Britannia - sunbed situation

We sailed the Caribbean on Britannia on her maiden season and the towels on sunbeds at dawn and the squabbling about sunbeds was really not very good at all, since then we have have stuck to the Azura where we find it a lot better (still a bit of an issue if you are not an early riser though) Anyway my question is has it improved at all as I am thinking of the TA back to Southampton with James M on board.

Trusted friends on advice booked The Retreat.
At dawn? Too late.

Drawn now evidences the gathering of the various seal colonies, who meet up with the first wave of hoggers (pre dawn), same being armed with all the colonies' reservation items (i.e. Old books, magazines, hats etc).

The colonies have a distinct and mutually accepted form of greeting known as the "Ahwight". Each colony member gives, and receives the approved greeting before lounging. This protocol is strictly observed.

Approach a colony at one's peril.

Good luck

Trusted friends on advice booked The Retreat.
At dawn? Too late.

Drawn now evidences the gathering of the various seal colonies, who meet up with the first wave of hoggers (pre dawn), same being armed with all the colonies' reservation items (i.e. Old books, magazines, hats etc).

The colonies have a distinct and mutually accepted form of greeting known as the "Ahwight". Each colony member gives, and receives the approved greeting before lounging. This protocol is strictly observed.

Approach a colony at one's peril.

Good luck

Brilliant!!!

We had the same problem on Britannia in the Caribbean during her maiden year. It was the only complaint I made on their feedback form. We are on her again in March and are hoping that they have the sun bed police out in force.

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Not had a problem with sun beds but did do 5 weeks on Britannia to Caribbean a couple of years ago. No sun beds anywhere as they were occupied by older people sunbathing topless!! Before anyone jumps on me for being ageist etc I am actually 74 and would absolutely NOT expose my wrinkled exterior for a bit of sun.

We are on her again in March and are hoping that they have the sun bed police out in force.

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Unless in full riot gear, and armed with automatic rifles, the ship's sunbed police will be no match for a P&O seal colony.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Frankly those seeking a sun bed and find one unoccupied yet piled with books and personal bits should have the courage to remove the items from the sun bed(s) and place same on the deck. Expect a barrage from the previous occupier when they return, but ignore them and they will go away after a few minutes and look elsewhere to do the same as yourself.
Personally I don't sunbath but have witnessed selfishness of reserving sun beds on so many occasions and see no reason why folk are so able to flout the sun deck rules.
Stand up and be counted .. ummmm lay down and be counted.

Personally, I am not a sun worshiper and can usually be found looking for shade but I don’t think the onus should be on fellow passengers to incur the wrath of subbed hoggers. Surely P and O should do more to police the situation.

Sorry, that should be “sunbed hoggers”!!!

Even the Retreat gets busy. We still couldn't find a sunbed on some sea days.

It looks like it is still a problem finding a sunbed unless you get up at silly o'clock so not sure Britannia is for me
thank you for your replies

Even the Retreat gets busy. We still couldn't find a sunbed on some sea days.

Next time book a whole cruise, this will save any disappointment.

Next time book a whole cruise, this will save any disappointment.

We did. The Retreat itself was too busy. We had access, but couldn't find a bed at times.

We have been on Britannia 3 times and will be on her again on the 19th of jan.
We have never had problems finding sunbeds provided you are not looking for one next to the two main pools,
Had no problem getting one in the serenity quite area or obtaining one in the retreat.
I sometimes think that people are to lazy to look for beds.

We did. The Retreat itself was too busy. We had access, but couldn't find a bed at times.

Sounds as if they deliberately overbooked. This is not on.

It looks like it is still a problem finding a sunbed unless you get up at silly o'clock so not sure Britannia is for me

thank you for your replies

True if you want one round the pool. But no ship in the world can have enough sun beds round a pool are for all the cruisers on the ship.

When we were on in Oct 15 we found large numbers of unused beds on the hottest day of the cruise. Well away from the pool area of course.


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Well that looks really positive was it a sea day? looking like March cruise may be back on the agenda!!

Sounds as if they deliberately overbooked. This is not on.

Probably true but also in true caring for others traditions we saw people in the retreat on Azura "reserving" loungers in both the shaded and sunny areas to ensure they had all bases covered. I actually overheard one guy who had done this say to someone who challenged him that his wife was very particular about how much sun she had so he was making sure she was ok and that he had checked with the on duty staff that it was ok for him to do it as "they knew him from many cruises". Unfortunately we were on the beds next to him during his "shaded" periods and he was a right pain in the backside to all the staff with constant demands so I'm pretty sure he was right that they did know him quite well.

Have also seen long queues forming from 30 mins before opening for the retreat on Azura in the Caribbean especially on sea days.

Well that looks really positive was it a sea day? looking like March cruise may be back on the agenda!!

Looks like a mid-morning on embarkation day.

No beds or tables have been moved, and the daylight appears to be well after sunrise.

If a sea day, by the time the photograph was taken, the straight lines of beds would have been thoroughly trashed to become seal colonies, with multiple beds removed to create more personal space for a colony. Note no reservation items.

In light of the above, photographic evidence makes the case for a non-seaday proven.