Live from Britannia

[AndyMichelle]

17 minutes ago, Kittyonions said:

Selbourne, so pleased to hear that you are really enjoying your cruise, as I know that you had concerns prior to boarding.

Next time you use your bathroom, could you please confirm that there is a shaver socket available. They are no longer fitted on Iona or Arvia, and I know my toothbrush won’t last for a 14 night cruise without a recharge!Many thanks.

There is a shaver socket in the bathroom, you have to lift up a flap, but it's there. 

There is also a socket the by the kettle, I used this to charge my razor. 

Andy 

[Selbourne]

18 minutes ago, Kittyonions said:

Selbourne, so pleased to hear that you are really enjoying your cruise, as I know that you had concerns prior to boarding.

Next time you use your bathroom, could you please confirm that there is a shaver socket available. They are no longer fitted on Iona or Arvia, and I know my toothbrush won’t last for a 14 night cruise without a recharge!Many thanks.

Just looked for you and there’s good news and bad. Yes, there is one under a pull up waterproof cover BUT the holes don’t quite fit my wife’s electric toothbrush charger. They are just slightly out. Never had that issue before. It’s also worth saying that there are very few sockets in the cabin. Just one on top the worktop (plus the one for the kettle) and two just above skirting board level which are less practical to use. 

[Selbourne]

13 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Our lass sometimes has the same problem with getting up from the shower bench. Although they have the fixed rails in the shower area, they really need to have a pull down rail on the other side of the bench too. You will see from my previously posted photos that it is the same on Iona, and Arvia.  With it being electric, she doesn't leave her wheelchair in the bathroom while she showers, so when I take it back in, I can always help her up; however, not everyone has that option.

Unfortunately I was on the balcony watching the sail in when she was calling me and I didn’t hear, but she managed eventually. 

[AndyMichelle]

1 minute ago, Selbourne said:

Just looked for you and there’s good news and bad. Yes, there is one under a pull up waterproof cover BUT the holes don’t quite fit my wife’s electric toothbrush charger. They are just slightly out. Never had that issue before. It’s also worth saying that there are very few sockets in the cabin. Just one on top the worktop (plus the one for the kettle) and two just above skirting board level which are less practical to use. 

Oh that's different to ours. 

We had 5 normal sockets, 3 above the dressing table/kettle point and 2 under the TV, as well as a 2 pin point above the dressing table. 

Andy 

 

[TigerB]

26 minutes ago, Kittyonions said:

Selbourne, so pleased to hear that you are really enjoying your cruise, as I know that you had concerns prior to boarding.

Next time you use your bathroom, could you please confirm that there is a shaver socket available. They are no longer fitted on Iona or Arvia, and I know my toothbrush won’t last for a 14 night cruise without a recharge!Many thanks.

 

 

To the best of my recollection though, it is only suitable for razors, not for charging toothbrushes and the like. @Selbourne or @AndyMichelle may be able to confirm 

[Selbourne]

5 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

Oh that's different to ours. 

We had 5 normal sockets, 3 above the dressing table/kettle point and 2 under the TV, as well as a 2 pin point above the dressing table. 

Andy 

 

It’s bizarre that accessible cabins get short changed with certain things for no logical reason!

[TigerB]

10 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Just looked for you and there’s good news and bad. Yes, there is one under a pull up waterproof cover BUT the holes don’t quite fit my wife’s electric toothbrush charger. They are just slightly out. Never had that issue before. It’s also worth saying that there are very few sockets in the cabin. Just one on top the worktop (plus the one for the kettle) and two just above skirting board level which are less practical to use. 

 

You beat me to it!

Yes, I was correct in remembering it only fits razors. We had to charge the electric toothbrush and the Epilady from another socket 

[TigerB]

4 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

It’s bizarre that accessible cabins get short changed with certain things for no logical reason!

 

For us, PI bathrooms usually hit the mark more often than not for accessible features, but even with their rooms, and many other hotel rooms and cruise cabins, you can look around and know they weren't designed by a full time wheelchair user.

Just looking at the photo of your bathroom alone, there a several things that immediately spring to mind...

- no pull down bar on the left side of the bench,

- the wall mounted toiletries need to be set more forward and lower for the user,

- that soap dish is useless; their need to be a proper basket for toiletries fixed under the bar on the right.

 

 

[terrierjohn]

34 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

You beat me to it!

Yes, I was correct in remembering it only fits razors. We had to charge the electric toothbrush and the Epilady from another socket 

Unless the razor sockets are different to those on Sky Princess they will not accept standard UK razor plugs, the gap is not wide enough. Better to bring a UK razor adaptor plug, and use that in conjunction with your travel adaptor. I am also assuming that UK  electric toothbrushes use the same plugs as razors?

[zap99]

42 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

 

To the best of my recollection though, it is only suitable for razors, not for charging toothbrushes and the like. @Selbourne or @AndyMichelle may be able to confirm 

Neither my toothbrush or razor fit the plug on Britannia. We always take an adapter.

[daiB]

23 hours ago, lincslady said:

Is that raw garlic??  If so, does anyone eat it?

I would eat it raw. And cooked.  😎

[9265359]

4 hours ago, Selbourne said:

My wife had the crushed avocado on toast.

As did my wife yesterday, but she commented that it was the usual P&O misdescription as it was purée avocado not crushed and had obviously been squeezed from a tube onto the toast in the kitchen. 

[AndyMichelle]

10 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Neither my toothbrush or razor fit the plug on Britannia. We always take an adapter.

My razor fitted OK? 

Must just be the dodgy Pound shop ones that fit😂

Andy 

[daiB]

53 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

It’s bizarre that accessible cabins get short changed with certain things for no logical reason!

I am sure we have 5 as well. There is one under the dressing table.

 

I keep looking for a gent pushing his wife around. Never seen you yet. We are by the Glasshouse bay from 7.00 most evenings certainly tonight. Sindhu tomorrow drinkies in the bar at the front of the restaurant.

[AndyMichelle]

Just now, daiB said:

I am sure we have 5 as well. There is one under the dressing table.

 

I keep looking for a gent pushing his wife around. Never seen you yet. We are by the Glasshouse bay from 7.00 most evenings certainly tonight. Sindhu tomorrow drinkies in the bar at the front of the restaurant.

You can play that game we played looking for you Dai, 'Is that Selborne'. 😂

Andy 

 

Ps... I won 

[Selbourne]

3 minutes ago, daiB said:

I am sure we have 5 as well. There is one under the dressing table.

 

I keep looking for a gent pushing his wife around. Never seen you yet. We are by the Glasshouse bay from 7.00 most evenings certainly tonight. Sindhu tomorrow drinkies in the bar at the front of the restaurant.

Snap!. I’ve not seen anyone that I think could be you yet Dai 😂 I shall definitely seek you out before the cruise is over though if we don’t just bump into each other. We tend to use the Glasshouse just occasionally at lunchtime and we don’t use the Casino, being at a show or in bed, so our paths haven’t crossed yet. 

[Son of Anarchy]

27 minutes ago, 9265359 said:

As did my wife yesterday, but she commented that it was the usual P&O misdescription as it was purée avocado not crushed and had obviously been squeezed from a tube onto the toast in the kitchen. 

First tried the crushed avocado on toast on Iona on one of the staycation cruises.  Wasn't impressed.  I think I commented to The Ole Lady that it looked like a thin layer of snot.  Tasted like it as well.  Didn't try it again for our next two cruises on Ventura and again Iona.

 

Fast forward to Azura in January and Arvia in April, I chanced my arm, and was pleasantly surprised.  So much that it has now become part of my go to breakfast - avocado on toast, with smoked salmon and scrambled egg.  Can't comment whether it was actually smashed or puree, taste and texture were great.

 

Hopefully, the same standards will be met on Aurora in a couple of months.

[Ardennais]

Good read Selbourne, very balanced and informative. 
 

We thought the food was a bit ‘off’ recently on Britannia, definitely not as good as before. However the main problem was the temperature - lukewarm more often than not. Thankfully, we didn’t experience such a long wait to be called to dine - 90 minutes is really unacceptable. 
 

 

 

[Selbourne]

14 minutes ago, Ardennais said:

Good read Selbourne, very balanced and informative. 
 

We thought the food was a bit ‘off’ recently on Britannia, definitely not as good as before. However the main problem was the temperature - lukewarm more often than not. Thankfully, we didn’t experience such a long wait to be called to dine - 90 minutes is really unacceptable. 
 

 

 

Thanks. All meals hot so far and service has been fine everywhere. Just to clarify, we waited 45 mins for our table but the problem was that this was preceded by 45 mins when you couldn’t book a table at all unless you went for a pager (which I couldn’t be bothered to do as I wanted to hear the Captain, but if I’d known he wasn’t turning up until 8.20pm I would

have done).
 

So, yes, it was technically 90 minutes but in reality, as we wanted to dine at 8.30pm and were just trying to get in a queue, we only felt like we were waiting 45 minutes (if that makes sense).

 

It was fine though as we were chatting to a really lovely elderly couple for whom this cruise is the first time that they have left their home county of Derbyshire since Covid. 

[Ilovemygarden]

Selbourne - thanks for the information.   I will be on Britannia in September- went to the Caribbean on her in 2018 so she was quite new then.   I’ll be interested to hear if you go to the Beach House one night - I enjoyed the meal in there very much on Azura.  Also, who is presently performing in the Limelight Club? 

[Selbourne]

9 minutes ago, Ilovemygarden said:

Selbourne - thanks for the information.   I will be on Britannia in September- went to the Caribbean on her in 2018 so she was quite new then.   I’ll be interested to hear if you go to the Beach House one night - I enjoyed the meal in there very much on Azura.  Also, who is presently performing in the Limelight Club? 

We have two meals booked in the Beach House so I’ll let you know. Limelight is Ray Quinn (X-Factor) and Joel Harper Jackson (musical theatre). We are going to see the latter. 
 

I forgot to mention in my review of yesterday that there’s a singer on board called Angelika Eklind who sings in the atrium. She is excellent. 
 

[Ilovemygarden]

5 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

We have two meals booked in the Beach House so I’ll let you know. Limelight is Ray Quinn (X-Factor) and Joel Harper Jackson (musical theatre). We are going to see the latter. 
 

I forgot to mention in my review of yesterday that there’s a singer on board called Angelika Eklind who sings in the atrium. She is excellent. 
 

Thanks. 

[daiB]

17 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

We have two meals booked in the Beach House so I’ll let you know. Limelight is Ray Quinn (X-Factor) and Joel Harper Jackson (musical theatre). We are going to see the latter. 
 

I forgot to mention in my review of yesterday that there’s a singer on board called Angelika Eklind who sings in the atrium. She is excellent. 
 

She is excellent, she is from Sweden. Wonderful voice. On here till September.

[daiB]

20 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

We have two meals booked in the Beach House so I’ll let you know. Limelight is Ray Quinn (X-Factor) and Joel Harper Jackson (musical theatre). We are going to see the latter. 
 

I forgot to mention in my review of yesterday that there’s a singer on board called Angelika Eklind who sings in the atrium. She is excellent. 
 

Are you on the ship now?

[Selbourne]

17 minutes ago, daiB said:

Are you on the ship now?

Yes. We decided not to go ashore in the end as we are back here in 6 weeks on a weekday when everything will be open!

Edited July 9, 2023 by Selbourne