Quincycquinn Cruise Review on Britannia on Sep 30, 2018

Britannia Cruise Review

Quincycquinn

Contributor Level: Purser

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 26

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Sail date: September 30, 2018

Ship: Britannia

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

P&O BRITANNIA. 12 NIGHTS CANARIES AND AZORES. 2018. A party of six of us, everyone sorley disappointed, slowly but surely during the course of the cruise, finding out that some of the amenities were available only to loyalty holders , hence the huge disappointment, of not being allowed into the one place I myself was exited to be able to use 'the retreat '😖 , which onboard the RC the oasis was heaven, so I thought this would be the highlight of the cruise especially for me ! What an annoyance to find myself with my nose pressed against the crack of the locked doors of the retreat, wondering why? Soon became apparent as the staff made it clear that if you are just a lowley minion , and not a 'loyalty holder' be off to the boiler room with you,ha! We were allocated to one Restraunt, (freedom dining) 4 of those nights were formal , so unless the menfolk wore formal wear understandably you wernt allowed in , but could you visit any other restaurants paying or otherwise No! So buffet dining only , as long as the teenager eating times in the buffet had finished were you then allowed in🙄🙄🙄. Now bearing in mind the majority of clientele aboard were I would say 70 years or older, and also wheel chair users etc, this I'm sure is perfect for the client seeking a cruise that is orientated, for their needs, but would have been greatly appreciated if the cruise operator would have given us a bit of an insite, as to the clientele which are suited to this cruise, in the same respect we wouldn't have booked a Disney cruise , Entertainment, visited the theatre twice out of the 12 NIGHTS, and nearly missed out on those , as they were comedy acts and we weren't too keen , but TUCKER and the other comedian were absolutely brilliant! Although we did have to go for the 10.30 showing as it was impossible to get a seat, (such a large ship , such a small theatre). Unfortunately we found that out of hundreds of staff only a few would interact or smile, regardless of our being constantly polite and smiling 🙄! None of our party are 'foodies ' and are quite easily pleased, but whether it was the buffets or restaurants the food was either totally bland or totally over salted! Maybe the chefs didn't need to try too hard because of the age of the clientele they hoped the tast buds weren't firing on all cylinders! Most food either served or self serve buffet was COLD! I personally really like porridge, but unfortunately not the tasteless watery gruel that was served, please sir I Don't want any more🙁🙁, We thought renaming the ship to the 'REVENUE'of the seas🤑🤑😠! May suit the Brittania better, ...at every available opportunity, whether eating, reading , quietly, having a drink, any place anytime anywhere, you would get touted! To purchase one of the very many venues that takes place ' every day ' and it wouldn't be a particularly soft sell either😖😖😖😖! We do understand it is the company, and not the over worked employee. Although we had empathy with the employees , and their plight, we did work and save hard for this ...so called relaxing holiday! , mind you we didn't have to trapse around too much looking at what different destinations had to offer as the majority of our time was at sea!!!!🤨🤨🤨🤨. You got the feeling that a couple of ports were just for refuelling purposes as the amount of time ashore was very limited. So in a nutshell! For one and a half grand per person (balcony.inc.oooo😮) this is what we got , cold tasteless food unless paying in other restraunts Sinduh was fabulous! went twice...or starved! 😏😏😏, rubbish entertainment limited access to facilities unless paying ,a long time at sea , well there was the company's revenue to meet! (Keep em onboard keep em spending ...I wonder if that's their motto?) . Expect to do a lot of waiting around for lifts etc as the elderly and disabled do have priority, no dispute there , but would have been nice to have been briefed on these things . Mr Tumbles as we called the Captain, because of the way he addressed his customers onboard, which would either relate to a very young person , or he assumed the majority of people had senile dementia, ... I'm sure he is a very nice man though..just 'tickety boo!' 😂😂😂. So P&O we gave you a go, will we book with you next time the answer is No!

19 Comments

DaveMid2000 5 years ago

I'm sure that this person spent more time to write this rant than they did to read the cruise information or make the booking!! Not sure i understand why you have moaned about your lack of preparation and understanding of the rules that everyone can see. I do feel for you not having a great holiday and am sorry for you on this but most of the points you have mentioned are clearly explained.

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sarahw1987 5 years ago

Mr Tumble. . . . That's brilliant! I found his tone of voice was patronising!

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theprinces 6 years ago

I don’t get the Retreat moan. Anyone can use the facilities as long as they pre-book. It’s nothing to do with what grade of cabin you’re in or what loyalty status you are.

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mrgrey94 6 years ago

What a big joke. Sailed on her twice and she out did ger self twice.

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Naylor157 6 years ago

I have just read this review and sorry but it is clear before you decide to book how many days you are at sea and also it is clear about formal nights and dress codes..... seriously you cannot complain about sea days and formal nights if you didn't read before you booked

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onlysail 6 years ago

I found the hot plates on the hot plate pile and used them for hot food. I found the cold plates on the cold plate pile. You knew when bòoking how many sea days there would be. The ship never went to the azores . I would like to know what you mean by ' limited facilities you had to pay for'.

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phillpots 6 years ago

Where are you getting your Loyalty mrmbers from? We sailed on Brittannia. Our 1st P & O cruise. We dis our homework! As you fo before sailing or booking. We knrw the retreat would cost extra!! We had a fantastic time there. Would book again on the day of arrival in the retreat!!

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amandasolts 6 years ago

We are on her at the mo got no complaints whatever staff are well and truely helpful food is amazing what else could you want oh yeh the sun lol mind you cruising is not for everyone 🤗

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dengage 6 years ago

Enjoy who ever you cruise with

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Quincycquinn 6 years ago

Each to their own as I have commented, it is what our party had experienced, I wouldn't 'rubbish' anyone who has enjoyed it , but to reiterate, I do not lie, and try to tell it as I find , so Bon voyage fellow passengers, regardless I will continue to review , as fair as possible, according to my experiences, 🛳🛳⚓⚓🚢🚢😚

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dengage 6 years ago

Quincy must of been on a different cruise as our friends were on this cruise and enjoyed every minute.

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dengage 6 years ago

Agree with you Besty1 we've been on Britannia 5 times and booked again next year so far 21 cruises with P&O and enjoy every one as a retired chef I find the food very good, and the crew have always been very good and always have a bit of banter with them keep up the good work P&O

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Quincycquinn 6 years ago

Not a professional moaner, at all the review was on behalf of all our party , which were six of us ! So comments back are even to ratio ! Just to add I am on trip advisor as Carole uk! You can see my comments are very fair indeed ! I have excactly put what we have found , on this cruise , I did press my nose up against the locked retreat door, but I am not going to explain myself again , I am entitled to air my true reviews, and don't like being called a lier, just because some of you are VERY easily pleased , or have money to throw around that's fine for you, for all we know you might be part of P&O with the comments! P&O Evades certain facts about the cruise, so proper research is impossible! It's a good job I don't go on the reviews people like you give! More money wasted ...On my part anyways , I do hope yous enjoy the cruise more than our party did, also how did you guys find the cutlery and crockery? Scratched dirty, hot for cold items cold for hot items ? No I didn't think so . Only our professional moaning party 😠

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Besty1 6 years ago

I can't understand all the negativity regarding the ship / food, we loved it. We do not use the lifts like to use stairs for a bit of exercise and gives you more cake allowance 😋. I do not agree that you should have to pay for the retreat so we do not go in. On brittania and Ventura we refused to pay for the over priced retreat and when we checked all week it looked 98% of the ship did not pay... Food has always been good and majority of the entertainment. It's a shame you did not enjoy your cruise can't wait for my next one in June 😁

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phillpots 6 years ago

Quincy... stop moaning.

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gigcruiser 6 years ago

I did the transatlantic from Caribbean on Britannia in 2016 & really enjoyed the bar quizzes and even the karaoke (not my cup of tea usually). As a single traveller I joined in the ladies v men quiz, shuffleboard, went the disco on the eve of my birthday, loved the sail away, captains cocktail party. Been on p&o since and booked on Iona. It must just suit some better than others. Hope its not put u off cruising

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Shh813 6 years ago

I tend to not believe the people who have all complaints about the whole cruise. We've been on 8 cruises and loved them all.

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onlysail 6 years ago

I forgot to add the ship is rated on average 4.5*

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onlysail 6 years ago

Absolute rubbish review onbviously never researched the ship and is s profesional moaner. To start there are no extras for loyalty members the retreat is a up charge extra for all not sure what other amenities threy ment . Must have looked very dramatic with their nose pressed against the door. Formal is just a suite for men and this is again explained well prior to the cruise. Teenage dining finishes at 5.30 and only takes up half the buffet the rest is open as usual.Entertainment value depends on personal taste but there is also a dedicated cinema. I have always found staff on all p&o ships hepful and friendly but maybe they dont react well to prima donnas. The ports and sea days are quite obvious before you book so i dont know how it suprised you I suggest you do more research on your ship and ports before you sail and spend time relaxing and not looking for petty things to moan about. Its not nice to disrespect older ppl i hope your well enough to sail when your 70 but hope its not with p&o as i would hate to cruise with ppl like you

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