Now that’s what I call a Review!

I’ve recently received a review from a lovely client of mine who has just returned from a cruise on board Britannia, P&O’s latest fleet addition.

Having had the opportunity to spend a night on board earlier this year,  see here for the blog I wrote at the time, http://www.cruise.co.uk/ginascruiseguide/?p=1237

I was very interested and curious to find out what it’s actually like to sail on her after all the razzamatazz and marketing hype surrounding her launch.

Here at cruisedot I like to call you prior to your departure with what’s called a Bon Voyage call.  Just to make sure that you’re all set to go, have all of the necessary documentation and if you have any last minute questions before you depart and to wish you the very best for a fabulous cruise.

I also like to call you on your return to Welcome you home and to see how the cruise went.  During these very important calls, I always ask if you would like to write a review.  The reason why is that your thoughts experiences and opinions are vital and invaluable to us and all the other potential passengers who visit our website and are considering a cruise on the ship you have just been on.

Our www.cruise.co.uk website is the UK’s most visited Cruise website, and is renowned for its content and information provided in fact we have over 30,000 hits daily.  We also have over 43,000 reviews posted by real cruisers.   So you can see why your review is such a vital part of who we are, and why our website is so popular.

When I received this review I was so impressed with the detail and the excellent balanced overview I wanted to share it with you, in the hopes that this will inspire you to drop us a few lines on your recent experience.  In return, I will gladly send you with my compliments a free Berlitz Cruise Guide for your time.

Have a read, see what you think:

Reviewed By: Roberts, Bromborough, wirral on 3rd Jun 2015

P&O Britannia to Norway 16th May 2015 My wife and I have had 11 cruises so far but this was our first on P&O. We had been told food was back up to the high quality it used to be in P&O and entertainment was second to none. Well we were certainly not disappointed in those two areas as both were of the highest quality, however there were plenty of other areas not so good. Firstly though the ship is very elegant and if you like the style of a luxurious hotel then you’ll like Britannia.
The atrium is very large and when full of passengers can be a little overwhelming but plenty of places to sit and enjoy. Here are my notes as we progressed through the cruise. Restaurant
We were a group of six with our bookings linked together so we could eat together. This was lost in translation somehow and we were split across different restaurants but after talking to a helpful restaurant manager, all six of us were placed on freedom dining.
Peninsula freedom dining was very good, table 205 by the window for six, perfect. We only had to wait once for around five minutes when it was busy, 8.15 pm a very good time.
Food very good, plenty of choice. Our first night was a little rushed though but we never prejudge on the first night anyway. Tables were very well spaced so we never felt hemmed in.
Restaurant waiters were as expected, efficient but little rapport. The Horizon Buffet restaurant is big but copes well. There are 3 washbasins at the entrance but unfortunately there was little or poor hygiene enforcement. Most passengers didn’t bother after day one. There was a hidden gel dispenser by the trays but again not many bothered. Food was excellent albeit busy. There is a Grab and Go for breakfast and lunch out on deck which looked very good although we didn’t try this.
Three course lunch available every day in Peninsula, very good food
Evening meal on formal night was excellent. Cabin
Shower very good, change area very small. Door had to be open to get dried.
Cabin door poor soundproofing. Beds comfortable. TV good
Vibration in cabin even on deck 14
Inside cabin was noisy, poor sound proofing. Could hear next door neighbour, crew very noisy outside cabin. Service area staff very noisy no matter what time. General
700 passengers less than max yet no cabins available for upgrade when asked even chargeable? P&O knew they were sailing under capacity, friends booked late, plenty balcony cabins available on their deck.
Lifts can’t cope, small and in constant use due to lack of central stairwell. Large queues around lift areas. Lifts had a mind of their own. Wheel chair users extremely upset. Poor access
Theatre stage intimate but theatre can’t cope with numbers. 975 seats for 4000+ passengers? Drinks holder dangerous, metal sticks out. Some rows in the middle were higher, so those behind could not see??
Smoking area outside too large, smoke drifting across
Very good atrium, coffee and shops. Costa coffee very good
Crew as described, no bedside manner, no rapport. We got used to them after a while.
Choice of bars very good, 13 in all
Crows Nest lounge very comfortable but far too small for large numbers on board
Plenty sun beds and bathing areas
Muster practice hopeless, too long, disjointed, no seating, poor design life jacket , clumsy.
Passengers left feeling worried. No roll call!
Gratuities removed no problem, had to fill request form and hand to Reception.
Theatre over subscribed yet again, not enough seats. Emergency exits, isle ways blocked. Serious safety issue. Headliner act moved to LiveLounge, Live lounge over subscribed duh! Lots drinks sold in Live lounge good earner!
Fiasco in theatre during shuttle bus tickets allocation. Near fighting.
No indoor pool, needed for colder climates
Electronic cigs smoked in non smoking areas around ship. Reported. Allowed to smoke these in cabins and balcony! Bad policy decision!
Shows excellent. Gravity, Underground, Once Upon A Time. Very very impressed
Cinema, seats higher at the front, only front row had clear view! Final Thoughts
Big ship, too many passengers, too many design faults. Lifts, theatre, bathrooms, lack of central stairwell and Crows Nest (Sky Lounge)
Would have been better in a warmer climate to spread the load. Resembles floating hotel.
Food and entertainment excellent.
Felt P&O had maximised cabin numbers and revenue earners at the expense of comfort.
Would we travel on Britannia again? No
Would we travel with P&O again? Yes definitely.

 

If you want to write a review please click here: http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-reviews/write/