Underwhelmed
Britannia Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 7
Review summary
First time with P&O but likely our last. Sailed Celebrity on our previous 3 cruises, on different ships, and was far superior.Embarkation
Parked up, waited about 30 minutes to check in, on ship within an hour. All good.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Have always sailed Celebrity previously; the differences we noticed:
- No pastries / Juices offered from trays at breakfast
- Chairs in restaurants are quite basic (bucket seats on Celebrity)
- Service is slow in restaurants; some may say it was ok, but it seemed like it was only speedy when it suited their needs i.e. get the food out, clear the tables, then we're done!
- Waiters don't explain dishes or recommend them
- Food was good, 7.5 out of 10, not amazing (is like Michelin star, 9.5 out of 10, on Celebrity)
- Coffee used is weak, stick to the PG Tips tea.
Onboard Activities
Limited activities all day: compared to Celebrity, who has live music in various locations at all times
Didn't use pool due to weather, but there are plenty of sunbeds. One of our two positives for P&O.
Entertainment
The onboard shows were good, we enjoyed the main theatre productions.
However:
- the Theatre has narrow seats, like a Thomas Cook airline seat
- Theatre has no Bar Service!
Service and Staff
The restaurant staff did their best, but service was slow in restaurants: seemed short staffed.
Cabin Steward did a great job, no grumbles, we tipped him extra đ
Ship Quality
Confusing layout of decks. Sometimes couldn't get from back to front, had to walk to midship to change floors first.
Generally clean, in communal areas, bars, but:
- No attendants in toilets (constantly cleaned on Celebrity)
- No cloth towels in Toilets, so paper towels sometimes caused issues
Cabin / Stateroom
Good layout, plenty of wardrobe space.
Our second positive for P&O:
- Tea & Coffee facilities available in cabin
Ship tip
Visit the Limelight Club; very intimate, you are up close with the performer(s)
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Disembarkation
Queued about 30 minutes to get off, so all fine.
7 Comments
lol1964 5 years ago
Horses for courses
Weâve sailed Ventura and Arcadia
Loved Ventura , not overjoyed with
Arcadia
Sailed harmony liberty jewel adventure and soon explorer of the seas loved harmony and liberty , jewel no so much
Also sailed celebrity reflection and
We thought it wasnât as good as the
Larger RC ships
Soon to do Norwegian and will try
MSC too
You pays your money and take your choice
GeoffandCaz 5 years ago
I find it fascinating to see folks comments and comparisons, I get disappointed when the reviews are poor, and not surprised when they are good. I believe that once you have cruised with different operators, one will be better for you than another, it's a shame to say one was poor just because it didn't suit you. Others will love what you didn't. Stick with your favourite, and have a great time :)
Karriejay 5 years ago
Obviously everyone has different ideas and experiences, but I would have to disagree with a couple of your observations. I'm not much of a one to want to be 'entertained' on holiday so I didn't really go to any of the shows, but if I go to a theatre or gig at home, the last thing I'd expect is bar service in the theatre. I find it extremely rude when people get up in the middle of a performance to go to the bar. Normally you'd get a drink beforehand and during the interval, if there is one.
I've personally never experienced particularly slow restaurant service on P&O ships, but I'm guessing that's all down to personal preference - I usually find that I'm one of the last to leave a restaurant!
Pastries and juice were available in the buffet, if not in the main dining rooms - Britannia's buffet was pretty well stocked in my experience.
You also mentioned towels in the bathrooms - surely that's a haven for Norovirus? Paper towels may not be terribly eco friendly, but the amount of times you'd have to wash and replace towels would be ecologically just as bad. People certainly need to be educated in not putting paper towels down the toilets though!
I hope you won't be put of using P&O again - just keep thinking of the tea and coffee in the cabins!!