Photos show what it's like onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, the queen's 'floating palace' that she took on lavish vacations

  • The Royal Yacht Britannia was the royal family's private yacht from 1953 to 1997.
  • It's five stories tall, had more than 240 staff, and was known as the queen's "floating palace."
  • Britannia is now anchored in Leith, Scotland, and reopens as a tourist attraction on May 12.

For 44 years, the Royal Yacht Britannia carried the queen and members of the royal family around the world.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Source: Royal Yacht Britannia

Built in 1953, it logged more than 1 million miles and became known as the queen's "floating palace."

inside the britannia cruise ship

The five-story ship was part royal residence and part Royal Navy ship, with a full-time staff of more than 240 royal yachtsmen and officers.

inside the britannia cruise ship

The queen traveled on the ship for tours abroad, during which she would meet with dignitaries both on land and onboard.

inside the britannia cruise ship

She also used it for vacations like the royal family's annual summer cruise to the Western Isles of Scotland.

inside the britannia cruise ship

The queen once said that "Britannia is the one place where I can truly relax."

inside the britannia cruise ship

Four royal couples used the ship for their honeymoons, including Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981.

inside the britannia cruise ship

In 1997, the Labour government decommissioned the ship, citing costs as a primary reason. The Britannia cost about £11 million to run each year, Reuters reported.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Source: Royal Yacht Britannia , Reuters

While the queen has yet to build a new yacht, that wasn't the end of the Royal Yacht Britannia.

inside the britannia cruise ship

One year later, it opened as a public museum in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.

inside the britannia cruise ship

The ship is set to reopen on May 12, almost six months after it closed in November due to the pandemic.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Source: Royal Yacht Britannia , BBC

Visitors will be able to step into spaces like the teak-lined sun lounge, the queen's favorite room, where she took her breakfast and afternoon tea.

inside the britannia cruise ship

The queen's bedroom, featuring a vanity table, writing desk, and twin bed, is also on display. The queen and Prince Philip slept separately while onboard the Britannia.

inside the britannia cruise ship

The largest room on the ship is the state dining room, where the queen entertained dignitaries like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher. The room could fit 56 guests.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Nearby is the state drawing room, which served as a place for the royal family to relax as well as a reception area for guests.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Toward the front of the ship are rooms where the staff lived and operated, like the 24-hour laundry room. Here, yachtsmen and officers would change outfits up to six times per day.

inside the britannia cruise ship

The former royal yachtsmen, known as "yotties," now reunite annually to help maintain the ship.

inside the britannia cruise ship

The clocks on the Royal Yacht Britannia don't get touched. They are permanently stopped at 3:01 p.m., the time when the queen stepped off the ship for the last time.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Prince Philip once said that the ship occupies a unique place in royal history. "Almost every previous sovereign has been responsible for building a church, a castle, a palace, or just a house," he said, according to the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. "The only comparable structure in the present reign is Britannia."

inside the britannia cruise ship

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inside the britannia cruise ship

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Photo tour: Inside the Royal Yacht Britannia

Decommissioned in 1997, the Royal Yacht Britannia is now docked in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Ultimate Guide to P&O Britannia

P&O Cruises has been a much-loved cruise line with British cruisers for decades and offers traditional cruises to popular destinations such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norwegian Fjords. In this ultimate guide to P&O Britannia , I share everything you need to know about the flagship to make the most of your cruise holiday.

Key Facts about P&O Britannia

P&O Britannia was launched in 2015 and was last refurbished in 2019. The cruise ship was built by Fincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy) and is a Royal Class ship, making it a sister to: Royal, Regal, Sky, Enchanted, Majestic and Discovery Princess.

Britannia has 1,836 cabins for up to 3,647 passengers and has 1,350 crew.

P&O Cruises Britannia ship

Where is P&O Britannia right now?

You can discover the exact location of Britannia cruise ship using this cruise tracker and take a look at the Britannia webcam from the Bridge.

Cabins on P&O Britannia

Britannia offers a range of cruise cabins to suit all budgets and preferences:

  • Superior Deluxe Balcony (equivalent to a mini-suite)

Inside cabin

A standard inside cabin on P&O Britannia is 170 square feet, which is ample space for two people. This cabin has a TV, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities that are replenished daily.

There is generous wardrobe space with shelves and drawers, which I found was plenty of storage for a fortnight’s cruise.

There is a security safe to store any valuables and it’s worth mentioning that we could fit an iPad easily into it.

The en-suite bathroom is stocked with toiletries from The White Company and a notably there was a shower door (instead of a shower curtain).

Pool towels are already in your cabin when you arrive so that you can use them on the ship or at the beach.

An inside cabin is a perfect option for those who like to spend their time enjoying the ship’s facilities and public areas. I also like how dark the room is if you want to sleep or take a nap during the day.

P&O Britannia inside cabin

Balcony Cabin

A standard balcony cabin on Britannia is 212 square feet, which is a good size space for two people. This cabin has a TV, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities that are replenished daily.

There is generous wardrobe space, shelves and drawers, which was the same amount of space as an inside cabin. The balcony has the addition of a small table and comfy chair.

The balcony has enough space for two chairs and a small table. I would say the size of the balcony is not huge but fine if you enjoy to sit outside and get some sea air.

The en-suite bathroom appears to be the same size as the inside cabin and is stocked with toiletries from The White Company. It has a shower with a door and pool towels are already in your cabin.

P&O Britannia balcony cabin

Superior Deluxe Balcony

A superior deluxe balcony cabin on Britannia is 281 square feet, which is a good option for families (sleeps up to four) or couples wanting a bit of luxury and inside space to relax. This cabin has two TVs, a fridge and tea/coffee making facilities that are replenished daily.

The cabins amenities are very similar to those of inside and balcony cabins but has the added bonus of a separate sitting area, which can be curtained off if the settee bed is required.

I would compare this to a mini-suite on sister ships with Princess Cruises.

The bathroom has the addition of a bath with the shower head over it, I think this is a luxury that many would be happy to pay extra for.

Suite cabin

For passengers wanting the ultimate luxury cabin or want to cruise as a family with enough space for everyone, a suite offers 382-689 square feet.

There are four grades of suite on Britannia and are located forward, mid-ship and in the aft. As it’s the most expensive type of cabin on Britannia, I’d fully recommend doing plenty of research before booking so that you choose the right one for you.

Take a look at this guide to choosing the best suite on Britannia .

A suite comes with a long list of perks and benefits:

  • Priority embarkation/disembarkation
  • Access to an exclusive hospitality lounge with a selection of teas, coffees and fresh pastries while you wait to board
  • Exclusive welcome reception with hot and cold canapés and complimentary alcoholic drinks
  • Box of chocolates
  • Fresh fruit
  • Daily canapes
  • Coffee machine
  • Breakfast in an exclusive venue (Epicurean Restaurant)
  • Inclusive room service
  • Butler service
  • Full-size whirlpool bath
  • Priority tenders (where applicable)

Dining on P&O Britannia

There are plenty of dining options on P&O Britannia, with complimentary and specialty restaurants to choose from.

There are main dining rooms, casual dining venues and specialty dining restaurants.

Main Dining Rooms

You will be allocated the Oriental main dining room for traditional set time dining if you enjoy eating at the same time every evening.

Oriental Restaurant   Breakfast: 08.00 – 09.30 (Sea Day) 07.30 – 09.00 (Port Day) Dinner: 1st sitting from 18.30, 2nd sitting from 20.30.

Oriental restaurant on P&O Britannia

If you prefer a bit more flexibility in the time you eat, I would recommend dining at the Meridian main dining room or Peninsular main dining room.

You can choose the style of dining you’d like when you book your cruise on Britannia.

P&O Britannia Meridian Restaurant

The main dining rooms all offer the same menu, which changes each night.

In my opinion the food is of a good standard and features traditional British dishes such as Beef Wellington and Bread and Butter Pudding. I particularly recommend the fish dishes.

Meridian Restaurant Lunch: 12.15 – 13.45 (Light lunch option – Sea days only) Dinner: 18.00 – 21.30

Peninsular Restaurant Breakfast: 08.00 – 09.30 (Sea Day) 07.30 – 09.00 (Port Day) Lunch: 12.15 – 13.45 Afternoon tea: 16.00 – 16.45 Dinner: 18.00 – 21.30

Once a cruise, there is a special Gala Night menu that shouldn’t be missed. This is typically offered on the first formal night of the cruise. Please be aware that this may differ on summer 2021 UK cruises.

P&O Britannia Gala Night menu

Each dish in the main dining room is nicely presented and portion sizes are not too large so you can enjoy all three courses. If you have a larger appetite you can always order extra portions of any course.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Casual Dining Venues

On P&O Britannia you can opt for more casual dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner with healthy and fast food choices, depending on what you fancy.

The buffet is open from 6am to 12 noon for breakfast. It can get very busy but signage at the entrances indicates peak times to avoid.

I would recommend leaving the main buffet dining area and finding a table outside for a peaceful start to the day, away from what can be chaos.

P&O Britannia buffet breakfast

The buffet has a rolling menu so there is always food available between 6am and 2am, here’s a guide to times throughout the day in the Horizon Court Buffet:

Breakfast: 06:00 – 12:00 Lunch: 12:00 – 15:00 Afternoon snacks: 15:00 – 17:00  Children’s tea: 17:00 – 18:00 Theme dinner: 18:00 – 21:30 Late night snacks: 21:30 – 02:00

The themed dinners in the buffet change nightly and offers a wide selection of cuisines from around the world. You can find the schedule for the buffet dinner themes on you in-cabin TV.

P&O Britannia buffet dinner theme schedule

Other complimentary casual food options include:

  • Pizzeria on Lido Deck 16
  • The Grill on Lido Deck 16
  • Grab & Go on Lido Deck 16

I particularly like the Grab and Go option as there are freshly-made individually wrapped sandwiches and salads that you can take from the fridges. This is a healthy alternative to the pizza and burgers also on offer on the Lido Deck.

Specialty Dining Restaurants on P&O Britannia

For an additional charge, you can book a table at one of P&O Britannia’s specialty restaurants.

You can book in advance before the cruise or once you’re onboard but be aware that once you get on the ship, dining times may be limited.

The Beach House

The cheapest specialty dining option on Britannia is The Beach House at just £7.50 for a three-course meal. It’s a pop-up restaurant situated in a section of the Horizon Court Buffet and is only open in the evenings.

I dined at The Beach House twice on my last cruise on Britannia and liked it’s casual atmosphere and tasty food.

The menu takes inspiration from Caribbean and American cuisines to deliver menu choices that are sure to appeal to families and friends looking for comfort food and hearty dishes.

The Beach House menu has vegetarian options and limited vegan options so it can be enjoyed by all preferences.

P&O Britannia Beach House

The Glass House

Situated in the ship’s atrium, The Glass House meticulously pairs light, tapas-style dishes with a selection of wines that cannot be enjoyed anyway else on P&O Britannia.

British TV presenter and wine expert, Olly Smith, has had a hand in the menu so it’s fair to say that some thought has gone into the food and drink on offer.

I’d recommend reading my blog post, dedicated to The Glass House and its menu .

The Glass House on P&O Britannia

A popular specialty restaurant on P&O Britannia is Sindhu , located on Deck 7. This restaurant offers contemporary Indian cuisine and is open for dinner every night from 6pm to 9pm and a light lunch on sea days from 11am to 4.30pm.

Sindhu has a cover charge of £20 per person, which is excellent value given the quality of the dishes. It can seat up 140 covers per night but beware, this still gets booked up in advance.

It has its own bar and lounge area in front of the restaurant that is a chilled area for pre or post-dinner drinks.

P&O Britannia Sindhu restaurant

The Epicurean Restaurant

The Epicurean Restaurant offers modern, British fine dining and is located near the Crow’s Nest on Deck 16. This specialty dining venue is open for breakfast for suite guests and dinner for any passengers with an advanced booking.

The menu features a selection of classic and contemporary dishes, along with an extensive cheese menu, hand picked by cheese expert Charlie Turnbull.

You can also enjoy Eric Lanlard’s afternoon tea at The Epicurean on sea days but should be pre-booked.

The Limelight Club

If you enjoy dinner and a show, The Limelight Club offers just that. A variety of acts perform during the cruise, which differs depending on your dates and itinerary but can be pre-booked before your cruise.

I would say 80s and 90s musical acts are the main theme of the Limelight Club.

Four menus are rotated throughout the cruise so if you decide to watch more than one act, you won’t be stuck with the same menu.

The menu is limited and I personally think that there are a few strange combinations and textures but the performances certainly make up for that.

The cover charge varies according to the performers but expect to pay between £25 and £35 for a three-course meal.

Limelight Club on P&O Britannia

Entertainment on P&O Britannia

Throughout the day on board P&O Britannia, there is entertainment and activities to get involved in.

I’d recommend watching my tour of Britannia to help you become familiarised with the entertainment venues on the ship.

You can also take a look at the 50 free things to do on Britannia included in your cruise fare.

Live music can be found in most of the bars and lounges in the evenings. If you particularly enjoy dancing, I’d recommend heading to The Crystal Room for big band music and ballroom dancing.

P&O Britannia Crystal Room

Headliners Theatre

The Headliners Theatre is a two-tier theatre seating 936 cruise passengers.

There is a selection of tribute acts, cabaret-style shows and guest performers throughout the cruise with P&O’s magic show, Astonishing, also making an appearance.

There are two or three performances per night to accommodate cruisers with different dining times so it’s very unlikely you’ll not be able to find a seat for one of the performances each evening.

The tiered seating means that you will always be able to see the stage and accessible seating is located near the Deck 7 entrance to the theatre.

Headliners Theatre P&O Britannia

Bars and Drinks on P&O Britannia

There are 13 bars onboard P&O’s Britannia so there’s no chance of going thirsty!

Beer lovers will find plenty of choice on the menu in Brodie’s, whilst wine connoisseurs should feel at home in The Glass House. Both of these venues offer drinks flights so that you can sample a selection of beer and wine before finding your favourite.

Brodie’s is P&O Cruises’ onboard pub, a hub for live music, sport and entertainment. This venue is named after P&O’s co-founder, Brodie McGhie Wilcox. You can expect British bottled beers, spirits and wine here.

This venue can get quite busy, particularly in the evenings when there are quizzes and games being hosted.

There are some quieter ‘break-out’ spaces along one side with comfy seating and the casino is situated on the opposite side. There is waiter service or you can order directly from the bar.

P&O Britannia Brodies

For classy cocktails, martinis and bellinis, I would recommend a visit to the Blue Bar in the atrium with the added bonus of people-watching.

It’s the main bar situated in the atrium and is a great place to meet friends and family before dinner. It’s very popular on formal nights as the place to sip your champagne or bellini. It gets quieter after dinner as passengers head off to the other venues so for a drinks with friends it’s a nice spot.

Live Lounge

On Deck 7 aft, the Live Lounge is an entertainment venue that offers live music and doubles as the ship’s nightclub.

On some occasions, this venue was completely empty and we popped in to get a quick drink at the bar. This is where the 80s night is held but don’t worry, fancy dress is not required or encouraged.

P&O Britannia Live Lounge

The Crow’s Nest

For fantastic front-facing views during the day and elegant drinks at night, The Crow’s Nest is a bar that can be found across the P&O fleet.

The bar isn’t open all day but in the evening it turns into a sophisticated piano bar for after-dinner drinks. This venue can be quite popular on formal nights.

If you enjoy sipping a cocktail and watching the wake view, the Sunset Bar on Deck 16 is a perfect spot. This is my favourite bar on Britannia and we enjoy spending some time here in the late afternoon, during sailaways.

P&O Britannia sunset bar

Drinks prices are fairly reasonably and are no more than what you would pay on the high street. You can see the full list of drinks on Britannia with prices to give you an idea of what’s onboard and how much you should budget for.

A drinks package may be worth purchasing for your Britannia cruise but be aware that drinks packages are not available to purchase on short cruises.

There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks packages as well as a child’s package, which I think is excellent value. Take a look at the options so you can decide for yourself.

It’s important to note that drinks packages cannot be shared and therefore, P&O Cruises will not allow just one person sharing a cabin to buy a drinks package.

Laundry on P&O Britannia

I’m sure that when you’re planning your cruise on Britannia, laundry services are furthest from your mind but it’s useful information to know, especially for longer cruises.

The good news is that the launderettes found on the cabin decks are free to use, all you need is washing tablets. Check my complete P&O laundry guide for all the information you need.

P&O Britannia FAQs

What is the dress code on p&o britannia.

During the day, casual holiday clothes can be worn such as shorts, t-shirt and summer dresses. You should avoid pool wear in the inside, lounges, bars and restaurants. Footwear must be worn inside.

Evening casual wear can be worn on non-formal nights of your cruise. This is best described as outfits you would wear to a nice restaurant. Smart dark denim can be worn with a nice top or open neck shirt.

Tracksuits, sports wear and trainers are not permitted in the evenings. If you are cruising in the Caribbean, tailored shorts can be worn in the buffet.

On Gala Evenings and Black Tie Nights you should wear something special. Typically on P&O Cruises, passengers choose to dress very formally with black being the overriding choice for many.

Many men decide to wear a dinner jacket and bow tie but don’t be put off by this. A dark business suit and tie is perfectly acceptable. Cocktail dresses, jumpsuits and ball gowns are worn by women.

P&O Britannia formal wear

How many swimming pools does Britannia have?

P&O Britannia has five swimming pools in total. There are two main pools on the Lido Deck, an adult-only pool in the Serenity area, a small terrace pool on the Sun Deck and an indoor hydrotherapy pool in the Spa.

P&O Britannia lido and riviera pools

Are you allowed to take alcohol on a P&O cruise?

Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in US ports) and older is allowed bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit, or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time only.

Alcohol over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest before the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20 per bottle, per occasion which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account. 

Any alcohol purchased in port must be declared once you return to the ship. It will be stored safely for you and returned by the final evening of your cruise.

Is tea and coffee free on P&O Britannia?

Tea and coffee is free of charge on P&O Britannia except specialty teas and coffees from Costa Coffee. There is tea and coffee making facilities in your cabin, which are replenished daily.

Can I take bottled water on P&O Britannia?

Yes, an unlimited amount of water and soft drinks can be brought on board with you for your P&O cruise. There is one small bottle of water per person in your cabin on arrival.

P&O Britannia bottle water in cabin

How much is WiFi on P&O Britannia?

WiFi is not included in your cruise fare with P&O Cruises so if you want to be able to connect a device to WiFi on your cruise, you will need to purchase one of three WiFi packages available, starting at £7.75 per day. These packages are cheaper if you pre-purchase them at least three days before your cruise, using your My P&O Cruises account.

I opted for the Browse Package and found it allowed me to do did everything I needed such as social media and Googling port information.

P&O Britannia Tips and Advice

I hope that you’ve found this guide useful. If you have any questions about Britannia, I would be happy to help with any queries you may have. You can either use the Contact Me page or simply use the comment section below to ask your question.

This ultimate guide to P&O Britannia features helpful information about cabins, dining, entertainment, activities, drinks, WiFi and venues.

Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food. Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!

Find me on: Twitter

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Britannia cabins and suites

Britannia staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Britannia cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by P&O UK (P&O Cruises) en-suite amenities and services.

The Britannia cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Premium Suite, Owners Suite, Penthouse Suite

Layout (floor plan), superior deluxe balcony cabin, deluxe balcony cabin, balcony cabin, interior cabin, studio single cabin, britannia cabins review.

MV Britannia cruise ship cabins with balconies are 1362 (excluding the larger-balconied Suites), located on all cabin decks (max capacity 4 guests per cabin). Just like NCL Epic and the Royal-class sisterships in the Princess Cruises fleet , P&O UK's largest ship is unique with lacking Oceanview cabins (has no outside staterooms with Picture or Porthole windows). The number of all cabin categories is 35.

Suites are 64 total (max capacity 3 guests per cabin). Inside staterooms are 460 (30% of all passenger accommodations).

Single-occupancy cabins (called Studios/designed for solo travellers) are 27, and all are located on Lido Deck (deck 16). Single cabins are in two grades (QF-Balcony, SF-Interior).

Follows the review of P and O Britannia staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

All Britannia ship cabins feature a boutique-style interior, 37-inch smart HDTVs (infotainment system, Internet, movies-on-demand, cable/satellite programming), twin beds (convertible to Queen-size double bed), premium bedding sets ("The White Company"/London sleeping packs), artworks by British artists, bathrooms with glass shower screens (massage showerheads, hairdryer, WC-toilet, single-sink vanity), welcome gifts (upon arrival - bottled water, pamper pack), large wardrobe, mini-bar/refrigerator, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), individually controlled air-conditioning.

There are no standard Oceanview staterooms (with Picture or Porthole windows). All outside cabins have a private step-out veranda - a first-time feature for P&O UK.

Cabin balconies are with either transparent glass or solid steel railings and lounge (low table and 2 deckchairs). Standard verandas are narrow in comparison to other big cruise ships.

In addition, Suites have butler service, separate lounge/living area, two TVs (42-inch), iPod docking station, luxury bathrooms (cotton bathrobes, luxury brand bath products, marble flooring and countertops, separate whirlpool bathtub and shower), exclusive Concierge Lounge access, complimentary services (laundry, dry-cleaning), complimentary Internet Cafe Web access, welcome gifts (Champagne, fruits, flowers), coffee maker, iron (with ironing board), world atlas, binoculars, canapes (daily), magazine/newspaper (daily).

Owner Suites' balcony sizes vary by deck location - 210 ft2 / 20 m2 (decks A, B, F), 120 ft2 / 11 m2 (decks C, E) and 190 ft2 / 18 m2 (decks D, G).

  • Superior Deluxe Balconies feature separate lounge/seating area with sofa bed, two TVs, bathroom with bathtub/shower, terry towels, luxury bath products.
  • Deluxe Balconies have sofabeds, waffle bathrobes, terry towels. Staterooms in categories IB-IC-IE are with obstructed views (due to lifeboats or steel railings).
  • Standard Balconies (categories JB-JC-JE) are with obstructed views (due to lifeboats or steel railings).
  • All grades Balcony staterooms have upper Pullman/Murphy beds and sofabeds to accommodate more passengers.

In all Britannia staterooms, there are UK standard 3-pin power sockets (in the lounge area) and shave points (in the bathroom). In all staterooms, the power supply is 250V and 125V (frequency 60HZ). Plug sockets location is as follows: 1x in the bathroom (120 V/ 230V), 1x by the vanity table ((125V), and all 5x sockets around the room (by the TV, near the couch, near the mini-fridge / each 250V). All (excepting the shaver socket in the bathroom) are 3-pin UK plugs.

Tips on cabins with issues

The ship's noisiest cabins are:

  • aft on Deck 15 (balconies, numbers A702, A704 A706 A708, A710, A712, A714, A716) are located below Sunset Bar's smoking area. In the early morning, people going outside to smoke often drag deckchairs across the deck.
  • aft on Deck 10 (interior cabins, numbers E714-E717, E722-E725, E730-E733) are located aft and reportedly have vibration issues.
  • on Deck 8 (balconies, numbers G201 through G225) are located above Headliners Theatre, so hearing music during the evening shows (running until ~11.30 pm) could be an issue.

Smoking on the ship is allowed only at designated outdoor deck areas and strictly forbidden anywhere indoors (including staterooms and cabin balconies). Some cabins are located directly above such an area, so cigarette smoke could be an issue (depending on the winds). Such cabins are Balconies are on:

  • Deck 8 (located above the disco nightclub Live Lounge's outdoor smoking area) numbers G630, G703, G704, G706, G708, G710, G712, G714, G716, G718, G720, G722, G724, G726
  • Deck 8 (located above the buffet restaurant Java Cafe's outdoor smoking area) numbers G401, G403, G405, G407, G409, G411, G415, G417, G421, G425, G429, G433, G437

Staterooms to be avoided by people prone to seasickness are with stern and bow locations on upper decks.

Balconies with fully obstructed views (by lifeboats) are located midship on Deck 8. These are numbers G310-G308, G314-G325, G330-G402, G442-G504, G510-G517, G522-G535, G603-G615, G618-G627.

Balconies with restricted access (when the boat is at sea and depending on wind conditions) are located forward on Deck 15 (bow-location, numbers A101 through A106). These verandas also don't have transparent fronts, but steel railings.

Handicap / wheelchair-accessible cruise cabins

Britannia ship's gangways are all wide enough for most types of wheelchairs and disability scooters.

  • For P&O UK cruise passengers with disabilities, there are a total of 46 accessible cabins with wider doors, turning spaces, beds with open bed frames, lowered vanity in the sitting area, amplified phones, captioned TVs, wider bathrooms (roll-in shower, fold-down shower bench, grab bars, lower sinks, and closet rods, raised toilets, hand-held showerhead).
  • All handicap cabins feature a convenient location near the ship's elevators.

All public restrooms on the ship have stalls and automatic door systems. All decks provide elevator access. All onboard dining venues, bars, and lounges offer wheelchair access and seating.

Britannia cabin and suite plans are property of P&O UK (P&O Cruises) . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Emma Cruises

P&O Britannia Cabins (Tour & Review 2019)

In this post, I will be discussing all cabin grades available onboard Britannia and sharing a review of the balcony cabin that I enjoyed during my week cruise around the Norwegian Fjords. In this post we will cover:

Inside cabins

  • Inside solo cabins

Balcony cabins

  • Balcony solo cabins
  • Superior deluxe balcony cabins

p&o britannia balcony cabin reviews review woman sat on bed with inflatable cruise ship

Sleeps up to: 4

Anybody who knows me knows that I am a lover of inside cabins. I love the price, of course, but also love the amazing night’s sleep that it provides. When I stay in an inside cabin I am more likely to get out and about to explore the ship which is an added bonus.

Inside cabins Britannia’s boutique style cabins feature a large flat screen TV for films on demand, pamper packs from The White Company, bathrooms with glass shower screens and bespoke artworks from British artists.

How big are the inside cabins on Britannia?

The inside cabins range from 137 – 181 feet which is pretty standard. The bed is two single beds which push together to make a queen. It is totally up to you how you have this. On a couple of occasions, I have been cruising with my brother and arrived to find the beds pushed together. If this happens to you, don’t worry! Just let your room steward know and they’ll be happy to change it for you.

p&o britannia cabins inside cabin

P&O Cruises: Britannia

How many people can fit in the inside cabins on Britannia?

The inside cabins can take four adults although I would urge you to think before booking this. It may be the best option but can be very cramped. I have done it in the past but wouldn’t recommend it for a long period of time. The below video was filmed onboard Royal Caribbeans Independence of the Seas and should give you an idea of how 3/4 adults can share a cabin.

It is worth noting that P&O will not push the two bottom beds together when there are guests staying above. Not sure why this is the case. Below shows the pullmen beds in the ceiling.

inside cabin britannia pullman beds 4 sharing twin beds ceiling

What is included in the cabin? (Included in all cabin grades)

All cabins come with the following as standard:

  • Tea and Coffee making facilities
  • Air conditioning
  • Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser).

Solo inside cabin

Sleeps up to: 1

P&O do offer solo inside cabins. These allow solo cruisers to have their own space and it is USUALLY cheaper than paying the dreaded ‘solo supplement’. I really like the look of these solo cabins although P&O do not have a solo ‘lounge’ or any other solo space. That said I really don’t think that you would need it. I was amazed by how friendly and polite all the guests onboard were. Everybody chatted and got along, I even made a few friends onboard!

The guests onboard were so lovely that I even suggested table sharing in my ‘ 8 free ‘must do’ activities onboard Britannia ‘ post. Table sharing is something that I very rarely do but it was such a positive experience.

inside cabin solo britannia single

I am usually an inside cabin cruiser but was lucky enough to have a balcony cabin onboard Britannia. I am so glad that we did. The Norwegian Fjords are stunning and I wouldn’t want to miss a second. We even took our duvets onto the balcony one afternoon to watch the sail aways. Below is me enjoying the cabin with my inflatable Britannia!

The styling inside the cabin is exactly the same as the inside cabin. It is worth noting that some balcony cabins have a sofa/couch where as ours just had a chair.

p&o britannia balcony cabin reviews review woman sat on bed with inflatable cruise ship

How big is the standard balcony on Britannia?

The balcony is more than big enough. I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about the size of the balcony but I never had any issues with it. I would say that for one or two people the size is more than adequate. If 3 or 4 people wanted to go on the balcony at the same time it would be a bit of a struggle. Not impossible but you’d have to stand very close together.

It’s also worth noting that some balconies are bigger. We had the standard balcony cabin on deck 11, F111. As you can see in this picture the balconies on the deck below were much bigger. We were right at the front of the ship.

p&o britannia balcony size small big review reviews sun on balcony chair

What is in the Balcony cabins onboard Britannia?

  • Twin/Queen beds
  • A desk with mirror + chair
  • Another chair or a sofa
  • Table (perfect for putting your room service on)
  • Bedside tables
  • Tea + Coffee making facilities

My review of the Balcony cabin F111.

I liked the cabin and can’t really find anything to fault with it. I particularly liked the separate area by the wardrobes for changing. The bathroom was pretty small, probably one of the smallest I’ve had on a ship but this wasn’t a problem at all. Cruise ship bathrooms are organised so well that everything has it’s place. The shower was actually pretty big and had a door instead of a curtain which I liked.

While onboard I filmed a video about all the little things that I loved about Britannia. In the video you’ll see the tea and coffee making facilities plus a little of the cabin.

Solo balcony cabins

As far as I know, P&O are the only cruise line to have solo balcony cabins. Please let me know in the comments if this is incorrect!

Each cabin has a single bed, the same bathroom as the bigger balconies and a balcony that is also of the same size. The decor is the same as all of the other cabins onboard. The balcony has two seats on it which I like, this means that you can bring a friend back to your cabin.

p&o britannia solo balcony cabin

Superior deluxe balcony

Another option is a super deluxe balcony cabin. These are basically slightly bigger versions of the standard balcony cabin with a few extras.

Perfect for us as a family of 4 travelling with an 8 & 2 year old. Plenty of space, sofabed pulls out into a double bed. Curtain pulls across to separate the two sleeping areas. Large flat screen TVs in both areas. A nice sized bathroom with bath and shower over. Only real negative is once the sofabed is pulled out (around 6.30pm) and made up, you can’t access the minibar fridge or the dressing area at all as the bed is right up against it. The sofa is easily pushed away though   – Kerry 

What is the difference between a standard balcony and a super deluxe balcony?

  • Extra space. The main difference is that the deluxe balcony is bigger than the standard balcony.
  • Seating area – Deluxe balconies have a seating area with sofa whereas the standard balcony cabin only has a couple of chairs and a desk.
  • Baths! The deluxe balconies have a bath. This one would be very tempting for me because I LOVE a bath. I’ve never had one on a cruise ship though.

Video by Tips for Travellers. 

Accessible cabins

P&O have 37 accessible cabins which have wider doorways, bigger bathrooms and generally more space. My gran has cruised on Britannia and was really impressed with the size of her accessible cabin. These are available on a first come first serve basis so if you need one make sure you book early.

Suites (Premium suites, Owners suites & Penthouse suite)

Sleeps up to: 3

There are a number of suites available onboard Britannia.

The ultimate in luxury, our butler-serviced Suites offer the extra space of a lounge area (perfect for entertaining), a superior bathroom, dressing area and a broad balcony so you can take in the sights, or simply soak up the warmth of the sun in complete privacy. Choose to stay in a Suite and you’ll also be treated to some special touches.

p&o britannia suite cabin

Britannia doesn’t have any family suites, unlike Azura and Ventura.

All suites include:

  • Butler service (included but optional)
  • Daily canapes
  • Fruit basket
  • Mineral water (on arrival)
  • Whirlpool bath

Types of suites

There are three types of suites. Penthouse, Owners and Premium. The Penthouse suites are the smallest. Owners suites are slightly bigger and then Premium suites are the biggest.

p&o britannia suite cabin lounge

What plug sockets are on Britannia?

All cabins have UK plug sockets! Woohoo. There is one shaver socket in the bathroom and 5 other sockets in the rest of the cabin. Some UK and some US.

Other things to note:

  • Britannia has NO oceanview or porthole cabins. At all! That’s one less option to consider I suppose.
  • Britannia is the sister ship of Royal Princess. The cabins are pretty much the same but just decorated differently.
  • There are 64 suites. 460 inside cabins. 27 solo cabins.

If you’ve previously cruised with Royal Caribbean and are wondering how P&O cruises compare you’ll find everything you need to know here, including which has better food:

7 HUGE Differences Between P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean

My cruise onboard Britannia

I recently returned from my first ever P&O cruise onboard Britannia. We cruised around the Norwegian Fjords and I was really impressed with P&O. The ship was amazing and I loved the food and service onboard.

If you are considering a cruise with P&O make sure you check out this post about the 8 free things that I don’t think you should miss when onboard. If you manage to do everything on this list I think you can go home happy! P&O Britannia: 8 ‘must do’ free activities.

marco pierre white cookery class club p&o britannia

Photo by Christopher Ison. www.christopherison.com

Daily vlogs

I filmed daily vlogs during my cruise which you can check out on my YouTube channel here: Emma Cruises .

We’ve got 1700+ cruise mad members in our Facebook Community. Join us!   Cruising Isn’t Just For Old People – Facebook Group. 

– – –

FURTHER READING:

P&O BRITANNIA, 8 FREE ‘MUST DO’ ACTIVITIES – CRUISING ISN’T JUST FOR OLD PEOPLE 

ACCESSIBILITY AT SEA: P&O CRUISES BRITANNIA – THE CRUISING BAKER.

CRUISE SHIP REVIEW: P&O CRUISES, BRITANNIA – THE CRUISE BLOGGER.

Monday 3rd of December 2018

I am enjoying reading through your blogs I am not 'young' but I appreciate your reviews and comments and introductions to some cruise lines not as often discussed in North America. You asked about solo balconies - RCL offers something called 'Super Studio Ocean View with Balcony'. They can sleep two, but are smaller than standard rooms and intended for solo guests.

Emma Le Teace

Tuesday 20th of November 2018

Yesss!! Thank you so much for this comment. I'm excited for you! Thanks for commenting :)

Paul and Carole

Thursday 30th of August 2018

This is a great post, loved seeing all the differences in the cabins. Britannia looks a fab ship, thanks again for showing us around!

Friday 31st of August 2018

Thanks for commenting guys! :D

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P&O Britannia cruise ship sailing from homeport

Ship Specifications

inside the britannia cruise ship

City Bridgetown

inside the britannia cruise ship

City Southampton

inside the britannia cruise ship

City Castries

Britannia itineraries, 5 night western europe, 7 night norwegian fjords, 14 night scandinavia and baltic sea, 14 night british isles, 7 night spain and france, 14 night canary islands, 14 night mediterranean, 15 night caribbean, 14 night caribbean, p&o cruises fleet.

inside the britannia cruise ship

Inside ‘Britannia,’ Queen Elizabeth II’s Floating Palace

The Royal Yacht, according to Her Majesty, was “the one place where I can truly relax.”

hmy britannia

But Britannia was far more than a posh royal cruise liner. She was a showcase for cutting-edge naval engineering and the first royal yacht that could do double duty as a floating hospital in wartime, if necessary. In 1986, for instance, she rescued more than 1,000 refugees from South Yemen. Over the course of her 44 years in service, Britannia facilitated 968 official visits and traveled over one million nautical miles.

royal yacht britannia

She was also, of course, a time capsule of the best British design of the time, in terms of both technological prowess and decoration. Read on for more about the ship’s history, and where the Royal Yacht Britannia is now (hint: You can visit !).

What’s the backstory of Britannia ?

This history of royal liners goes back centuries. In fact, Britannia was the 83rd royal yacht; the first, HMY Mary, was constructed in 1660 by the Dutch East India Company and given as a gift to Charles II. Britannia ’s predecessor, Victoria & Albert III, was completed in 1901 and used by Edward II up through George VI, but was decommissioned in 1939 and eventually broken up as scrap. A new yacht was commissioned on February 4, 1952, in an effort to help King George VI’s health, according to the Royal Yacht Britannia museum, but the king died just two days later. The task to oversee the construction of the new yacht, then, fell on the young Queen Elizabeth II.

royal yacht britannia at sea

Who Built the Royal Yacht Britannia ?

Britannia was designed by John Brown & Co., the same marine engineering firm that built the RMS Lusitania and the Queen Mary. Construction on Britannia began in June 1952, and she was launched in a ceremony on April 16, 1953. The young queen didn’t reveal the name of the liner until her televised address in which she proudly stated before roaring crowds, “I name this ship Britannia .” Notably, a bottle of wine as opposed to the more traditional Champagne, was smashed across the ship’s bow during the christening—Champagne would have been much too ostentatious amid postwar austerity.

Who designed the Royal Yacht Britannia ’s interiors?

According to a technical paper presented to the Institution of Naval Architects in the spring of 1954, the royal and state apartments were to be on par with those of a first-class ocean liner. “The suitability of the decorative design and the furnishing of the Royal and State apartments has, of course, been very important,” the paper noted.

royal yacht britannia

At first, Patrick McBride of the Glasgow, Scotland–based firm, McInnes Gardner & Partners, was selected to design the interiors, but the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh rejected those plans, deeming them too lavish, according to the Royal Yacht Britannia museum. Sir Hugh Casson, the director of architecture at the 1951 Festival of Britain, was the perfect candidate, with his modern eye and lack of ostentation. The design, the architect later wrote in his diary, “was really running a lawn mower over the Louis XVIl adornments. I was going to concentrate on one-color carpet throughout, which was sort of lilac/gray, and all the walls would be white. The only enrichments would be a bit of gilding in grand places.”

royal yacht britannia

Working with Casson, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were highly involved, giving input for everything ranging from the furniture (much of it salvaged from the vessel’s predecessor, Victoria & Albert III , as another way to appear thrifty) to the ship’s blue exterior paint, inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh’s racing yacht, Bluebottle. Apartments featured a design like an elegant-yet-muted English country house, filled with floral sofas and antiques. The state drawing room could accommodate up to 250 guests. The Queen’s favorite room was the sun lounge, with its warm teak walls and rattan furnishings, and views across the veranda deck.

royal yacht britannia

“I suppose Britannia was rather special as far as we were concerned because we were involved from the very beginning in organizing the design and furnishing and equipping and hanging the pictures and everything else,” Prince Philip said in a 1995 documentary film about the yacht. “For us it was rather special because all the other places we live in have been built by our predecessors. They started building Windsor 1,000 years ago, and they built Balmoral 100 years ago, and they built Sandringham 70 or 90 years ago. So we, in a sense, had our own.”

So successful was the partnership that Casson would go on to become a dear friend of the royal family and design interiors for Buckingham Palace, Balmoral , and Windsor Castle

royal yacht britannia

Britannia was also a second home for the royal children. Each was given a member of the crew or “sea daddy” to look after them. “We found as children that there was so much to do, we expended so much energy that we couldn’t describe our time on the yacht as a rest,” Princess Anne said. Milk was delivered fresh from a farmer each day for the royal children, according to letters from the ship’s Acting Captain J. S. Dalglish. Later, the yacht would become the venue for numerous royal honeymoons and vacations, including Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s infamous 1981 Mediterranean cruise.

Where is the Royal Yacht Britannia Now?

As documented in season 5 of The Crown , the Royal Yacht was decommissioned on December 11, 1997, at a ceremony in Portsmouth, U.K., after nearly half a century in service and having traveled more than one million nautical miles. In addition to Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward all attended the ceremony. As the British ensign was lowered to the tune of a navy band, Her Majesty was photographed blinking back tears .

queen crying at britannia

Britannia was retired to Port of Leith in Edinburgh. Today, as one of the most popular tourist sites in the U.K., she serves as a museum and receives some 350,000 visitors per year who can tour the State dining room, the Queen’s bedroom, and sun lounge, as well as view the engine room and crew’s cabins. Visitors can even have tea and scones on the royal deck. The majority of the items on display are original to the yacht and are on loan from the Royal Collection.

zara phillips and mike tindall host pre wedding party on britannia

In a bizarre 21st-century twist, former British prime minister Boris Johnson announced plans to build a Britannia successor, a £250 million yet-to-be-named, taxpayer-funded superyacht to operate as a “floating embassy.” The new British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, recently torpedoed those plans in favor of building a surveillance ship.

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Anna Fixsen, Deputy Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, focuses on how to share the best of the design world through in-depth reportage and online storytelling. Prior to joining the staff, she has held positions at Architectural Digest, Metropolis, and Architectural Record magazines. elledecor.com 

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inside the britannia cruise ship

13 bars, artwork worth £1million... and cookery classes with Mary Berry: First look inside Britannia, the largest ever cruise ship built for British holidaymakers

  • The luxury liner can hold 3,647 passengers, has four pools and a theatre
  • She will take her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on March 14
  • Guests can enjoy the spa, library and £1 million worth of art

By Becky Pemberton For Mailonline

Published: 07:58 EDT, 24 February 2015 | Updated: 11:14 EDT, 24 February 2015

View comments

Proving that bigger is definitely better is P&O Cruises, who have taken delivery of the largest ever cruise ship for the British market. 

The liner which can hold 3,647 passengers will boast £1 million worth of art, nine entertainment places to keep the family occupied, including a 936-seat theatre, four pools, and 13 places to eat. 

The colossal vessel will leave Italy and arrive in Southampton on Friday March 6. Before her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on Saturday 14 March, she will be officially named on Tuesday 10 March.

Scroll down for video 

The Britannia was named in an official ceremony today (Tuesday), and will make her maiden voyage on Saturday (March 14)

Queen of the ocean: The Britannia will be named in an official ceremony on Tuesday 10 March, and make her maiden voyage on Saturday 14 March

The spectacular three-tier atrium on the Britannia. Guests can enjoy nine entertainment places to keep the family occupied, including a 936-seat theatre, four pools, and 13 places to eat

The spectacular three-tier atrium on the Britannia. Guests can enjoy nine entertainment places to keep the family occupied, including a 936-seat theatre, four pools, and 13 places to eat

A Superior Deluxe cabin on board the P&O liner. In total there are 1,837 cabins on board, and 15 passenger decks

Cosy cabin: A Superior Deluxe cabin on board the P&O liner. In total there are 1,837 cabins on board, and 15 passenger decks

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inside the britannia cruise ship

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The 141,000 ton cruise ship will feature a 1,837 cabins, a three-tiered atrium, a library and a sports centre.

Adults can relax in the Oasis Spa & The Retreat, whilst the children enjoy the extensive facilities, including four age group areas, a night nursery and outdoor splash area for teens. 

For those who like to be kept active, explore the 15 passenger decks and stroll around the largest amount of shops in a fleet at 660 sqm. 

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The stunning Blue Bar room on board the 141,000 ton cruise ship. The luxury liner also include a library and Oasis Spa & The Retreat

Special invited guests were given the opportunity to enjoy all that the Britannia has to offer at a ceremony today 

The handover saw P&O finally take possession of the grand cruise ship, just days before it is set to be unveiled to the public

Queen of British baking Mary Berry will allow people to learn from her 60 years in baking, on the 12-night British Isles cruise to the Mediterranean, departing July 6 

Queen of British baking Mary Berry will allow people to learn from her 60 years in baking, on the 12-night British Isles cruise to the Mediterranean, departing July 6 

Unique to the cruise is the opportunity to hone your skills in the kitchen alongside your relaxing cruise. 

Great British Bake-off judge Mary Berry will lead a list of 10 celebrity chefs offering up classes on the ocean, as well as hosting chef's table dinners, book signings and Q&A sessions.

She will be featured on the 12-night British Isles cruise departing July 6 from Southhampton, along with Theo Randall and James Martin and prices to learn from her 60 years in baking start from £1,149pp.

Celebrity chef and master patissier Eric Lanlard owns a cake boutique in London called Cake Boy and will join a line-up of 'food heroes' who will be on board the ship during certain sailings

Celebrity chef and master patissier Eric Lanlard owns a cake boutique in London called Cake Boy and will join a line-up of 'food heroes' who will be on board the ship during certain sailings

The artistic decor in the atrium of the Britannia. The ship will also hold £1 million worth of artwork 

The artistic decor in the atrium of the Britannia. The ship will also hold £1 million worth of artwork 

For those who like to be kept active, explore the 15 passenger decks and stroll around the large amount of shops

For those who like to be kept active, explore the 15 passenger decks and stroll around the large amount of shops

The pools on deck will offer respite from the heat on summer Mediterranean cruises

While the weather wasn't ideal for a swim, the pools on deck will offer respite from the heat on summer Mediterranean cruises

Mary Berry will be on board to share her culinary skills on the 12-night British Isles cruise departing July 6 from Southhampton, along with Theo Randall and James Martin

Mary Berry will be on board to share her culinary skills on the 12-night British Isles cruise departing July 6 from Southhampton, along with Theo Randall and James Martin

P&O BRITANNIA'S CELEBRITY CHEF COOKERY CLUB LINE-UP

NATHAN OUTLAW - Cruise B503, a 14-night Portugal, Spain & Morocco cruise departing March 28. From £1,549pp: Four Michelin stars in total, two at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Port Isaac, Cornwall, and one each at Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, Port isaac and Outlaw's at The Capital, Knightsbridge.

PIERRE KOFFMANN - Cruise B510, a 14-night Spain, Monaco & Italy cruise departing June 13 with James Martin and Charlie Turnbull. From £1,449 per person: Legendary French-born chef who held three Michelin stars at La Tante Claire and now runs Koffmann’s at The Berkeley.

MARY BERRY - Cruise B513, a 12-night British Isles cruise departing July 6 with Theo Randall and James Martin. From £1,149pp: Television chef, Great British Bake-Off judge and prolific food writer for 60 years cooking experience.

THEO RANDALL  - Cruise B153 (as above): Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel London Park Lane.

LAWRENCE KEOGH - Cruise B514, a seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing July 18. From £799pp: Head chef at the Wolseley restaurant in London. 

  JAMES TANNER - Cruise B516, a seven-night France, Spain & Guernsey cruise departing August 8. From £949pp: Co-owner of Barbican Kitchen in Plymouth, and The Kentish Hare in Bidborough, Kent.

VIVEK SINGH - Cruise B517, a 14 night Spain, Monaco & Italy cruise departing August 15. From £1,999pp: Modern Indian chef with three London restaurants, The Cinnamon Club, Cinnamon Kitchen and Cinnamon Soho.

DANIEL GALMICHE - Cruise B519, a seven-night France, Spain & Guernsey cruise departing September 5. From £799pp: Michelin-starred Executive Chef at The Vineyard in Berkshire, a pioneer of modern French cuisine and TV chef.

ANTONIO CARLUCCIO – Cruise B523, a 14 night Spain, Monaco & Italy cruise departing October 9 with James Martin and Charlie Turnbull. From £1,149pp: Beloved chef , food writer and owner of Carluccio's chain of restaurants.

PAUL RANKIN  -  Cruise B524, a 14 night Portugal & Caribbean cruise departing October 23 with Eric Lanlard. From £1,139pp: Celebrity chef from County Down. 

The handover ceremony of P&O cruises took place on Sunday February 22, in Italy’s Trieste, and was attended by Carnival UK executive chairman, David Dingle, senior executives from P&O Cruises, as well as senior teams from the shipyard Fincantieri, where Britannia was built.

The ceremony involved exchanging of flags, and the P&O Cruises flag was hoisted in place. 

Stars to attend the prestigious event included cheese expert Charlie Turnball, TV wine expert Olly Smith, and master patissier Eric Lanlard, along with some of the P&O Cruise Food Heroes. 

Cheese expert Charlie Turnball outside his delicatessen in Shaftsbury, Dorset attended the handover ceremony on February 22 in Italy

Cheese expert Charlie Turnball outside his delicatessen in Shaftsbury, Dorset attended the handover ceremony on February 22 in Italy

Share or comment on this article: Sneak look inside the Britannia, the LARGEST ever cruise ship for the UK

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inside the britannia cruise ship

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  • P&O Cruises ( UK )

Britannia Large Inside Staterooms.

By johnnyd57uk , April 10, 2019 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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Cool Cruiser

johnnyd57uk

Paid extra for a large inside cabin for a change on a forthcoming Britannia Cruise. Tickets have been issued and our Cabin is located in the B403-B431 group. Taking a look at the Cabin online it looks about the same size as a standard inside cabin (ie just about enough room to swing a cat). Anyone had any experience of these rooms. I feel like ive been had. I would put in a link to the cabin picture but not sure if its allowed.

Regards to All 

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1 hour ago, johnnyd57uk said: Paid extra for a large inside cabin for a change on a forthcoming Britannia Cruise. Tickets have been issued and our Cabin is located in the B403-B431 group. Taking a look at the Cabin online it looks about the same size as a standard inside cabin (ie just about enough room to swing a cat). Anyone had any experience of these rooms. I feel like ive been had. I would put in a link to the cabin picture but not sure if its allowed.   Regards to All    John

Hello John,

I not stayed in one in one of these cabins, however, I took the following photos when I did a ship tour a few years ago.

I was pleasantly surprised by their size & would be quite happy to stay in one.

Here’s some pictures of B428 & a link to the full album.

https://flickr.com/photos/63185733@N02/sets/72157652321818391

Hope this helps.

963A4CDC-BD0E-4F75-84A7-B78015E4FFFD.png

AndyMichelle

Not familiar with this particular room, but our large inside had a sofa, which became a clothes horse...

The extra space was very welcome though, especially when ordering room service and having somewhere to eat that is not the bed.

Thank you so much for the additional pictures. They are fantastic. Havnt been on the Britannia so they've given me a real sense of the ship. I think my Son and his girlfriend will be impressed (their first cruise). Strangely everyone I spoke to on the Oriana before Christmas didnt have a good word to say about the Britannia for all sorts f reasons. I am reassured by your pictures.

As for the pictures of the room it looks very much like a standard size room to me. Very similar to the standard insides on the Ventura. As I paid extra for the pleasure I will be really miffed if it turns out to be the same size as my sons room.

4 minutes ago, johnnyd57uk said: Hi Joan,   Thank you so much for the additional pictures. They are fantastic. Havnt been on the Britannia so they've given me a real sense of the ship. I think my Son and his girlfriend will be impressed (their first cruise). Strangely everyone I spoke to on the Oriana before Christmas didnt have a good word to say about the Britannia for all sorts f reasons. I am reassured by your pictures.   As for the pictures of the room it looks very much like a standard size room to me. Very similar to the standard insides on the Ventura. As I paid extra for the pleasure I will be really miffed if it turns out to be the same size as my sons room.

There is this myth that people either like the smaller ships or the larger ships. We like both for different reasons,

I am sure you will love Britannia.

Have a fantastic time,

Im digressing from my original post but yes we have seen the positives of big and small. The smaller ships take a bit of getting used to as you lose the anonymity that the larger ships provide. We dont have a preference at the minute.

21 minutes ago, johnnyd57uk said: Hi Joan,   Thank you so much for the additional pictures. They are fantastic. Havnt been on the Britannia so they've given me a real sense of the ship. I think my Son and his girlfriend will be impressed (their first cruise). Strangely everyone I spoke to on the Oriana before Christmas didnt have a good word to say about the Britannia for all sorts f reasons. I am reassured by your pictures.   As for the pictures of the room it looks very much like a standard size room to me. Very similar to the standard insides on the Ventura. As I paid extra for the pleasure I will be really miffed if it turns out to be the same size as my sons room.

 You’re welcome , glad I could help.

I haven’t stayed in an inside cabin on Britannia, however, did have one on Oriana a few years ago & that was small.  I think & hope you will be pleasantly surprised.

Britannia is a lovely ship & I’ve been on her 3 times.

As previously posted, people have their reasons for liking or not liking a particular ship.  As long as you go with an open mind & judge for yourself I’m sure you’ll have a great time. I can’t see any reasons, apart from rough seas, god forbid, that your Son & Girlfriend won’t enjoy themselves.

Have a great cruise.

3,000+ Club

P&O SUE

We saw the larger inside cabins on a ship visit and they are definitely larger than a standard one.

Enjoy your cruise!

Just an update. Standard inside cabins are described as 137-181 sq feet which is the same description as the "large inside" cabins despite the fact you pay more for the larger. Speaking t a P&O rep I was informed "that they could put me anywhere they wanted as I had booked a saver fare". When I said I had paid extra for this allegedly larger room there was no response. The  P&O rep did take some more time checking and said my room should be 10 square feet larger. Thats an extra 2ft x 5ft Shocking.

On other lines there is a significant difference between standard and larger. I will be taking a measuring tape with me and if I have been conned into paying extra I will take the matter further. 

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IMAGES

  1. Inside the Britannia cruise ship berthed at Liverpool's Princes Dock

    inside the britannia cruise ship

  2. Take A Look Inside P&O Cruises Britannia

    inside the britannia cruise ship

  3. Inside the Britannia cruise ship berthed at Liverpool's Princes Dock

    inside the britannia cruise ship

  4. Britannia from P&O Cruises

    inside the britannia cruise ship

  5. Britannia from P&O Cruises

    inside the britannia cruise ship

  6. Take A Look Inside P&O Cruises Britannia

    inside the britannia cruise ship

VIDEO

  1. MV Britannia Cruise Ship Liverpool Waterfront 11.6.23

  2. Britannia Cruise 2023 first 7 days in paradise

  3. P&O Britannia Cruise Ship Walk Through

  4. Britannia Cruise Ship Arriving at Cartegena

  5. P&O Britannia around U.K. Cruise June 2023

  6. Britannia cruise ship 🚢 Dinner 🥘 breakfast and 🥙 breakfast

COMMENTS

  1. P&O Britannia Full Cruise Ship Tour 2023

    This full tour of P&O Britannia filmed in June 2023 shows you all this cruise ship has to offer. The tour begins with the top decks and then moves down deck ...

  2. P&O Britannia FULL Cruise Ship Tour

    P&O Britannia FULL Cruise Ship Tour#pando #pandobritannia #britannia #britanniacruise #cruiseshiptour #highlights #cruisehighlights #cruiseship #cruise #brit...

  3. Look Inside The Royal Yacht Britannia

    The Royal Yacht Britannia is the last in a long line of royal vessels. Here we take a look back at the history of this magnificent yacht and discuss its past...

  4. Inside Royal Yacht Britannia, Queen Elizabeth's Royal Cruise Ship

    The Royal Yacht Britannia was the royal family's private yacht from 1953 to 1997. The luxurious cruise ship is now a public museum. ... Take a look inside. Talia Lakritz. 2023-01-29T19:16:38Z

  5. Inside the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen's 'Floating Palace'

    The Royal Yacht Britannia was the royal family's private yacht from 1953 to 1997. It's five stories tall, had more than 240 staff, and was known as the queen's "floating palace."

  6. Britannia Cruise: Expert Review (2023)

    The Queen last named a P&O Cruises' ship more than 20 years ago -- the 1,800-passenger Oriana -- then the largest ship in the fleet, which ushered in a new era of modern UK cruising. Fast forward ...

  7. Photo tour: Inside the Royal Yacht Britannia

    The clock in the Wardroom Anteroom — and every clock aboard Britannia — is permanently stopped at 3:01, the exact moment the Queen last disembarked the royal yacht on Dec. 11, 1997. David ...

  8. Britannia Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

    Britannia cruise ship itinerary, 2024-2025-2026 itineraries (homeports, dates, prices), cruise tracker (ship location now/current position tracking), review, news ... MS Britannia staterooms (a total of 1837 total, in 35 grades) include 64x Suites, 1298x Balconies, 448x Inside and 27x Studios (single-occupancy cabins). The ship has no Oceanview ...

  9. Take A Full Video Tour Of Britannia

    With P&O's newest ship Britannia now sailing the waves the www.CRUISE.co.uk team thought we'd round up our best videos of her to give you a full tour of the ship! Have you ever wondered what a balcony cabin would look like? Are you curious about the new spa, atrium or pools? Then take a tour with our video guides to the newest ship on the ...

  10. Britannia Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic

    All suites are 382 square feet with a 72-square-foot balcony. Single: Britannia offers 12 single inside cabins and 15 single balcony cabins. Inside single cabins measure 134 square feet and are ...

  11. Britannia Cruise Ship & Cruise Deals

    She's home to 1,837 cabins including 448 Inside, 1,206 Balcony, 92 Superior Deluxe Balcony, 64 Suite and 27 Single cabins. ... Britannia cruise ship, offering 5* hotel glamour at sea, offers a wealth of holidays but is particularly at home in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. You'll also find her on holidays to Spain, Portugal and the Canary ...

  12. Ultimate Guide to P&O Britannia

    The cruise ship was built by Fincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy) and is a Royal Class ship, making it a sister to: Royal, Regal, Sky, Enchanted, Majestic and Discovery Princess. ... A standard inside cabin on P&O Britannia is 170 square feet, which is ample space for two people. This cabin has a TV, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities that are ...

  13. P&O Britannia Cruise Ship Tour

    Watch a comprehensive VIDEO REVIEW of the P&O Britannia in 4K Ultra HD. A full ship tour including a tour of our balcony cabin. We also look at all areas of ...

  14. P&O Britannia Inside Cabin Review

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When I cruised on P&O Britannia, we stayed in inside cabin number A121. We are a family of four with, at the time, a child and a toddler, so our cabin had one Pullman bunk bed and a travel cot in addition to two single beds for the adults. In the video below, I talk through every aspect ...

  15. Britannia cabins and suites

    The number of all cabin categories is 35. Suites are 64 total (max capacity 3 guests per cabin). Inside staterooms are 460 (30% of all passenger accommodations). Single-occupancy cabins (called Studios/designed for solo travellers) are 27, and all are located on Lido Deck (deck 16). Single cabins are in two grades (QF-Balcony, SF-Interior).

  16. P&O Britannia Cabins (Tour & Review 2019)

    Accessible cabins. P&O have 37 accessible cabins which have wider doorways, bigger bathrooms and generally more space. My gran has cruised on Britannia and was really impressed with the size of her accessible cabin. These are available on a first come first serve basis so if you need one make sure you book early.

  17. P&O Britannia

    P&O Cruises Britannia is a Royal-class cruise Ship. How Much Did Britannia Cost to Build? Britannia cost approximately £473 million to build. ... There are 1,837 cabins on P&O Britannia including 448 Inside, 1,206 Balcony, 92 Superior Deluxe Balcony, 64 Suite and 27 Single cabins.

  18. P&O Cruises · Britannia · Ship Overview and Itineraries

    Browse Britannia cruise ship itinerary and find out more about the exciting ports this ship is sailing. Here you can search for the latest voyages with homeports and ports-of-call, including dates with the ship's arrival and departure times. Departure Month. 5 Night Western Europe. 21.

  19. Britannia Cruise Ship : Full Photo Tour

    MV Britannia is a cruise ship for P&O Cruises, entered service on 14 March 2015. Britannia features a 94 metres (308 ft) Union Flag on her bow, the largest o...

  20. Inside the Royal Yacht 'Britannia'

    The Royal Yacht in its current home in Edinburgh. The ship is open to the public as a museum. In a bizarre 21st-century twist, former British prime minister Boris Johnson announced plans to build a Britannia successor, a £250 million yet-to-be-named, taxpayer-funded superyacht to operate as a "floating embassy.".

  21. Sneak look inside the Britannia, the LARGEST ever cruise ship for the

    13 bars, artwork worth £1million... and cookery classes with Mary Berry: First look inside Britannia, the largest ever cruise ship built for British holidaymakers. The luxury liner can hold 3,647 ...

  22. BRITANNIA: From the Construction to the Cruise Ship, Fincantieri

    This video documents the history of P&O`s new cruise ship "Britannia" from the keel laying to the complete ship, which is currently being built at the Fincan...

  23. Britannia Large Inside Staterooms.

    P&O Cruises ( UK ) Paid extra for a large inside cabin for a change on a forthcoming Britannia Cruise. Tickets have been issued and our Cabin is located in the B403-B431 group. Taking a look at the Cabin online it looks about the same size as a standard inside cabin (ie just about enough room to swing a cat).