If you’re sailing on P&O Britannia and wondering what the entertainment is like, the first thing to know is that Britannia has a more traditional cruise ship entertainment setup than newer P&O ships like Iona and Arvia.
There is no SkyDome entertainment space, and the ship does not have the same big central indoor venue that you find on the newer Excel-class ships. Instead, P&O Britannia entertainment is spread across several dedicated venues, including the Headliners Theatre, The Live Lounge, The Crystal Room, Brodie’s, The Studio, the atrium and the Limelight Club.
That gives Britannia a classic P&O feel.
You have a proper theatre for evening shows, a late-night lounge for live music and dancing, a pub for quizzes and sport, a dance venue, a smaller space for films and talks, and a cabaret-style dinner show venue if you want something extra.
On my Britannia cruise, the entertainment was one of the stronger parts of the ship. The Headliners Theatre had a good mix of guest singers, comedians and West End-style shows, and the live bands helped keep the evenings lively across different venues.
In this guide, I’ll walk through the main entertainment venues on P&O Britannia, what happens in each one, what is included, what costs extra, and what to expect in the evenings onboard.
Watch My Full P&O Britannia Ship Tour
You can also watch my full P&O Britannia ship tour below to see the entertainment venues, bars, restaurants, pool decks, cabins and public areas as they look onboard.
What Is the Entertainment Like on P&O Britannia?
Entertainment on Britannia is spread across the ship rather than centred in one main area.
The main shows take place in the Headliners Theatre, which spans Decks 6 and 7 forward. This is where you’ll find the bigger evening performances, including production shows, guest singers, comedians and visiting acts.
The Live Lounge on Deck 7 is more of a late-night venue, with live bands, themed parties, guest acts, music and dancing. This is probably the closest thing Britannia has to a nightclub-style space.
The Crystal Room is also on Deck 7 and has a more traditional feel. It is used for ballroom dancing, dance classes, live music and events.
Brodie’s on Deck 6 is Britannia’s pub-style venue and is popular for quizzes, games and live sport on the big screens.
The Studio on Deck 7 is used for films, talks and enrichment activities.
Then you have the Limelight Club on Deck 5, which is an extra-charge dinner-and-show venue.
The atrium also plays a part in the evening atmosphere, especially around The Blue Bar, where live music and the elegant setting can make it a good place to start the evening.
The biggest thing to understand is that Britannia’s entertainment feels more venue-based than on Iona or Arvia. You choose your evening depending on what kind of atmosphere you want.
If you want a theatre show, you go to Headliners.
If you want a lively band or dancing, you go to The Live Lounge.
If you want quizzes or sport, Brodie’s is the place to look.
If you want something more traditional, The Crystal Room works well.
If you want a more polished dinner-and-show experience, you book the Limelight Club.
Headliners Theatre
The Headliners Theatre is Britannia’s main entertainment venue.
It is located at the front of the ship and spans Decks 6 and 7. This is where the main evening shows take place, including West End-style production shows, guest singers, comedians and live performances.
On my Britannia cruise, the Headliners Theatre had a strong lineup. There were guest singers, comedians and the larger theatre-style shows that P&O is known for.
Some of the performances were ones I had seen before on other P&O ships, but I still enjoyed them. That is something worth knowing if you cruise with P&O regularly. You may see some familiar shows or acts across the fleet, but that does not necessarily make them less enjoyable.
The theatre itself feels like a proper cruise ship theatre. It has tiered seating, a large stage and a modern LED screen backdrop, which helps make the shows feel visually strong.
There are usually two performances in the evening, timed around dinner. That gives you flexibility, whether you are eating early or later.
Seats can still fill up, especially for popular shows, comedians or guest acts, so it is worth arriving early if you want a better choice of seats.
The Headliners Theatre is included in your cruise fare. You do not need to pay extra for the standard shows, but you do need to plan your evening if there is something you really want to see.
The Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is one of Britannia’s main evening venues.
It is on Deck 7 and works differently depending on the time of day. During the day, it may be used for quizzes, activities or other events. In the evening, it becomes one of the liveliest spaces onboard.
This is where you’ll find live bands, guest acts, themed parties, music, dancing and later-night entertainment.
If you are looking for Britannia’s closest equivalent to a nightclub, The Live Lounge is probably it.
On my cruise, live bands such as Pulse and Exile performed in different venues, including The Live Lounge, The Crystal Room and even out on the Lido Deck on some nights. That helped keep the entertainment feeling varied, because the music was not always in the same place.
The Live Lounge is a good venue if you want to keep the evening going after dinner or after the theatre.
It is more casual than the Headliners Theatre and more lively than the Crow’s Nest or The Glass House. The atmosphere depends on what is scheduled, so it is worth checking the Horizon daily programme.
If there is a live band or themed party you want to see, arrive early enough to get a seat. It can get busy later in the evening.
The Crystal Room
The Crystal Room is Britannia’s dedicated dance and events venue.
It is on Deck 7 and has a more elegant, traditional P&O feel. This is where you may find ballroom dancing, dance classes, themed party nights, live music and social dancing.
During the day, The Crystal Room can be used for dance classes and organised activities. In the evening, it often becomes a social venue with music and dancing.
It is a good space if you enjoy the more traditional side of cruising.
Not every cruise passenger wants loud music or a late-night party atmosphere, and The Crystal Room gives Britannia another type of evening venue. It feels more classic and more relaxed than The Live Lounge, but still has atmosphere when something is happening.
On my cruise, the bands also performed here at different points, which helped spread entertainment across the ship rather than keeping everything in one venue.
If you enjoy dancing, or even just watching others dance, this is a venue worth finding early in the cruise.
Brodie’s
Brodie’s is Britannia’s British-style pub and one of the busiest social venues onboard.
It is on Deck 6 and is used for quizzes, games, drinks, conversation and live sport on the big screens.
On my cruise, Brodie’s was always popular. It was often busy in the evenings, especially when sport was being shown.
If there is football on, this is one of the main places onboard where people gather to watch it. That gives Brodie’s a very different atmosphere from the theatre or lounges.
It is more casual, more social and often louder.
Brodie’s is also a good venue for quizzes and pub-style activities, so it tends to work well during the day and early evening as well as later at night.
If you are travelling solo, Brodie’s can be one of the easier venues to sit in because it has that familiar pub feel. You can watch sport, join a quiz or just sit with a drink without it feeling too formal.
The casino is also next door, so this part of Deck 6 often feels lively in the evening.
The Studio
The Studio is on Deck 7 and is used for films, guest talks and enrichment activities.
This is a good option if you want something quieter than the main theatre or live music venues.
Depending on the cruise, you may find talks, presentations, port information, films or other daytime activities taking place here.
The Studio is one of those venues that can be easy to overlook if you only focus on the big evening entertainment, but it adds useful variety to the ship.
On sea days, especially if the weather is not ideal, venues like The Studio become more important because they give you something indoors to do that does not involve a bar, restaurant or shop.
It is worth checking the daily programme rather than assuming all entertainment happens at night.
The Limelight Club
The Limelight Club is on Deck 5 and is Britannia’s extra-charge dinner-and-show venue.
This is a different experience from the standard included entertainment. Instead of simply going to a theatre show, you book a table, have a meal, and then watch a live cabaret-style performance in a more intimate setting.
The acts can vary depending on the sailing, but the idea is that it feels more like a special night out.
Because it is a paid venue, it is not something everyone will do. But if there is a performer you really want to see, or you want a more structured evening, it can be worth considering.
Booking in advance is usually recommended because popular nights can fill up.
The Limelight Club works well if you want entertainment to be part of the whole evening rather than something separate after dinner.
Atrium Entertainment and The Blue Bar
Britannia’s atrium is one of the main features of the ship, and it also plays a role in the evening atmosphere.
The atrium spans several decks and includes bars, cafés, shops, seating and live music at different times.
The Blue Bar, on Deck 5, became one of my favourite places to start the evening on Britannia.
It has an elegant design, a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere, and it works well for a pre-dinner drink. Starting the evening there set the tone nicely before heading to dinner, the theatre or one of the other venues.
The atrium is not a dedicated entertainment venue in the same way as the theatre or Live Lounge, but it is somewhere you naturally pass through.
You may hear live music, see people gathering for drinks, or just find yourself stopping for a while because the atmosphere feels good.
If you like a gentle start to the evening, The Blue Bar and atrium area are worth using rather than heading straight to the busiest venues.
Live Bands and Guest Acts
Live music was one of the stronger parts of the entertainment on my Britannia cruise.
The bands Pulse and Exile performed in different venues, including The Live Lounge, The Crystal Room and the Lido Deck on certain nights.
That variety made a difference.
Rather than the music always feeling the same, the atmosphere changed depending on where the band was playing. A band in The Live Lounge feels different from a band on the Lido Deck, especially on a warm Caribbean evening.
The guest acts also helped keep the entertainment varied. Between singers, comedians, bands and theatre shows, there was usually something different to do in the evening.
This is where Britannia works well as a traditional cruise ship. You have multiple venues with different purposes, so the evening does not depend on one single entertainment space.
If you enjoy live music, check the daily programme carefully because the same band may appear in different places throughout the cruise.
Daytime Entertainment and Activities
Entertainment on Britannia is not just about the evening shows.
During the day, especially on sea days, there are usually talks, quizzes, classes, shopping events, films and activities around the ship.
Brodie’s is often used for quizzes and games.
The Studio may be used for talks, films or enrichment sessions.
The Crystal Room may host dance classes or daytime activities.
The Sports Arena can be used for organised sports and deck games.
The shops may have events or promotions on sea days.
On a warm-weather cruise, some entertainment and activities may also take place around the Lido Deck.
This is particularly useful on sea days when the pool areas are busy. If you do not want to spend the whole day looking for a sunbed, there are other things happening around the ship.
On my Caribbean cruise, sea days were a mix of relaxing and exploring the ship. There were enough talks, quizzes, bars, cafés and entertainment options that you did not need to stay in one place all day.
The key is to check the Horizon programme each day. Britannia is a ship where the entertainment schedule matters, because different venues come alive at different times.
Special Events and Celebration Nights
Britannia can also work very well for special events and celebration nights.
On my cruise, New Year’s Eve was one of the highlights.
We were docked late in Curaçao, which meant we could enjoy the island’s fireworks lighting up the Caribbean sky. It made the whole evening feel special before the onboard celebrations even started.
There were several ways to celebrate onboard.
At 8pm, passengers could mark the UK New Year in Brodie’s, which was a fun option for anyone who wanted to celebrate British time.
Later in the evening, Pulse and a DJ kept the energy going on the Lido Deck, where people danced and counted down to midnight.
The atmosphere was lively, joyful and very memorable.
The bars were understandably busy, so there were waits for drinks, but that did not spoil the evening. For a big celebration night, that is what I would expect on a full ship.
Not every cruise will have an event like New Year’s Eve, but it showed how Britannia can use different venues and outdoor spaces to create a proper celebration atmosphere.
If you are sailing over Christmas, New Year, formal nights or another special event, expect the entertainment programme to feel busier and more varied than on a normal evening.
Entertainment for Families
Britannia is a family-friendly ship, although it does not have the same newer family-focused features as Iona and Arvia.
The Reef kids’ club is on Deck 17 aft and offers supervised activities for different age groups. These can include games, crafts, sports, movie nights and organised sessions.
Families can also use the main theatre shows, pool deck entertainment, films, quizzes and other activities depending on age and interest.
Britannia does not have a large indoor family entertainment hub like some newer ships, and it does not have things like a SkyDome, ropes course or waterpark-style attractions.
Instead, the family entertainment is more traditional.
That may suit some families very well, especially if you want kids’ clubs, pools, theatre shows and general cruise activities rather than a ship packed with big attractions.
As always, the exact children’s programme depends on the sailing, school holidays and number of families onboard.
What Entertainment Is Included on Britannia?
Most entertainment on Britannia is included in your cruise fare.
The Headliners Theatre shows are included.
Live music in the lounges is included.
Quizzes and daytime activities are usually included.
Brodie’s entertainment and live sport are included.
Films and talks are usually included.
Atrium music is included.
Kids’ club activities are included for eligible ages.
The main extra-charge entertainment venue is the Limelight Club, because it combines dinner with a live performance.
Some classes, activities or special experiences may also have a charge, depending on the sailing, so it is always worth checking the details in the Horizon programme or onboard app.
But in general, you can enjoy plenty of entertainment on Britannia without paying extra.
Best Entertainment Venue Depending on What You Want
The best entertainment venue on Britannia depends on the type of evening you want.
If you want the biggest shows, go to the Headliners Theatre.
If you want live music, dancing and a later-night atmosphere, go to The Live Lounge.
If you want ballroom dancing, dance classes or a more traditional venue, try The Crystal Room.
If you want quizzes, pub games or live sport, Brodie’s is the best option.
If you want a quieter film, talk or enrichment session, check what is happening in The Studio.
If you want dinner and entertainment together, book the Limelight Club.
If you want to start the evening somewhere elegant with a drink, The Blue Bar in the atrium is a good choice.
If you are sailing during a special event or warm-weather itinerary, check whether anything is happening on the Lido Deck, because that can become one of the liveliest places onboard.
Practical Tips for Entertainment on Britannia
Check the Horizon programme every day because entertainment changes from venue to venue.
Do not assume everything happens in the theatre. Britannia has several entertainment spaces, and some of the best atmosphere can be in the lounges, Brodie’s, the atrium or the Lido Deck.
Arrive early for popular theatre shows, especially comedians, guest singers and formal night performances.
If you are planning dinner around a show, check the timings first. There are usually two performances, but the best option depends on whether you are dining early or late.
Brodie’s can get very busy when live sport is on, especially football, so arrive early if you want a seat.
The Live Lounge is worth checking later in the evening, even if you have already seen a theatre show.
The Blue Bar is a good place to start the evening if you want atmosphere without going straight into a busy entertainment venue.
For special celebration nights, expect queues at the bars and busier venues. It is part of the atmosphere, but it helps to be patient.
If you are a regular P&O cruiser, some theatre shows or acts may feel familiar. But Britannia still offers a strong entertainment programme because the ship has enough venues to keep evenings varied.
Related Guides
If you want a full overview of the ship, including pools, dining, cabins, bars, outdoor decks and layout, you can read my full guide to what’s onboard P&O Britannia guide
If you want to compare the pool areas, sunbeds and The Retreat, my P&O Britannia pools guide covers the Lido Pool, Riviera Pool, Serenity Pool, Terrace Pool, hot tubs and busy sea days.
If you want to know where to drink onboard, my P&O Britannia bars guide covers the Crow’s Nest, Blue Bar, Brodie’s, Glass House, Sunset Bar, pool bars, Live Lounge and other venues.
If dining is one of the most important parts of your cruise, my P&O Britannia Dining Options guide goes into more detail about what is included, what costs extra, and which venues are worth considering before you travel.
If you want to plan your drinks budget before sailing, my P&O drinks menu and prices guide covers drinks prices, menus and packages across P&O Cruises.
P&O Britannia Entertainment: Frequently Asked Questions
What entertainment is on P&O Britannia?
P&O Britannia has theatre shows, guest singers, comedians, live bands, quizzes, films, talks, dance classes, live sport, themed parties, atrium music and a dinner-and-show venue called the Limelight Club.
Does Britannia have a theatre?
Yes, Britannia has the Headliners Theatre across Decks 6 and 7 forward. This is the main venue for production shows, guest acts, singers and comedians.
Is entertainment included on P&O Britannia?
Most entertainment is included, including theatre shows, live music, quizzes, films, talks and lounge entertainment. The Limelight Club costs extra because it includes dinner and a live performance.
Does Britannia have a nightclub?
Britannia does not have a traditional nightclub, but The Live Lounge is the closest equivalent. It hosts live bands, themed parties, DJ sets and dancing later in the evening.
Where can you watch sport on Britannia?
Brodie’s is the main place to watch live sport on Britannia. It has big screens and a British-style pub atmosphere.
Does Britannia have live music?
Yes, live music is a big part of the entertainment on Britannia. You can find live bands and performers in venues such as The Live Lounge, The Crystal Room, the atrium and sometimes the Lido Deck.
What is The Crystal Room on Britannia?
The Crystal Room is Britannia’s dance and events venue. It is used for ballroom dancing, dance classes, live music, themed nights and social events.
What is The Studio on Britannia?
The Studio is a smaller venue used for films, guest talks and enrichment activities. It is a good option if you want quieter entertainment during the day or evening.
Is the Limelight Club included on Britannia?
No, the Limelight Club is an extra-charge venue. It combines dinner with a cabaret-style live performance.
Is Britannia good for evening entertainment?
Yes, Britannia is strong for evening entertainment if you like a traditional cruise ship setup with a theatre, live music venues, a pub, dancing, quizzes and several places to choose from.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
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