P&O Britannia Cabin Grades Explained

Not all cabins on P&O Britannia are created equal – and choosing the wrong one can quietly ruin your cruise.

On paper, Britannia offers eight different cabin types, from solo inside cabins to deluxe balconies and suites. But here’s what most people don’t realise: the cabin grade you book can matter just as much as the cabin type itself.

I’ve cruised on Britannia and seen first-hand how two “balcony cabins” can deliver completely different experiences – one bright and peaceful, the other cramped or overlooked.

Below, I rank P&O Britannia’s cabin grades from best to worst, explain what those confusing grade codes actually mean, and share which ones are worth paying extra for… and which ones look tempting but rarely are.

Because there’s one cabin upgrade on Britannia that sounds amazing – but often isn’t.

Cabin Grades Explained

P&O Cruises gives each cabin a two-letter code (e.g. HF), called a ‘cabin grade’. The cabin grades group similar cabins together.

On Britannia, there are eight cabin types (e.g. balcony), and within each cabin type, there are between one and six cabin grades. The different cabin grades are shown in different colours on the Britannia deck plan.

To decode P&O Britannia cabin grades, you need to understand that the first letter refers to the type of cabin, and the second letter refers to the location of that cabin on the ship.

Cabin Type	1st letter of grade
Suite	B
Superior Deluxe Balcony	D
Balcony	G or H
Balcony (Partially Obstructed View)	I or J
Larger Inside	O
Inside	P
Single Balcony	Q
Single Inside	S

Deck Position	Location	2nd letter of grade
Mid	Midship	A
Mid	Mid Aft or Mid Forward	B
Upper or Lower	Midship	B
Upper or Lower	Mid Aft or Mid Forward	C
Mid	Aft	D
Upper or Lower	Aft	E
Mid	Forward	E
Upper or Lower	Forward	F

The deck position refers to whether the cabin is on a high or low deck. The location refers to whether the cabin is at the front (forward), middle (midship) or back (aft) of the ship. These are illustrated in this diagram (click to show).

The Best Britannia Cabins

Regardless of whether you choose an inside cabin, a balcony cabin or a suite, the cabins with A as the second letter of the grade are in the most convenient location, at the heart of the ship, closest to all the amenities. Many people will be willing to pay more to be in a midship location.

If you’d like to know what to look out for to choose the best cabin, you can get my free cabin checklist. Just pop your email into the form below, and I’ll send it to you instantly.

I also have an article about the worst cabins on Britannia. This ship definitely has some dodgy ones! You can read it here: P&O Britannia cabins to avoid.

If you’re looking for the best suites on Britannia, there’s a brilliant post all about these over on CruisewithAmber.co.uk.

I also have a guide to P&O Cruises’ suite perks, because you get much more than just extra space when you book a suite.

The Cheapest Cabins on Britannia

The cheapest cabins on P&O Cruises are PF-grade cabins. On Britannia, PF grade cabins are inside cabins at the front of the ship, either on a high or low deck.

We stayed in the cheapest grade of cabin on Britannia. Our cabin was A121, which is a PF grade inside cabin right at the top and the front of the ship.

Click to read my review of the cheapest inside cabin on Britannia.

This cabin is the cheapest grade for two reasons:

1. Cabins on the highest decks at the front of the ship tend to be the worst locations for sufferers of seasickness as more movement can be felt here.
2. This location is furthest away from many facilities, including the kids’ club and restaurants.

Did I moan about carrying a sleeping child the full length of the ship after they both fell asleep in the kids’ club? Absolutely!

Would I pay several hundred pounds more for a cabin in a more convenient location? No way!

Unless you have mobility issues, my personal opinion is that it’s not worth paying more for a cabin in a certain location on the ship.

Everyone has different views on this, but for me personally, the cheapest cabin is usually the best one.

Read more: What is a Pullman bed on a cruise ship?

The Worst Cabins on Britannia

No matter whether you choose the cheapest inside cabin or a luxury suite, there are some cabins on Britannia which you might want to avoid. These include noisy cabins, cabins near the smoking areas, and (believe it or not) cabins with beds that block the balcony doors!

If you want to make sure you avoid the noisy cabins on Britannia, or you want to steer clear of a blocked balcony, I’ve got a guide just for you.

Read more: P&O Britannia cabins to avoid

Select Fares, Saver Fares, and Early Saver Fares

P&O Cruises offer three different fare types:

• Select Fare: You choose exactly which cabin number you want
• Saver Fare: You choose the cabin type (e.g. inside/balcony/suite) and the cabin number is assigned to you
• Early Saver Fare: The same as Saver, but with an early booking discount

If you book a cabin on a Saver Fare or Early Saver Fare, you can assume that your cabin is likely to be at the front or back of the ship, rather than midship. If you’re fine with that, booking a Saver Fare or an Early Saver Fare will be the cheapest way to cruise.

That said, Select price fares do come with additional benefits such as the first pick of dining times and table sizes, the first priority for any available upgrades, free shuttle buses in port and more flexibility to change your booking.

On cruises of seven nights or more, you also usually get a choice of free on-board spending money, free car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton.

You’ll need to do the maths to work out if a Select Fare or Saver Fare offers the best value for money for your particular cruise.

Final Thoughts: Which Britannia Cabin Grade Should You Choose?

There’s no single “perfect” cabin grade on P&O Britannia – only the one that makes the most sense for you.

If you want the lowest price and don’t mind walking a bit more, the cheapest grades can be fantastic value. If location and convenience matter more, paying extra for a midship grade may be worth it. And if you’re tempted by an upgrade, it’s always worth checking exactly what you’re getting before you commit.

The key takeaway? Don’t book on cabin type alone. Understanding the cabin grade can make the difference between a cabin you barely notice – and one that quietly annoys you all week.

And if you’re ever unsure, checking the deck plan (and knowing what to avoid) can save you a lot of regret later.

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