Cloudy Spain!

Despite the cloudy weather, we enjoyed our recent trip to northern Spain. We find the seven night cruises ideal mini breaks. We had a bargain bucket balcony cabin on G deck (with sofa), but can honestly say it was one of the quietest, nicest cabins we’ve ever had! We were expecting engine and theatre noise, but it was so quiet at all times of the day and night apart from the usual docking engine noises you get anywhere. I guess a lot of passengers don’t like to be tucked away at the front, but it was a handy hop to the theatre and a lift straight up the the Crow’s Nest and adult only pool. A bit of a walk to the Horizon Grill and our restaurant, but who doesn’t need to get their steps up after all that food?!

The food and entertainment were as usual. My only real complaint was the service on freedom dining. We expected to be allocated that as we had booked on a saver fare but the wait and the subsequent service was awful. An hour the first night; forty minutes the second and then a further twenty before our order was taken! My son has a range of severe food allergies, which is why we cruise as they are amazing at dealing with them, but being on a different table each night made it tricky for them to unite him with his pre ordered dinner! We requested a move to second sitting, which they could accommodate easily, and peace and good order were restored! The waiting staff were friendly and fun, in complete contrast to the freedom dining experience. I do wonder if the waiters on freedom just don’t have the time or incentive to interact with their customers which is a shame as that makes up such an important part of the dining experience. On a ship the size of Britannia, I’m not sure they can really handle freedom dining to all passengers’ expectation.