Danem7683 Posted March 24, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Just booked out first P&O. Britannia for Italian med Sep 18. We done our first cruise 2yrs ago with RC and loved it but same ship going out again (independence), so thought we would try something different and Britannia looks lovely. We have a balcony E507 deck 10 midship. What tips would you give a newbie going on P&O apart from have a ball [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insanemagnet Posted March 24, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Take a dinner jacket / posh dress for the formal nights, and some earplugs so you can't hear people moaning "it's not as good as it used to be". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted March 24, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 24, 2017 No tips as such as I am new to cruising myself with only one under my belt and that was on Britannia. The only thing I can tell you is take no notice of bad reviews of Britannia as she's a lovely ship and you will have a great time. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiB Posted March 24, 2017 #4 Share Posted March 24, 2017 If you want to try any of the specialist restaurants book early, either before you go or as soon as possible after you have boarded. Sometimes they offer a free bottle of wine if you eat early. Watch out for the deals. The glasshouse does a pairing menu, matching wine with food. It is held once or twice on long cruises. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinyork Posted March 24, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Get into the theatre early for shows you want to see. Try the many speciality cocktails in the crows nest that are not in any other bar. Explore the outer decks to discover all the areas as there are sunbeds scattered around. Try Sindhu, great food and good value. You've booked a good cabin as it has a sofa and two bedside cabinets and is larger than those without a sofa. You are between the midship and aft lifts so the aft lifts will be less busy to use. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted March 24, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 24, 2017 I think you are on the cruise before mine [emoji3] take a couple of pegs to hang your swimmies up. I normally say take a gang socket but Britannia has lots of plug sockets. The food in the coffee shops is free, you just pay for the coffee. You can take alcohol on board. It's worth researching ports online as you can establish the highlights and find the most economical trips. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majortom10 Posted March 24, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 24, 2017 On our last cruise on Britannia in October for the first night only they did an offer of a third off price of all Epicurean and Sindhu which was great for us as the first day was our wedding anniversary and we had a fantastic meal in Epicurean. We chatted to one of the waiters and said it was a great deal and he said they were trialling it for first night offer because they normally in the past have offered a free bottle of house wine but they said a lot had complained that they did not get any advantage because they didn't drink alcohol. Do not know if they have done this offer since or whether it has reverted back to free bottle of house wine since or if they do any offer at all but it is worth reading the Horizon closely as soon as you get onboard just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh1809 Posted March 25, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 25, 2017 On our last cruise on Britannia in October for the first night only they did an offer of a third off price of all Epicurean and Sindhu which was great for us as the first day was our wedding anniversary and we had a fantastic meal in Epicurean. We chatted to one of the waiters and said it was a great deal and he said they were trialling it for first night offer because they normally in the past have offered a free bottle of house wine but they said a lot had complained that they did not get any advantage because they didn't drink alcohol. Do not know if they have done this offer since or whether it has reverted back to free bottle of house wine since or if they do any offer at all but it is worth reading the Horizon closely as soon as you get onboard just in case. Who are these people who don't drink alcohol? None of them seem to be on this forum. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shallwe Posted March 25, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Who are these people who don't drink alcohol? None of them seem to be on this forum. :) 😂😂😂 Sent from my Moto G (4) using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Solent Richard Posted March 25, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Just booked out first P&O. Britannia for Italian med Sep 18. We done our first cruise 2yrs ago with RC and loved it but same ship going out again (independence), so thought we would try something different and Britannia looks lovely. We have a balcony E507 deck 10 midship. What tips would you give a newbie going on P&O apart from have a ball [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro It was the maiden cruise but most of my review remains extant... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/03/30/britannia-the-maiden-cruise/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Solent Richard Posted March 25, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Who are these people who don't drink alcohol? None of them seem to be on this forum. :) Probably the same one's who tell you at the table on the first night they don't drink then you see them at the CTP hoovering it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbar Posted March 25, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Probably the same one's who tell you at the table on the first night they don't drink then you see them at the CTP hoovering it down. Not me for sure, we will be checking the wine menu while having a rum[emoji56] Just turned on my Tapatalk and saw your post Rob Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomelessBear Posted March 25, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 25, 2017 My advice would be to take a pack of anti-bacterial wipes and wide down the cabin when you arrive. Do the parts that probably never get cleaned between guests such as the TV remote and door handles. Have a great cruise. I love Britannia and will be on her at Xmas and new year. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monorail Orange Posted March 25, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Who are these people who don't drink alcohol? None of them seem to be on this forum. :) Guess its just me then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Owl Posted March 25, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Britannia's a great ship but one piece of advice - if you sit outside at the back of the ship watch out for the soot on the seats. Try the Limelight. We have seen Dean Andrews there a coupe of times and he was excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Owl Posted March 25, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Another thread has just reminded me of something - don't look over the side when they are loading the luggage. You really don't want to see how they are handling your cases ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted March 25, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 25, 2017 My advice would be to take a pack of anti-bacterial wipes and wide down the cabin when you arrive. Do the parts that probably never get cleaned between guests such as the TV remote and door handles. Have a great cruise. I love Britannia and will be on her at Xmas and new year. Sent from my iPhone using Forums I would agree about the wipes.We always wipe door handles,lght switches,safe door fridge door. The tips are fair, sterling is the onboard currency they regularly broadcast live football in lounge or your cabin and you get sky sports on your tv. Their is a good choice of beers my favourite is Old Speckled hen. Entertainment is aimed at the British market and the shows are very good. It is a lovely ship and your cabin sounds in a great location. Hope you have a great cruise. love sailing with RCCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapphire4 Posted March 26, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 26, 2017 That's a really good idea taking the wipes. Ill do that myself next month. As you've cruised before you will know about the capsule wardrobe, lots of layers and a good pair of trainers with non slip soles as there could be a lot of walking! She is a huge ship. As previous people have said do your homework for the ports and book any excursions you particularly want to go on beforehand and possibly the speciality restaurants which we like to book on a sea day. They do a good offer of a third off the first night. Its a pretty dressy affair on the formal nights and the vast majority of folk get the dinner suits and posh frocks out. Regarding the cabin you've booked a balcony with a sofa which offers a little bit more room. The White Stuff toiletries are lovely so no need to take anymore shampoo, body lotion, shower gels etc... I personally take a few pegs as there is a small washing line in the bathroom so I can wash the other half's gym clothes. The bathroom is very compact but functional and the shower is lovely with a glass door ( no awful clingy shower curtain!).I take one of those roll up bags to hang on the back of the door for extra space. The TV is very good in the room with a good selection of films/documentaries etc...Plenty of sockets for charging phones. A lot of people don't like the buffet but we think it flows very well.Theres a reasonable selection on offer. I can make up a granola for breakfast and the yoghurts are yummy. The other half has to have a full English. The lunch time soups are excellent. If you fancy eating in the buffet at night the currys are very good. Saying that I usually try not to indulge too much and opt for fish in the MDR The Epicurean is really nice for a special occasion and the staff are excellent. Sindhu is much improved and the Beach House is worth a trip.There are usually wines on offer and a cocktail/mocktail of the day.In fact you could eat all day long and most of the night if you so wished. I would go and have a good scout around. There are lots of hidden areas with plenty of sunbeds. It can get very noisy around the main pool but the adult pool at the front is relatively quiet although can get windy. Hence the double use for the pegs on a sunbed. we always opt for freedom dining then we can please ourselves when we dine.If you want a table for two there may be a bit of a wait.As someone said the shows fill up quickly and you have to go about half an hour before it starts. That said they did seem to have altered the times perhaps to allow more people to attend? Some of the audiences with are very good. James Martin was hilarious. There is a daily magazine so you can plan your day or simply chill.The daily cross word is good for stimulating a few brain cells. Britannia is a lovely ship. We like her as she is more like a boutique hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquishTheWhale Posted March 26, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Who are these people who don't drink alcohol? None of them seem to be on this forum. :) I don't drink wine so the offer of a free bottle wouldn't tempt me in! However, if they were willing to substitute a couple of Mojitos then we could talk :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted March 26, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I don't drink wine so the offer of a free bottle wouldn't tempt me in! However, if they were willing to substitute a couple of Mojitos then we could talk :D If you dont ask you won't get but if they are offering discounts or free wine they are obviously flexible and keen to get you in. love sailing with RCCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted March 26, 2017 #21 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Guess its just me then... I do not drink alcohol at all, but I do drink the non-alcoholic wine with my meals and have Pepsi otherwise. A 200ml bottle of Pepsi is just £1 and ideal for undercutting the small coke from the guns which is about £1.65. You do get a bit more in the small guns coke but you can ask for ice and a slice of lemon with your 200ml Pepsi and I think you are on a better deal especially when the ice melts to top it up, water is the main ingredient from the guns and it is always a bit chloriney. If you request unopened bottles to fill your mini-bar which you should be ignoring you will save a lot of cash! Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danem7683 Posted March 26, 2017 Author #22 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Fantastic tips thanks so much everyone and keep them coming ;) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted March 26, 2017 #23 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Don't be afraid to try the house wine, we never tried it until we got a free bottle and never looked back, it's very palatable and only £16 ish. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangoqueen Posted March 26, 2017 #24 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Take a magnet - all the cabin walls are metal so they come in handy for keeping the daily programme handy and other papers you need to complete before the end of the voyage. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted March 26, 2017 #25 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I like to take a small thin cross-body bag for my cruise card, phone, tissues etc. for onboard use, I don't like carrying a handbag around the ship. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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