AndyMichelle

Just wanted to revisit this thread to highlight how opinions can differentiate. 

We are currently on Britannia, having a fantastic time. 

Michelle is on a forum for this cruise on the dark side and so many people say they are having terrible holidays? 

Complaints include rude staff, almost everyone we have encountered have either been really lovely or very efficient. 

Dirty rooms, our 4 cabins were spotless. 

Cold/poor food, ours have been served hot, (except the toast of course) and mostly very nice. 

Slow drinks service, not waited more than a few minutes in any bar. 

It's not perfection, but we paid about the same price for the same cabin etc in 2018, so not surprised there are a few minor cutbacks. 

It just goes to show how different we all are.

Andy 

18 minutes ago, TMSA said:

Hi Andy. Thank you so much for this. I'm going on Britannia on 10th May so you're making me very excited. Have you seen anyone braving the pools? I take it they are freezing? When I was on Arvia a lady was telling me how much p&o had changed over the years and how it used to be so much better for families. She said you used to be able to see steam coming from the pools but now they are all cold.

 

Thank you x

We have been very lucky with the weather and have managed to use the pools. 

I don't think they are particularly cold for outside pools, you soon get used to it. 

Yesterday the lido deck pool was absolutely packed, but went up to the serenity pool and I was the only person in it for a while and a completely different vibe. 

The hot tubs have been busy every time I have looked. 

Didn't expect to be sipping a pina colada by the pool the day after sliding down a snow covered mountain on my backside😂 

Andy 

14 hours ago, CCFC said:

Did you notice if there was 10% off the classic drink package when you got on please? When I was looking at this cruise it was offered with 10% off then by the time I booked it had gone! Not sure whether to wait until we board and hope its 10% off or just bite the bullet.

It was offered almost right up to sailing on our personaliser, but I didn't see if it was offered on board. 

The queue at Brodies on the first day to sign up for it was huge, so might be worth booking before. 

Just a note on the drinks package, I don't think any of the 7 of us who have travelled would have got any value from it, and we seem to be drinking loads. 

Most beers around a fiver and most cocktails £7.50, a bottle of the wine we like is £25, so buying as you go has given us the flexibility we like. 

Andy

12 hours ago, S_latham said:

We have the basic refresh drinks package. It says we can get the soft drinks which are "on tap". Are these available at all the resteraunts and the buffet? 

Damian has kindly answered this, you will need to be served the drinks and it's very limited. 

Andy 

3 hours ago, GSPG said:

Is it still okay to bring a litre of vodka on board?

Well, we’ll be next to Russia in Tallinn on the 18th!

Yes, seems to be. 

You definitely can when first boarding. 

I think if you buy it in port, they 'can' hold it for you until the end of the cruise, but that doesn't seem to be being enforced. 

Andy 

13 hours ago, doog442 said:

Hi Andy. I hope you're having a great cruise.

 

I'm hovering over Britannia for a 14 nighter to the Canaries end of Aug.

 

I'm just wondering what your opinion on the cabins and general areas of the ship are now after the refit. I think you said new carpets but does it all look quite uptogether (no yellow loo seats etc)🤣

 

cheers

Our loo seat definitely isn't yellow, (yet) 😊

To me the ship feels brand new, 95% of carpets and furnishings have been updated, lots of new varnish and paint. 

They are still touching up cabin doors and painting around the lifeboats. 

While I am typing this, I am looking at a mark on my cabin ceiling that I hadn't noticed before, so thanks for that😂

All in all, she is in great condition. 

Andy 

57 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Thanks Andy👍🏻

 

Those are the same prices as February, so it looks like the anticipated price rise on drinks hasn't happened yet.

Mind you, you may wish to check the physical menus too; in October we encountered a problem where the prices on the My Holiday app/non-app were showing old prices, whereas the physical menus reflected the September price increases. That was a fleet wide problem.

That's definitely the prices we have been paying. 

Just spoke to a beverage manager, he said he is unaware of any upcoming price rises, but described himself as a ' mushroom', so wouldn't be told anyway😂🍄. 

Andy 

So drink prices are creeping up, but definitely not jumping up. A pint that I think was £5.10 last year is now £5.30, so not enough to break the bank. 

I can still get a pina colada for £7.50, cheaper than many land based outlets. 

Andy 

12 hours ago, S_latham said:

Hi, we are going on britannia this Friday. 

 

Do you know if the poolside grill / pizza is open? 

Yes, 11-6

50 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

Did you do this independently or with P&O? Glad you had a great time even with mishaps.

Independently, just walked across to the cabin outside the port, got tickets, straight onto the bus and was there in no time. 

It was a clear, bright morning so we went early, glad we did, absolutely no queues. 

By the time we left, big queues had formed and the weather was turning a bit. 

It was £58 each, still not cheap but much better value than P&O and worth every penny. Buses run every 15 minutes, so the risk of not getting back to the ship on time is miniscule, you could walk back in about half an hour I suppose. 

Andy 

We boarded last Friday 26th. There was absolutely no chance of jumping the queue, but we have since found out there was a problem with the air bridge and the passengers from the coaches etc were waiting inside. 

They did say they always try get people through ASAP but we saw people waiting from before 12 for 3.30 boarding... 

By all means try, but just be prepared to wait outside, standing up. 

Andy 

1 hour ago, GSPG said:

Vesselfinder suggests you are on your way to Olden, if not there already?

 

Have a good one, Olden has been my favourite place on two Fjord cruises.

Yes, in Olden now, it's beautiful. 

Been up the Loen Skylift this morning, it was sensational. 

Some of us trekked a bit up the top, then ended up sliding part way down on our backsides... Don't ask😊

Was going to walk out to the turquoise lake this afternoon, but opted for a pint on board as pretty shattered, with wet pants😂

Andy 

Just a note on the food. Most of it has been quite good, especially breakfast and lunch. 

The evening meals have been OK, some good, some not so. 

I listened to all these people who kindly reminded us that us meat eaters can eat vegan food, I wasn't aware😂

I tried Marcos Leek & Potato presse, it was absolutely rank, almost inedible. 

It was just layers of leek, served with a side of red onion!!!

It was overcooked and difficult to cut, let alone eat... 

Our GF vegetarian companion has been very well looked after with plenty of choice, both in the MDR and buffet, although some of the meals have been hit and miss. 

We have given up on the desserts, they are either tasteless, too dry or both. 

I have been sticking to the ice cream. 

All in all though, the food offering has been more than adequate. 

Ray Quinn in the Limelight tonight, so looking forward to that. 

I hope you are all well? 

Andy

16 hours ago, Harryjacobs said:

Who is the comedian?

Steve Terry. 

Started off with a load of misogynistic jokes, nobody laughed so he went into a barrage of 1 liners that were so old the audience were shouting out the answers... 

I like corny old jokes, but he was really scraping the barrel. 

Andy 

Right, as people who have gathered so much information from various loggers, it would be hypocritical for me to now condemn them. 

I do wonder about privacy etc, but have been fortunate enough to not encounter any that have caused me any issues. 

I am grateful of any information we can gather before we travel, so appreciate their work. 

We were actually pleased to spot ourself on one of the videos. 

I totally understand the other point of view, but our experience is that they are more use to us than a hindrance. 

Andy 

So, just a quick update. 

Having a fantastic time, Stavangar today. 

Food has been good so far, comedian was rubbish, Privateers were great. 

Thermal suite is closed for the whole cruise, no real explanation why, but full refund and & £40 credit towards massage etc. 

I will post menus etc later. 

Andy 

19 hours ago, alpha whiskey said:

Hi Andy 

Pleased about the news you gave about the sofas 👍

Won't have to pack the spirit level and bricks now! 

 

This one for Michelle, perhaps 🤔.....

Have they got new hairdryers in the cabins?

Previous experience is that they were extremely underpowered. 

Thanks 😊 

We actually didn't have a hairdryer, had to ask at reception. 

The one the gave us wasn't new, but worked fine. 

In fairness, Michelle has always found them OK on Britannia, so no major issues.

Andy 

19 hours ago, alpha whiskey said:

Hi Andy 

Pleased about the news you gave about the sofas 👍

Won't have to pack the spirit level and bricks now! 

 

This one for Michelle, perhaps 🤔.....

Have they got new hairdryers in the cabins?

Previous experience is that they were extremely underpowered. 

Thanks 😊 

We actually didn't have a hairdryer, had to ask at reception. 

The one the gave us wasn't new, but worked fine. 

In fairness, Michelle has always found them OK on Britannia, so no major issues. 

Andy 

On 4/27/2024 at 1:03 AM, queeniemi said:

Hi there Andy! I’m a very mature smoking Granny. Could you please find out about the new smoking areas for me? This will be my first Britannia cruise and I’d like to appear less simple by at least knowing where to go instead of having to ask every Tom,Dick and Harry!  Thanks in advance, Stacy

Aah, my new specialist subject as been having to find smoking areas for my FIL. 

Officially, the only smoking areas on board are both on deck 7, starboard, behind Java and next to the Live Lounge. 

Unfortunately, because of high winds and slippery surfaces, they had to close both of these yesterday, causing panic. 

They did reopen the former covered smoking area on 16, but it seems that was only temporary. 

Hope this helps

Andy 

So, we are sailing... Sing along😂

First points of note, the naughty queue is in full swing, not much chance of getting on much before your allotted time... 

They did allow a few older people to sit inside and we could use the loo. 

When we did get in, it was a quick process, despite being busy. 

We had to do a full muster, but no lifejackets. Apparently they have to do one every 6 months, so all you travelling soon on Britannia should be OK. 

The ship looks fantastic after the refurb, our cabin has new carpet and I think a new sofa, or at least it has been recovered. 

Off to get drunk now, adios amigos. 

Andy 

There was a lot of noise about this issue a while back, but seems to have calmed down. 

I don't know if that is because they are being more lenient or passengers are following the rules? 

You can leave your luggage, I think from about 11.

We are boarding today and plan to drop the bags off early and walk across to Oxford Street for some lunch, but if no queues, we might chance our arm... 

I will report back once on board, hopefully before I get too drunk... 

Have a great cruise. 

Andy 

1 minute ago, zap99 said:

Your fellow passengers on Britannia will be chatting in the Crows Nest  " have you seen that chap crawling around on his hands and knees examining the joints in the carpets. He can't stop  tutting  " Have a great cruise.

No, Michelle says I must not look down, and no tutting😂

1 hour ago, Cloudyrain said:

No, I thought I read Britannia had a new venue with flavoured donuts… I mean saying it out loud it does sound like a dream 😂

The gelato filled doughnuts are available in the market cafe, perhaps that's what you was thinking of? 

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Have a great cruise.  If Hyacinth gets too overcome with excitement perhaps you can don your Onslow persona and wear her out on the dance floor.

 

I would be very interested in whether the spa has undergone any upgrade and if the thermal suite in particular has had the warm beds and ice room sorted - they were not operational in January along with various other niggling broken bits and pieces. Thank you, have a fabulous time, I'm not jealous at all .... 

'Our Hyacinth' is lovely, but she does have very high expectations... 

She thinks she will be having candlelit soirees with the captain, and I am much more Onslow, 'not paying all this money to eat with the staff' 😂

I will see what I can find out about the spa. 

Andy 

6 minutes ago, TigerB said:

Here's hoping you and your gang have a great time. Will you be walking about barefoot to really benefit from that new carpet experience?🤭

 

I have one request, if you don't mind; can you please report back on food and beverage price increases, which should be happening about now, if not already?  Perhaps, if you're able to, post a couple of photos of a physical bar menu or a screenshot from one on the My Holiday app/non-app.  Ta muchly 🙂

 

Again, have a great time.

I go to get away from carpets... 😁

Will definitely post a drinks menu, hoping they haven't gone up too much... 

Andy