The P&O Britannia cabins to avoid are mainly Deck 15 (A Deck) cabins directly below the Lido pool deck, Deck 8 (G Deck) balconies sitting over the theatre, late-night bars or smoking areas, the lifeboat-obstructed balconies along the middle of Deck 8, and the forward A Deck balconies with restricted access. If you get seasick, also skip high cabins right at the bow or stern. For most people, a midship balcony on Decks 9 to 12 (F to C Deck) is the safest choice.
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Britannia carries more than 3,600 guests across 13 guest decks, so where you sleep makes a real difference. Here is what to avoid, what to book, and how to read the deck plan.
Britannia in 2026: what has changed
Britannia joined the P&O Cruises fleet in 2015. In 2024, to mark her tenth birthday, she had her biggest refit so far. Almost every cabin got new colours and soft furnishings. The layout of the cabin decks did not change, so the noisy, obstructed and exposed areas are where they always were.
For 2026 Britannia sails from Southampton and also spends time based in Barbados for Caribbean fly-cruises. Her destinations include the Norwegian fjords, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. No major refit has been announced for 2026, but itineraries and ship details can change, so check the official P&O Cruises Britannia page for the latest deck plan PDF before you book.
How the Britannia deck plan is laid out
Britannia’s cabin decks are known by letters as well as numbers, and every cabin number starts with its deck letter. Once you know this, you can tell at a glance where a cabin is:
- A Deck (Deck 15): the top cabin deck, directly below the Lido pool deck
- B Deck (Deck 14): home to most of the suites
- C Deck (Deck 12), D Deck (Deck 11), E Deck (Deck 10) and F Deck (Deck 9): cabin decks with cabins above and below them
- G Deck (Deck 8): the lowest cabin deck, directly above the main public rooms on Decks 5 to 7
There is no Deck 13. Above A Deck you will find the Lido pool and Sunset Bar on Deck 16, more pools and sun decks on Deck 17, and the sports areas on Deck 18. Below G Deck are the atrium, theatre, bars, shops and restaurants. In general, the cabin decks in the middle of that block are the quietest.
P&O Britannia cabins to avoid (and why)
Most complaints about Britannia cabins come down to one of five things: noise from above, noise from below, smoke, a blocked view, or motion. The table gives a quick overview. The sections after it explain each one in more detail.
| Area | Main issue | Who should avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| A Deck (15), below the Lido deck | Sunbeds dragged early in the morning, foot traffic | Light sleepers |
| A Deck aft, below the Sunset Bar | Bar and smoking-area noise, possible smoke drift | Light sleepers, non-smokers |
| A Deck forward (A101 to A106) | Balcony access can be restricted in wind; solid railings | Anyone set on daily balcony use |
| G Deck (8) forward, above Headliners Theatre | Show noise in the evening | Early sleepers |
| G Deck aft and midship, above outdoor smoking areas | Late-night noise and smoke | Non-smokers, light sleepers |
| G Deck midship, obstructed grades | Lifeboats block the view | Anyone paying for a sea view |
| High cabins far forward or far aft | More pitching and vibration | Anyone prone to seasickness |
1. A Deck cabins under the pool deck
The most common complaint is about Deck 15 cabins under the Lido pool area. Guests have reported crew setting out and dragging sunbeds as early as 6am, and a steady stream of footsteps during sea days. This includes some Superior Deluxe balcony cabins, which are on Decks 12, 14 and 15, so paying more does not guarantee peace and quiet. If you like the A Deck location, look at the deck plan and pick a cabin with indoor space, rather than open pool deck, above it.
2. Aft A Deck balconies below the Sunset Bar
The Sunset Bar on Deck 16 aft is one of Britannia’s most popular outdoor bars and includes a smoking area. CruiseMapper lists the even-numbered balconies from A702 to A716 as the ones most affected by noise and the smell of smoke, depending on the wind. Aft cabins also tend to feel more engine vibration than midship ones.
3. G Deck cabins above the theatre, bars and smoking areas
Deck 8 is the lowest cabin deck and sits directly above the busiest public spaces. Three areas come up again and again:
- Forward, above Headliners Theatre: you may hear show sound and applause until the late show ends, which is usually before midnight.
- Aft, above The Live Lounge and its outdoor smoking area: bass from late-night music is the bigger problem here. Some guests report hearing it into the early hours.
- Midship starboard, above the outdoor smoking area by the Java café: the issue here is mainly smoke drifting up to your balcony.
Balcony smoking is banned on P&O ships, but smoke from designated outdoor areas below can still drift up.
4. Obstructed-view balconies on G Deck
Along the middle of Deck 8 there is a run of balcony cabins where the lifeboats hang just outside. In some the lifeboats cover part of the view. In others you look straight at a lifeboat roof or its davits. P&O sells these as separate obstructed grades. They are shown with codes such as IB, IC and IE for Deluxe Balconies and JB, JC and JE for standard Balconies, and they are usually much cheaper than an unobstructed balcony.
They are only a bad choice if you expect a sea view; you still get fresh air and daylight. Always check the grade code, because the cabin numbers look just like their open-view neighbours.
5. Restricted forward balconies on A Deck
Cabins A101 to A106 sit right at the front of A Deck, facing forward. Their balconies have solid steel railings rather than glass, and the crew can close them in strong wind or rough seas. If you want to use your balcony every day, book a side-facing cabin instead.
Cabins to avoid if you get seasick
On any ship, the steadiest place is low down and in the middle. On Britannia, that means midship cabins on G, F or E Deck. The higher and further forward or aft your cabin is, the more pitching you will feel, and that is especially noticeable in the Bay of Biscay or the North Sea. If you are prone to seasickness, avoid A and B Deck cabins at either end.
Long walks and lift positions
Britannia is about 330 metres long, so a cabin at the far end of a corridor can be a long walk from the lifts, the buffet and the theatre. The flip side is that cabins right next to the lift lobbies and stairwells get more corridor noise and door slams. The best spot is usually a few cabins away from a lift lobby, close enough for a short walk but not right next to the doors.
P&O Britannia best cabins and best balcony cabins
So, what is the best deck on Britannia? For most guests, it is a midship cabin on C, D, E or F Deck (Decks 9 to 12).
- Midship standard balconies on D or E Deck: the best all-round choice for quiet, steadiness and convenience. They are about 212 sq ft plus a 36 sq ft balcony.
- Superior Deluxe balconies on C or B Deck: at roughly 281 sq ft they are much roomier than a standard balcony and have a sofa bed and curtain divider. Choose these over the A Deck ones if you want to avoid pool-deck noise.
- Aft-facing balconies on C, D or E Deck: these have lovely wake views, and many people think they are Britannia’s best balcony cabins. Expect a bit more vibration and more motion in rough seas.
- Suites on B Deck: most suites are on Deck 14, and the aft suites have wider balconies. Suite guests get butler service and other perks. Note that aft suites and some aft A and B Deck balconies now have a canopy, which gives shade but means less direct sun.
- Single cabins: Britannia has 12 inside singles and 15 balcony singles in a dedicated corridor at the top of the ship, near the forward end. They are worth a look for solo travellers who do not want to pay a single supplement on a double cabin.
Britannia cabin types at a glance
| Cabin type | Approx. size | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Inside | 161 to 170 sq ft | Best value; some take up to four with fold-down beds |
| Balcony | 212 sq ft + 36 sq ft balcony | Includes cheaper obstructed grades on G Deck |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | 281 sq ft + 36 sq ft balcony | On Decks 12, 14 and 15; avoid A Deck if noise worries you |
| Suite | 382 sq ft + 72 sq ft balcony | Butler service; mostly on B Deck |
| Single (inside or balcony) | About 134 sq ft | Dedicated corridor high up near the bow |
Sizes are approximate and vary from cabin to cabin. Britannia has no interconnecting cabins, so families who need two cabins usually book cabins opposite each other or next door to each other.
A simple check before you book any Britannia cabin
Many guides skip this, but it is the most useful habit you can have. Open the official deck plan and check three things for the cabin you are considering:
- Above: is the space directly above another cabin, or is it a pool deck, bar, gym or galley? Another cabin is what you want.
- Below: on G Deck, is there a theatre, nightclub, bar or open smoking area underneath? On other decks, the deck below will just be more cabins.
- Next to it: is it beside a crew door, service area, launderette or lift lobby? These are the main sources of corridor noise.
If a cabin has cabins above, below and on both sides, it is very unlikely to have a noise problem. Also check the grade code for obstructed or restricted wording, and ask your travel agent or P&O before you pay the deposit if anything is unclear.
Sailing on one of Britannia’s newer or older fleetmates instead? Compare this guide with our best and worst cabins on P&O Arvia, our guide to P&O Iona cabins to avoid, and our P&O Ventura cabins to avoid guide.
FAQs
Which deck is noisiest on P&O Britannia?
Deck 15 (A Deck) cabins below the Lido pool deck and Deck 8 (G Deck) cabins above the theatre, The Live Lounge and the outdoor smoking areas get the most noise complaints.
What is the best deck on Britannia P&O?
For most guests, it is a midship cabin on Decks 9 to 12 (F, E, D or C Deck). These decks have cabins above and below them, feel steadier than the top decks, and are close to the main lifts.
Are Britannia’s obstructed balcony cabins worth booking?
They can be good value if you mainly want fresh air and daylight. The lifeboats block some or all of the sea view, so book them only if the lower price matters more to you than the view.
How many cabins are there on Britannia?
Britannia has around 1,800 cabins. Most of them are balcony cabins, and the rest are inside cabins, Superior Deluxe balconies, suites and a small number of single cabins.
Where can I find the Britannia deck plan?
P&O Cruises has a downloadable deck plan PDF on its Britannia ship page. Use it to check what is above, below and next to any cabin before you book.