The Retreat on Britannia.

[north east girl]

Has anybody used these facilities? Would you say it's worth the money. It looks like a nice relaxing place to get some sun. Costs £200 per couple for 7 days which includes food and soft drinks.

 

Catherine

[Cruise Puss]

Yes, it is definitely worth the extra money.

 

It is a beautiful, relaxing space. Large loungers with deep padded cushions, bathrobes, large white fluffy towels, breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea included. There are two jacuzzis in there and it is right next to the Serenity Pool so if you want a swim you just have to nip out through the door/s - remembering to take your key card so you can get back in of course.

 

There are two attendants in there all day providing service, which includes getting drinks - and yes you can have alcohol!

 

It is not easy to get day passes anymore, so you may wish to consider having access for the whole of the cruise.

[north east girl]

Yes, it is definitely worth the extra money.

 

It is a beautiful, relaxing space. Large loungers with deep padded cushions, bathrobes, large white fluffy towels, breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea included. There are two jacuzzis in there and it is right next to the Serenity Pool so if you want a swim you just have to nip out through the door/s - remembering to take your key card so you can get back in of course.

 

There are two attendants in there all day providing service, which includes getting drinks - and yes you can have alcohol!

 

It is not easy to get day passes anymore, so you may wish to consider having access for the whole of the cruise.

Thanks for the reply. Is the Alcohol in with the price? Sounds perfect x

 

Catherine

[Cruise Puss]

Thanks for the reply. Is the Alcohol in with the price? Sounds perfect x

 

Catherine

 

No, the alcohol is not included. It's not included on any P&O ship. You can buy drinks packages, although we have never done so.

[north east girl]

No, the alcohol is not included. It's not included on any P&O ship. You can buy drinks packages, although we have never done so.

 

This is our first time with P&O, looks like you have cruised with them a lot. What is it that you like about P&O that keeps you going back?

 

Catherine

[Cruise Puss]

This is our first time with P&O, looks like you have cruised with them a lot. What is it that you like about P&O that keeps you going back?

 

Catherine

 

Well there's a question!

 

Mainly because they provide a British feel to cruising. They go from Southampton, which we prefer (we haven't flown anywhere since 2006). Each of their ships has a different feel to it. The staff are fantastic. They aren't 'glitzy' ships. They don't have constant music everywhere on board. They have formal nights, which, in our opinion, is part of the cruising experience. There are no service charges on drinks, etc. The tipping generally is low. They are one of the only cruise lines in the World to have adult only ships.

 

They are relatively inexpensive compared to, say, Cunard, who are another line we like very much and also go from Southampton. We do prefer a Suite or Mini-Suite as we tend to stay in our cabins an awful lot of the time, and the prices of these types of cabins is, in comparison to other lines, inexpensive.

 

If we had to come down to one thing I think it would be the Britishness of them - which is not everyone's cup of tea, but we prefer it.

 

Britannia is a stunning ship, and is now my husband's favourite (it was Adonia - the smallest ship - but she's now sailing under the 'Fathom' banner). I'm sure you will love her, just make sure to try everything! We went on her last year for the first time and got off more tired than when we got on as we went round and tried absolutely everything we could!

 

Enjoy and Happy Cruising! :)

[north east girl]

Well there's a question!

 

Mainly because they provide a British feel to cruising. They go from Southampton, which we prefer (we haven't flown anywhere since 2006). Each of their ships has a different feel to it. The staff are fantastic. They aren't 'glitzy' ships. They don't have constant music everywhere on board. They have formal nights, which, in our opinion, is part of the cruising experience. There are no service charges on drinks, etc. The tipping generally is low. They are one of the only cruise lines in the World to have adult only ships.

 

They are relatively inexpensive compared to, say, Cunard, who are another line we like very much and also go from Southampton. We do prefer a Suite or Mini-Suite as we tend to stay in our cabins an awful lot of the time, and the prices of these types of cabins is, in comparison to other lines, inexpensive.

 

If we had to come down to one thing I think it would be the Britishness of them - which is not everyone's cup of tea, but we prefer it.

 

Britannia is a stunning ship, and is now my husband's favourite (it was Adonia - the smallest ship - but she's now sailing under the 'Fathom' banner). I'm sure you will love her, just make sure to try everything! We went on her last year for the first time and got off more tired than when we got on as we went round and tried absolutely everything we could!

 

Enjoy and Happy Cruising! :)

 

Thanks for the reply. You've stated everything we like about cruising. I like having the tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin, something Cunard do not do. We have also got a better Cabin for the price we would have paid with Cunard. I booked a corner suite, the balcony looks amazing. A great place to view the fjords as we have a glass of wine.

 

Having a separate toilet, bath and shower is another plus. I will love finding our way around this large ship. Will definitely try everything.

 

Catherine

[Host Hattie]

Just to add, QM2 now has tea and coffee making facilities in all cabins.

They will be added to her sisters next year.

[Cruise Puss]

Just to add, QM2 now has tea and coffee making facilities in all cabins.

They will be added to her sisters next year.

 

That sounds like a great improvement! :)

[Cruise Puss]

Thanks for the reply. You've stated everything we like about cruising. I like having the tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin, something Cunard do not do. We have also got a better Cabin for the price we would have paid with Cunard. I booked a corner suite, the balcony looks amazing. A great place to view the fjords as we have a glass of wine.

 

Having a separate toilet, bath and shower is another plus. I will love finding our way around this large ship. Will definitely try everything.

 

Catherine

 

Agree, the separate shower etc is a plus! I particularly enjoy the jacuzzi bath as well.

 

We had a side rear Suite last year (B702) and a middle Aft Suite this year (B724) which was wonderful as it had a very deep balcony with, amongst other things, a 2 seater settee on it!

 

The fjords will indeed be wonderful from your balcony.

 

PS. If you enjoy the corner Suite on Britannia you might want to try Arcadia's aft corner Suites at some point - they have fantastic balconies (except D deck which is completely covered over).

[north east girl]

Agree, the separate shower etc is a plus! I particularly enjoy the jacuzzi bath as well.

 

We had a side rear Suite last year (B702) and a middle Aft Suite this year (B724) which was wonderful as it had a very deep balcony with, amongst other things, a 2 seater settee on it!

 

The fjords will indeed be wonderful from your balcony.

 

PS. If you enjoy the corner Suite on Britannia you might want to try Arcadia's aft corner Suites at some point - they have fantastic balconies (except D deck which is completely covered over).

You never know if we like it that much we may try it again. Thanks for the tip about the balconies on Arcadia, I do like a good balcony.

 

Nice to hear QM2 has coffee and tea making in their cabins.

 

Catherine

[north east girl]

Just to add, QM2 now has tea and coffee making facilities in all cabins.

They will be added to her sisters next year.

 

Thanks Hattie, that's good to know. I do love QM2.

 

Catherine

[Fatchemist]

About the Retreat - how do you book a pass just for the Retreat? I've searched the P&O website and all I can find are Spa packages that include some access to the Retreat plus some treatments but nothing that resembles the 7 day access for £200 some have mentioned.

[Florry]

About the Retreat - how do you book a pass just for the Retreat? I've searched the P&O website and all I can find are Spa packages that include some access to the Retreat plus some treatments but nothing that resembles the 7 day access for £200 some have mentioned.

 

 

You book at the spa when you board. I don't think you can do it in advance.

 

 

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Edited November 3, 2016 by Florry

[Cruise Puss]

You cannot book in advance for The Retreat - you can only do it on board, whether it is for the whole cruise or just for a day. This is done at the Spa Reception.

 

On Britannia The Retreat and The Spa are completely separate areas. One is at the bottom of the ship near Reception (Spa) and one is at the top of the ship (Retreat) above The Crows Nest. On Ventura and Azura the Spa and Retreat areas are near to each other at the top of the ship.

 

It is worth trying both The Spa and The Retreat on Britannia - they are both lovely areas to be in.