Poppins74

We came off Britannia in August and our son is 15, we didn't realise he wasn't allowed in live lounge and he went in several times with us and never had anything said to him! We also went to the limelight club with him, we didn't book this at first as we thought he wasn't allowed, but they came round taking bookings and said he was okay to go. He never went to kids club but was never bored! It was an amazing experience and we have booked another cruise for next year!!!

Hoe do you get 1pm unless you're Caribbean or above?

What do you mean Caribbean? Is that a grade of traveller? Not sure how we got 1pm, we are on G deck, but did book in April last year so not sure if that has any thing to do with it? I'm new to cruising so maybe someone else can answer.

I'm very happy with 1pm obviously:)

Aw that's great, we will be able to settle in and make it up on deck with a cocktail ready for sail away! 🚢🎉🍹🍹😁

My thing is if I cant lift the case easily, why should I expect anyone else to (even if they are a big beefy man!)

I can see the problem coming by train, I am not sure what I would do as for the 2 of us we usually take 2 large/2 medium/2 small roll ons.

It tends to be the male shoes and toiletry bags that are the heaviest things for us.

Is there any way of not taking everything you were planning on. I am much better at wearing all I take now, and not taking just in case items so much.

We stick to 20kg per case, and we are usually just under that (17kg) in the big cases. Smaller ones are much lighter.

I invested in some suitcase scales and always use them now.

Wow that's a lot of luggage to take, I thought I was already been quite strict with myself to keep it to a sensible amount as half the time, I come back from hols with things never worn. However this is our first cruise, so think we will just go for an extra case and manage on the train with this, but will make sure it's not over 20kg .

There are signs at Ocean terminal saying the weight limit is 23kg.

But the luggage labels now say 20kg so think it's been reduced.:confused:

Hi, just found out today my boarding time and very happy with a 1pm slot. Can I just ask how soon afterwards will our cabin be ready, will this be straight away or do we have to wait for an announcement? Thanks in advance:)

I've noticed that it was 20kg on the luggage labels, but the p and o website says 23kg, I was hoping to only take 2 large cases, 1 small and one overnight bag as we are travelling on the train, but if limited to 20kg might have to take 3 large cases as 3 of us going.

Just don't know!?!?

Update - hubby had now purchased a lovely tuxedo with black bow tie and looks rather dashing! Some bargains to be had out there with prom season upon us. Ended up getting it from Skopes at Castleford. Let the count down to the cruise begin! Excited is an understatement :)

Looking online Moss Bros are now sadly £149 at the mo for most sets. I can pop in and look though, as I drive past each day on my commute. Be better than you driving over to find they're too expensive at the mo! Let me know if you want to know if the Outlet is currently better value...

 

Unless of course you want the excuse to go there ;) !!!

 

Edit...

 

John, that's why we didn't hire from a shop, cost was similar and the stress of hubby getting food on it would have been too much for me!

 

Sounds like the BHS offer is good, prob under their current dire situation at BHS :(

Thanks for that offer, I've just realised that there's a moss bros at Castleford outlet which is near me and another tailors which I have been advised today has gone into administration, so I can have a look at weekend. Hubby has definitely decided he wants the tuxedo, especially now son has one. And I'm sure it will be an investment for future cruises ;)

Thanks for the responses, we have just got a good deal for our 15 year old son at BHS a full tuxedo suit, shirt and bow tie for less than £60 (John Rocha), so think hubby is thinking he will be outdone by son. We will try M&S and Moss Bross as I love a trip to York outlet, only thing is I will spend more money! This cruising milarky is expensive!!

Hi, we are due to sail on Britannia in July, this will be our first cruise and I am sure it won't be our last. My husband has a dark suit that he feels may be suitable for formal night, but I know that he would really like to wear a tuxedo. However he is reluctant to buy the full outfit in case we decide cruising isn't for us. So what I'm asking is, can you hire tuxedos on board, or would we be better hiring one before we sail?

Try before you buy if you like :)

Just thought I would add to this thread that BHS have got some great deals on formal wear for teens at the minute (sorry, to take advantage of administration!) I got my son (age 15) a lovely tuxedo suit, shirt and bow tie ( John Rocha) for under £60. This will double up for his prom also!

As a newbie to this can I ask if someone has removed their auto tips, why would they not go into the MDR on the last night? What happens on the last night??

I think auto tipping is a good idea and am happy to leave this on, but I was considering taking it off for my son as I don't see that it should apply to under 18s, (he's 15) . I was a little shocked that he is charged adult rate for excursions too!

But I don't like to appear cheeky so I know I will end up leaving it on,just wanted to voice my opinion. :)

We find that the little, side on, map that they give you at registration is hopeless. Before we go, we cut out the deck plan for the relevant ship from the P&O brochure. It doesn't stop us from getting lost, but we can soon look and see where things are.

Oh that's a good idea, thanks I'm going to pinch that one. I worry I will get lost lol, Britannia looks huge!!!!

Well we've made our decision,thanks for your advice. We don't want to upset people and block the lifts lugging our own suitcases out and as we don't have to rush home for work (got few extra days off to catch up on washing 😧) we have decided to book train for after lunch. Thanks again 😁

Hi, someone posted a link to this site that I found really helpful for my cruise. Just find your cruise and it tells you the time you arrive and depart in each port

http://m.cruisett.com/s/P&O_Cruises/Britannia

Okay so if we self disembark, do we have to give a time when we will do this?

Also what time is breakfast served from? I would need to ensure we have eaten before we set off its a long journey!

There's just so many things to think about, so much for a relaxing holiday lol

lol, I can imagine it won't be easy to leave it all behind! I will play it safe and book train for 11ish. We will probably choose to self disembark, then we will already have our suitcases.

Hi, I am looking to book my travel to and from southampton, we are travelling down the day before we sail and staying in a hotel near the docks. So times don't matter on way down, but just wondered about booking train travel for way home. We would be looking to travel home same day as we disembark.

Can anyone advise on what time would be a suggested time for booking return journey? We don't want to be hanging about but then again we don't want to book too early train in case we're not off the ship!

Thanks in advance

We have stayed in g405 just a few weeks ago. Our cabin looked down onto the outdoor area of Java coffee shop. I would say that we had very little obstruction. i think g403 had a bit more obstruction from lifeboat, it didn't seem stop our neighbors using it as they were always sat outside. Never had any problems with people sitting outside on the deck below. Don't recall it being smoking area. By the cabin steward is a lovely man named Sachin, quite possibly the most friendly man I've met. Absolutely amazing with us and our children.

 

Don't know age of your children but this cabin was great for the four of us. A double bed, a sofa bed and a Pullman above the sofa.

 

Any questions about the cabins just ask.

Thanks for that response, that has just saved me a trip to travel agent tomorrow and put my mind at rest. The next response also says that it's at the odd number side where the smoking is a issue so we should be okay. Phew! As for the obstruction, I have been trying to get an idea of how much of an obstruction we would have, and from sound of your comments it doesn't sound like we will have a full lifeboat blocking our view. Our son is 15 so the sofa bed will be used but not the Pullman.

I'm getting so excited now can't wait!

Over on the Facebook page about cabins, people who have stayed in these say it wasn't a problem. I'm limited on choice as need an inside opposite for kids, so can choose one of these knowing I'll get a good view but maybe a bit of smoke, or I can choose g319 which is over a lifeboat! Oh decisions!!!

Poppins74 it might be worth calling your agent or p&o to see if you can move if you are concerned.

What Facebook page is it where they talk about this? The advice from mysticalmother about being right at the end and not being downwind seems to have given me a little piece of mind, but I am going to see TA at weekend to see if there's a chance of a change of cabin. Thanks

What number cabin do you have ?? The deck area for smokers is not very long. Are you directly above the area or downwind? Were you allocated this cabin or did you choose it?? If you chose the cabin, were you aware of where the smoking areas of the ship are?

In cabin G403 , it looks like it's right at the edge of the glass house on the deck plans. We chose the cabin, but didn't realise about smoking areas until I've seen this thread. If it is an issue, do you think I would be able to request a change in cabin location?

Tctraveller, you seem to be asking questions that interest me, but I don't think to ask!

This one is a big concern, we have a cabin on G deck right above the glass house booked for our cruise in July, if this will be affected by smokers from below I will not be happy and this will surely spoil my holiday. It is something that I absolutely can not compromise on, so if anyone can shed any light on this it would be appreciated, so I can try and change cabin. :confused:

Oh I'd be interested in the responses to this thread as I'm on Britannia later this year with my 15 year old too, he will go into teens club so that's not an issue, but he loves comedians and would like to be able to go and see them when on. I hadn't realised that he wouldn't be allowed in to watch! I thought kids were just not allowed in limelight club, where else are they not allowed in then???