Fine Dining, Gin, Wine and Cookery Classes
on
P & O Britannia’s Maiden Voyage
As we drove into the port of Cadiz, I saw a sleek and elegant ship glimmering in the spring sun; fully dressed in her “Union Jack” livery and with two distinctive Royal blue funnels, she beckoned me with the prospect of “at sea” activities, relaxing spa sessions, sundowners in the bar, creative cooking master classes with celebrity chefs and fine dining……..this was my first glimpse of the latest P & O Cruise Liner, Britannia, and it was love at first sight. After making my way on-board, and after being checked in to “sail”, I discovered the beautiful and elegantly understated interior gave the ship an air of modernity but with an “ocean liner” feeling of nostalgia, tasteful art adorns every corner of this beautiful cruise liner and is sympathetic placed.
I was part of a small group of press and photographers who were reviewing and covering Britannia’s maiden voyage around the Mediterranean. After a rude awakening and very early start to the day, leaving Heathrow at 06:30 to Madrid with an onward flight to Jerez, I was keen to check into my cabin to unpack and chillax for a few hours before Britannia left Cadiz. My balcony cabin did not disappoint, with its large luggage and dressing area, en-suite shower and WC as well as a flat-screen television, tea and coffee-making facilities and a large desk, ample enough to take all my computing paraphernalia, it was comfortable and large enough for two people . The bathroom was well stocked with fluffy white towels and The White Company toiletries, and there was even bespoke stationery for those who like to write home, snail mail style.
The centrepiece of the ship is the magnificent Starburst lighting feature in the Atrium; cascading down from the centre of the ceiling, it presides over the comfortable seating area which boasts multi-level bars, restaurants and the Market Café with its tempting choice of French style patisserie by Eric Lanlard, charcuterie and specially selected artisan cheeses. I had occasion to relax there on day two of my voyage and enjoy a platter of cheeses served with assorted pickles and chutney, various savoury biscuits and freshly baked bread. Whilst I tucked into my cheese platter, my companion enjoyed a tempting cake from the vast selection of offer alongside a cup of excellent freshly brewed coffee.
Over the next three nights, I was treated to a meal in Atul Kachar’s restaurant Sindhu, a hosted meal by Eric Lanlard in The Cookery Club and a seafood feast in the Epicurean restaurant. In addition to all of this fine dining, I enjoyed a wine tasting class in The Glass House, a cookery class with Eric Lanlard in the Cookery Club, several spa treatments in the Oasis Spa, numerous Gin and Tonics in The Crows Nest, entertainment in the Live Lounge and impromptu snacks and breakfast in the other dining areas and on-deck snack bars. There is plenty to choose from on board Britannia, from casual deck dining to black tie gala evenings; there are quiet places to sit and contemplate, fun entertainment, bars with a view, swimming pools and a wonderful library.
So, please join me over the next week as I share my experiences on board Britannia – I’ll be cooking up a storm in The Cookery Club, plus sharing recipes of what I made there; teasing you with details of my spa day as well as my wine tasting class. Then I’ll be sharing my unique dining experiences on board, as well as my gin tasting notes from The Crow’s Nest Bar – it was a busy three days, but someone has to do it! I was sad to leave the Britannia last Saturday, but she’s now wowing and seducing her next cruise passengers as she sails towards the Canary Islands and the rest of the Mediterranean. See you soon with more “ocean waves” stories and tales, Karen
Disclaimer: I was the guest of P and O Cruises who paid for my travel to Cadiz, a three-day cruise, cookery and wine classes and all my food whilst on board Britannia; all views are my own and are not representative of P and O Cruises, any of their employees or third-party agents.
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Glamorous Glutton says
Oh Karen It looks amazing, very stylish and modern. I can’t wait to hear all the details, especially your cookery classes and gin tasting. GG
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks GG! It was a very packed trip but full of unique opportunities and exceptional wine and food!
Luca Marchiori says
Looks like a perfect way to relax in style. Looking forward to hearing more, especially The Cooking Club.
Karen Burns-Booth says
The Cookery Club with Eric Lanlard was the highlight of my cruise Luca!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Bit more elegant than the travelodge I was staying in at the same time. It sounds like you had fun but shame you missed the conference.
Karen Burns-Booth says
It is a shame I missed the conference, but there will be other conferences, but maybe not other cruises 😉
Jo of Jo's Kitchen says
Sounds amazing! I cannot wait to read more about the cookery class with Eric Lanlard
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Jo, that is following this Friday and I am sure you will find it fascinating!
Craig - The Usual Saucepans says
Sounds like an INCREDIBLE trip! I’ve seen the photos of Britania online the last few months, have to say I’m very jealous of your little voyage (I’m sure the trip well made up for the early start). Pity you didn’t get to see more of Cadiz – it’s a beautiful place, with a brilliant ‘new’ market. Look forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Craig, yes it is a shame I didn’t get to see Cadiz, but I’m sure there will be other times 😉 and I will look out for the market you mention too.
I LOVED the Britannia, she was a beautiful ship, tastefully decorated with the most amazing variety of restaurants, bars and on-board leisure facilities available.
The highlight of my trip was cooking with Eric, who is so funny and talented, and also attending a hosted dinner by him too……more to follow soon!
Karen
Heidi Roberts says
What an amazing adventure – wish I could have gone with you!! Would have been James Martin’s worse nightmare – no where to escape from me !!! Lol
Karen Burns-Booth says
It was an amazing adventure, and James was very safe Heidi, as he left the day I arrived! I shadowed Eric Lanlard as part of my brief! 🙂
Louisa Foti says
Wow Karen, what a truly magical and wonderful experience! The ship looks truly magnificent and the food and drinks clearly to match, I’m looking forward to reading more about the trip and the cookery masterclass.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Lou, it was a wonderful experience and the ship was a beautiful vessel with so much to offer all the guests…….the Cookery Club piece is coming tomorrow!
Dominic Franks says
wow… what a voyage!…. brilliant review Karen, it’s as though we’re there…but we’re not… ahem!
Karen Burns-Booth says
I think you would have enjoyed the class and dinner with Eric Dom, and he said he knew you too! 😉
Janice says
Oh my goodness what a treat! I’ve been on a couple of river cruises and absolutely loved them but have been a bit sceptical about the big cruise ships. You certainly have provided me with food for thought about the Britannia, it looks amazing.
Karen Burns-Booth says
I am sure you would have enjoyed this Janice, as the ship was big enough not to feel crowded, but with enough nooks and crannies to make it feel intimate and friendly. The food on board was amazing too! Karen
Chloe King says
Fantastic opportunity, I look forward to reading more about it. Really quite tempted by the idea of an old fashioned cruise!
Karen Burns-Booth says
This was very much like an old-fashioned cruise Chloe, and we even had the Noon Day Bell rung every day, with the passage report, such as where we were, what speed we were sailing and the weather etc! Karen
Claire @foodiequine says
This looks fantastic! Can’t wait to read all your blog posts. I cruised a couple of times pre kids and absolutely loved the whole experience. We did 7 days in the Caribbean and 14 days in the Med. Cruising is definitely on my to do list for when my kids leave home! A few years to wait yet though.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Claire! Actually, these cruises that P and O do are VERY kid friendly and I saw lots of children on board – there are some fantastic clubs and activities for them to do, so maybe you don’t have to wait that long eh? 😉
Fiona @ London-Unattached says
well, the last time I cruised I WAS a kid (I was 11 or 12 and went on the Canberra around the med and the black sea). This does look like an altogether different experience
Karen Burns-Booth says
Ah the Canberra Fiona, such an iconic ship and the Oriana too; we always used to sail back from Hong Kong to the UK on an ocean liner, so elegant and stylish! Karen
ManjiriK says
What a fabulous opportunity Karen! Can’t wait to hear all about it and see more pics. I am a huge fan of all the chefs you mentioned esppp Eric Lanlard . Since I have never been on a cruise ever I really would love to someday! xx
Karen Burns-Booth says
You would LOVE it Manjiri and especially Eric’s Master Class too! Karen