Bit of a blog - Britannia day visit - Sunday 8th March 2015

[PopsiB]

Look forward to hearing what you think. We're going for the day visit on Friday and like you are normally RCL people. It will be nice to compare styles on the new ships.

 

Julie

 

Hi Julie,

How did you get invites to look around the ship?

[Solent Richard]

You will see from my sig above that I'm a P&O virgin.

What's the 'Retreat'? I've seen lots of banter elsewhere about the lack of a prom deck.....

 

Linda

 

Good afternoon Linda.

 

The Retreat is an exclusive, open air terrace area of the ship that can be reserved, usually on a daily basis.

 

 

 

 

It is part of the Spa area.

[sotong]

The Retreat was a lovely area but as you say extra cost on a half day basis.

The Serenity Pool directly next to is was a quiet pool area and also looked very nice but no cushions, refreshments nor charge.

 

Interestingly on this chip the main Spa area including treatments rooms, salons, whirlpools etc are down on deck 5/6 rather than near the retreat and spa.

 

Gillian

[Solent Richard]

Hi again Linda.

 

Just to help your blog here is a picture I took of Britannia arriving on Friday...

 

 

 

[Solent Richard]

I should have added that my photographs of The Retreat were actually taken on Azura.

 

We enjoyed a number of days in The Retreat.

 

The equivalent on Princess Cruises is the Sanctuary.

[kernow]

Hi Julie,

How did you get invites to look around the ship?

 

We got ours from one of the big travel agents. Its great that P and O seem to be holding lots of visits, I don't think RCL are doing so many for Anthem, at least we haven't been able to get one!

 

Julie

[kikki21]

Looking forward to hearing your views and lots of pics later on - hope you enjoyed your visit! :)

[English Tim]

My wife and I have just returned from a very good lunch, in the Peninsular DR. The wine was also very good.

 

Apart from the greenery around the pool area, we felt the ship looked a bit drab and in need of a clean! There were crumbs on the floor by our table and the waiter said we were the only sitting, so presumably there from previous day. On one of the open decks, there were two partly full glasses, again we assume from previous day. There was also a fair bit of litter on the astroturf (needed a hoover).

 

I guess they haven't got around to the pre-HMQ clean, but showing off a new ship, one would have thought everywhere would be just perfect.

[NorbertsNiece]

Am home. What a gorgeous ship. That new smell. Bathrooms are indeed tiny IMO. As are the balconies..... well the ones I saw were.... my thoughts about the day summed up :

 

Crew everywhere very helpful and friendly.

The lack of a jogging track would bother me..... I walk, preferably in a straight line for long stretches.... cannot do this here.

Signage..... I had difficulty knowing which deck I was on.... am used to decks being numbered and easy location finders. They've gone for a sleek, sophisticated look.... and it's dark.

Decks are labelled by letter and / or number I think.

No ATMs on board.

Loads of places to sit and chill in different environments. Not all food venues are complimentary where you do the chilling out thing. That would be a learning curve for me. Plenty of music places to hang out in.

Lunch was wonderful. I had 3 courses of Sindhu which happens to be my favourite up market restaurant anywhere. Did not disappoint.

Wine was indeed good.

 

I'll post the pics in due course.... there's rather a lot.

 

Linda

[lyns_mann]

Hiya, i was on the day visit today too :)

[NorbertsNiece]

I could post the link to all the pics here now or I can blog with commentary. Probably tomorrow.

 

You decide.

 

Have to add that seeing staterooms with hanging space with no doors was a surprise which would not suit me at all. Is that common with P&O? Sorry about the grainy image.... got access to a couple of rooms but with no key - no lights....

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Hiya, i was on the day visit today too :)

 

Hi :D

Do share your impressions

[NorbertsNiece]

Hi again Linda.

 

Just to help your blog here is a picture I took of Britannia arriving on Friday...

 

 

 

 

Ahoy there!! Thanks for the pics!

[NorbertsNiece]

Look forward to hearing what you think. We're going for the day visit on Friday and like you are normally RCL people. It will be nice to compare styles on the new ships.

 

Julie

 

Get there early. Whatever it says on your letter you can ignore. See my previous post x

[majortom10]

P&O have never had any ATM's on any of their ships and regards there being no doors on wardrobes that is the same as Azura and Ventura to stop doors banging and swinging open in rough seas a good idea IMO having been on ships with doors on wardrobe and the noise they can make at night.

[DS_Dean]

Looking forward to seeing all the pics! :D

[BrianI]

Although there are no ATM's, you can get cash on board just by going to reception. You can get pounds, euros, dollars or the currency of the countries you are visiting. All charged to your account.

Usually plenty of ATM's ashore if that's what you want.

Brian

[Over Land & Sea]

Thanks for your views so far, friends of ours went yesterday as well.

They liked but didn't love the ship but thoroughly enjoyed the lunch. They mixed their choices from the various restaurants and like you enjoyed the Sindhu course they chose.

Later they got a photo with James Martin, don't know if P&O's other celebrity chefs were on board for the event.

[Over Land & Sea]

[quote name=NorbertsNiece;45864900

The lack of a jogging track would bother me..... I walk' date=' preferably in a straight line for long stretches.... cannot do this here.[/quote]

 

 

Apparently jogging lane is on deck 18, the cruise rep my friend spoke to seemed quite proud of Britannia's upper deck. She said this was the first P&O ship to have such a deck!?

[NorbertsNiece]

Ok here goes......

 

First view of Britannia from the Shuttle. I'd taken an early train from London, Waterloo.

 

 

We are given the red carpet treatment

 

 

Inside the terminal

 

 

It's packed

 

 

Only one outlet to get refreshments

 

 

I go to charge my phone and this is my view

 

[NorbertsNiece]

They are busy unloading empty pallets

 

 

Am given a lanyard, a pass and tour book at checkin..... security is normal aircraft style..... remove belt, jacket walk through scanner.

 

 

Have forgotten this lovely chap's name already but do remember he was part of the Entertainment Team. He gave me a little orientation.

 

 

The atrium

 

 

 

A little area to one side

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The Market Place.... food for display purposes only.... cannot get a coffee here today..... do manage a glass of water later....

 

 

On the opposite side

 

 

Music can be made in so many paces on board

 

 

 

Typical signage..... some was quite high and I'm 5'9"

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Dine and have a show at the same time

 

 

 

 

Reception / Guest Services..... mostly uniformed behind the desk but clearly having IT problems

 

 

 

I have price lists to scan in.

Quite a few treatment rooms.

 

Edited March 9, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

Couples

 

[Host Sharon]

Apparently jogging lane is on deck 18, the cruise rep my friend spoke to seemed quite proud of Britannia's upper deck. She said this was the first P&O ship to have such a deck!?

 

Adonia has a jogging track round the top deck.