First cruise - Brittania? Questions...

[OooYoureHard]

Have my heart set on a trip to Norway next May. This is the ship I have in mind...

1. I'll be deliberately going during term time because I don't want my expensive trip ruined by screaming kids. Is this possible?

1. Does it matter what deck I choose? My main requirement is peace and quiet. I'll get a balcony room...

1. I'll probably budget £500 for one week is this likely to be enough? Just for food, drinks and maybe a couple of random purchases when off board if I see a pair of sandals I fancy.

1. How do I buy a drinks package?

1. I'm hugely introverted and don't want to eat with other people (solo traveller) is that okay on this ship? I will most probably avoid any super posh restaurants that require cocktail dresses etc, just prefer normal places iyswim!

Thanks

I have been on Britannia twice - it's a lovely ship, though you may prefer one of the smaller ones like Azura or Aurora. I have only been during school hols but to be honest kids are usually in the kids clubs and have never seemed an issue at all noise wise. Balcony is great - we always get A or B deck, and try for mid ship where there is the least movement..

My tip would be to.maje sure u have a cardigan for onboard as air conditioning will be chilly. Norway is spectacular. I think I purchased a drinks package on board. You may be able to do it before hand. Have a wonderful time

We're probably talking £2,000 by the time I've added on a balcony, drinks package and WiFi. Is that normal?! Looking at P&O direct unless I should be booking it another way?

We did the p and o cruise to Norway a few years ago and loved it. We found it cheaper to book with iglu cruises.

When choosing your cabin, look at a deck plan of the ship to see what’s above and below and try to avoid anywhere with high traffic areas above you or near to the theatre/bars. The quietest areas will be surrounded by other cabins. Also try to be not next to but reasonably close to a lift as those corridors can be long walks!

You can buy a drinks package beforehand and it’s usually cheaper to buy before you get on board. Have a look at the pricing though as we usually find the drinks package isn’t worth it for us on P&O.

we always go during term time and the kids on board tend to be pre school and in kids club most of the day.

You can definitely eat on your own in any of the restaurants or the buffet. Just ask for a table for 1 when you go each evening. This is what put me off cruises for years but there’s no pressure to sit on big tables and make conversation at all. Also the main dining rooms are really nice and not stuffy like you’d imagine so worth giving them a go.

Any other cruise questions, ask away! We have done 3 in Norway, it’s absolutely beautiful.

I have been on cruises, I was amazed at just how well behaved all the children seemed. They have children’s clubs and those staff were excellent.

They will have one formal night on a week long on the Britannia, I have been on it but the 24 hour buffet is open all the time so you could just go along to that. If you want a quiet breakfast go early and to the served breakfast. I went with my DH and DS and I had two breakfasts alone just because I wanted to and they were all still asleep, very pleasant.

They had regular Wi-Fi of sorts but we did have the boosted package. We didn’t bother with the drinks package. Drinks package was about 45 per day, we did not bother. Tea, coffee and water were available in the buffet place all the time. You are allowed to bring some of your own alcohol on board but you would need to check up on that as our last cruise was 2018. Our drinks bill for two weeks for three was £700, We are not heavy drinkers.

If it’s your first cruise, I would book direct with P&O. You will get asked if you want to book select or saver. Select you get to choose your cabin and preferred evening dining time. We’ve been to the Fjords twice, first on Aurora and second on Azura and both times in June so not many children on board. We’ve also cruised in summer holidays when my sons were teenagers, never had a problem, in fact ship was quieter as children were in the kids club. Drinks packages have all gone up recently and there are different ones depending on what you like to drink. My advice is to read up as much as possible from the website or join P&O Britannia facebook page where you will get lots of advice.

@OooYoureHard solo traveller just back from a week on Britannia to the Fjords.

• Cabin:
• expect to pay c£1500+ for a balcony cabin.
• look at the deck plan and pick a deck with cabins above and below, either side and across the hallway.
• I stayed on F Deck mid forward, this meant I was halfway between the fwd and mid stairs - great for getting to the main dining room but also getting back to your cabin after the shows.
• Timing
• I made the mistake this time of going during half term, yes there were a lot of children but only noticeable around the pool or on sea days.
• term time is much better.
• Budget:
• Once you have paid for the cruise you can keep costs down.
• On board - I spent less than £180 for the week this included all drinks and several pay extra restaurant options. I had onboard credit of £125 so cost to me was £50.
• Excursions - these add extra ££. Research each location e.g. Stavanger has a hop on hop off bus or you can walk. The one that is worth paying for is the Flaam railway.
• Drinks package:
• These are very rarely worth the cost. You get water with meals plus tea or coffee, you can make tea or coffee in your cabin. Really cost it out to make sure you are getting good value.
• Dining:
• The main dining rooms will allocate a single table but you either need to be early or be prepared to wait at dinner.
• Breakfast and lunch are usually fine. Use the main dining room not the buffet.
• Speciality/pay restaurants - you book a table for 1. There is a charge, but the food quality is slightly better.
• There were 2 formal nights, a nice dress is fine. Alternatively book a speciality restaurant and go smart casual. I take evening trousers and a couple of tops.
• Solo travelling:
• I travel solo by choice and have done so for decades. Cruise ships are the safest way to travel.
• There are often a lot of single women on board, widows who used to travel with families than DH etc.
• There are solo meet ups each day, I’ve never been to one.
• Take a kindle or books for sea days etc.
• Go to the shows, cinema etc. it’s fine booking for 1.
• Enjoy your balcony cabin, I choose to spend time in my cabin watching the sea/ scenery and reading my kindle.
• Don’t feel you have to go ashore at every port, if the weather is good enjoy an empty pool.