Myself and five other colleagues got to go to the CLIA Conference in Southampton on 4-6 June 2026. This was my first time at this cruise conference, and it definitely did not disappoint. My stay included two ship visits, the first of which was on the beautiful and beloved P&O Britannia.
The checking in and boarding process was smooth and the staff were all very friendly. Once we got through security we walked onto the ship within a matter of minutes. The first thing we were greeted with was the stylish atrium area upon entering the Landing Deck, i.e. Deck 5.
We were allowed to explore all of the different ‘Show Cabins’ and this was definitely my favourite part of the ship visit, as it’s one thing to see all these cabins in the brochures/website, and a whole other thing actually seeing them in person.
I was really impressed with each of the different cabin types. I was actually surprised at the space within each cabin, even the inside cabins!
I also got to see two different types of ‘Obstructed Balcony Cabins’ which I found really helpful, as I will now be able to describe them with much more clarity when speaking to my customers.
One of the things I really wanted to see was the accessible cabins, and these did not disappoint. They had ample space and the bathrooms were really well appointed.
From the cabins we explored the opulent Hydrotherapy Suite, the Oasis Spa and Salon, which had lots of amazing treatments to offer.
Thereafter, we looked at The Limelight Club, The Headliner’s Theatre, Brodie’s Bar area, ending in the Peninsular Restaurant for lunch. The staff throughout the ship were immaculate in their uniforms, all with a welcoming smiles.
The food was delicious and came very quickly after ordering. The portions were spot on and the fresh rolls and butter the perfect accompaniment. The waiters were very attentive and made sure we all had enough to drink throughout the course of the meal, not just at the start. The Peninsular Restaurant was beautifully decorated with a stylish hotel feel and great lighting to give it great ambiance.
My second ship visit took me onto the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur which provides their guests with an all-inclusive, ultra luxury experience. There are only Balcony Suites available onboard this ship and hosts a total of 744 guests. This means the crew to guest ratio is only 1 to 1.3, which is amazing!
The check-in and boarding process was super well organised and seamless from start to finish.
From the moment I stepped onto the ship and welcomed into the absolutely stunning atrium, I could see why this was classed as a 6-star ultra-luxury ship! The decor, the lighting, the floors and the art were all exquisite. Every inch of the ship exuded elegant opulence!
We were welcomed with champagne and orange juice upon entering the Constellation Theatre, where the singer’s smooth velvety voice just enhanced the whole lavish experience.
We were then taken on a tour of the ship which started with taking a look at the different ‘Balcony Suites’.
We got to see several different suites, but the Regent Suite was the most spectacular once of all! The sheer size of it combined with the luxury finishes and amenities was just unbelievable. In fact, we only truly got to understand the sheer size of it when we went to the Observation Lounge and were told that the Regent Suite takes up the whole footprint of the Observation Lounge.
The Serene Spa & Wellness area was superb, the ultimate tranquil haven to restore and recharge whilst out at sea.
Next, we were shown the different restaurants and what their menus had to offer, my favourite was most definitely Prime 7, where the 28-day aged steak was calling my name! Each restaurant's decor and attention to detail was superb. They all had seating for 2,4 and 6. The wine selection was second to none!
Our lunch was served in their largest speciality restaurant, the Compass Rose, which was designed to feel like an enchanted forest. The food and service were both impeccable!
I thoroughly enjoyed both my ship visits and look forward to being able to share my insights with my customers. There is most definitely a cruise ship for absolutely every customer.
If you would like to find out more about P&O or Regent Seven Seas Cruises, speak to Bonny Buckle at Miles Morgan Travel Abergavenny on 01873 566 004 or email abergavenny@milesmorgantravel.co.uk.
