Laura Sanders, nearing 30, recounts her first cruise on P&O Cruises’ Britannia, refurbished in 2024, exploring the Caribbean over a week.
Initially skeptical, assuming cruises were for older, less adventurous travelers, she found convenience and excitement, from swift Barbados airport transfers to cocktails on deck.
The itinerary covered Barbados, Curacao, Aruba, St Vincent, St Lucia, with excursions like snorkeling in Bonaire’s marine reserve via Aquaspace’s underwater deck, hiking St Lucia’s Pitons, and exploring Curacao’s Hato Caves.
Britannia hosts 3,647 guests, mostly 50-plus, with lively deck entertainment but limited activities for younger adults.
Dining ranged from jerk chicken to fine Indian at Sindhu.
Sanders valued her balcony cabin for quiet escapes and enjoyed spa treatments.
Despite some overcrowded excursions, highlights like Willemstad’s architecture and St Lucia’s volcano visit stood out.
The cruise, starting at £1,699pp for 14 nights, offered adventure and convenience, proving cruises suit diverse ages when tailored to interests.
Sanders’ vibrant photos capture the Caribbean’s beauty, encouraging others to reconsider cruising stereotypes.
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