It may seem like just the other day that the P&O Cruises flagship was launched, but Britannia is now (almost) five years old, and has gone into dry-dock for her first major refit and refurbishment.

According to P&O, Britannia will get refreshed interiors and a whole host of new passenger amenities during her drydock at Damen shipyard in Brest.

The most striking change for passengers will be in the atrium, where new eye-catching color schemes and a fresh design direction will be introduced to compliment, relaxed entertainment, live music and informal performances under the sparkling Starburst chandelier.

Britannia’s atrium after her refit

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A permanent art gallery will be introduced adjacent to the atrium lobby on Deck 5, next to Blue Bar, with sweet treats from master pâtissier and Food Hero Eric Lanlard at The Market Café across the atrium.

Market Café has been available aboard Britannia since her launch, but she will get new furniture and décor, as well as a menu with decadent ice cream creations made in exclusive collaboration with Hampshire-based dairy, Jude’s.

Forward on Deck 5 in the spa, guests will get two new express spa pods offering a range of new treatments from high-tech massages and a zero-gravity lounger to eyelash treatments.

Britannia is currently the largest ship in the P&O fleet, this is her first refit and refurbishment

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The spa area will also now offer an Arctic cold room and aroma steam room in the thermal and hydropool suite.

On deck 7, Java café will serve alcoholic drinks following the refurbishment, while the photo gallery will include a Dixons electronics hub featuring the latest imaging, computing and audio tech from Amazon, Apple, Beats, Bose, Canon, Fitbit, GoPro, Microsoft, and Sony, among others.

There will be more retail space and brands available on-board as well, including in Jo Malone, Tom Ford, Edinburgh Gin, Michael Kors, and Clifton shops, and in beauty consultation zones.

Britannia will be back in Southampton on October 23 for a two-night cruise to Bruges before her transatlantic crossing to the Caribbean.