Britannia day visit

[Cruisingcouple22]

Hi everyone, thought i would share our thoughts on a ship visit we did at the weekend to Britannia. This was our first time onto a P and O ship, but have been on Quantum and Oasis class as well as MSC, Carnival and Celebrity. And this is my first time posting something like this on the forums, so let me know if I've don't something wrong or could do better! [emoji3]

The booking process was very easy, however they require as many passport details as if you were going to leave the country! However on the day of the visit you only need a driving license. We paid 25 pounds which would include a guided tour starting at 10:30 then a sit down three course meal in the main dining room at 12:45.

We had one tour guide from the ship and one from our travel agent. Just to note all prices are in pounds sterling.

The tour started off in the main atrium, a nice 3 floor entrance hall with piano music, a number of bars, coffee shop and retail outlets and a nice spiral staircase. Like much of the ship the decor is more modern and chic rather than lavish and over the top. Personally i rather like it but it definitely won't be to everyone's taste

Bar in the atrium

Atrium centrepiece that would light up different colours

Ships map with red "here you are" dot

Seating off of the atrium

Cakes in the atrium cafe

One of the smaller lounges

 

 

 

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[Cruisingcouple22]

After that we were taken through to some of the for fee lounges and restaurants. The limelight club looks like a great place to sit and relax in the evening, and the Epicurean's (25pp) menu look incredible. The other restaurants, Sindhu (15pp) Beach (5pp) and Glasshouse (a La Carte) all looked good to, but it was a shame their was a lack other non-fee alternative eateries, with only the MDR, Buffett and a small selection of cakes at the cafe. I took photos of the food and bar menus, but am going to put those up in a separate place shortly. Overall i was pleasantly surprised with drinks prices, with beer being 4-4.50 and cocktails 6-8 each. And the nicest surprise was that P and O don't add an 18% gratuity to every transaction like most cruise lines! We also went to the Crow's nest lounge at the top front of the ship. This looks like a fantastic place to watch a cold sea day or sail into the Norwegian ports. A nice touch were the working telescopes on either side of the lounge. Brodie's is th radiation all pub in the bowels of the ship, near to the casino. Extensive would be the way to describe this bars beer selection, with about 40 on the menu, separated into county of origin, a nice touch. One thing that stood out were the beer flights, samples of 3 beers for the same price as one pint.

Brodie's

 

Next we did a tour of some of the cabins. One thing to note is that there are no outside cabins on this ship, only inside, balcony (standard and deluxe) and suites. This does bring down the price of the balconies very nicely! All staterooms had kettles included. Insides were quite spacious with shower cubicles (doors, not curtains). Standard balconies also had showers and a desk, whilst deluxe balconies sported showers over baths, sofas and binoculars. Deluxe balconies also had two televisions and a curtain divider through the middle of the room. The suites were very well appointed with a large seating area, kettle and Dolce Gusto coffee machine, shower and a bath and a separate toilet. The balconies were quite narrow overall, but the length of the suite balcony made up for this.

Deluxe balcony bathroom

Deluxe balcony bath

Deluxe balcony bed

 

 

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[Cruisingcouple22]

Deluxe balcony main TV with USB plug, for memory stick or maybe chromecast?

Suite bed

Suite bath

Suite shower

Suite sitting area

 

 

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[Mrs applehead]

Thank you so much for all the pics and info.

It has made me even more excited for our trip in Oct, might have to book a ship tour now! X

[Cruise Puss]

Thank you so much for all the pics and info.

It has made me even more excited for our trip in Oct, might have to book a ship tour now! X

Bear in mind that you can only go on a ship tour if you haven't been on the ship, so I should get in there before October!

 

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[Cruisingcouple22]

Bear in mind that you can only go on a ship tour if you haven't been on the ship, so I should get in there before October!

 

Sent from my Sony Z1 Compact.

 

 

That's a good point, forgot to mention that!

 

 

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[Cruisingcouple22]

Onwards to the top decks. We wandered around the main pool deck, which has two separate pools separated by a "splash zone" for children to play in. There is one bar at either end and a lot of sun loungers, spread over three levels. Obviously we were on the ship on a changeover day, but it looked like there would be plenty for everyone.

 

Plenty of loungers, not much space in between though!

Main pools

 

 

We then went through to the adults only serenity pool, which look very nice with some comfier looking sofa's and loungers, an adults only pool and a bar.

 

Serenity pool

 

Through a keycard entry door is the retreat, Britannia's for fee deck space. This area look even better than the serenity area with padded loungers, chairs and love seats. There is a separate bar, showers and two whirlpools her, as well as two massage tables for al fresco treatments. I think the cost for this was 25 per person per day, or 200 pounds for a couple for the whole cruise.

 

Retreat area

Retreat area hot tub

 

Retreat area outdoor treatment space

 

 

 

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[Cruisingcouple22]

We also took a tour of the spa, with numerous treatment rooms, some outside but most inside and then the thermal suite. this was one of the better ones we've seen on a cruise ship, with a sauna, steam and Laconium rooms, three experience showers, 6 heated loungers, two heated(!) water beds and a spa pool with jets, bubbles and semi-submerged seating. There are also chairs around to sit and relax an water available from an urn.

 

Spa sitting area

Spa pool

Heated loungers and water bed in foreground

"Hot" rooms signs

Spa pricing

 

 

 

 

 

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[Cruisingcouple22]

Some of the added activities looked like a lot of fun, such as the cookery class in the dedicated room with numerous stations with jobs and sinks etc. They had the programme for the cruise on the screens, and they offered a large variety of lessons, with some taught by celebrity chefs, like James Martin, on select sailings. Session here cost 45 per person, and i assume you get the meal for this too!

 

The cookery club

Cookery club timetable

 

There's a pretty well equipped gym on board too. All the cardio machines appear to have tv built in and there's plenty of light, but it didn't seem very big. Then again, not a place we spend a lot of time on our cruises!

 

Internet on board seemed pricey (25 for one day) and even the ship's rep said it probably wasn't worth it! Photo package seemed pretty reasonably priced (at least compared to RCL!) at 90 pounds for all your photos.

Photo package

 

 

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[Cruisingcouple22]

We then went to the MDR for a lunch. A well decorated room, single story so it didn't seem to get too loud with great service. The menu we were offered may have been a limited one (not 3 starters, 4 mains and 3 desserts) but i was very happy with my choices, although others found the food underwhelming, with the terrine being a bit tasteless and the beef a fatty cut. The lamb chops with Indian spices were superb however. Definitely try them if you are onboard!. The wine was free-flowing throughout the meal also.

 

Crab terrine

Halloumi and cauliflower salad

Beef

Curried lamp chops

Cheeseboard

 

Cheesecake

 

We had limited interactions with staff members during our visit but all those we did meet were very friendly and helpful. I would say overall this is a beautiful ship and great public spaces, but with limited activities to keep people entertained. For those who like a lot of relaxation this seems to be a good ship, but for us we enjoy the extra activities available on other cruise lines on deck. But if this is what you enjoy then i would definitely recommend giving the ship a go. Prices seem very reasonable, with suites going for approx 1200 per person on a seven nigh Fjord cruise. Any questions then please ask and I'll see if i can remember!

 

Happy cruising!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Stardust-loves-cruising]

Brilliant report thank you

I'm on Britannia very soon and was nice to see what we will be experiencing

[Selbourne]

We did a 7 night Fjord cruise in a Suite on Britannia and it cost a lot more than that! Based upon 3 cruises on Britannia, all in Suites, I would sugggest allowing £500 per night for a Suite. All were Peak summer holidays, so it may be cheaper off Peak. Balcony cabins circa £300 a night, again in peak periods. Being able to have breakfast in the Epicurean makes the supplement for a Suite seem almost justifiable on its own! Priority boarding and priority tender passes are also invaluable on a ship with over 3,000 passengers.

[ozzysdad]

We did a 7 night Fjord cruise in a Suite on Britannia and it cost a lot more than that! Based upon 3 cruises on Britannia, all in Suites, I would sugggest allowing £500 per night for a Suite. All were Peak summer holidays, so it may be cheaper off Peak. Balcony cabins circa £300 a night, again in peak periods. Being able to have breakfast in the Epicurean makes the supplement for a Suite seem almost justifiable on its own! Priority boarding and priority tender passes are also invaluable on a ship with over 3,000 passengers.

 

£200 for breakfast as a justifiable amount :loudcry:

[Selbourne]

£200 for breakfast as a justifiable amount :loudcry:

 

Obviously I was being a bit tongue in cheek, but in all seriousness, being able to have breakfast in the calm and tranquillity of a fine dining restaurant (and the exemplary and personal service that goes with it), when you are on a ship with over 3,000 passengers, including 600 children, in peak school summer holidays is a major reason why we book a suite. That and the priority boarding, priority disembarkation, priority tender passes, all the extra space plus a separate lounge, huge shower, whirlpool bath, better position / views / balcony, in suite dining etc etc. We spend a lot of time in our suite during a summer holiday cruise and rarely experience many of the negatives that so many people post on here about Britannia. Not for everyone, I appreciate, but we probably wouldn't entertain a cruise on Britannia if we were unable to pay the extra for these things.

[NauticalMiss]

Selbourne - just a quick question about the priority tenders. How to you steel yourself against your fellow passengers being (possibly) disgruntled when you push past the queue to board the tender before them? I only ask because I have never been brave enough to try it, and always leave our passes in the cabin.

[Selbourne]

Selbourne - just a quick question about the priority tenders. How to you steel yourself against your fellow passengers being (possibly) disgruntled when you push past the queue to board the tender before them? I only ask because I have never been brave enough to try it, and always leave our passes in the cabin.

 

With ease! To be serious though, it's not about pushing past people! It simply avoids the hassle of having to assemble in the theatre (or wherever), be given a number and then wait to be called to proceed to deck 4. On one ship once, when we weren't in a suite, that process took 90 minutes. You simply go down to deck 4 whenever suits you and join whatever queue there happens to be down there at that time. I hate tender ports as it starts the day with a hassle, so anything to relive that is a plus in my book.

[daiB]

We did a 7 night Fjord cruise in a Suite on Britannia and it cost a lot more than that! Based upon 3 cruises on Britannia, all in Suites, I would sugggest allowing £500 per night for a Suite. All were Peak summer holidays, so it may be cheaper off Peak. Balcony cabins circa £300 a night, again in peak periods. Being able to have breakfast in the Epicurean makes the supplement for a Suite seem almost justifiable on its own! Priority boarding and priority tender passes are also invaluable on a ship with over 3,000 passengers.

 

 

I take it that you mean £500 per cabin and not per person. In all our cruises we have never paid that much. Most would be in the range of £300 to £400 per cabin but we do not cruise in peak times although we have cruised at Christmas and New Year. Also we do book very early and get the discounts on offer then..

 

 

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[Selbourne]

I take it that you mean £500 per cabin and not per person. In all our cruises we have never paid that much. Most would be in the range of £300 to £400 per cabin but we do not cruise in peak times although we have cruised at Christmas and New Year. Also we do book very early and get the discounts on offer then..

 

 

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Sorry, yes I meant per cabin per night, based on 2 adults.

[SquishTheWhale]

Thank you for this! We are doing a ship tour of Azura in July which I am looking forward to. The literature seems to indicate you will be offered special rates during (and for 10 days after) the tour if you do wish to book a cruise- can I ask if this was offered and what the deal was? Any better than the 5% discount you can get via various other means such as an HSBC advance account?

 

Alo, were you shown around in a big group or was it just your party with the guide?

[Cruisingcouple22]

Glad you enjoyed it!

The rate we were offered was just the money we paid for the tour (£25pp) off of the price of the cruise, so not a great offer. That was from our travel agent, not sure if others would be different.

And we were divided up into groups of about 10 people each with a ships guide and a travel agent rep. We often bumped into other groups having a tour though as they take you to the same show cabins.

Enjoy your visit though, was a good day

 

 

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[Selbourne]

Bear in mind that you can only go on a ship tour if you haven't been on the ship, so I should get in there before October!

 

Sent from my Sony Z1 Compact.

 

I thought that was the case (it is on Cunard) but P&O don't seem to check this. We have done several visits to ships that we have already cruised on. I have always had an excuse ready ("we'd like to see the ship following the last refit") but have never been questioned. And, as others have stated, you get the £25 per person back when you next book a cruise - and there seems to be no time limit on that either. So, you have a nice day out, a reasonable lunch with wine (service isn't great and sometimes they are a bit stingy with the wine) and it ends up costing you nothing other than the petrol there and back. We have had some excellent guides and some not so good ones. I have had to stop myself from correcting the guides at times as they have a habit of sometimes providing incorrect info with great authority!

[P&O SUE]

I agree Selbourne, I have only been on one ship visit (and it was Britannia) and the blurb on the website said priority was given to people who'd never cruised before. However we were never asked that question and we had been on about 4 before.

Thanks for your report Cruisingcouple! - we really enjoyed our visit last year and as a result booked for this July - your photos have made me even more keen to go!

Edited June 7, 2017 by P&O SUE

[P&O SUE]

Thank you for this! We are doing a ship tour of Azura in July which I am looking forward to. The literature seems to indicate you will be offered special rates during (and for 10 days after) the tour if you do wish to book a cruise- can I ask if this was offered and what the deal was? Any better than the 5% discount you can get via various other means such as an HSBC advance account?

 

Alo, were you shown around in a big group or was it just your party with the guide?

 

We went on a visit on Britannia last July and bought the FCC on the visit (was so busy and we were in one of the last groups going round that there was no time to actually speak to someone about booking a cruise). However there was a card in the bag they give you for further OBC if you booked specifically for a cruise on Britannia and within 3 MONTHS of the visit! I remember this as I can't book my holidays at work until the September before the summer and I just got in on time! Can't remember exactly all the percentages but we bought the FCC (£25 each) and there was an OBC promotion on at the time we booked. We ended up with a total of £250 for the 2 of us for just 6 nights! I was very happy with that :D

[Cruise Puss]

I thought that was the case (it is on Cunard) but P&O don't seem to check this. We have done several visits to ships that we have already cruised on. I have always had an excuse ready ("we'd like to see the ship following the last refit") but have never been questioned. And, as others have stated, you get the £25 per person back when you next book a cruise - and there seems to be no time limit on that either. So, you have a nice day out, a reasonable lunch with wine (service isn't great and sometimes they are a bit stingy with the wine) and it ends up costing you nothing other than the petrol there and back. We have had some excellent guides and some not so good ones. I have had to stop myself from correcting the guides at times as they have a habit of sometimes providing incorrect info with great authority!

 

I rang a few years back to enquire about booking a ship visit for myself, my husband and my parents. They said that, as my parents had never been on any P&O ships, that they could visit any that had open days, but as we had been on all of them except Ventura, that only Ventura was the ship we could visit.

 

Admittedly this was a few years back now so maybe they've relaxed things.

[Cruise Puss]

Selbourne - just a quick question about the priority tenders. How to you steel yourself against your fellow passengers being (possibly) disgruntled when you push past the queue to board the tender before them? I only ask because I have never been brave enough to try it, and always leave our passes in the cabin.

 

Agree with Selbourne, you don't push past anyone, you simply go down to the tender when you're ready to get off. No-one else but you is aware you have a priority pass, in fact, I can't remember the last time anyone checked it anyway!