21 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Ultimate guide to P&O Cruises' Britannia often seen in Southampton
Britannia, which run by P&O Cruises, was initially launched in 2015 and has become a common sight in the city's port.
It has sailings that reach out across the world, including to the USA, Canada, Australia, the Caribbean, the Norwegian fjords and much more.
Here's all you need to know about the history of the ship, its facts and figures, its cruise destinations and much more.
Britannia journeys out to destinations around Europe quite frequiently (Image: P&O Cruises)
The history of P&O Britannia
Britannia was ordered back in 2011 and was built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy.
P&O added: "Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 she offers a luxurious, distinctly British way to explore the world and a diverse array of dining and entertainment options for all ages."
Britannia's maiden voyage took place in March of that year, visiting spots in France, Italy and Spain.
Ahead of her 10th anniversary, the ship underwent her first major refit, which "introduced warm, contemporary colour palettes, upgraded furnishings, and expanded guest areas".
Overall, Britannia is "renowned for her elegant design, exceptional onboard experiences and wide-ranging itineraries".
Britannia has been in service for 10 years (Image: P&O Cruises)
Facts and figures of P&O Britannia
According to P&O's website, Britannia is 330 metres in length, with a passenger capacity of 3,647 alongside 1,350 crew.
Additionally, she weighs 143,000 tonnes, has 17 decks, 1,837 (75% with balconies) and has a top speed of 22 knots (25 mph).
The ship shares its homeport between Southampton and Bridgetown in Barbados.
Where do P&O Britannia cruises travel to?
Britannia frequently travels to destinations around Europe, including the likes of:
Spain
Portugal
The Canary Islands
France
Italy
Norway
The Netherlands
Germany
Belgium
Some less frequent longer destinations include:
Caribbean islands
USA
Canada
Australia
What rooms does the P&O Britannia offer?
As mentioned previously, Britannia offers 1,837 cabins with there being a choice of options for visitors.
An example of a balcony cabin on Britannia (Image: P&O Cruises)
This includes the smaller Inside cabins, which don't have windows, and balcony cabins, which allow guests to get a bit of sea breeze.
There are also superior deluxe cabins, which are slightly larger and offer the space of an extra seating area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
Finally, there are the suites which have more space, a larger bathroom and butler service.
What features does the P&O Britannia have?
Britannia has a number of features onboard, including 27 different bars and restaurants, four swimming pools and eight different venues.
Some of the options for food include Sindhu, which "celebrates the best of contemporary Indian cuisines", according to P&O's website.
Meanwhile, The Glass House offers tapas dishes, The Beach House explores Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, and Epicurean has "modern British dining in a sophisticated setting".
Britannia has a number of swimming pools for guests to enjoy (Image: P&O Cruises)
Elsewhere, adult guests can experience The Limelight Club, which "combines exquisite cuisine with incredible live entertainment".
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More relaxed choices include the poolside Pizzeria and Grill as well as Horizon Buffet.
Alongside The Limelight Club, entertainment options range from The Live Lounge, which features cabaret, comedy and dancing, alongside Brodie's which hosts quizzes and shows live sport.
Guests can also relax with the Oasis Spa and Salon, the adult-only "outdoor sanctuary" with The Retreat, and a gym/fitness studio.
