Britannia – Butlins Afloat

A lovely ship, nice food and correct personnel. BUT far too many children who completely took over the two swimming pools. How long is half-term in the UK? The pool deck far too crowded and never a seat as they were all reserved all day and usually nobody sitting in them. There needs to be more attention on the sun deck. Why not reserve a pool for children only? The separate adults’ pool up a deck was also very crowded. And one cannot stand in any of the pools which means everybody had to hang on to the sides!! The first time I have seen one having to pay extra for ice creams at the pool! Fruit juices only available in the Lido restaurant at breakfast time otherwise just water. So many corners have been cut on this new ship. Far fewer necessary toiletries in the bathrooms. Nowhere to put the soap which slides all over the place!

Never enough seats to see entertainment in the various lounges – hopeless. And just about enough in the theatre.

It is also tiring to hear some single people bragging, who reserved at the last moment, had a balcony, and only paid ?œ860 for the round trip and others, like myself, who reserved well in advance paid over ?œ2,000. Tours of the ship and cooking classes ?œ75 each and the shore excursions very expensive. Almost no hobby classes anymore for the five days or so at sea. (I guess they are not lucrative now for P&O.)

A real money making excursion which I would not entertain again. All in all it was like Butlins afloat, expensive, and not to be recommended,