Facilities

There's never a dull moment on board Britannia

Stepping aboard you'll find this ship a destination in its own right, with plenty of daily activities to keep you busy, bars, pools, sports and shops.

You can relax by the pool, catch a film or enjoy a cookery demo. At sea away from the rigours of routine the world unfolds at a leisurely pace and you have time to do as little or as much as you please.

Sea day activities

During days at sea, there is wide range of activities available on board such as guest speakers, quizzes, dance lessons, fitness classes, sports tournaments, galley walk-throughs, cinema screenings, spa seminars and craft classes. Of course, you may just prefer to relax on deck with a cocktail and a book; you can do as little or as much as you choose.

With a range of activities taking place throughout the day, you’ll struggle to fit everything in. Take a look below for some examples of activities you could enjoy on board...

Dance classes - Take place on all cruises with 7 or more days at sea which are hosted by coupled dance instructors. A variety of complimentary dance lessons are available with the main type of dance offered being ballroom and Latin. It may be possible to arrange 1 to 1 tuition; any charges generated from this would be at the instructor's discretion. Everyone is welcome regardless of experience.

Bridge - classes hosted by an instructor will take place on all cruises with 7 or more days at sea (they do not need to be consecutive days at sea). Britannia will offer Bridge without an instructor which can be played in the Marlow suite.

Guest speakers - will be on board cruises of 7 nights or more (if over 20 night duration - 2 speakers share the cruise)

Deck quoits - however this is weather dependent.

Shuffleboard - however this is weather dependent.

The Cookery Club

Have you always wanted to hone your skills in the kitchen, but never found the time? Well what better time than on holiday? Led by Britain’s favourite TV chef, James Martin, The Cookery Club is a brand new innovation for P&O Cruises.

Your Cookery Club team – hand selected and trained by James himself – will guide you through a wide range of inspiring classes, taking inspiration from James’s favourite dishes and the destinations Britannia will visit. Whether you’re an enthusiastic cook, a budding novice or a complete beginner, The Cookery Club team will give you hands-on tuition to help you develop essential cooking techniques and those all-important presentation skills. There are also family classes however unless you book a family class, all participants must be aged 18 or over (keen cooks aged 16 and 17 years may attend any class when accompanied by an adult). There will be two cooks to each station, so you will cook along with your partner. If you are booking a session just for you, we will pair you up with another cook on the day. Rest assured there will be plenty of work for two.

Take a look below to see some examples of the inspiring classes available:

Best of British - It's a great time to be British, and what better way to celebrate than to learn how to make some much-loved classics that many of us enjoy, but few of us have mastered. In this session run by The Cookery Club team, you will learn how to roll the perfect Scotch egg, share the secrets of a great Cornish pasty and discover just how delectable Welsh rarebit can be, in an intimate class of 24.

The ultimate class for chocolate lovers - Calling all chocoholics - this is the class for you! Led by The Cookery Club team, you will be transported to chocolate heaven, starting with a tasting session that will teach you the essential skills you need to select and work with chocolate. Next, master the art of making truffles using ganache filling and a liqueur of your choice - perfect for giving as gifts. To finish, we will share what we believe is the world's best chocolate brownie recipe.

Family class - Holidays are all about sharing quality time with our loved ones. This class is designed for you and the children to enjoy some time together, and get hands on in the kitchen as you learn some ideal family dishes. The Cookery Club team will lead this interactive class, helping you and the children to make everything from scratch and have plenty of fun along the way! This is a great opportunity to ignite a passion for food in your little ones, and create some lovely holiday memories to boot. Each adult can bring along one or two children, aged between the ages of 8 and 17 - and the children cook for free.

Art collection

Britannia boasts Britain’s largest floating art collection, containing more than 6,000 artworks.

The multi-million pound art collection represents a new approach by P&O Cruises with works having been chosen to complement and enhance Britannia’s interior designs to give the feel of a luxury hotel. Pieces ranging from paintings and bronze sculptures to ceramics and paper wall reliefs have been created by a wide variety of artists – most of them British – with some from as far afield as Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Spirit of modern Britain

We’ve commissioned renowned British artist Johnny Bull to produce two artworks for Britannia following a national campaign to discover what or who the British public believes embodies the spirit of modern Britain.

Each piece of artwork is an image of the ship surrounded by British icons such as The Shard, Glastonbury and The Angel of the North to illustrate the spirit of modern Britain. The two pieces are linked by a queue, also featuring a number of famous Brits such as Dr Who, HM The Queen and Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Shopping

What will catch your eye? A designer scent, a new handbag or dress, or perhaps some new jewellery for formal night? With Britannia’s shops located in the atrium you can decide over a coffee or lunch.

Open plan and inspired by the finest London department stores items on sale include souvenirs, designer handbags, perfumes and jewellery, clothing, evening wear and holiday essentials.

Relax by the pool

Enjoy a leisurely dip in the pool or simply relax on deck and soak up the sun on one of our sun loungers...

Riviera pool - Outdoor pool, located on Lido Deck. Has two ladders with 7 steps

Lido pool - Outdoor pool located on Lido Deck. Has 10 downwards steps and a ladder with steps

Serenity pool - Outdoor pool 1.2 to 1.8 meters deep. Located on Sun Deck - exclusively for adults

Terrace pool - Outdoor pool, 1.1 meters deep. Located on Sun Deck aft. You have 7 steps to climb to reach pool then has ladder with 5 steps to get in

Hydrotherapy pool - Located on Deck 5. You have 3 steps to get up to the pool and then 9 steps to get into the pool. (Charges apply as this is an indoor pool part of the spa)

Sun loungers - there are a number of sun loungers on deck if you want to sit back and relax by the pool

Sports arena

Arena is an outdoor sports space, ideal for all of the family. The full-sized sports court offers a range of equipment for playing Britain’s best-loved sports, including short tennis, cricket and football.

Play with family and friends, or take part in friendly tournaments, arranged by our entertainment crew. The tiered viewing decks are great for cheering on family and friends, and also ideal for parents who want to keep an eye on the children while topping up their tan. There are also screens either side of the bar for playing the latest motion-sensing video games.

Oasis spa

Putting the aah in spa. Think of the most opulent and luxurious spas you’ve ever seen – the ones with sumptuous dark wood and the aroma of scented oils – and you’re imagining Britannia’s Oasis Spa. Bliss!

Some of the Oasis Spa features...

Hydrotherapy suite - Embark on your own personal rejuvenation journey as you explore heated loungers, therapeutic saunas, steam grottos and tropical showers. And as if more were needed, Britannia also features waterbeds, a Saline Caldarium and a hydrotherapy pool with reflexology, massaging jets and air recliners.

Oasis Villa - This serene space within the heart of the spa is an exclusive use area where you can hide away for a few indulgent hours. Unwind in gorgeously cushioned chairs and take a dip in your private whirlpool spa – order Champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries for a truly tantalising treat – and then request your personal therapist for a treatment of your choice. A sublime celebration for couples, a fun-filled few hours with family, or a fabulous pamper party for friends.

Blow-Out, Lash and Brow Bar - Designed as an informal social space, groups can come along together to have their brows defined, add some fabulously fluttering extensions to their lashes and end with a sleek blow dry. We’re certain this will prove to be a popular package on Black Tie night!

Foot therapy - To ensure you’re looking your best from top to toe, there’s also Foot Therapy which will offer express treatments such as foot baths, exfoliation and moisturising.

Salon - Staffed by qualified stylists and makeup specialists on hand to keep you looking glamorous and healthy, or even to give you a complete makeover if you fancy a change, including hair styling, colours, manicures, makeup makeovers and men’s grooming.

The Retreat

Spa treatments with a sea breeze. The Retreat, Britannia's alfresco spa terrace has it all. By day, sit back and relax on one of the inviting shaded cabanas or indulge in a treatment. By night, enjoy its soft, twinkling lights and a glass of bubbly beneath the stars.

A luxurious VIP open-air deck area, where stewards serve cold flannels, chilled drinks and snacks, and alfresco spa treatments are offered in the privacy of shaded cabanas. Numbers are limited, so the atmosphere is serene and sophisticated with luxurious surroundings including day beds, cabanas (to enjoy a range of spa treatments) and complimentary smoothies or fruit platters on offer. With panoramic ocean views, The Retreat is the height of grown-up sophistication and indulgence.

A pass for the retreat includes:

• Access to The Retreat, a spa terrace exclusively for adults
• Designated lounger
• Unlimited access to the whirlpool spas
• Luxury towels
• Luxury bathrobe and slippers
• Fresh fruit
• An array of delicious, healthy food throughout the day
• VIP service from our Retreat stewards

Serenity

Soak up the serenity... While the kids are blissfully occupied at The Reef, we’ve the adult equivalent - some quiet time at the Serenity Pool & Bar. Take a dip, order your favourite drink and relax!

A quiet zone, the Serenity Pool and Bar offers a stylish pool and sunbathing area in which to relax during a day at sea. It has a distinct ‘South Beach’ feel with covered cabanas for shade and luxurious sun loungers around the pool.

Gym and Fitness

From spinning to winning. It’s easy to keep active on Britannia. Work out in her gym, take a spinning class and run or jog on deck 18.

We offer a range of fitness classes such as indoor cycling, pilates, yoga, body sculpt boot camp and push 'n' lift which are assisted by a fitness instructor. Britannia has 2 new fitness classes called TRX and results based training.

The gym...

The gym is typically open from 8am - 8pm every day and use of the on-board gym equipment is complimentary: Equipment on board includes:

• Bikes
• Treadmills
• Cross-trainers
• Steppers
• Rowing machines
• Free weights
• Stretching pad
• Wellness ball
• Shoulder press
• Exercise bikes

Kids' clubs

Rock up to The Reef! With age-specific clubs, a night nursery, a boatload of activities and enthusiastic Reef Rangers on hand, The Reef is the place to be for under 18s. Our exciting free on-board programme for 2–17 year olds is called The Reef. Split into four age groups, there are a whole host of exciting activities organised daily by our enthusiastic and well qualified Reef Rangers, to keep children of all ages entertained safely throughout the day and evening, and to ensure that they have the chance to make friends of their own age. We really have thought of everything, so why not let us take the stress out of family holidays.

Age groups are:

Splashers 2-4 year olds - Qualified youth staff provide a full programme of age-specific activities.

Surfers 5-8 year olds - Qualified Reef Rangers provide activities, adventure, games and sport coaching sessions.

Scubas 9-12 year olds - Children this age can either join in the organised games with the specialist Reef Rangers or simply hang out with friends in the chill out areas.

H20 13-17 year olds - Children have their own room to chill out, watch movies, play games or participate in coaching sessions, talent shows and parties.

Family pools

Get ready for some family fun on deck... 

Aqua pool - Outdoor pool. 1.6 metres to 2.2 metres deep. 11 metres long x 4.6 metres wide. Located on Lido Deck. Has 2 ladders, 1 with 7 steps and 1 with 5 steps.

Coral pool - Outdoor pool. 1.6 metres to 2.2 metres deep. 10.5 metres long x 4.6 metres wide. Located on Lido Deck. Has 1 ladder with 7 steps.

Children's splash pool - 0.38 metres deep. Located on Aqua Deck. Has 1 ladder with 3 steps up and 3 steps down into the pool.

Paddling pool - 0.25 metres deep. Located on Aqua Deck. Has 2 ladders with 4 steps up and 4 steps down on each.

Sun loungers - there are a number of sun loungers on deck if you want to sit back and relax while the kids enjoy the pool.

Stay Connected

More flexible. More focused. Always-on satellite internet It’s great being able to stay in touch with loved ones back home while you’re away with us. This is why our satellite internet service is easy to access and tailored to how you like to use the internet. Our satellite internet puts you in complete control of the services you use, with a connection that’s available 24/7*. There are three packages to choose from, alongside Pay As You Go:

The Connect Package

£6.75 per 24 hours with a full Cruise Plan. £7.75 for a single 24 hour period. Stay in touch with family and friends. Includes internet messaging and social media.

The Browse Package

£10 per 24 hours with a full Cruise Plan. £12.50 for a single 24 hour period. Browse the internet as you would usually, (with the exception of video streaming) plus email and social networks. Includes web browsing, email, internet messaging and social media.

The Works

£20 per 24 hours with a full Cruise Plan. £24.95 for a single 24 hour period. Stream YouTube, Spotify and Apply Music, video call, browse, email and share via social networks. Includes YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music streaming services, web browsing, internet messaging, email and social media.

Pay As You Go

65p per minute. A flexible alternative to a 24 hour package. (To help keep an eye on costs, we’ll automatically log you out after 30 minutes).

*Satellite reception permitting. Due to limitations with satellite bandwidth, video streaming may be blocked. Other sites may also be blocked for excessive bandwidth consumption or the types of content offered.