Britannia has a whole host of dining options…

When it comes to cruising, there is so much discover and experience, from new countries, cities and activities to a whole new array of culinary delights

We recently headed on board P&O Cruises ship Britannia to experience cruising for a younger generation (you can read our article on this here) and whilst on board tried the extensive range of dining options. Here’s a summary of what to expect..
See: Why cruising is not just for an older generation

If you’re looking for…

Inclusive dining…

Meridian, Peninsular & Oriental

The inclusive options on board Britannia include the Meridian restaurant, Peninsular and Oriental. They are all included in the price of your cruise and offer a wide range of delicious meals. All three are similar in their offerings, with a range of brasserie-style dishes. Menus change daily and there is a wide range of different dishes to suit all tastes. (The steak in particular, is delicious.)

Afternoon Tea

Britannia (being quintessentially British), also offers an afternoon tea with your inclusive dining which is served daily in the main restaurants. It includes a selection of sandwiches, cakes and fat scones topped with a generous portion of clotted cream and jam alongside a pot of tea or coffee. It’s a delicious way to spend an afternoon and great to book in for one of your sea days.

If you are looking for a real afternoon tea treat however, we would recommend you head to the Epicurean for their Eric Lanlard tea. It costs extra but really is phenomenal!

For a more casual dining experience…

For a more casual dining experience you can head to Horizon (the buffet restaurant), the Lido grill, grab & go, or order room service direct to your cabin (a real treat!)

Horizon

As well as offering breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets each night, Horizon is also the place to head for a free cup of tea or coffee. The food is varied with a different theme each night and a bonus is that if you are heading out early you can go and serve yourself without having to wait for a table service.

The Lido Grill

The Lido Grill is based next to the pool and is a must for sea-days as lunch or an afternoon snack. Food varies, but can include pizza, burgers, hot dogs and chips and you can help yourself throughout the day.

Room service

Room service is a real highlight of casual dining, the novelty being that it is included within the price of your cruise. If you’re heading off on an early excursion you can fill in a form to order breakfast delivered to your room for any specified time and if you get back late or just fancy eating in, there’s a range of delicious hot items too. Drinks are priced extra, but it’s great to be able to sit and relax in the comfort of your own room with your favourite food and drinks and watch the world go by.

For coffee, a snack, or the best ice cream you’ll ever eat…

Cruising can be hungry business and if you are looking to make a pit stop before heading back out, or somewhere to refuel after an excursion, Britannia has a range of different cafes and bars to enjoy. Here are some of our favourites.

Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee overlooks the Atrium and we were surprised to find the coffee tasted even better on board than the one at home (it also helps if you’ve spent the day under the Caribbean sunshine!)

The Crow’s Nest

If you are on the lookout for a cup of tea with a really great view, the Crow’s nest is the place to go. Because it looks out of the front of the ship, it is especially beautiful to relax and watch the sun go down or to watch the island’s appearing and disappearing as you enter and leave ports.

The Market Cafe

The Market Cafe, situated on the ground floor of the Atrium serves the most delicious cakes and sweet treats crafted by Eric Lanlard as well as the best ice creams on board. Flavours include sticky toffee pudding, apple crumble and chocolate fudge cake and are so sumptuously delicious (and exciting) we kept returning just to sample them all!

For something extra special…

When on board, sometimes you just want to go all-out and treat yourselves and this is where the speciality restaurants come in. There is an extra cost for this, but the price depends on which one you choose and can start at just a couple of pounds supplement per dish. Whilst there is an extra cost, the quality, choice and ambience really separates these dining areas from the inclusive ones and you can feel the difference as soon as you enter. Whilst you needn’t do a speciality every night (unless you want to try them all) we would definitely recommend you try at least a couple during your trip.

The Epicurean

The Epicurean is an ideal choice for a romantic dinner for two. The decor exudes class and elegance, fine music plays and the food is taken to a whole new level. The menu combines classic British dishes re-interpreted for today’s modern palates, with a range of gastronomic delights such as ham hock, butter-poached lobster and salt-marsh lamb rack. Service here is exemplary and whilst it is priced at £28 it offers the experience of a top London restaurant without the hefty price tag – it is worth every penny.

The Glass House

The Glass House is a regular on P&O’s ships, although it is larger on Britannia than some of the others. It has a few different rooms, including the dining room, bar area and a tasting room where regular wine tasting experiences take place. The menu offers a range of tapas dishes (priced at £5.25 for three) and a number of different mains such as steak or the catch of the day. With over 40 different wines, it is worth speaking to the sommelier to select you the perfect wine to accompany your meal – it makes it that extra bit special and they really do know their stuff.

Sindhu

Sindhu is the ships Indian restaurant and offers an authentic Indian experience with a twist. The decor is enchanting, with rich spicy colours making it warm, welcoming and relaxing. The menu itself offers a wide range of dishes specially crafted by Michelin-star chef Atul Kochhar, showcasing his talent for adding a contemporary finish to authentic Indian dishes. The result is succulent chicken with tender spices, vegetable dishes teeming with a myriad of flavours and presentation that almost makes it too good to eat. A good option for a black tie night.

For something a little bit different…

Holidays are all about trying something new, so why not sample one of Britannia’s alternative dining experiences?

The Cookery Club

The Cookery Club was one of the real highlights of our trip and it offers two different types of dining. You can attend a class during the day and be guided by expert chefs on how to create your own dishes, or you can attend a hosted dinner in the evening. This is a unique dining experience where you receive a glass of bubbles on arrival and get to relax and watch the chef demonstrating how to make each dish. You then all sit down to dinner together and enjoy the food accompanied by matching wines. All wine is included in the price and with a table limited to fourteen passengers, it is a really special and intimate way to dine. Plus, you might be lucky enough to have a class taken by celebrity chefs such as Marco Pierre White or James Martin!
We attended the “dinner party secrets” and it was one of our highlights of cruising aboard Britannia – this is a real must-book.

The Limelight Lounge

Just a short walk from the Atrium, the Limelight Lounge is a first for P&O Cruises. Exclusively for adults, it marries together fine food, fine wine, fine decor and great entertainment. It is sophisticated yet fun, elegant yet exciting and offers the chance to see performers you wouldn’t see anywhere else on the ship. The menu offers a delicious three-course set menu for you to enjoy whilst watching the entertainment on offer and the venue later turns into a late-night dancing area so you can spend the whole evening in one place. It’s a really unique and fun evening which should not be missed.

Afternoon tea in the Epicurean

Eric Lanlard’s afternoon tea is exclusive to the Epicurean and a really great way to spend your sea-day afternoon. It contains a range of sandwiches and rolls, pastries, cakes and sweet treats, washed down with a pot of tea. Everything is not only out-of-this-world delicious, but also looks almost too good to eat! 
Britannia proves that eating aboard a cruise ship is much more than just a necessity – it is an experience in itself and an exciting one at that. Try foods you wouldn’t normally try and throw yourself out of your foodie comfort zone. Dance the night away in the Limelight club and try the different cocktails in the Atrium. Whatever you try, you won’t regret it.

See more information on P&O Cruises Britannia dining options here.