P&O Britannia Inaugaral Celebrations

Imagine the surprise and delight when, back in November at our annual conference in Manchester, a room full of Travel Counsellors were told that we had all been invited to spend a night on the brand new ship by P&O, Britannia. My excitement grew when, a month before the event, I received my personal invitation in the post and with all the press coverage leading up to her launch, I really could not wait to board this incredible new ship. The day arrived and myself and my TC friends, Nat & Laura, set off on our road trip - next stop, Southampton! Here we were greeted with our first glimpse of beautiful Britannia, fresh from her official naming ceremony by HRH The Queen. We checked in and were given our cabin numbers and Sea Passes and then we finally set foot on board! What can I say? Britannia is truly stunning and a picture of pure elegance. For every new part of the ship you discover there lies a WOW factor, from the spectacular Atrium and the heavenly Retreat to the Oasis Spa and a multitude of vibrant restaurants. My favourite parts of the ship, however, have to be the kids club, I honestly have never seen such wonderful children's facilities on any ship or hotel, I wanted to stay and play myself! With different areas there is something for all ages from Tots to Teens. Whatever age your children, there are daily activities to keep them occupied throughout the whole cruise; and I also loved The Cookery Club, a unique innovation that allows you the opportunity to create your own delicious dishes with the guidance of some of the industry's best chefs - I even got a sneaky peak of the fabulous James Martin! After our tour of discovery and an official welcome from the P&O directors in the Headliner Theatre, we made our way to our luxurious balcony cabin to get ready for an evening of food, wine and entertainment. Our twin cabin was light, airy and spacious with a very modern feel and something every girl wants, plenty of floor length mirrors! All glammed up, we gathered in The Atrium for pre-dinner drinks, before heading off to the Oriental restaurant to enjoy a top-class, 7 course meal with the option to sample the wonderful Marco Pierre-White menu. The lobster was to die for! There was evening entertainment to suit everyone, from a sophisticated, leisurely drink in the Crow's Nest to a lively stage show in the theatre or for the party animals amongst us, there was the very popular 80's disco in The Live Lounge. The following morning we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at Horizon buffet restaurant, with a wide variety of options to choose from including freshly cooked pancakes & omelettes from the egg station, full English, continental or a selection of fruits, cereals & yoghurts for those wanting something lighter. Sadly, our stay had to end, but armed with a wealth of knowledge and some unforgettable memories of this wonderful ship, we disembarked into the bright sunshine with a smile on our faces! I am very proud to have been part of this prestigious event, so thank you to P&O and Travel Counsellors for allowing me the opportunity. I really would recommend a cruise on Britannia to everyone. Please do get in touch if you want to know more about the amazing facilities on board of the breath-taking itineraries, I would LOVE to tell you all about it! Speak soon.