Didn’t expect to like Britannia but loved it

Booked this cruise around a year and a half before sailing. We wanted to go on P & O’s new ship, but were daunted by the size of the ship and thought we might not like it but went with an open mind. (we don’t like Azura, found it too big and crowded). Check in was smooth and quick (we arrived just after our allotted check in time). First impressions of the ship were good, lots of space and plenty of seating areas.
Cabin – Balcony towards the front on G deck. We hadn’t realised we were just above the entrance to the theatre so did get some noise when shows were on and rehearsals. It didn’t bother us too much but can imagine if you were over the stage it would be very noisy. The balcony was small but adequate for 2 chairs and a table. Good lighting and plenty of sockets. Bathroom good use of space and the shower with the glass door and good shelving really good. The decks especially where cabins were had an hotel feel to them.

Promenade deck 18 – Disappointing that it doesn’t go all the way round the ship but very spacious and never crowded (7 times round = a mile). It was much wider than usual and lovely to not have to dodge chairs, people playing deck games and smokers.

Sunset bar – back of the ship really nice but one side for smokers and looks over into balconies of suites at the back of the ship (def an issue when smoke is drifting down onto balconies).

Crows nest bar – lovely area, we watched the ship being manoeuvred out of the port for trips to Rome.

Horizon – much improved than on other P & O ships, a lot more space and more and better seating.

Peninsular restaurant – we went there for lunch some days, food and service good.

Oriental restaurant – We had a table for 2 at 6.30pm sitting. A lot of empty tables every night. Service was rushed and as it’s been mentioned before not very friendly. Before anyone comments we always chat with waiters and other members of staff but it wasn’t reciprocated. Don’t know why have working conditions deteriorated? The food was good but not as good as it used to be, As usual my allergies were very well catered for with the head waiter going through the menus with me for the next day. Coffee much improved but still not hot.

Epicurean restaurant – Charge of ?œ28 per person. We went there on the last night. It was amazing and well worth the extra charge.

Costa coffee – Not advertised anywhere but if you buy a drink and ask a piece of cake is complimentary. Sneaky not to advertise this.

Chocoholic afternoon tea – Always enjoy this. However it was in the horizon not in one of the restaurants so disappointing. The head waiter had arranged for a plate of desserts were put on one side for me that did not contain anything I am allergic to, I really appreciated this.

Cinema – Seats not tiered enough, lighting very poor at the beginning and end of films, a lady fell on a step onto her head.

Theatre – It was obvious that extra seats had been squeezed in at the end of the rows which looked like a safety hazard if the theatre had needed to be evacuated. No problems getting a seat if you arrived early enough. People have been commenting that the dancers are better than on other P & O ships. The shows are good and probably seem better because of the very expensive video screen, the dancers are no better than on the other ships. The video wall broke during the first show in the theatre, the show was postponed half way through and continued when they had got the wall up and running again. Lots of people were complaining and leaving the theatre rather than waiting (possibly had a bus to catch). Things break down, it wasn’t anyones fault.

Live lounge – Nice area but not big enough or tiered so can’t see if at the back.

Limelight lounge – Extra cost for a meal and entertainment. The meal was really good and catered very well for my allergies. We saw Morecombe and Wise tribute act they were very good.

Britannia choir – Deputy cruise director Emma ran the choir and did an amazing job. I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately it’s going to change in the future and is going to be run by the singers who are part of the dance company. Apparently P & O want to develop the choir further. Emma has been running the choir on P & O ships and doing fine. The Cruise director Tracey was really annoying very loud, brash and loved the sound of her own voice. Several people we met said the same thing.

Seating areas – Lots of seating areas all around the ship. Although the ship was at full capacity it never felt it.

Stairs – The lack of stairs midship never affected us and we never had to wait long for a lift.

Library – tucked away at the top of the ship. We looked for the book swopping area that we usually use, we couldn’t find it. It is there but bottom shelf in a corner of the library, with no notice about what it is and not advertised anywhere. Seems a real shame. I Have several P & O journals that I write in when on holiday, for some reason they are only on sale in the library. I asked to buy one, they didn’t have them disappointing.

Ports – At last P & O are charging people who book late and get much reduced fares ?œ4 per person each way for shuttle buses.

Valencia – Went on shuttle bus despite asking no map available. Nothing there, won’t go to this port again unless we go on a tour. very long queue for shuttle bus back, made more complicated by shuttle buses for a costa ship stopping at the same place. No one available from P & O to sort the chaos out. The were probably involved with the celebrities who got on board at the port including Susannah and Trinny, Keith Duffy from Boyzone and other Boyzone members, swimmer Mark Foster. A ramp on the wheelchair access shuttle bus broke and it took over an hour to get those passengers off the shuttle bus.

Barcelona – Shuttle buses much better organised.

Cannes – Port cancelled too windy to use tendors. Went on shuttle boats to Toulon instead, Lovely port one of my favourites.

Corsica – went on a tour to honey farm and on a land train in the forest. Good tour with a very informative guide.

Alicante – A pleasant surprise, lovely port, stalls, restaurant and old town.

Gibraltar – Rained very heavy. We went on a tour on cable car up the rock, in the caves and first world war tunnels. The mini bus driver said he was a guide but a guide was also on the mini bus. Became a bit of a ‘face off’ between the driver and the guide trying to outdo each other with giving information. The guide was informative but shocking with practical information, he kept walking off to other things without telling the people on the tour where and when he was moving on. The weather made the port challenging and the security building at the side of the port had a very wet fall and someone could have had a serious fall on it. We overheard someone on board complaining about a tour he went on in Gibraltar, saying all tours should have been cancelled because it was raining. This was a massive overreaction and up to individuals whether they want to do the tour in the rain or not.

On the whole we really enjoyed the cruise and loved Britannia and would look to go on her again.

Times cruised before: 10+
Sailed: October, 2015
Age: 46-55
Cabin: Balcony
Occasion: Annual/regular holiday

Quality of Food

Food good but not as good as it used to be. Loved the Limelight club and the Epicurean restaurant.

4

Entertainment

Entertainment very good. Particularly enjoyed the Morecombe and wise tribute act in the limelight club but an extra charge for this venue. We took part in filming with Ant and Dec