I’d been on plenty of cruises over the years, but this trip felt slightly different as we travelled as a family of three. One of the main questions before booking was whether Britannia would suit us, especially with a 12-year-old at the time who had been used to ships with water slides and lots of high-energy activities.
We chose the sailing for the itinerary, heading to the Norwegian Fjords, but I was just as interested to see how the onboard experience would work for us as a family.
Getting Onboard
Embarkation in Southampton was quick and well organised. We were on board within about half an hour, which made the start of the trip feel easy and relaxed.
Disembarkation at the end was just as smooth. We were back in the car earlier than expected, which was a nice surprise, especially during a busy half term sailing.
Family Time Onboard
Going into the trip, I knew my son wouldn’t have been interested in kids’ clubs, so it was important that there were things we could all enjoy together.
That didn’t end up being an issue at all. We filled our time easily with simple things, playing cards in the Crow’s Nest, trying archery in the sports area, joining in with games on deck and even making the most of the pool when the weather allowed.
The pace on Britannia felt different to the bigger ships, but it actually worked in our favour. We spent more time together rather than heading off in different directions.
What We Each Loved
We all came away with different highlights.
My son’s favourite part was working his way through the mocktail menu, he definitely made the most of it. My husband really enjoyed the onboard lectures, especially the ones focused on art and space.
For me, it was the quieter moments. Sitting on the balcony as we sailed through the fjords, watching the scenery change, was something I’ll always remember.
Dining Onboard
The service across the ship was consistently good, but one of the standout moments came on the first evening when we met a waiter who really made an effort with us. He kept us entertained with puzzles, and we enjoyed it so much that we made sure to dine in his section again later in the week.
Freedom Dining worked really well for that, giving us the flexibility to choose when and where we ate.
The Beach House stood out, especially as we sailed out of Flam, and Sindhu was well worth booking for a speciality meal. The lobster biriyani was a highlight.
Afternoon tea was another favourite, with a few extra treats that made it feel like a bit of an occasion.
Exploring The Fjords
The itinerary had been a big reason for booking, and it lived up to expectations.
Flam was a highlight, particularly the train journey, which was well worth doing. The views throughout were incredible, and the stop at the waterfall was a real standout moment.
Back in Flam, we visited Ægir BrewPub, which had a fun Viking theme and a really relaxed feel.
In Nordfjordeid, we did a RIB safari as a family. It was fast, a bit different, and gave us a completely new perspective of the fjords from the water.
So, Is Britannia Family Friendly?
For us, it worked really well, just in a different way to what we might have expected.
There weren’t water slides or constant high-energy activities, but that didn’t take anything away from the experience. The slower pace meant we spent more time together and made the most of everything the ship and itinerary had to offer.
One of the biggest things for me was knowing my son felt comfortable and was enjoying himself. He made friends on board, found his own rhythm, and never once mentioned missing the bigger ships.
Final Thoughts
This trip showed me that family cruising doesn’t have to be non-stop activity to work well.
Britannia offered a really good balance of space, entertainment and relaxation, alongside an itinerary that made the whole experience even more memorable.
The only downside was having to pack up and head home at the end.