Britannia Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Britannia’s maiden cruise to the Baltic didn’t get off to the best start, with the visit to Kristiansand being cancelled due to the weather conditions. She did, however, handle those rough and windy Baltic conditions with absolute ease. And on the plus side, the cancelled visit led to a bonus, absolutely beautiful, evening in Oslo. After a subsequent rainy morning in Oslo, the weather was ‘perfect’ from then on and the cruise itinerary more than lived up to expectations, with a mix of stunning scenery and fascinating locations.
Embarkation and Disembarkation were just about acceptable; with both definitely on the slow side.
Balcony cabin on Deck 12 was well equipped and presented. Yes, the balcony and bathroom are on the smaller side, but both are perfectly adequate and fully functionable. The cabin steward was excellent throughout the entire cruise. The cabin TV system could be described as good in parts. Where it does fall down is in not providing a visual representation of on-board announcements, not providing any account information, and not providing recorded video access to the port talks.
Cabin Review
Balcony cabin on Deck 12 was well equipped and presented. Yes, the balcony and bathroom are on the smaller side, but both are perfectly adequate and fully functionable. The cabin steward was excellent throughout the entire cruise. The cabin TV system could be described as good in parts. Where it does fall down is in not providing a visual representation of on-board announcements, not providing any account information, and not providing recorded video access to the port talks.
Port Reviews
Southampton
Embarkation quite slow. Disembarkation had poor organisation, in allowing new arrivals into areas they clearly shouldn't be, hence a little chaos in trying to get out of the terminal.
Oslo
Nice to berth right in the heart of the city, and to stroll off the ship and be in the thick of the action. Quite a compact city and very clean ! The vast majority of places of interest can be reached on foot.
The scenery in the transit through the Oslofjord is quite stunning.
The added bonus was an unexpected night in Oslo, where our cabin looked out on the beautiful and bustling bay area around the city, and it was around midnight when daylight finally disappeared.
Copenhagen
A short shuttle bus trip to the city centre.
A smart city with interesting architecture and public buildings. Other highlights are the Nyhavn area and, of course, the little mermaid.
Stockholm
A spectacular day from start to finish. The 3 hour transit through the archipelago was quite stunning. Then Britannia arrived in Stockholm to be greeted as the largest ever cruise ship to berth in the city berths.
The city itself is best described as classy, on all levels – people and places. From the city berths, the city centre is easily reached on foot.
And the day ends with another spectacular transit through the archipelago back to the Baltic
Tallinn
The old town is easily reached by shuttle bus, or a reasonable walk.
Beautiful walled medieval city, on two levels. Great views from the high points of the old town, and looks like a fairy-tale city from afar.
Helsinki
City centre is easily reached by shuttle bus, or a reasonable walk.
Very clean, with a nice centre and harbour area. Highlight is the church carved in solid rock.
Brussels
Zeebrugge
A number of places of interest are within easy reach of Zeebrugge.
A trip to Bruges is undoubtedly a highlight - a fascinating medieval city, with opportunities to indulge in beer and chocolate too !