of April 2019

Of course, very welcome! :)

Wednesday 3rd of April 2019

Thank you Emma for sharing this information with us. We’re on her for the first time for seven nights on 1st June. We’ve been on Ventura three times, Azura once and Oriana once.

Thursday 4th of April 2019

Hey Mary, thanks for your comment. Have an amazing time! If you ever have any questions you know where to find me. :)

Martin Humble

Thursday 28th of February 2019

Hi Emma thanks for info we are thinking of booking our 1st cruise for next June... Britannia Spain and Italy from Southampton go 14 days

I understand yoy pay for your drinks... Are drinks include with your meals or charged... THANKS

Saturday 2nd of March 2019

Hey Martin, there are no drinks included they are all charged (apart from tea/water in the buffet).

You've picked a great cruise for a first cruise! P&O make everything so simple. Have a great time :)

Wednesday 11th of July 2018

Thank you so much Chris!! Glad you found it useful.

Have an amazing time that all sounds amazing.

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• P&O Cruises ( UK )

Britannia - any handy tips / info

By Sarah1974 , January 22, 2019 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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Apologies if this has been asked before (I'm sure it has!); I'm new to cruising with P & O.  Does anyone have any handy info / tips for cruising on Britannia?  This is my first cruise on this ship and my first cruise in a balcony cabin.

Any advice gratefully received

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If you don't mind the odd bit of soot then the largest balcony cabins are at the back. We have had F729 twice and love it. MUCH bigger than the balcony cabins on the side Is it perfect? No, but we loved it.

If you have already booked make sure that there are cabins above and below you and not obstructed re your view.

We always have freedom dining and then eat at some of the speciality restaurants in the evening. All are good apart from the Eric Lanyard afternoon tea that we really did not like at all. We loved the Blue Bar in the atrium as we were right beside the sea :-)

We found that the best place to have a sunbed is on the decks quite high above the pool area ---- a few stairs up but some overlook the pool so are close enough to the pool to be part of the action but far enough away to be quiet

Just be warned that you will now be hooked on cruising and it is an expensive addiction !!!

Thank you for your reply.  We have paid a select fare and have a balcony cabin but when I booked they could not allocate the cabin due to "limited availability" - I thought I would be able to pick.  I have requested cabins above and below due to noise levels.

We do have freedom dining and may try a speciality restaurant.  Thanks for the sunbed advice - I prefer a quiet area.

I have cruised a few times before with Royal Caribbean but it's time to try something different.

That's disappointing that having booked a select fare you were not able to select your cabin or given available balcony cabin choices during the booking process.

That's one of the reasons we always book select fare to be able to select our cabin.

Did you book with a TA or direct with P&O

I am sure you will have a great cruise.

I booked directly with P&O.  I was told that "for an extra fee" I could pick my cabin number - but since I was already paying the select fare was not prepared to do that.  Hopefully now that I'm taking my chances with a guarantee balcony it will be ok and I won't end up in a terrible location

5 hours ago, Sarah1974 said: I booked directly with P&O.  I was told that "for an extra fee" I could pick my cabin number - but since I was already paying the select fare was not prepared to do that.  Hopefully now that I'm taking my chances with a guarantee balcony it will be ok and I won't end up in a terrible location

If that is what you were told by an agent by phoning direct with P&O then I would ring again and complain because you were wrongly informed. If you book a Select Fare then there is no "extra fee" to be paid to pick your cabin number it is a part of the benefit. If you book an Early Saver or Saver then the cabin number is chosen by P&O and even then cannot be picked by you "for an extra fee".

groovechick

1 hour ago, majortom10 said: If that is what you were told by an agent by phoning direct with P&O then I would ring again and complain because you were wrongly informed. If you book a Select Fare then there is no "extra fee" to be paid to pick your cabin number it is a part of the benefit. If you book an Early Saver or Saver then the cabin number is chosen by P&O and even then cannot be picked by you "for an extra fee".  

For some time now P&O have been gradually chipping away at the Select fare perk of being able to pick your cabin number and location, first with the "guarantee cabin", which we were one of the very first to experience 5 years ago. Even then, we were told that to be sure of getting a specific cabin in a specific location we would have to upgrade from an inside to an obstructed view balcony, at a higher price, of course, which we declined to do. I argued long and hard with P&O about them flouting their quoted terms for Select bookings, but got nowhere. When our cabin was allocated it was the grade we requested, but we had absoluitely no say over its location. Luckily there were no issues. This is just more of the same sharp practice. I am convinced that their customer service people are under instructions to try it on - there are so many cruisers new to P&O (and cruising in general), they are bound to get lucky sometimes.

1 hour ago, groovechick said: For some time now P&O have been gradually chipping away at the Select fare perk of being able to pick your cabin number and location, first with the "guarantee cabin", which we were one of the very first to experience 5 years ago. Even then, we were told that to be sure of getting a specific cabin in a specific location we would have to upgrade from an inside to an obstructed view balcony, at a higher price, of course, which we declined to do. I argued long and hard with P&O about them flouting their quoted terms for Select bookings, but got nowhere. When our cabin was allocated it was the grade we requested, but we had absoluitely no say over its location. Luckily there were no issues. This is just more of the same sharp practice. I am convinced that their customer service people are under instructions to try it on - there are so many cruisers new to P&O (and cruising in general), they are bound to get lucky sometimes.

That's very bad behaviour on P&O part if they are adopting that practice of misleading their customers.

We only choose to sail with P&O and always book select but have never had a problem selecting our cabin. If our preferred cabin is already booked our travel agent will discuss alternatives (without any mention of extra charges) during the booking process.

It may be a better option to book through a TA.

3 hours ago, groovechick said: For some time now P&O have been gradually chipping away at the Select fare perk of being able to pick your cabin number and location, first with the "guarantee cabin", which we were one of the very first to experience 5 years ago. Even then, we were told that to be sure of getting a specific cabin in a specific location we would have to upgrade from an inside to an obstructed view balcony, at a higher price, of course, which we declined to do. I argued long and hard with P&O about them flouting their quoted terms for Select bookings, but got nowhere. When our cabin was allocated it was the grade we requested, but we had absoluitely no say over its location. Luckily there were no issues. This is just more of the same sharp practice. I am convinced that their customer service people are under instructions to try it on - there are so many cruisers new to P&O (and cruising in general), they are bound to get lucky sometimes.

New one on me and I have booked cruises with P&O in the last 5 years every time a Select fare and always an inside cabin. Always had my choice of cabin and never been asked to upgrade to a higher grade cabin to get my cabin  number.

4 hours ago, groovechick said: For some time now P&O have been gradually chipping away at the Select fare perk of being able to pick your cabin number and location, first with the "guarantee cabin", which we were one of the very first to experience 5 years ago. Even then, we were told that to be sure of getting a specific cabin in a specific location we would have to upgrade from an inside to an obstructed view balcony, at a higher price, of course, which we declined to do. I argued long and hard with P&O about them flouting their quoted terms for Select bookings, but got nowhere. When our cabin was allocated it was the grade we requested, but we had absoluitely no say over its location. Luckily there were no issues. This is just more of the same sharp practice. I am convinced that their customer service people are under instructions to try it on - there are so many cruisers new to P&O (and cruising in general), they are bound to get lucky sometimes.

It all depends on when you book. If you book late, or when most of the cabins have been sold then you do not get yo pick your cabin.

if you book early you do. I have always booked early and specified which cabin I wanted. I have always got what I asked for. This is with a TA. 

There has has been no change in this in the last 5 year.

11 hours ago, majortom10 said:   New one on me and I have booked cruises with P&O in the last 5 years every time a Select fare and always an inside cabin. Always had my choice of cabin and never been asked to upgrade to a higher grade cabin to get my cabin  number.

Maybe it was because it was Britannia's maiden season in the Caribbean. The P&O adviser admitted that a) they only release cabins in "blocks" and once that block has gone they will only offer you a guarantee and b) they deliberately oversell certain categories of cabin, so they only offer pax wanting that category a guarantee and then, nearer the sail date, they look at actual take up and do a reshuffle, which is when you will be allocated your grade of cabin or better. Our cruise with Britannia was our first time booking direct with them (previously through a TA) and it has been our last to date.

10 hours ago, daiB said:   It all depends on when you book. If you book late, or when most of the cabins have been sold then you do not get yo pick your cabin.   if you book early you do. I have always booked early and specified which cabin I wanted. I have always got what I asked for. This is with a TA.    There has has been no change in this in the last 5 year.

I'm sorry Dai, normally I bow to your superior knowledge on all matters P&O but on this occasion I must contradict you. We did book early, as soon as Britannia went on sale because DH was very keen to book the new ship, on her maiden Caribbean season, for our silver anniversary. I wouldn't expect to book late and have my pick of cabins, but in the case in question we booked as soon as the dates were available, Select, and were only offered a Guarantee inside cabin, no matter how I quoted P&O's T&Cs to them. As I said, we were told that if we booked an obstructed view balcony cabin, then we could have our pick (presumably because they weren't selling well), the extra cost being in the region of £1,000 pp. As I said to majortom10, that was our first experience of booking direct with P&O - we have not done so since.

I booked on 19th January to sail on 1st June - I find it hard to believe that nearly all the balcony cabins are booked so far in advance - it's not exactly an exciting itinerary where a balcony is a must!

I'm not sure whether I should go back to P & O and insist on a cabin being allocated now since I have paid the select price.  The "extra" fee was only a few £ but I wanted to stick to the price I was already prepared to pay.  Being able to pick the cabin was one of the reasons I didn't choose the early saver rate

1 hour ago, Sarah1974 said: I booked on 19th January to sail on 1st June - I find it hard to believe that nearly all the balcony cabins are booked so far in advance - it's not exactly an exciting itinerary where a balcony is a must!   I'm not sure whether I should go back to P & O and insist on a cabin being allocated now since I have paid the select price.  The "extra" fee was only a few £ but I wanted to stick to the price I was already prepared to pay.  Being able to pick the cabin was one of the reasons I didn't choose the early saver rate  

It's probably worth a try as you have nothing to loose.

It's unfortunate that you have experienced this situation especially as it's your first venture with P&O.

As you can see most of us have had the select price honoured regarding selecting our cabins so it may be worth quoting this forum when you contact them.

2 hours ago, groovechick said: I'm sorry Dai, normally I bow to your superior knowledge on all matters P&O but on this occasion I must contradict you. We did book early, as soon as Britannia went on sale because DH was very keen to book the new ship, on her maiden Caribbean season, for our silver anniversary. I wouldn't expect to book late and have my pick of cabins, but in the case in question we booked as soon as the dates were available, Select, and were only offered a Guarantee inside cabin, no matter how I quoted P&O's T&Cs to them. As I said, we were told that if we booked an obstructed view balcony cabin, then we could have our pick (presumably because they weren't selling well), the extra cost being in the region of £1,000 pp. As I said to majortom10, that was our first experience of booking direct with P&O - we have not done so since.

Sorry I had not realised you booked on day one. Did you pre-register? If so and you booked direct you do not get a choice of cabin. If you pre-register with a TA you do. This is because on the first morning whe bookings open TA’s have an hour to register their bookings. So if you want a certain cabin and book with P&O they can’t guarantee you can have it as a T A may have booked it. Secondly if you are not in the top tiers those who are will have had first pick. So again the company cannot guarantee a certain cabin.

After this process whe you book through P&O they can tell you which cabins are available and you choose. Unless most cabins are allocated when they move to a guaranteed status where you wil get a cabin of the grade you want or a better one.

This has been in operation for at least 10 years if not more.

11 minutes ago, daiB said: Sorry I had not realised you booked on day one. Did you pre-register? If so and you booked direct you do not get a choice of cabin. If you pre-register with a TA you do. This is because on the first morning whe bookings open TA’s have an hour to register their bookings. So if you want a certain cabin and book with P&O they can’t guarantee you can have it as a T A may have booked it. Secondly if you are not in the top tiers those who are will have had first pick. So again the company cannot guarantee a certain cabin.   After this process whe you book through P&O they can tell you which cabins are available and you choose. Unless most cabins are allocated when they move to a guaranteed status where you wil get a cabin of the grade you want or a better one.   This has been in operation for at least 10 years if not more.  

Good point Dai, I forgot about that procedure.

Thats exactly what happened to us when we pre-registered our Iona booking via our TA.

1 minute ago, P-L-B said: Good point diaB, I forgot about that procedure. Thats exactly what happened to us when we pre-registered our Iona booking via our TA.

Which is why of course I would never book direct. Always with a TA and of course we get their discount as well. 3% to 5%.

1 minute ago, daiB said:   Which is why of course I would never book direct. Always with a TA and of course we get their discount as well. 3% to 5%.

Yes, same here. 👍

I'm going to have to get myself organised if I sail with P&O again!  I need to find a travel agent who will give me a discount too.

Thanks for all your helpful info regarding my cabin situation

Tip wise, my experience would be

• If there is a show in the live lounge you want to see, try and get a seat early it fills up very quickly and if they have two shows on it can be very difficult/ impossible to get a seat for the later show.
• Its a nice ship, we liked to hang out on our TA in the warmer weather on the Terrace Bar at the back which never got really busy, it also took people probably a week to find it.
• If you like to people watch then the tables by the glass house in the atrium are a nice spot, and the bar in the sindhu is quite a nice place for a quiet pre-dinner drink.

Hope you enjoy your cruise.

4 hours ago, Sarah1974 said: I booked on 19th January to sail on 1st June - I find it hard to believe that nearly all the balcony cabins are booked so far in advance - it's not exactly an exciting itinerary where a balcony is a must!   I'm not sure whether I should go back to P & O and insist on a cabin being allocated now since I have paid the select price.  The "extra" fee was only a few £ but I wanted to stick to the price I was already prepared to pay.  Being able to pick the cabin was one of the reasons I didn't choose the early saver rate  

Hi Sarah I would definately go back to P&O but go direct to Christopher Edgingtons office.

[email protected]

If they still won’t honour the cabin number for whatever reason you may still get the offer of the standard £50 pp onboard credit as a “gesture of goodwill” it is worth a try!

Britannia is a beautiful ship we have booked her again for 2020 and got the cabin we wanted by going through a fabulous TA.

Fingers crossed let us know how you get on.

I never have any luck getting discounts from TAs. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I've tried a few and while their prices might be slightly cheaper than booking direct, none have ever offered any discount or OBC.

3 hours ago, Onelung said: I never have any luck getting discounts from TAs. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I've tried a few and while their prices might be slightly cheaper than booking direct, none have ever offered any discount or OBC.

Surely you are contradicting yourself if you have been quoted prices cheaper with a TA than booking direct with P&O then that is a discount. The amount of discount received depends when you book it and price of cruise. Some cruise TAs sometimes have extra OBC for certain cruises but that is just pot luck if its the one you want. I suggest you perhaps search a few specialist well known cruise TAs online.

Sorry, I could have worded that better ... I meant I've never been offered OBC from any TA and believe me, I've searched all the so-called "cruise specialists". Maybe the cruises I pick are very popular so they don't need to add incentives.  My upcoming cruise I booked with a TA and the price was £40 less than booking direct with no other incentives.

5 minutes ago, Onelung said: Sorry, I could have worded that better ... I meant I've never been offered OBC from any TA and believe me, I've searched all the so-called "cruise specialists". Maybe the cruises I pick are very popular so they don't need to add incentives.  My upcoming cruise I booked with a TA and the price was £40 less than booking direct with no other incentives.

Not sure where the extra OBC from the TA comes from. We have never had any. It is not a common incentive. On the other hand extra discount is. Depending on the year we have had 3%, 4% and 5% off the base price. However we always book on day one of booking or at least our TA does. 

Any extra OBC generally comes from P&O whe they think they need to increase sales on particular cruises.

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5 Best Britannia Cruise Tips

The biggest ship built specifically for the UK market debuted in March 2015 with HM The Queen presiding over the naming ceremony. Britannia takes the most popular features of P&O Cruises' other ships and expands and improves upon them. It boasts the biggest version of Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar's Sindhu restaurant in the fleet; it's the same with wine guru Olly Smith's The Glasshouse and a large Crow's Nest Bar. There are also exclusive venues: Epicurean, a fine dining restaurant; The Crystal Room, for ballroom dancing (with the added bonus of a "Strictly Come Dancing" celebrity on selected cruises); The Limelight Room, for intimate performances from actors and musicians; and the Market Cafe, where Eric "Cake Boy" Lanlard and cheese expert Charlie Turnbull get to showcase their wares. Britannia is very much a ship that reflects Britain today. Read our top Britannia cruise tips.

Tip 1: Relax in the Atrium

The triple-height atrium is the place to relax and watch the world go by -- from any of the three floors. Each deck has a different ambience and atmosphere, but we kept getting drawn back to the ground floor, in front of the Market Cafe. There, you get a perfect view of the breathtaking starburst sculpture, made from shards of aluminium that constantly change colour.

Tip 2: Discover New Drinks

Britannia is all about rediscovering what's best about Britain, and that extends to the extraordinary variety of drinks we create in this country. The Crow's Nest Bar features The Great British Gin Menu, which includes 20 British-distilled gins from around the country, including small, artisan brands, as well as a selection of tonic waters. Meanwhile, in Brodie's Pub, you can choose from an astonishing selection of 70 bottled beers -- all brewed in the UK!

Tip 3: Eat in Sindhu at Lunch

We're torn on which dining venue to recommend, as Atul Kochhar's Sindhu is sublime in the evening, but Epicurean is not open for lunch. Britannia's Sindhu is the first to have its own bar, which offers tapas-style Indian dishes at lunchtime from £4.95. The dishes are based on the main menu and might include spiced lamb cakes, jai tarang (pan-fried hand-dived scallops) and gosht ke dhuandhar sole (marinated smoked beef skewers). It's a perfect way to sample this exquisite cuisine, and it will likely sway you to book in the evening.

Tip 4: Pay for at Least One Specialty Dinner

In an ideal world (where money is no object), our recommendation would be to eat in all the speciality restaurants; if you have to choose just one, we recommend Epicurean. Even if you are not a fan of fancy cuisine, this is worth the £28 cover charge. Everything from the decor and service to the cuisine has been meticulously thought out, and although parts are gimmicky (bloody Mary lollipops, lipstick sorbet), the quality of the food shines out. It's worth every penny.

Tip 5: Learn to Cook

Britannia offers the first ever cookery club at sea, a dedicated space at the top of the ship boasting the most up-to-date kitchen cookware, TV screens and speakers, as well as a dining table for eating your creations. Whether you're an accomplished cook, need to improve your technique or want to learn something new (we made pasta), we recommend a session in The Cookery Club. It has been conceived and endorsed by celebrity chef James Martin, and he -- along with Atul Kochhar, Marco Pierre White, Eric Lanlard and others -- make appearances there on selected sailings.

Britannia Itineraries Cruises

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P&O Cruises’ Britannia Has Major Refit Ahead of 10th Anniversary

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P&O Cruises’ beloved Britannia ship has recently undergone a significant multi-million-pound refurbishment and is now ready to set sail from Southampton.

This update, completed in time for its upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration in 2025, includes a series of enhancements designed to elevate the guest experience.

Britannia has welcomed several design elements previously seen on Iona and Arvia , particularly in the newly adorned Sunset Bar, which now features a warm colour scheme and additional seating.

In addition, the Market Café has been updated to enhance both space and dining options. It now offers an exclusive range of gelato-filled doughnuts from the luxury gelato brand Snowflake – a first at sea.

The refit not only refreshed the public spaces with a new colour palette but also extended the Loyalty and Cruise Sales area and invested in improvements to the crew’s living quarters.

Children will find joy in the upgraded splash area, which includes colourful interactive water features, ensuring fun for all family members.

Below is a photo of my kids enjoying the old splash area on Britannia. We’ve booked again for 2025 and I can’t wait for them to see the new and updated one!

“Britannia is our flagship, and with her 10th anniversary celebration cruise next summer we know the importance of ensuring the ship looks its absolute best to deliver an elevated experience for our new and loyal guests.” Paul Ludlow, President of P&O Cruises

The anniversary cruise, setting sail on June 6, 2025, will tour the British Isles, featuring stops in Edinburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Belfast, and an overnight stay in Liverpool, concluding in Cork.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Have they refitted the cabins? Balcony standard?

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We're Pretty Sure You Didn't Know These 16 Things About Cruise Ships

Posted: May 31, 2024 | Last updated: May 31, 2024

Learn the Ropes

Cruise ships are a hugely popular travel and vacation choice, with more than  20.4 million passengers worldwide taking setting sail yearly. But even if you’ve been on a cruise before, chances are you’re not aware of everything that goes on behind the scenes. These eye-opening facts might have you seeing cruise ships differently the next time you step aboard. 

The Biggest Cruise Ship Is Massive

The largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas owned by Royal Caribbean, measures a staggering 1,118 feet long (that’s longer than three football fields). It has space for 6,988 passengers, as well as 2,300 crew members. It features amenities including a surf simulator, mini golf, and a suite neighborhood structure.

Some Retirees Live on Cruise Ships

The cruise ship life is so appealing to some people that they opt to live on cruise ships full-time once they retire. Cruise ship retirement will cost you, though, with cruise lines like Storylines charging anywhere from $352,000 to buy a 172-square foot condo to $3.2 million for a 1,690-square-foot residence purchase.

Staff Know More About You Than You Think

Cruise ships collect data on their customers, including the purchases you make while on board. For example, Carnival’s Princess ships use their wearable Ocean medallion devices to track your behavior. You can even make purchases with the device, and Carnival uses that data to suggest other purchase options that might interest you. 

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Most Ships Have Jails

Wondering how ships deal with unruly guests? Out-of-control travelers might find themselves locked up at sea. Most cruise ships are equipped with a jail. Guests who behave badly may be put under cabin arrest, meaning they can’t leave their cabins for a certain number of days. And if that doesn’t work,  most cruise ships have a jail for more serious circumstances.

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Ships Also Have Morgues

Most of the largest ships are also equipped with morgues. If someone dies on a cruise, the morgue can hold their body until the end of the trip or until the ship reaches a port. These morgues are on the lowest deck of the ship, so you won’t see it during your trip. 

You Can Attend an AA Meeting on a Cruise

Alcohol is plentiful on cruise ships, making for a setting that’s tricky for recovering alcoholics to navigate. You might see a meeting for “Friends of Bill W.” on the ship’s agenda. Bill W., also known as William Wilson, founded Alcoholics Anonymous. These  on-board AA meetings  provide support during the cruise, so guests can maintain their recovery while enjoying their vacation.

Building a Cruise Ship Is a Tremendous Investment

Building a cruise ship requires some big bucks. Modern cruise ships start at $550 million on the low end, while the more expensive ships can cost over $1 billion to build. The luxury Royal Caribbean Oasis class vessels cost $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion each.

Related:  The Most Luxurious Cruise Ships at Sea

Modern Cruise Ships Dwarf the Titanic

When the Titanic took to the seas in 1912, it was renowned for its massive size. Things have changed a bit since then, with modern cruise ships averaging 20% longer than the Titanic. They’re also twice as tall. The Wonder of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship in the world, is five times larger than the Titanic. As modern cruise ships have gotten larger, they’ve mostly grown in height and width, not length, which allows them to still dock at older ports that haven’t been expanded.

Cruise Ships Produce Tons of Waste

Cruise ships aren’t exactly great for the environment. In the United States, cruise ships can dump treated waste into the ocean when they’re within 3.5 miles of shore. When ships are further out in the ocean, they can dump untreated, raw sewage. Cruise ships are responsible for dumping more than a billion gallons of sewage into the ocean each year.

Cruise Ship Kitchens Use Massive Amounts of Food

Massive cruise ship kitchens need to prepare thousands of plates every day, so they stock up with huge amounts of food . A ship with 3,500 passengers will go through 600 pounds of butter each day, as well as 250,000 eggs per week. The ship will also use 170,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables during each cruise. 

Kitchens Prepare Food Around the Clock

Much of the food that guests eat is freshly made. Cruise ship kitchens bake bread onboard, often three times a day. The movement of the ship, the air temperature, and moisture make baking bread extra tricky. Kitchens also hand-make ice cream daily to ensure that it’s fresh and available.

Cruise Ships Once Carried Cows

Before the days of refrigeration, getting fresh milk on a cruise ship was tricky — so ships brought cows along for the trip. Britannia, an early cruise ship, brought a cow on its 14-day transatlantic crossing in 1840. The cow kept passengers supplied with milk.

The First Female Cruise Ship Captain Took Command in 2007

In 2007, Karin Stahre-Janson  became captain of Monarch of the Seas, and she became the first woman in the cruise ship industry to captain a major ship. Captain Stahre-Janson had worked in cargo shipping for nine years before joining Royal Caribbean in 1997. She worked her way up, starting off as first officer on Viking Serenade and Nordic Empress, later becoming chief officer and staff captain.

One Cruise Ship Holds an Entire Art Collection

The Britannia, Britain’s largest cruise ship, also holds Britain’s largest floating art collection . The multi-million-dollar collection consists of more than 8,000 art pieces that were chosen to enhance the ship’s interior designs, creating the feel of being in a luxury hotel.

Cruise Ships Played an Important Role After Hurricane Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina caused devastation in 2005, Federal officials chartered three cruise ships to house refugees. Carnival Cruise Lines’ Ecstasy, Sensation, and Holiday were pulled from use, which meant that some travelers had to reschedule their trips. Instead, the ships were docked and housed 7,000 people who were displaced by the hurricane.

Some Ships Aren’t Quite Finished When They Set Sail

Sometimes cruise ship construction hits snags and delays. Rather than delaying the ship’s maiden voyage date, some ships head out to sea before they’re completely finished . In these instances, cruise lines bring workers along for the trip, and they might block off staterooms to house those workers. Workers often complete jobs like restaurant building or finishing cabins during the trip.

This article was originally published on Cheapism

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P&O Britannia Cruise Review

We booke d P&O Britannia B617 (Norwegian Fjords) as our honeymoon cruise and decided to also do B618 (Guernsey) so friends could join us for the final two nights.

Take a look at our video of P&O Britannia below

We have done several short cruises before, so knew what to expect from P&O but after reading the reviews for Britannia we were slightly worried, but prepared to make the most of it. I’ll base this review mostly on the main cruise and will touch on the differences we noticed between B617 and B618 at the end.

Embarkation & Disembarkation (and Change over day)

We arrived earlier than we were supposed to and it was busy in Ocean Terminal. We were given our lettered card and sat patiently waiting to be called, check in was smooth and efficient as was security. We still managed to get on before our allotted time – as P&O say they are not going to make you wait but will give priority to those that turn up early. So far so good.

Change over day we just collected our new cruise cards from reception and had a wonder around the ship – by midday everything was open as normal again, so that wasn’t too bad. We also didn’t have to do Muster Drill again either – bonus!

First impressions of the ship

Wow! We loved the décor and the star burst in the atrium was amazing – everything so clean and fresh. Many say there appears to be no atmosphere in the atrium – but we don’t agree with that, we loved it! We also found the ship quite easy to navigate considering its size.

The lack of mid-ship stairs didn’t really bother us too much as we were close to the forward ones. The lifts are another story, or should I say the people using them! People would not look at which direction the lift was going and would get in one to go up and come back down, or worse still, give up and get out early or give up waiting and the lift would then stop for no reason. We did try to avoid them but sometimes its nice to be lazy.

The pools were all open and clean, the main pool area was always busy, the quiet zone was a bit better.

There were loads of sunbeds but I could imagine the best ones would fill up quick on a sea day somewhere hot and sunny.

The aft decks were dirty and sooty even though they were cleaning them often – this is the only let down we could really find. There were flakes of soot – thankfully it was not an area we needed to visit often, just when having a little walk. I hope P&O have plans to resolve this somehow..?!

We were in F104 (F/9th deck, forward, HE grade, Balcony with Shower but without sofa).

The cabin was light and airy, with good décor. There was a large TV, one bedside cabinet and tea and coffee making facilities. The hairdryer was nice and powerful and the fridge did a good job at keeping our wine cool.

The balconies were apmle for us – smaller than other ships but we could both comfortably sit out there. It had 2 chairs and a table with divider doors each side that could be opened if you also had the cabin next door.

There was lots of hanging space and a further cupboard with the safe in it between the bathroom and bedroom.

They have the new lifejackets that have a strap that go between your legs, so practice before you go down to muster!

The bathroom was clean and the shower was great too – with the glass door. The shower is bigger than our cube shower at home!

Our cabin steward was Ayjay who worked hard and always had our room made up when we were out, brought us clean wine glasses daily and even organised things like an ice bucket and extra Champagne glasses for us when we had friends coming onboard. Staff you would walk past in the hall always gave a hello and were friendly.

We did find there was some vibrations during docking and also when the anchor was being dropped, but this was expected and as we were always up around 7am this was ok.

We dined in the Epicurean on the first night – the food and service in there was excellent. We also had Eric Lanlards afternoon tea here on a sea day but unfortunately it was far too sweet tasting for us, not something we would do again.

We also tried Atul Kochhar Sindhu, again excellent food and cocktails.

For breakfast we used Room service – this was very good and was delivered on time. We also had the hot breakfast in the MDR, the P&O breakfast was delicious.

Our main dining room was the Meridian, as we were freedom dining we were always given a pager for a table of 2, but by the time we were coming to the end of our drink we were getting called to dinner, perfect timing.

Service and food in there was up to the usual P&O standard, very happy with it. We ventured into the Horizon a few times, could be a bit chaotic in there but the food was good.

Midnight snacks here were also excellent.

Handwashing facilities were operational with maybe only 1 or 2 taps not working but staff were on standby with hand gel or requesting you washed your hands.

We looked at the Grab and Go, the selection looked good but didn’t try it.

The burgers and hot dogs from the Lido Grill were very tasty, we had a lunchtime snack there a few times.

We also enjoyed Afternoon tea in the Oriental – give me a constant supply of tea and I’m happy.

During B617 we ordered 2 platters of Canapés to be delivered after muster on B618 as a welcome to our friends – these were mostly fish based and some of them were huge- tasty and well worth the £11 per platter (each platter served 4).

Bars and Entertainment

We didn’t really go to see shows as they are not really our cup of tea. We did pop our head in the Live Louge to see Badness and the Ventriloquist but they were too hot and busy for us, guess you need to be there early and not 10 minutes after they start as was in our case.

The service in all the bars was excellent, though we did find you often had to ask for a menu, especially in the Crows Nest – no real bother though. I tried to work my way through the Gin menu in the Crows Nest, really liked it up there.

While waiting for our pager to go off we would visit the Blue Bar as this was close by and had a really good feel about it.

Quite a bit of time was spent in the Glass House. We had a few wine flights and food pairings. We also did a wine tasting here with Albert, he was excellent – we don’t know much about wine so we did learn a lot from that midday session. The cost of this was £15 with 5 small glasses of wine and nibbles – about 2 hours long. That night Albert spent time with us talking some more about wine and trying to convert us in to Red wine drinkers (we always stick with the same old white wines) – he was excellent.

A good tip: if you want to try a wine just ask for a taster and they will give you a tiny glass to try it, no need to be scared of trying a new wine there!

Brodies also has a wide selection of Beers for thouse who don’t like the grape.

We took out a spa pass, £199 for both of us for the first 7 nights. Wasn’t worth it to be honest as we could have just had a day pass or two, but saying that had they sold out and not made day passes available (as we have had happen) would have been disappointed.

The facilities within the spar were good, a hydro pool, hot beds, water beds, Sauna, 3 mood showers, a light sauna and a steam room. Only improvement would be maybe complimentary tea and coffee

We spent one day here, £25 per person – after climbing 550m mountain we took full advantage of jacuzzi and bar service.

Snacks and afternoon tea are also available up here. On a summer cruise, I would guess It’s well worth the money to guarantee a sunbed and get away from the busy areas. On our port day, there was less than a dozen of us up there.

Ports of call

Our first port of call after a sea day was Stavanger – and only one word to describe this – wet! We decided we would give the hop on hop off bus a try, after waiting a while due to a Princess ship being in port and everyone having the same idea to avoid the rain, we managed to get a bus with some room.  It took us around, but we had the feeling that maybe the driver didn’t really know where he was going, we are sure we went down a one way street the wrong way, but it was a great little adventure.

Waking up as we sailed in to Olden was the most beautiful things we had ever seen – the town its self was tiny.  After a gym session we decided to have a walk around, we walked right around to the other side of Olden and got some great shots of the ship.  We sat here for an hour or so taking in the fantastic view and as it was sunny, it was bliss!

We were advised this may be a tender port, but that morning, the weather was perfectly calm and we are to use the berth provided.  Captain seemed really pleased he was able to dock without having to tender.

I had read about a walk to a spectacular view point called Rampestreken… so we got off the ship early and went on a search for this walk.  We weren’t dressed for the occasion and it was quite a hike, maybe we just took the difficult route, but as we neared the top it was definitely worth it! Were virtually had the place to ourselves but as we descended there were lots of people making their way up – lots asking how far till they reached the top 🙂

Further details on this walk can be found at https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g673881-d6835682-Reviews-Rampestreken-Andalsnes_Rauma_Municipality_More_og_Romsdal_Western_Norway.html

Bergen is known for its record rainfall – we were lucky and managed to get back aboard before it arrived, however it cleared by sail away so we could party.  We took the shuttle to the port entrance and then walked around a little.  We headed to the funicular, joining the wrong queue – woops! After a short while, we noticed we needed to join the other queue which was much shorter.  The viewpoint at the top can be seen below, this is a must. We headed back down and headed back to the ship via the fish market.

The second part of our cruise with friends was to Guernsey.  After a night enjoying cocktails, we took a very bumpy tender to shore.  It was a beautiful day and we spent a couple of hours walking around the streets, it was really busy with lots craft stalls and street entertainment taking place.

All good things come to an end

Now, to finish off, I will return to the back to back aspect of the cruise.

During B617 we had an amazing time and loved the ship, but once on B618 – the atmosphere completely changed. It was a party cruise, so that was expected but you could sense the staff were tired and rushed, they just were not as attentive as they were on the 7 nighter.

The real let down on this was the guests! Stags and Hens, some who had no respect for the staff or ship (c’mon, we even caught some guy about to urinate in the main pool area behind one of the fake leafy walls – think we got his attention quick enough so he didn’t!) – so because of this, we would be weary of doing a 2 night cruise on Britannia again.

Our final thoughts…

Overall, an amazing ship that exceeded our expectations – we would do it again tomorrow if we could! For those that have doubts about Britannia, don’t – just go with an open mind and you will love it!

Update October 2018:

Emma from Cruising Isn’t Just For Old People did her first P&O cruise this summer (2018), it was the exact same cruise as ours – find out her 8 free ‘must do activities’ here

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