Britannia Cruise Reviews - Reviews

We sailed on the Britannia to the Canaries in April 2017 and the cruise was very smooth as the weather was good throughout. The crew were excellent, friendly, and very good at their jobs, always smiling and happy to help. The food as ever on P&O was good in the main dinning room and the service was good. I would recommend trying Britannia for yourselves.

This was my first cruise but friends and family have cruised before with Royal Caribbean so I probably had too high expectations. For a mini cruise this boat is fine and I'd repeat the experience but I can't imagine being on it for a couple of weeks because there isn't an awful lot to do. Our cabin was clean and comfortable and the staff everywhere were great. The food was just OK. The buffet restaurant was like those in a budget all-inclusive hotel. We didn't try any restaurant costing extra but did eat in a regular one and again it had a budget feel to it - stale bread, acceptable courses, boring cheese board. Nothing deadful but nothing to impress.

The B705 cruise was from Barbados to Southampton, with shore stops at Dominica, Tortilla, Sint Maarten, The Azores and finally Southampton.

We arrived at the Barbados International Airport and were taken to the ship by coach.  The bus ride took no more than twenty minutes.  The check-in at the Barbados port was efficient.  It was better than previous years in that this time they did not all the coaches which arrived to release their passengers all together, but released each coach separately.  It took no more than fifteen minutes to pass along the queue and get our cruise-card, another ten minutes to pass through the Barbados customs and then onboard.

Our cabin was ready when we boarded, we went to our cabin when we were introduced to our cabin steward.  I asked for a sharps box - as I am an insulin controlled diabetic and need a sharps box for used hypodermic needles and used blood lancets.  Our cabin steward toldme to leave the used hypodermic needles on top of the bathroom bin and she would put them into her own sharps box.

I was utterly shocked by this.  On previous cruises - the last one was on P&O Britannia - the cabin steward always got me a sharps box.  I went to the medical the next morning to ask for a sharps-box.  The receptionist at the medical department was shocked at what I was telling her, a doctor heard and asked what was happening.  I told him, he called the head of the Housekeeping department and told the manager to give me a sharps-box.  A sharps-box was delivered to our cabin that evening.

We had arranged second sitting, on the Oriental restaurant, and the food and service was fantastic.  Our waiter and assistant waiter were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble.  One one occasion I had ordered the Sirloin steak, but it was not cooked as I had requested.  Less than two minutes later a new steak was given to me, and the waiter waited whilst I cut it and confirmed it was cooked as I wanted.

The food at The Oriental was fabulous, last year there was one one occasion that there was nothing on the menu I could not eat, but this year there were the staples - Sirloin Steak and Roast Chicken - which were on every menu, even the Marco Pierre White menus.

One one evening, we went to Sindhu.  The food and service was exquisite, Silver service and mouthwatering Indian cuisine.  Sindhu had a cover charge of £20 per person.  It was worth the extra charge as it was just brilliant.

The first few days of the cruise was an island hop, the weather was good and the sun was bright.  The sea was calm.  The entertainment team were always about doing various things.  They would talk to you for a few moments, which is different from last year.  Last year, they did not speak to you and rushed about.  I believe this is due to the Entertainment Manager - Neil Oliver - and he must be applauded.

The journey across the Atlantic took 5 days, the sea was calm and the weather was good for sunbathing.  The clock changed 4 times -  at 01:00 am.  Previously the clock changed at 12:00 noon, which caused problems with the planning of the day.  It was much better for the time to change at night.

After the Azores the weather gradually got worse, as my wife said, "The sea got more bouncy."

The captain announced because of the weather, the course he was taking would be slightly different when compared to the planned course.  One one occasion I was at the reception on Desk 5, I looked through the windows which were in the Shore Excursion desks and the sea level was ABOVE the top of the window.

On these days, at the staircases there were sick-bags on every floor and half of the elevators were stopped and could not be used.  There was no sea-sickness tablets available in any of the shops, only in the medical section which was only open for two hours a day, this was disappointing as other cruise lines we have been on have sea0sickness tablet dispensers.

The disembarkation, at Southampton, was smooth.  There was no large queues and it took only a few minutes to disembark to the quayside.

This cruise was very good, the food and service was brilliant.  The entertainment was brilliant.  It was let down slightly by the weather, but that could not be helped.  On the whole I would give this, specific, cruise a score of 87%

Thank you to P&O. Britannia was a beautiful ship and everything about her. I had heard and read mixed reports about the ship. I found nothing wrong with her. I thought the staff was fantastic and really worked very hard to attend to our every need. The food was beautiful and the special restaurant's are well worth the money. The 2 suggestion I have would have is Brodies the British pub to do food in a basket i.e chicken and chips ect. Also the price of the internet to be lowered. if it was cheaper you would get more people to buy it. The last thing would be the poor staff. All members off staff didn't have shoes that fit them. at least 1-2 sizes too big for them. it is also health and safety issue. and all the money cruise liners make u can afford the correct foot ware for the staff. SO COME ON P&O LOOK AFTER YOUR STAFF.

It was our first ever cruise, the ship was awesome and we loved the 9 Caribbean islands we docked at. The food and entertainment on board was to a very high standard. The Britannia is such an elegant and classy ship. 

We cruised around the Caribbean and loved every minute of it. It was our first cruise and learnt alot along the way.

A wonderful 14 day British cruise over the New Year holiday in the Caribbean. Fantastic variety of islands visited during our first cruise to the Caribbean.

The Britannia is a loverly ship she is clean and cabins are a good size venues onboard are well mentained and entrainment is fantastic recomend 👍😀😄😬

EXPLORED THE BEAUTIFUL CARRIBEAN ISLANDS EVERLASTING MEMORY

Was on Britainia last Dec around the Carribean she really is a beautiful ship. One minor complaint in my humble opinion is the lack of a promenade deck.

Although she is a very large ship, Britannia's brilliant design and numerous intimate spaces for meeting, or curling up with a book plus the many restaurant and bar venues prevents guests from ever being aware of how many people are aboard. The decor is outstanding and the lighting throughout the ship is spectacular, highlighting the many sculptures and other works of art. Our balcony cabin was very comfortable. US citizens need to remember to bring a voltage converter as well as plug adaptors for all your 110 volt appliances that don't have built in converters. The Retreat was where I spent most of my free time at sea. It's beautiful and quiet. Thankfully it is far away from all the other outside public decks which have music blaring all the time. My favorite restaurant is Epicurean. I ate there as often as I could so I could sample all three different menus. The one Achilles heal which impacts all passengers on the ship is the absence of elevators mid ship. One must walk forward or aft to access the passenger cabins. In a ship the size of Britannia, you will do a lot of walking. It's really the only major design I found which is saying a lot for a ship this size. The show room theater is a bit too small to accommodate the number of passengers on board. So the big production shows are always full and it's a good idea to arrive 30 minutes early. The service aboard ship was excellent in every respect. On embarkation, our luggage was already in our room when we got aboard. Our cabin steward and waiters were exemplary. As is the custom in the UK, Americans would be smart to remember to stay left when going up or down stairwell and to do the same when walking in the hallways. I look forward to sailing again on Britannia.

Beautiful ship, good food and really helpful staff And an overall good mood to the ship! I loved the decor and the shore excursions where really cool. it's a 5/5 from me.

We sailed to the Norwegian fjords on Britannia in August 2016. So far my favourite cruise destination but although only my third it was my least favourite ship. I'm not saying I wouldn't go on it again as I am restricted to certain times but if I had a choice I would probably choose a different ship. The main issues have already been documented. A lot of passengers to squeeze into small venues. The live lounge is too small and standing room only. The entertainment was dire. So much so we paid twice to go into the limelight club to see Cheryl baker who I must say was very good. The theatre group were average. They have a hi tec theatre but again just seem to have a bunch of talented performers just singing musical hits. So much more could be achieved here I feel. The only time we managed to get into the live lounge we saw a poor comedian who I realised as he started we'd seen previously on oceana a year previous. We all know about lifts and central staircases. No promenade again is well known. Food was excellent in MDR and like the previous cruises I cannot fault the staff or service. Cabins however I felt were the nicest I've stayed in. The ship just lacks soul and atmosphere. I would definitely recommend Norway, and it's worth getting up at silly o'clock to watch the ship sail down the fjords. The captain was rarely seen or heard. Which was a shame as I like to hear their announcements and what they have to say. The first officer was capable though! If you do visit the fjords I'd think about the ship size as 3000+ odd people getting off a ship can overwhelm a little town that has 350 occupants. To sum up, my memories of Norway were magical and I'd do it again tomorrow, even on Britannia but if the same cruise was available on an alternative fleet member, I'd choose the alternative.

This was my first time on Britannia and I loved her. By far my favourite P & O ship. We had a great week in Norway. Nothing at all to worry about 🇬🇧🇳🇴 My mum is disabled but we couldn't get an adapted cabin but our cabin steward sorted out all disability aids for her without being asked! Amazing service 😃

P&O rip off!!!! Flaam railway trip just come on website to purchase £98.00 per person. The railway company state the trains are sold out for that day so P&O can charge what they like. Double the price of the trip if booked directly with railway... Railway 5 min walk from ship. P&O you are a disgrace!!!

It’s a good shop good food and layout is a bit confusing have to go up to a floor to go to other side of the ship to get down if someone in your party is in a wheelchair. The Indian restaurant is amazing and the sail away parties are much better then other cruise ship.

My first cruise was on the Britannia to Norway and it was the best week of my life! The ship is amazing, completely spotless and the staff are just perfect!

Britannia is a real step up for P&O. A classy ship with understated Italian designed decor and luxurious furnishings. So many wonderful spaces around the ship, and although a large ship, the inside doesn't feel so large. We particularly like the crows nest, the blue bar and the glass house. For speciality dining Sindhu is just the best. We've been on her three times within her first year and are due on a fourth time in a few weeks time!

Could not fault the ship at all. All the staff was really friendly and helpful had a great holiday booked another one enjoyed it so much. Food on board was outstanding.

We went on the Brittania last March (2015) transatlantic. the bad points, there is no central stairwell past deck 7 which seems really odd, and leads to the lifts being packed, the buffet lacks any sort of flow leading to aimless milling around by many including myself and the balcony cabins are a little smaller than on ventura and azura. Other than that what a ship. The decor is great and there seems so much more space onboard, even on busy sea days it never felt packed. Dining was a pleasure and never too busy, the food the usual high standard. the large plasma screen used in the theatre brings a new dimension to the shows and the Limelight Club, with its celebrity acts was very welcome. We love P&O as for us the balance is just right, and whilst some of the 'more mature' P&O regulars were not so keen on Brittania (I heard several moaning it was too big) over this is a nod to the modern whilst maintaining the traditional. We will be back.