P&O Cruises
This floating ‘small Britain’ has all the right family-friendly trimmings
The Ship. Modeled on the Royal Princess platform, Britannia – named by Queen Elizabeth II and bearing the same sterling name as her former, slightly smaller Royal Yacht Britannia – is a thoroughly British ship. It incorporates the classic features of ships such as Aurora and Oriana into a design that is contemporary but not brash. The stern is nicely tiered, and reminiscent of the back of an American Airstream trailer (caravan), but the bow (the front) is extremely short. Sadly, there is no open walk-around promenade deck; there’s no Deck 13 either. Britannia features a rising sun logo on its two funnels (it’s presently the only P&O Cruises ship with two funnels), while along the side of the hull there’s no mistaking the Union Jack – at 308.4ft (94m) long, it’s a big, bold British statement.
On the open (family-friendly) deck are two main swimming pools (Lido and Riviera) and several hot tubs (close by is a Pizzeria, Lido Grill, and Grab & Go ice cream bar). Some nights may feature sound-and-light shows performed by the ship’s resident dance and vocal troupe. To escape the general noise and hubbub of the family-friendly pools and water-splash features, it’s worth paying extra to use the adults-only Retreat (just forward of the mast on Deck 17), with its own serenity pool and two hot tubs.
Unusually for P&O Cruises, this ship’s interiors were created by a single designer, and the consistently simple, uncluttered, and tasteful modern design is evident throughout. The interior focal point – and its real social hub – is a spacious and charming three-deck-high atrium lobby, which has curved staircases and four panoramic elevators. Most of the interior decor is restrained. Intended to be a ship for all types of passenger, specific areas have been designed for different age groups and lifestyles.
On the lower level of the atrium (Deck 5) is Market Café, which features some delightful (extra-cost) patisserie items by British-based (French-born) celebrity chef Eric Lanlard as well as coffees, cakes, and pastries, a gelateria, and Blue Bar. Also close by is The Limelight Club (a specialty dining venue that is like a supper club). On the other levels you’ll find a range of shops and a comfortable (extra-cost) Java Café.
On the middle level (Deck 6) you’ll find Brodies (another rather comfortable place for lounging and drinking – named after Brodie Willcox, co-founder of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company), a fairly small casino (with gaming tables and slot machines, and several shops. On the upper level (Deck 7) is the comfortable Java Café, for extra-cost Costa coffees, and The Glass House extra-cost restaurant.
In all, there are 13 restaurants and eateries, and 13 bars to choose from (one of the favorites will probably be the Blue Bar in the atrium lobby). Atop the ship is the Crow’s Nest Bar – a feature aboard P&O ships. Like a large London club, with panoramic views, it’s a good meeting place for pre-dinner cocktails and after-dinner lounging; it has a selection of 20 British artisan gins (and more than 70 bottled beers and ales). Adjacent are two meeting rooms, the Marlow Suite (named after a former P&O Cruises managing director), and the Ivory Suite; both are on the port side, while the Library is located on the starboard side.
A constant cause of complaint is the fact that although there are elevators in the center of the ship, there are no stairs between decks 7 and 16 (only at the forward and aft stairways), and waiting for elevators can be very frustrating. The score, therefore, reflects this serious design fault.
Accommodation. There are five categories: suites; deluxe balcony cabins; outside and balcony cabins; interior (no-view) cabins; single interior cabins and (pleasant) single cabins with balcony; and wheelchair-accessible cabins (roll-in shower only – no bathtubs). All of the outside suites and cabins have private balconies (the best are those on the port and starboard side corners aft – with numbers A726, A727, B725, B726, C736, C737, D738, D739, E742, E743, F730, F731, G732, and G733). The decor is restrained – like that of a boutique hotel, in chocolate, beige, and cream. All shower enclosures are glazed. Suite-grade occupants are given bathrobes, ‘butler’ service, and chic bathroom toiletries, but note that many suite-grade balconies are disappointingly small and narrow.
All accommodation grades feature a large flat-screen TV for films on demand, as well as products from The White Company, and tea/coffee-making facilities with specialty teas (long-life milk is provided, so if you want fresh milk, ask your room steward). Balcony cabins have rubberized (not wood) decking, sliding glass doors, and low-grade chairs. Note that balcony cabins with a sofa are more comfortable than those without, since they provide seating for a couple together. Cabins for passengers with disabilities are fitted with roll-in showers.
Dining. The three principal dining rooms are Meridian (with classic gray and brown decor), Oriental (with plum, gray, and beige colors), and the Peninsular. Most of the chairs do not have armrests. While Oriental features fixed dining times for dinner, Meridian and Peninsular are for ‘Freedom Dining,’ so you choose the seating time to suit (early one evening, late the next, for example). Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has created special dishes to be featured in the main dining rooms on gala evenings.
Epicurean Restaurant (adjacent to Reception on Deck 5) has a setting of understated glamor, and has arguably the best cuisine on board, especially the cheese selection. White individual chairs, however, have only curved half armrests that are uncomfortable.
The Glass House offers trendy light cuisine, with wine and food pairings by TV wine expert Olly Smith – and not a decanter in sight.
Sindhu features British-Indian fusion cuisine, with menus designed by Michelin-starred Atul Kochhar (his other sea-going restaurants are aboard Azura and Ventura).
The Limelight Club is a rather like a supper club – dinner with a (little) show.
Horizon Restaurant is the main self-serve buffet-style eatery (open 24/7); it has several ‘active’ stations (for pancakes, omelets, quiches, noodles, for example), plus ‘grab and go’ sandwiches, filled rolls, and deli-style food – most of which has little taste, because almost nothing is made to order. There’s also a grill for fast-food items such as hamburgers and hot dogs, and pizzas at poolside grill stations.
In case you want to hone your culinary skills, a 24-station culinary kitchen – part of the James Martin Cookery Club – can be found aft on Deck 17. Various celebrity chefs (including ‘Food Heroes’ James Martin, Marco Pierre White, and Atul Kochhar) and other invited chefs may take part and host masterclasses throughout the year.
Entertainment. The 936-seat Headline’s Theatre is the venue for colorful large-scale productions and top cabaret entertainment. The room has gently tiered seating (with good stage views from almost all seats); an LED stage backdrop provides great sets and lighting effects.
Live Lounge. This room hosts live music, cabaret acts, and comedy, but late at night it morphs into a disco/late-night spot, with bar.
The Crystal Room. This room features a large traditional wooden dance floor, grand piano, and dance hosts to help you dance better or teach you something new.
The Studio. This is a multi-function venue for talks, films, cooking and other demonstrations, recitals, game shows, and conferences.
Spa/Fitness. Larger than anything (and with more facilities) than on any previous P&O ship, the Oasis Spa is designed to help you relax, be pampered, and achieve serenity and wellbeing. The facility is located forward on the lowest deck (Deck 5), close to the atrium lobby. It includes a thermal suite, thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, beauty salon, and a rentable ‘private spa villa’ for couples, plus a spa shop.
Sports facilities include a ‘short’ tennis court, and an Arena Sports area that includes a combined football/basketball/cricket court, and other deck games, plus a gymnasium and aerobics room (on Deck 17).