We don’t talk about holiday no no no- Britannia cruise pre trip

[vampiress88]

Oh my gosh. Seems like forever since I’ve actually had a holiday I could post a trip report on. Especially after so many have been cancelled over the last three years. But I’m taking the plunge. Have booked even though there are a few risks like pcr tests and possibly getting turned away at the port, also things I don’t like as masks still in some places like the theatre but I can deal with all that if I can just get to go on holiday.
In case you’re wondering about the title, we’ve watched encanto and when we started to mention the cruise Georgia decided that we’re not allowed to talk about holiday. She wants to get Easter done first and I think she’s worried the holiday won’t happen. So she decided to make a little song about it, mostly using the same words but now one of us sings it every time holiday is mentioned 😂

Anyhow here goes

Crew 

Me: I’m 33. Still get seas sick but I love cruises so don’t care. I’m the planner of the house.

Hubby: He is also 33! Time really flies. 


Scarlett: She is now 7 going on 17

Georgia: She is 6 and still as crazy as ever

These are my beautiful girls 


The Plan


Going with P & O on the Britannia for 11 nights. 



Cost us £1236 for 11 nights for inside cabin (kids will be on bunk beds) and includes the food (and drinks such as tea coffee and juice while in the restaurants).


Think this was an awesome deal. Think it is our best deal yet! £112 per night.

The itinerary

Day 1- travel day
Travel down to Southampton. Looking to be there for boarding at 1.45. Hopefully on the ship before 3. It’s going to be a long day. We are setting off quite early as it’s bank holiday and I’m worried about traffic. Hubby also is on nights on the Sunday which means he will get home from work, shower and change then we will set off. It’s about 4 hours drive from home and we are going to make a few stops. As hubby will be shattered then it could possibly be an early night, a nap before dinner or even me with the girls on my own. We will just have to see.

Day 2- At sea.
First full day at sea. No clue what we are going to do apart from eat lots. If the kids club is open they will want to go there and it’s also the first black tie night so out comes the dress for me and suit for hubby. The girls have dresses for nearly every night as they rarely get chance to dress up so we are making the most of the opportunity.

Day 3- At sea
Second full day at sea. No clue what we are going to do apart from eat lots more, going to have to roll us off. If the kids club is open they will want to go there again for some part of the day. I think sea days might be much the same till we get on board.

Day 4- Lisbon

We don’t have much of a plan for Lisbon. We have been told there is a lovely little tram ride and to try the custard tarts.
We do have a “once upon a time” theatre performance booked for 8.30pm. The kids love fairy tale.

Day 5- At sea
Will be glad of a lie in today if we can as the kids will have been up late. Another black tie night so another dress for me. Hope I can still walk in heels.

Day 6- Malaga

We haven’t planned much at ports as it was a last minute booking and Gibraltar was really the only port we wanted. Apart from a wander round town there is the malagueta beach if it’s warm enough and maybe a little solar train.

Day 7- Cartagena

For this port we are going to get on the little trolley train around the city. Visit the Roman theatre.

Day 8- Gibraltar

This is the port we are most excited by. We are going to go up on the cable cars even though I am terrified of them now, seems since I had the girls I have become a lot more frightened of things, over worrying I suppose.
We are going to see the monkeys.

Day 9- Cadiz

Cadiz, again we are just going to have a wander. Park Genoves for the dinosaurs sounds interesting.

Day 10- At sea

Back to the lazy days on the boat of filling out tummy’s and going to the kids club. Last black tie night tonight.

Day 11- At sea

Last day on the ship so will make most of the relaxing I can do before we are back to reality.
Day 12- Home
Arrive early morning. A 4 hour drive plus stops back home and the hubby is back on nights. I will work tomorrow and the kids will have the weekend off to recover before school.


This is a very basic itinerary. As I won’t know until we are onboard what offers are on at the restaurants, what shows will be performing and when then most days we might just be going with the flow.
But most places on these islands shut for siesta at 1pm so back to boat on the majority of days I assume.


I haven’t budgeted, which is unusual for me, we have enough to get whatever we want really but I still prefer not to go mad on drinks if it can be helped. Im not going to buy the drinks package, however it will at least show us if we need one in future.

Will always do a running total of costs. Love knowing how much I’ve paid per day. Unfortunately I am one of those who loves lists and spreadsheets. Drives hubby mad.

We are just going to try and relax, sight see, and eat local food.
But the best of all is going to be eating lots of food without me having to cook!
Oh and actually having some date nights too. If the kids club is open.

Costs so far
£1236- cruise
£129- parking
£40- insurance

Total £1405

[john w]

I would be interested to know how your cruise goes. We are on the Britannia in October. I think I made a mistake joining the facebook group. We have only done Disney cruises. And P&O sounds to be more formal. Hopefully only the FB group but looks quite snobby. I do know FB can give you the wrong impression and we will make the most of it.

[vampiress88]

Originally Posted by john w

I would be interested to know how your cruise goes. We are on the Britannia in October. I think I made a mistake joining the facebook group. We have only done Disney cruises. And P&O sounds to be more formal. Hopefully only the FB group but looks quite snobby. I do know FB can give you the wrong impression and we will make the most of it.

See more...

We’ve been on p&o twice before. Did do a trip report last time in 2019. Haven’t been on a Disney one as they are always too expensive for us. I manage to get quite good deals with p&o so I imagine the quality is not the same but I like going on the cruises. Have been on azura but not Britannia and we have iona in November too so will be nice to see how different they all are.

Fb does sometimes seem negative but holidays are usually what you make them. I haven’t found them snobby yet, definitely has more of the older generation than mine and they do like to dress up. Only had a few rude encounters but you get them everywhere.

[florida addict]

We are booked for Britannia in July
Just paid balance this week.
Have done Azura before and really enjoyed P&0
Loads of options for dining and entertainment

[margyloveswdw]

Sounds like a fab trip and what a great deal!

We're on Iona in January (moved from January this year) and am looking forward to it but the Facebook negativity is there and is a lot - I take it with a pinch of salt as there are lots of positives too.

[JAF]

We did this cruise on Britannia pre-pandemic days and had an absolutely fabulous trip. Don’t forget in Lisbon you must try the Portuguese custard tarts they are delicious. The ship has lots to do for all ages and the ports were lovely.

[vampiress88]

Originally Posted by margyloveswdw

Sounds like a fab trip and what a great deal!

We're on Iona in January (moved from January this year) and am looking forward to it but the Facebook negativity is there and is a lot - I take it with a pinch of salt as there are lots of positives too.

See more...

We have iona in November ‘22 and April ‘23. FB is not like dibb that’s for sure

[vampiress88]

Can’t seem to get into planning mode. I have 10 days left before we go. I’ve got the dresses etc for the girls but I can’t quite seem to get much further on the packing or making sure everything is done. I think that maybe the worry over the covid tests and the will we won’t we is bothering me. Usually I’m packed a month before.

[vampiress88]

Well with 5 days left to go I’ve just drove to Sheffield to drop off the kids pcr tests at a pod as I don’t want to risk the post with it being bank holidays so I should get those results tomorrow evening.
I’ve gotten some money changed into euros and I’m just waiting for a few dresses to be delivered today.
Won’t be actually packing till Sunday morning.

[vampiress88]

Yay! Kids past the pcr tests. Just the other ones to do on Monday at Southampton left then I can start relaxing