My Britannia experience
There was no way that I was going to miss my departure, so I flew down the night before and stayed at the Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn were kind enough to allocate me a room facing the Ocean Terminal where Britannia was waiting! I’ve stayed at the hotel before when I was just going to visit a ship, and even then I was so excited about the ships arriving that I set my alarm for silly o’clock just to watch them arrive! The hotel is simple and just what you'd expect but the location is perfect.
The hotel is 5mins walk from a lovely new shopping centre with a big M&S and John Lewis, so perfect to pick up those last minute items. There are also plenty of places to eat there too.
For our dinner we walked to Enninos, which is an Italian restaurant on the front with a good wine selection and great plates of pasta. I always benchmark the carbonara in a new Italian restaurant, and wasn’t disappointed - with crispy ham and eggy sauce clinging to the pasta. I’ve already made a reservation for the night before my cruise in August, there is nothing like planning ahead and this place does get booked up.
A new bar has opened between Enino and The Holiday Inn - it used to be a museum, so I felt that it was the perfect place for a nightcap and a bit of culture. The Wool House has great vaulted ceilings, and a lovely atmosphere.
We chatted to another couple over dinner, and asked for a breakfast suggestion as we’d booked room only at the hotel. In the morning, after checking that Britannia was still there, we walked across town to the White Star…… Eggs benedict and great coffee. The area is lovely, lots of cafes to choose from and has the feel of a smart London borough.
As we wandered back to the hotel, we explored some of the wonderful old parts of Southampton. It was a gorgeous sunny morning and we really got a feel for the history of this old city. So many people just see the port or terminal but it is worth a walk around.
Enough messing around, we needed to go to the terminal to get on our ship! If you arrive at the terminal by car or coach, then you will be met by porters which will whisk your luggage away and it will reappear later outside your cabin. You can walk into the terminal free of excess baggage, where you will be issued with a coloured car, about the size of a postcard. It has a letter on it, and you can go to check in when your letter is called. After check in you go through security scanners, take off your belt, high heels, coats etc. At this point you are released onto the ship….. yippeeee!
Our cabin wasn’t quite ready but the Horizon buffet restaurant was serving, so we set about exploring the ship after a quick bite to eat. When we got to our cabin, we checked out where our life jackets were (in the wardrobe) and our muster station letter (back of the door)
Before the ship sails away, everybody has to do a muster drill. When you are told, you return to your cabin, collect your life jacket and head to your muster point to be schooled in what to do - if you need to do it! Then you really are on holiday! No matter how long or short your trip is, you will have plenty to do! On Britannia there is a cinema, a cookery school, a theatre, shops and so many restaurants and bars you are spoiled for choice!
Fast forward to leaving the ship, which I’ll not dwell on, as it’s the sad bit of the holiday. Your bags need to be left outside your cabin around midnight the night before you disembark. Next time I’m going to bring a small overnight sized trolley case, just to shove our washbags, and party clothes from the night before. This time, I ended up re packing at Southampton airport!
As you leave the ship, you will be reunited with your luggage, and then start your journey home, probably already planning your next cruise!
I'd love to chat with you more about what I learned, and your next cruise holiday!
