Britannia Diverts to Barbados for Repairs After Technical Issue

P&O Cruises’ Britannia diverted to Bridgetown, Barbados, during a 14-night Caribbean sailing after a technical issue prompted the ship to pause its itinerary for repairs, with the cruise line saying work was nearing completion and the vessel was expected to resume sailing on the evening of Jan. 5, 2026.

Repair stop in Bridgetown during a 14-night Caribbean sailing

Britannia, a 143,000-gross-ton ship, departed Bridgetown on Dec. 26, 2025, for a 14-night New Year’s voyage with 3,647 passengers onboard. The itinerary included calls such as St. George’s, Grenada, and Willemstad, Curaçao, before the technical issue developed and the ship ultimately routed back to Barbados.

P&O Cruises confirmed the ship’s presence in Barbados but did not publicly detail the nature of the technical problem. Passengers, however, described issues they believed were connected to the ship’s power and propulsion systems.

Itinerary changes and passenger accounts from the disruption

As the situation evolved, guests experienced itinerary adjustments and additional sea time. Several passengers described a power outage while Britannia was in Curaçao, saying lights went out before backup systems restored power roughly 30 minutes later.

Some guests also said they were informed the vessel operated with limited redundancy for part of the voyage, including claims that only one generator was fully functional at one point. P&O Cruises has not confirmed those specific details.

• Aruba was skipped as the ship’s schedule shifted during the disruption.
• A scheduled visit to St. Lucia, including two planned days in Castries, was bypassed as the ship routed directly to Barbados for repairs.
• Britannia’s arrival in Barbados did not immediately result in docking, as berth availability became a factor while another P&O ship remained in port longer than planned.

Some passengers also raised concerns about onboard conditions during the extended interruption. One guest described a beverage supply issue while the ship remained in Barbados, writing there was “now a shortage of drinks due to over consumption,” and said they were told restocking would not occur until Jan. 9, when the cruise was scheduled to conclude. Passengers who purchased drink packages also noted the disruption affected expected levels of service.

P&O Cruises has not provided detailed public information about onboard provisioning or how drink packages would be handled under the altered schedule.

P&O Cruises’ timeline for returning to service

P&O Cruises said repairs were close to completion and that Britannia would return to service promptly. A P&O Cruises spokesperson said, “The ship is in Barbados and will leave this evening,” adding that the vessel is expected to arrive in Martinique next, followed by St. Maarten, “as per the original itinerary.”

The spokesperson added: “We apologize to our guests for the alteration.”

How Arvia’s disruption affected Britannia’s docking in Barbados

Britannia’s repair stop unfolded as P&O Cruises also managed disruptions involving Arvia. On Jan. 3, 2026, Arvia remained docked in Bridgetown after a temporary airspace shutdown across parts of the Caribbean prevented fly-cruise passengers from disembarking and embarking on schedule.

With Arvia occupying the primary cruise berth longer than planned, passengers said Britannia was unable to dock immediately upon reaching Barbados and waited at a breakwater until Arvia departed later on Jan. 4. Ship-tracking activity during the period showed Arvia offshore near Barbados on Jan. 5, consistent with movements that can occur when ships reposition to manage berth availability during operational disruptions.

What remains unknown about the technical issue

While P&O Cruises confirmed Britannia was in Barbados and set out a plan to resume sailing on Jan. 5, the cruise line has not publicly specified what equipment failed or what repairs were required. Available reports did not include an official statement detailing the exact technical cause beyond the cruise line’s confirmation that repairs were nearing completion.

Málaga added to a 2027 Western Mediterranean itinerary

Separately, P&O Cruises has updated a future Britannia itinerary, adding a call in Málaga, Spain, to a 14-night Western Mediterranean roundtrip sailing from Southampton departing July 30, 2027. The Málaga visit, scheduled for Aug. 3, replaces a previously planned sea day.

P&O Cruises told booked guests: “Whether you choose to wander through the historic old town, visit the Picasso Museum, or relax by the Mediterranean, this addition will make your holiday even more special.”

Beyond Málaga, the itinerary includes calls at Cádiz, Cartagena, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and Cagliari, along with a visit to Gibraltar before returning to Southampton. The sailing is also expected to offer passengers a chance to view the 2027 Solar Eclipse, with the ship planning to position itself for the event.

Britannia’s sailing plans from Southampton in 2026 and beyond

Britannia, built in 2015, is slated to return to Southampton after its 2026–2027 Caribbean season. P&O Cruises has said the ship will then operate year-round cruises to destinations including Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Iceland, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands. The cruise line has said that starting in October 2026, itineraries from Southampton are expected to range from seven to 21 nights and include regions such as Iberia alongside other European routes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did Britannia divert to Barbados?

Britannia diverted to Bridgetown, Barbados, after a technical issue prompted the ship to pause the voyage for repairs. P&O Cruises confirmed the ship was in Barbados but did not publicly specify the exact nature of the problem.

Which ports did Britannia miss because of the disruption?

The ship skipped Aruba and bypassed a scheduled call to St. Lucia, including two planned days in Castries, while routing to Barbados. P&O Cruises indicated the ship would then aim to continue to Martinique and St. Maarten in line with the original itinerary.

When did P&O Cruises say Britannia would resume sailing?

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said repairs were nearing completion and that Britannia was expected to leave Barbados on the evening of Jan. 5, 2026.

What is the updated itinerary for Britannia’s July 2027 Mediterranean cruise?

P&O Cruises said the July 30, 2027, 14-night roundtrip sailing from Southampton will now include Málaga on Aug. 3, replacing a previously scheduled sea day. The itinerary also includes Cádiz, Cartagena, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari, Gibraltar, and a return to Southampton.

How does P&O Cruises plan to position the Britannia for the 2027 Solar Eclipse?

P&O Cruises has said Britannia plans to position itself along the path of the eclipse to allow passengers to view the event at sea. The cruise line indicated additional details about the specific viewing location are expected to be communicated closer to the sailing date.

With repairs underway in Barbados and a stated plan to depart on Jan. 5, Britannia’s next scheduled stops were expected to include Martinique followed by St. Maarten, as the cruise line worked to bring the disrupted Caribbean sailing back in line with its planned timetable.