Maybe last P & O cruise

Our recent cruise on the Britannia was overall disappointing. This was our 6th P & O cruise since 2007, our 4th ship, so naturally, we do compare. Standards have dropped enormously. The ship is very bland, so much brown. No WOW factor, the atrium is a disappointment. Penny pinching everywhere, couldn’t even leave a bottle of water in our cabin.

The crew worked hard but seemed understaffed, tired and fed up. Our cabin stewardess was great and deserved a tip.

The cruise director and her team have it easy. Every cruise we have been on the cruise director is on the tannoy all day announcing the program.

The theatre company worked very hard but like most shows on ships, lots of energy, but just a random set of songs with a meaningless title. The last show broke the mould and was excellent. Based on the Greatest showman.

The sail away parties used to be the highlight of a P & O cruise, but not now. (If they don’t like us to be patriotic, why still have the Union Jack on the front of their ships?).

The Caribbean night, the entertainment team were nowhere to be seen. A reggae band who were very energetic. But no one to keep the energy going.

Dancing was a highlight for us, not this time. Used to love the dance teachers on board and the different lessons virtually every day. Was dancing in the crystal lounge, but hosted by a member of the entertainment team. They didn’t have a clue.

What made P & O special to us has now gone.

Obviously, P & O want it this way. More a resort at sea now than a cruise experience. In a recent review someone sad like Butlin’s at sea. Heading that way.

I don’t want to say never go with P & O again, but unlikely. Definitely not the newer ships.

There is a trend now for paying to see entertainment that is not in the cruise cost, I think this is naughty.

We refuse to carry a mobile on holiday, they stay in the safe, but we used a tablet in our cabin to book in the restaurant and shows, we found that ok.

Oh saved the best till last, the drinks package is pathetic, again we are comparing to drinks packages on other cruise lines. Paid well over a thousand pounds.

Yes we did know the restrictions before purchasing but worse once on board.

The 15 minute between ordering drinks is not just for alcoholic drinks but soft drinks too. Only one can at a time, only sprite or fanta (cans of coke are a separate charge). Coke is on draught and tastes syrupy.

No fruit juices, limited cocktails in the price range. There were special cocktails, surprisingly, at 7.95, outside the scope of the package. Very few wines in the price range.

I spent more time at the bar as limited waiters on decks and in the bars.

Tip for coke lovers, the Java bar doesn’t have coke on draught, you can have Pepsi in a bottle (real Pepsi)! Wished I had known in the first week.

At least we have memories of our first few P & O cruises.