Exclusively Come Tour Britannia with Me and the Queen!

Britannia sailing in to Southampton last Friday does mark the start of another busy year for the cruise industry and surprise. Many of the cruise lines are starting to release there 2016/2017 schedules and with Anthem of the Seas to launch next month the excitement is certainly far from over.

So what does a brand new sparkly ship look like? Well that’s where I come in so come with me on my tour around the Brand New P&O Britannia and see what all the fuss is about. I was fortunate to be invited to an exclusive overnight event in Southampton on Tuesday 10th March which was also the same day the HM The Queen named Britannia.

Police boats surrounding the portside where the Queen would arrive and name Britannia

The arrival of the Royal Car!

The Queen and the Captain on the by screen getting ready to smash the bottle.

Britannia was docked in the Ocean Terminal.

To the right again you can see the Royal Car waiting for HM The Queen whilst she was on board having a spot of lunch

The Entire terminal had, had a complete P&O made over and the Red carpet had been laid.

Once inside the terminal the Britannia and P&O theme continues, boarding was delayed due to the late departure of HM The Queen and we did get a slightly glimpse of her as she left.

So once she and Prince Philip had safely departed we finally commenced board, from checking in to stepping on to the gangway was about 20 minutes so its not a stressful experience at all.

As you get on board you arrive straight in the Atrium which is stunning, very Boutique but with a nautical feel. One of the strange things for a ship of this size and for its design is that there is no lifts over the main atrium, but it had a feeling of space, and with the stunning spiral staircase at the far end. The main feature being the stunning light fitting taking the centre of attention!

On Deck 5 this is the lowest passenger deck so down here you have plenty of space to relax and soak in the atmosphere.

As you leave the Atrium you have the stunning picture of HM the Queen in honour of her naming Britannia

But whilst you are at the Atrium you have the Market Cafe on the Starboard side

On the Port side you have the Blue Bar

To the Aft of Deck 5 you have the Meridan Resturant

Now leaving the Meridan Resturant, you need to walk back through the Atrium, you then have the Lime Light Club, which is a very Jazzy style venue and enjoy some amazing dishes with a live acts.

Just outside here you have one of the gift shops

On from here you have the main reception and the shore excursion booking office.

On from here you have the Spa. Now this has to be one of the biggest and best spa I have seen on a ship, you have the main spa down here but also the Retreat up on the main pool deck which you will see later in the tour.

Starting with Reception,

Then you have the Salon,

You also have a relaxing waiting room where you can sit and chill before your treatments.

Next up are the massage rooms, there is about 15 of these on board, although I lose count, they have the standard one, also ones with water and dry beds depending on the treatment you are having.

From here you have the couple massage room, there is only one of these on the entire ship so if you want a treatment as a couple then I cannot stress how important it is to prebook this room. It is complete with two massage beds, a large shower and double bath.

The icing on the cake in the Spa has to be the Thermal Suite, simply stunning. Here you have a private pool, heat beds, waterbeds, saunas and steam rooms and not forgetting the rainfall showers.

Lastly for the spa, you have the shop, complete with a red, white and blue theme, majortity of these products are Elemis.

Now that is Deck 5 done! Up to Deck 6 we go and back the Atrium, this level gives views over the below deck, this is a shoppers paradise. I have never seen so many shops and so much choice on a cruise ship, P&O have teamed up with some of the biggest designers in the business but don’t take my word for it have a look for yourself.

Going Forward from her you have Brodies which is one of the late night venue, there is a dance floor up here for those that want to party the night away.

You in P&O style have a small Casino up here too.

Forward here you have the Headliners Theatre which is a stunning entertainment venue, it is smaller than you would expect on a ship of this size to be honest.

Towards the Aft you have to two other main resturants, so starting with the Peninsular Resturant, this is access from the Atrium.

The Oriental Resturant although on the same level does require you to go up a deck and then back down, but this is directly on the aft of the ship so if you can get a table but the window on the back you have those stunning aft views.

So thats Deck 6 done! Now as we go up to Deck 7 this is really the main Promenade deck.

On the Aft you have two outside sun bathing areas, one on the Port and Starboard side, I would imagine these to be very quiet and the pefect retreat if you want to escape for a couple of hours. These are access by doors near to the ‘The Live Lounge’

As you go back inside you have the Late night venue of the Live Lounge which is host to a variety of live acts and shows.

Walking now forward you reach Sindhu which is one of the Speciality Resturants on board, complete with a lovely bar area for pre dinner drinks.

There is also a Private room which you can hire for Private Parties.

Next up you have the Studio, now as the name suggest this is somewhere you can get involved  in a Visually ineractive plays or sit back and watch a block buster film

Next up you have the Photo Gallery and the Future Cruise office.

Now we are back in the middle of the ship and at the top of the Atrium with amazing views below and of course of that spectacular light.

On the Port side of the Atrium you have the Glass House which is Olly Smith’s domain, a lovely relaxing bar.

And on the Starboard side you have Java, which is the onboard coffee house and they even serve Costa Coffee!

You will also find two open decks accessable from Java and the Glass House if you want to take your drinks outside.

Back inside and in to the warm as we go forward from here you have The Crystal Room which is beautiful and a very Art Deco feel to it.

On from here you have access to the top level of the Headliners Theatre.

_____________________

So its a long way up from here, if you want to take the stairs instead of the lifts you do need to use the forward or aft set as the stairs from the Atrium only go as high as Deck 7.

G, F, E, D, C, B and A Deck are all accomadation decks, Britannia  boasts Inside and Balcony staterooms and suites only, there are no Oceanview staterooms at all. You will also find Single Balconies and Inside staterooms up on the Lido Deck.

Inside

Single Inside

Single Balcony

For the Standard Balconies with Chair,

For those with Balcony with Sofa, this was D507

For those with Superior Deluxe Staterooms

Some of the Suites

Lido Deck is the main pool deck, Britannia has 4 pools in total but before we get to the Lido deck lets go and have a look at the Crows Nest, Fancy a G&T?

Just of the Crowns Nest on the Starboard side you have the Libary.

If you take the Port side for exit from the Crows Nest you have the Marlow Suite and the Ivory Suite which is for Private funtions.

Next dor to this you have The Epicurean which is another Speciality resturants, simply beautiful.

As we venture outside we have the main pool deck, you cannot miss those beautiful blue funnels!

At this end of the Pool deck you have the Lido Bar, Lido Grill and the Pizzeria.

From here you have the beautiful pool deck, I must admit, it is a stunning area.

On the other end of the Pool Deck you have the Grab and Go and the Ice Cream Counter, as we as the Riviera Bar.

Now on the Aft you have the Horizon Resturant, a section of this in the evening does become Beach House which is a private resturant for those wanting a more relaxed dining experience.

Now for my favourite area on the entire ship, the Sunset Bar! What stunning views.

Now you may see in the above pictures so outside staircases, if you go up these you get to the Terrace Pool and sunbathing deck, again offering the views to die for.

On the Starboard side up here, and I think rather hidden is the Cookery Club, this is where you can come for cooking lessons with the likes of Marco Pierre White, Mary Berry and James Martin.

On the Port side you have the Kids Clubs

Now instead of going down the Sun Deck, lets go up to the back put of the Sports deck. Up here you have a Promenade which wraps around the two funnels and a sports court with bar and sun bathing area.

You also get some of the best views over the below pool decks.

So thats the back end of the Sports Deck done, back down to the Sun deck which is the deck that overlooks the main pool deck. Majority of the middle of this deck is for sun bathing there are two whirlpools, one on either side which are in a fantastic location to sit bit with a glass of wine and enjoy the views.

On from here you have the steps to take up to deck 19! Yes that right there is a deck 19, you do have to climb up two rather steep set of stairs but its worth it to get to a deck that is not even on the deck plan! Also you have some of the best views.

And now back down to deck 17 – Lido Deck, past the main pool you have the Serenity Pool and Bar, another quiet area which is more Adults Only.

On from here you have the Retreat which is the outside part of the spa.

You do need to pay to come and use this area but well worth it.

Now on leaving the Retreat, we need to go back down past the pool deck to get to the next destination.

Finally we are at the Gym… I must say the use of motivating signs would be a help!

All tours should end where they start!

So are you tempted to book a trip on her now?

Let me know what you think of the new addation to the P&O Fleet

Welcome Britannia!