HMY Britannia, Royal yacht and museum ship at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
HMY Britannia is a former royal yacht and museum ship permanently moored at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh. The vessel spans five decks with state apartments, crew quarters, engine room, and bridge all open for visitors to walk through.
Britannia was launched in 1953 and served as the official vessel for the British royal family on worldwide travels until 1997. After decommissioning, she arrived in Edinburgh in 1998 and opened as a floating museum.
The state rooms still display original furniture, including mahogany pieces and chintz-covered sofas that show how the royals lived at sea. Visitors see where the family dined, held receptions, and spent their private evenings, from the formal drawing room to the sun lounge on deck.
The ship requires advance booking for visits, and audio guides in multiple languages are included with entry. The self-guided tour takes you through all accessible decks, though passages can be narrow and involve stairs.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom V sits in the onboard garage and was once transported ashore during state visits to carry the royal family on land. The crew scrubbed the deck using traditional holystones to protect the teak and avoid noisy work.
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