Review
of Britannia deck 17 (Sun-Kids-Teens-Adults Pool)
- The Retreat (adults-only, open-air relaxation VIP area with 2 Whirlpools). This is the Britannia ship’s “spa terrace” with several shaded private cabanas available for rent (a day pass is around GBP 25, while a cruise-long is around GBP 120 per person). The VIP cabanas-experience features alfresco dining and Spa massages and the exclusive service of dedicated staff serving chilled drinks, cold flannels, snacks.
- Serenity (adults only relaxation area) has a sunbathing area, 1 pool, its own bar; open 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.)
- Lifts access
- Sun Deck open air space with loungers, 2 Whirlpools, Deck games (Shuffleboard, Deck Chess). The teens-only sun deck and pool area is another unique for P and O Cruises ship feature. It is complete with plunge pool and is a first for the cruise line. The space is cordoned off from the regular sun deck area. Parents must remain onboard if their teens are aboard the ship.
- Children’s Facilities (all with portside location, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. on sea days; on port days the club opens at 10:00 a.m.) – Kids Play Area, The Reef Kids Programming Rooms (Surfers, Splashers, Scubas, H2O), Nursery (for kids under 2 yo). “The Reef” is children’s dedicated area (2-17 yo) with 4 age-specific kids clubs (Splashers/ 2-4yo, Surfers/ 5-8yo, Scubas/ 9-12yo and H2O/ teens up to 17yo) and a toddlers nursery/ Tumblers (6 months to 2 years). The night nursery is offered for kids aged between 6 months-4 years and is open between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. The complimentary service is on a first-come-first-served basis.
- The H2O room (13-17-year-olds, open between 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2 p.m.-5 p.m. and 6 p.m.-11 p.m.) looks more like a nightclub and teens can join in organized games, parties, talent shows, play video games, watch DVDs.
- Gymnasium (starboard location) is the ship’s Fitness Complex with top modern equipment gym area with panoramic floor-ceiling windows, a separate Aerobics Room for classes, Change Rooms. The gym offers a variety of fitness classes, some of which free (stretching, cycling), others with a charge, including Pilates and yoga (GBP 7.70) and TRX (GBP 14 per class, a first for P&O Cruises). A personal trainer is GBP47, while Boot Camp (including three 45-minute classes) is GBP74.
- “The Cookery Club” (starboard aft location, GBP 150 pp) is a specialty restaurant and cooking club by James Martin (from “Saturday Kitchen” show). This cooking school is new venue on a P&O cruise ship. MS Britannia guests are able to create their own culinary inventions under the celebrity chef’s guidance. James Martin is a British chef, BBC TV cooking show programmer, journalist and restaurateur. This new “specialty food” club provides 2-hour cooking classes (at surcharge PP, up to 24 people at a time) lead by James Martin himself or by specially-trained P&O Cruises chefs when he is not on the ship. At the end of the class, participants are able to enjoy what they have cooked.
- Terrace Pool area (aft location, with 1 square pool).
