Hello everybody! It’s Stella here, a member of the audience engagement team at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo. I was recently invited to attend P&O Cruises’ Britannia as a guest on a test cruise. The test cruise was a vital part of the ships return to service plan. I took part as I am fully vaccinated. It gave the crew an opportunity to test the new processes and protocols put in place for future guests.

Boarding Britannia’s Test Cruise

I underwent my very first drive-through Covid test upon my arrival at The Mayflower Cruise Terminal. This was a streamlined process; the brilliant staff took every care when taking first my details and then my lateral flow test itself. I eagerly made my way to the Ocean Cruise Terminal, where the Britannia was docked. After completing my health declaration and receiving my Covid-19 negative status via text, I boarded. The Covid-19 protocols did not stop there: the one-way walking system and masks in public areas rule helped maintain social distancing as per the current UK government guidelines.


We kept in touch with the cruise lines during the pandemic. Catch up with our conversation with Petra Ryberg, covering finding inspiration, her favourite modern designers and what she’s looking for from suppliers.


Exploring the Ship

My balcony stateroom was both luxurious and comfortable and with its lovely green and gold finish, it radiated classic elegance. However, my ‘wow moment’ came when I was exploring the ship and entered the Main Atrium. The Starburst Chandelier was truly breathtaking, spanning 3 levels.  I took in the beauty of the ship’s surroundings while enjoying a cold crisp glass of wine whilst sitting in the comfortable leather chairs of the Atrium.

I could not help but notice the finer details, from the artwork to the floral arrangements that had been carefully displayed in the public areas for guests’ viewing pleasure. Each piece of art told a different story and portrayed the individuality of each area. I loved visiting the different parts of the ship and taking in the intricately designed décor. The Main Atrium alone featured at least 8 themed areas, from the vibrant and busy pink lounge area on deck 5 to the elegant and beautiful Glass House on deck 6.

The Final Verdict

After a year and a half of travel restrictions, it was a breath of fresh air to board the Britannia and soak up its elegant interiors. Every area of the ship was designed for the comfort, enjoyment and safety of its cruisers; the finer touches added so much value to my stay. I am proud to have been a part of the pilot test for the ship and to see how the industry is planning to return bigger and better than ever.

Want to create stunning interiors that will wow your guests? Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe (CSIE) is a cruise trade show that unites players within the cruise interiors community for two days of networking, product launches and cruise industry conferences. Find out more about CSIE and register for our next event here.