I recently attended the annual CLIA conference in the major port city of Southampton, home to over 500 cruise departures and carrying approximately 2.5 million passengers annually.
CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) represents major Ocean, River and Expedition cruise lines within the Travel Industry and is a hive of activity for Travel Industry professionals wanting to learn more and experience all things cruise!
We stayed at the Premier Inn Cumberland Place which is an ideal location in relation to the train station and the cruise terminals for anyone that wishes to travel down to Southampton the night before embarkation.
Just a few minutes' drive from the Hotel, we headed to the Ocean Cruise Terminal to embark on P&O’s Britannia. This family-friendly ship launched in March 2015 and recently refurbished in April 2024, Britannia is one of the most popular ships in the P&O fleet. With a wide choice of entertainment venues, dining options, fitness and wellness areas, pool facilities and kids clubs, there is something for everyone onboard.
With a maximum capacity of 3647 passengers and cabins ranging from Interior Staterooms to Suites and single, to 4 birth cabins, there is something to suit every preference. There are a selection of adapted cabins across the ship but these do tend to sell very quickly so if this is a requirement, I would recommend booking early to secure the availability.
With a choice of over 26 restaurants and bars across the expansive 18 decks of the ship, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. 7 of these venues are speciality dining venues and do come at an additional surcharge but for an evening of fine dining and wine pairing, it is worth every penny. From classic British dining with a modern twist at Epicurean or the colourful Asian flavours at Sindu, there is plenty of choice to tickle your tastebuds.
We were invited to have lunch in the Peninsular Restaurant (one of the included dining venues). We were greeted warmly by the incredibly friendly staff onboard and where your every need was catered to. A 3-course meal awaited with a choice of starter, main and dessert. If you were feeling extra peckish or simply couldn’t decide between the options, you could try a little bit of everything!
Overall, I was very impressed with Britannia and everything that she had to offer. The public areas on the ship were well maintained, the cabins were incredibly spacious, and the entertainment onboard would rival a West End show. Itineraries onboard Britannia range from Caribbean fly-cruises, transatlantic Caribbean cruises, the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Northern Europe and Norwegian Fjords, you’ll be sure to find your perfect escape on P&O’s Britannia.
In a completely different contrast to P&O, on Saturday we experienced small ship, luxury cruising onboard Oceania Insignia. A beautiful Five-Star Adult Only ship with a capacity of just 684 passengers and 349 Staterooms.
All cabins onboard from Inside Staterooms to the Owners Suite offer sumptuous Tranquillity Beds that are designed exclusively for Oceania to ensure the most luxurious sleep at sea. Bath robes and slippers, luxury bath amenities, a gourmet nightly turndown service and a free 24 hour in-room dining experience ensure your utmost comfort onboard.
An elegant ambience, attentive service, the finest cuisine at sea and unique itineraries is the mantra of Oceania and they deliver this in abundance. From chic and cosy bars, gourmet restaurants including 2 speciality dining options at no additional charge offering an array of continental cuisine and immersive and enriching onboard experiences, Oceania is perfect for the ultimate discerning traveller.
We were hosted for lunch in the Grand Dining Room, a beautifully light and airy space, perfect for any meal setting. I was aware of just how good the food onboard Oceania was meant to be, but I was still blown away with their attention to detail and the plethora of options catering to all. From allergens to plant-based foods they have absolutely everything covered. 5 courses, wine pairing, petit fours and tea or coffee is standard during lunch and dinner in the Grand Dining Room so you will definitely not go hungry on an Oceania cruise!
With world-class dazzling cabaret shows, evenings in the Casino, engaging talks from guest speakers and music across the genres, there is surely something to please everyone onboard. We were treated to an incredible performance from Tom Ball, a finalist in 2022 on Britains Got Talent which only highlights the exquisite entertainment onboard.
Insignia will be completing her farewell sailings in 2027 before departing the Oceania fleet. A great alternatively to Insignia would be Oceania Nautica. We at Miles Morgan Travel have 6 EXCLUSIVE charters available including roundtrip Southampton sailings during the summer 2027 season. For your chance to experience Oceania in all its splendour, please contact me for itineraries and the most up to date pricing and availability. You can find out more by contacting Miles Morgan Yeovil on 01935 577 293 or emailing [email protected].
