We have just returned from two weeks on Britannia and having read some of the reviews on this page, we were very apprehensive. However although there is some basis for the criticism shown We did not agree with most of it. The main drawbacks are that there is no promenade deck, the interior of the ship is unable to cope with the number of passengers on board on a sea day and that there is quite literally nowhere to sit at all without buying something to drink. One of Carnivals new features perhaps?. Having said that Britannia is a very beautiful ship internally, the cabins are well thought out and all the public rooms are very tastefully designed. ALL the usual P&O expectations were in evidence, excellent food,

superb service and good ports of call. We did not once have to wait for a lift, but one day we waited 50 minutes for a coffee at the Costa coffee shop, not acceptable but par for the course on a sea day. P&O may well pay the price for ignoring the wishes of their typical passengers who do NOT want gigantic ships filled to overflowing with FAR too many people.

Our cruise was enjoyable( just) but is an experience we will certainly not repeat, give us the small and mid size ships every time, and if Carnival in their American wisdom decide that we can no longer enjoy them it will be time to look at the increasing number of cruise lines that operate smaller ships.