Our first cruise

[larrythelabrador]

Hi all, We are planning to do our first cruise next year for our 25th wedding anniversary :eek:

Having searched we like the look of the Southampton - Spain - Monaco - Italy -Gib - Southampton cruise on the new Brittania Ship, June 13th for 14 days.

Is there anything we should be aware of before booking?

Presume it's worth searching online for best prices? Does it matter what deck etc. As it's a new ship we can't look at reviews for cabins etc.

Any advice greatly appreciated, Thanks

:)

[cb at sea]

Yes..you should definitely do your research! On both costs on the ship (some cruiselines do have added costs for some things!) and on your ports!

 

As far as cabin location, generally midship is the most stable feeling area....lower decks are better, too, unless motion doesn't bother you, then pick a deck closest to where you think you'll spend most of your daytime hours....folks tend to do a lot of going back and forth to the cabin in the day!

[Scrapnana]

With a new ship you may find "deals" are hard to come by. Usually, the best deals are last minute but since you have a specific date in mind, that won't work.

 

The pictures of Brittania look amazing. I hope you enjoy sailing on her.

[dsrdsrdsr]

On P&O, by and large, the best and only deal will be on the P&O website. If you prefer to book with a travel agency, they will probably match the price. Prices will vary over time, but won't necessarily go the way you want them to.

 

The big non-optional extra is tips. P&O charge £3.60 per person per day, and this is basically part of the crew's wage and shouldn't be knocked off unless your steward and waiter do a rotten job. That's fairly normal for European-based lines, though I believe many of the American lines which come over here for the summer charge a lot more. Some lines include all tips in the advertised price.

[KirkNC]

Hi all, We are planning to do our first cruise next year for our 25th wedding anniversary :eek:

Having searched we like the look of the Southampton - Spain - Monaco - Italy -Gib - Southampton cruise on the new Brittania Ship, June 13th for 14 days.

Is there anything we should be aware of before booking?

Presume it's worth searching online for best prices? Does it matter what deck etc. As it's a new ship we can't look at reviews for cabins etc.

Any advice greatly appreciated, Thanks

:)

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

[larrythelabrador]

Thanks :)

 

Think we might go for that cruise, I'm struggling to work out how many evenings will be formal wear? How can I do that :confused:

Also seem to be asked to book either free dining, first or second sitting? any views on that.

 

Presume the option of free parking at Southampton would also be best value.

 

:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Congratulations on your upcoming 25th anniversary.

Definitely go to a TA and talk in person and get a brochure.

[jocap]

Google pictures of "Royal Princess"- Britannia is an identical ship, although the fixtures and fittings will be different. From what I've seen of the cabins, they are similar to Ventura/Azura in size and arrangement.

P&O usually have 2 formal evenings a week- and, yes, they are formal, with the majority of men in DJs or suit and tie. There is an opt out, though, because you can dine in the buffet, which has a speciality meal each night (such as Best of British, Caribbean, the very popular Indian night), without using the full dress code, but you won't be allowed in a couple of the more formal bars if you're not in formal gear.

Free parking is a good bonus, and it's so easy- roll up at the gate; someone grabs your luggage and someone else your car, which is driven further into the compound. You're left with your hand luggage to go into the terminal at leisure.

Decide when you wish to eat dinner...first is usually about 6.15pm; 2nd 8ish...You will have a dedicated place on a table which remains yours for the cruise, and the same table guests.

More and more are opting for Freedom dining- you just turn up when you want, but if it's a very popular time, you're given a bleeper, and can go and have a drink until you're called. It will be a different table and guests each evening.

[larrythelabrador]

Thank you jocap :)

[larrythelabrador]

Booked on the Brittania :) Stand by for lots more questions :rolleyes:

[John Bull]

Booked on the Brittania :) Stand by for lots more questions :rolleyes:

 

Dogs aren't permitted -better change your screen-name :D

 

P&O have some amazing late-booked deals, literally half-price.

But as Scrapnana's post, much less likely on a new ship.

 

Most caveats are about US & Italian ships (nothing wrong with sailing them, but lots you need to know about extra costs, etc).

Much more sensible & transparent on-board prices on P&O. Drinks at pub prices & no service charge. The grammatically-incorrect daily "gratuities" mentioned by dsrdsrdsr are at half the level of US & Italian ships & best to leave them in place. Ship's currency is sterling, so no conversion costs. The ship geared to British tastes.

A good choice for a Brit's first cruise.

 

Although a sister to Princess, P&O décor is much more subdued & food is comparatively limited but very acceptable.

 

In the absence of more detail from P&O, Jo's comments about dress code are a good guide. And yes. P&O's formal code is strictly observed - good thing too, you either have an observed code or you don't have a code at all cos nothing looks more incongruous that a slob in a football shirt amongst folk in their finery - something I've seen frequently on some cruise lines. :mad:

Some P&O ships have a third dress code, a semi-formal in between smart casual & formal - for guys this means a jacket & tie, don't know about the ladies, I'm way too unobservant. :rolleyes:

Don't know whether Britannia will have three codes.

 

Dinner sitting.

You have to choose between traditional first or second sitting, or anytime (aka freestyle, my-time, freedom, open)

 

Traditional (aka fixed) dining is in two sittings.

Evening entertainment is usually repeated, to cater for both.

 

IMHO first sitting can include more kids, and coffin-dodgers who need an early night. And can be a rush to get ready when you've been ashore for the day. Much more convivial second-sitting, and not rushed to leave the table if you're deep into conversation about the ports or Gaza or the state of the Euro, or more important stuff like whether Pochinetto will work out OK at Spurs.

On traditional dining it's the same time, same table, same waiters, same table companions each evening. A bit of a lottery on who you're seated with, but you can build lasting friendships. You can ask the Maitre D to move you for subsequent evenings if you find your table-mates too quiet & boring or too loud & in-your-face - there's a fair bit of shuffling after the first evening.

 

If you choose anytime you simply go along whenever you like in the evening, if they can't seat you immediately on some ships you're given a buzzer though if you're happy to share a table you'll probably be seated immediately. Also means you're not leaving empty traditional seats if you want to spend some evenings in the buffet or extra-charge premium restaurants. Anytime can get repetetive with same-old introductions, same-old conversations each time. And table companions will be a lottery but it's just for that evening. If you get on well with another couple, arrange to go to dinner as a foursome next evening. We've done that & in a few days built our own "handpicked" table of 8 or 10 like-minded folk, & pre-booked same table same time each evening - just like traditional dining but without the lottery of table-companions.

That's what we'd choose, but each to their own.

 

Yes, take up the offer of free parking. It's convenient & secure - and expensive if not included.

 

In due course do your research on the ports. You can take ship's over-priced tours, private tours, shared tours, hop-on buses, local public transport, DIY, or go ashore mob-handed with some new friends. Probably a mix of these.

Start by checking-out ship's tours - they'll give you a précis of the places of interest. And the ports of call forums on this site.

 

Have you booked direct? Or with a travel agent? Or a cruise-specialist agent?

(don't name names, not permitted on Cruise Critic)

 

All first cruises are great.

 

JB :)