p&o cruise 18th may 2023

Aurora P&O Cruises (R308) Amsterdam Cruise 18th May 2023

Inroduction.

This cruise aboard P&O Aurora and operated by P&O Cruises, is a 4-night Holland MiniNo-Fly cruise from Southampton. The cruise departs on the 18th of May, 2023.

Ports of Call * (in no particular order!)

• Amsterdam (Overnight in Port): The Dutch port city of Amsterdam is known for its canals, museums, and vibrant culture. Visitors can explore the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank House. Other popular attractions include the Vondelpark, the Dam Square, and the Amsterdam Dungeon. This cruise spends a night alongside, giving more time to explore Amsterdam.

About Aurora

Aurora is a mid-sized ship from P&O Cruises, exclusively for adults. Aurora is a world-class ship, bringing the joys of classic cruise travel to all. Aurora features a skydome over her inviting Crystal Pool, an award-winning wine bar, a cinema and theatre, and a range of fine dining options. Aurora sails to a variety of destinations, including the USA and Canada, the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords and more. Book your Aurora cruise today and enjoy the intimate classic ship.

All of Aurora Cruises in 2023 can be found on the main Aurora page of Cruisez, along with other news and details about the ship.

Aurora Cruises this Month

Itinerary: Southampton – Kiel, Helsinki (overnight onboard), Tallinn, Stockholm, Klaipeda (Lithuania), Warnemunde, Aarhus – Southampton

Itinerary: Southampton – Cartagena (Spain), Cagliari (Sardinia), Dubrovnik, Zadar, Trieste, Messina (Sicily), Gibraltar – Southampton

Similar Cruises

Itinerary: Southampton – Amsterdam (overnight onboard) – Southampton

Itinerary: Southampton – Amsterdam (overnight onboard) – Southampton

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Cruise line, departure date, 10 nights fremantle to cairns cruise on the pacific explorer departing on the 18th may 2023.

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P&O Cruises cruise May 2023

Cruise to the spectacular Northern Europe with P&O Cruises in May 2023.  From the British Isles to incredible Northern Lights and the magnificent Norwegian fjords and Scandinavia, via the Baltic States and Russia, cruising becomes a unique experience, sailing past enchanted castles and glaciers under the midnight sun, between some of the most fascinating cities in the world. Cruise all the way to the mythical Cape North, separated from the North Pole only by the Svalbard Islands, in the Arctic Sea. Experience all Europe has to offer with P&O Cruises in May 2023 with destinations to Norway Fjords, Baltic Sea, Scandinavia and more on Northern Europe Cruises. Easily find and compare all P&O Cruises cruises in May 2023.

Find and plan your next P&O Cruises cruise in May 2023

12-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Southampton

Arcadia, p&o cruises.

Date: May 2, 2023

Ports of Call: Southampton, Haugesund, Nordfjord, Trondheim, Andalsnes, Alesund, Bergen, Kristiansand, Southampton; View Itinerary

7-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Southampton

Britannia, p&o cruises.

Date: May 5, 2023

Ports of Call: Southampton, Stavanger, Olden, Nordfjord, Flam, Haugesund, Southampton; View Itinerary

10-day Western Europe cruise from Southampton

Ventura, p&o cruises.

Date: May 6, 2023

Ports of Call: Southampton, Santander, Vigo, Lisbon, Lisbon, Porto, Cherbourg, Southampton; View Itinerary

Iona, P&O Cruises

Ports of Call: Southampton, Stavanger, Olden, Alesund, Haugesund, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: May 13, 2023

4-day Northern Europe cruise from Southampton

Date: May 16, 2023

Ports of Call: Southampton, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Southampton; View Itinerary

Aurora, P&O Cruises

Date: May 18, 2023

Date: May 20, 2023

7-day Western Europe cruise from Southampton

Ports of Call: Southampton, Vigo, Lisbon, Porto, St. Peter Port, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: May 26, 2023

Date: May 27, 2023

Ports of Call: Southampton, Stavanger, Olden, Nordfjord, Geiranger Fjord, Haugesund, Southampton; View Itinerary

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the P&O Cruises website.

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LIVE BLOG for P&O Aurora - 4 Night Amsterdam - 18th - 22nd May 2023

By ScratchTheRat , May 14, 2023 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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ScratchTheRat

It's time for another....LIVE cruise blog and journal! This time, I will be detailing my first visit onto P&O Aurora on a short cruise to Amsterdam. My goal for this thread is to provide background on what I'm doing, when, where and how, as well as sharing tips, experiences, reviews, menus and pictures to (hopefully) entertain and inform you all.

So first of all, a little about me!

I'm a man in my 30's and have been cruising now since 2010, where my first cruise was a 7 night Caribbean cruise on Carnival Dream from Orlando Florida. Since then, I have completed many cruises on Carnival where I am now Platinum status, I have cruised on Princess, MSC and Norwegian and have sailed with P&O on Iona, Britannia, Ventura (and this one will be on Aurora!), I was also lucky enough to be invited on to the Arvia test cruise before it was unleashed on the fare paying passengers! So needless to say, I think I know quite a bit about cruising and I think I have a rather unique voice on cruising as I am a bit younger than the average cruise guest and have some different ways of doing things!

So why this cruise?

Well, I recently got myself a new job and as I have another cruise booked (Sky Princess the following week!) my start date at work is in June. I left my old job earlier and was given garden leave so I figured...what should I do with that extra week off? Of course! Last minute cruise! Now, with the cruise being SO last minute (I booked 6 days before sailing), I couldn't bring any of my friends and family along as they couldn't get time off work at short notice and so, undeterred, I booked to go solo! 

Cabin and Itinerary

I booked a very cheap rate for an Inside cabin on a saver fare with a guarantee cabin, so I wouldn't get to choose my cabin in advance. Lo and behold, the next day my cabin has been confirmed and to my surprise, I was given a Seaview single cabin. There are only 4 of these cabins on the ship and I was quite happy to get it as it's rather unique!

Itinerary wise, this is a 4 day cruise from Southampton with an overnight stay in Amsterdam. Now, as a young (ish) solo traveller, I was glad to see the overnight stay was a Saturday so I can experience some of the fun of Saturday night city nightlife in Amsterdam, hit up some bars and see the party atmosphere.

I hope you will all enjoy my posts regarding this cruise as I know I often enjoy reading trip reports from others. If there's anything you want to see or know, please let me know and I will do my best for you!

Thanks all 🙂

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AndyMichelle

Have a great time, looking forward to following your journey. 

I’m really looking forward to your blog. Please be extra careful in Amsterdam as there are lots of pick pockets. I was a victim of one within an hour of arriving. It’s a great place with a vibrant night life, but be vigilant. 

P&O SUE

I’m looking forward to this too as I’ve just booked a four night cruise to Amsterdam on Aurora for Easter 2024. Have a great time.

On 5/14/2023 at 11:10 PM, P&O SUE said: I’m looking forward to this too as I’ve just booked a four night cruise to Amsterdam on Aurora for Easter 2024. Have a great time.

Might be a good time to visit the Tulip Fields Sue, spectacular.

https://www.tulip-garden-tickets.com/?msclkid=c552297a398e12f066a64d1911ff574f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Amsterdam - Keukenhof - English - Netherlands - Search - All - All - cid1549&utm_term=keukenhof&utm_content=Generic - Exact - English - All

3 hours ago, Technoman2 said: Might be a good time to visit the Tulip Fields Sue, spectacular. https://www.tulip-garden-tickets.com/?msclkid=c552297a398e12f066a64d1911ff574f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Amsterdam - Keukenhof - English - Netherlands - Search - All - All - cid1549&utm_term=keukenhof&utm_content=Generic - Exact - English - All

Yes, I had this in mind but wasn’t sure if it was a bit early for the tulips, it’s somewhere I’ve wanted to go for ages. I see there’s already a trip on my Personaliser!

The case is packed, the clothes are ready, just the normal things now of having to wait til the morning to pack toiletries, chargers and all that kinda stuff!

I'm getting up bright and early to go to the gym at 6am (save me) and then I will be heading to Southampton on the train from Cardiff. I aim to get to the terminal for around 12:30 and hopefully be on the ship for lunch!

Look forward to providing you with updates! 

8 minutes ago, ScratchTheRat said: The case is packed, the clothes are ready, just the normal things now of having to wait til the morning to pack toiletries, chargers and all that kinda stuff!   I'm getting up bright and early to go to the gym at 6am (save me) and then I will be heading to Southampton on the train from Cardiff. I aim to get to the terminal for around 12:30 and hopefully be on the ship for lunch!   Look forward to providing you with updates! 

Have a lovely time. I did this cruise last month on Ventura, 4 days Southampton to Amsterdam and back. I’m also in my 30s and went solo. I paid £318 for an inside room.   

I had a great time. The ship arrived in the evening, I got off and had a few beers at the bar directly to the right as you leave the cruise terminal. The staff were hilarious, had some good music playing and was a lovely sunset. In town I visited a few bars including one called Temple Bar. The next day I visited some more

bars, did a few tourist sites, tried some ‘Amsterdam tobacco’, had a lovely meal at a place I cannot remember and then got a taxi back to the cruise terminal.   

We left Amsterdam around midnight and the next day we were at sea so I had a good time at the casino and eating at the restaurants on the ship.   

Really enjoyed the cruise. 🙂

8 minutes ago, Landon90 said: Have a lovely time. I did this cruise last month on Ventura, 4 days Southampton to Amsterdam and back. I’m also in my 30s and went solo. I paid £318 for an inside room.    I had a great time. The ship arrived in the evening, I got off and had a few beers at the bar directly to the right as you leave the cruise terminal. The staff were hilarious, had some good music playing and was a lovely sunset. In town I visited a few bars including one called Temple Bar. The next day I visited some more bars, did a few tourist sites, tried some ‘Amsterdam tobacco’, had a lovely meal at a place I cannot remember and then got a taxi back to the cruise terminal.    We left Amsterdam around midnight and the next day we were at sea so I had a good time at the casino and eating at the restaurants on the ship.    Really enjoyed the cruise. 🙂

That’s amazing to hear! I got the same deal and upgraded me to a sea view 🙂

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New P&O Drinks Package explained!

In this post we will explain the new P&O Cruises Drinks Package that has launched, giving you a reason to say ‘cheers’ to your holiday!

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through affiliate links wont cost you any more but it may mean we receive a small commission.

Page Contents

For a fixed price per person, per day, the P&O’s Drink Packages offer something to suit every taste. From Pepsi to refresh you by the pool to toasting another mouth-watering meal with a glass of red in the Med, P&O have got you covered. Simply choose your favourite package, sit back and relax whilst you sip the days away.

P&O’s drinks packages are available on cruises of five nights or more. Log in to My P&O Cruises up to three days before your holiday to get the best P&O drinks package for you. Or if you’d like to wait until you’re on board, you can get your drinks package within the first two nights of your holiday. However, please note that sharing of packages isn’t permitted, so each adult sharing a cabin must buy the same drinks package individually.

The Packages

Refresh drinks package

With classic fizzy drinks like R.Whites Lemonade and Pepsi to your choice of orange, pineapple and apple juice, this package is perfect for your daily refreshment from poolside to the bar.

Price before your holiday: £9.85 | On-board price: £10.95 (Per person, per day)

Alcohol-free drinks package

The P&O Alcohol-free package includes everything from the Refresh package, plus lattes, cappuccinos or teapigs™ from Costa Coffee, 0% Heineken, Tanqueray, Torres and wine, still or sparkling water (330ml) and some non-alcoholic cocktails.

Price before your holiday: £22.45 | On-board price: £24.95 (Per person, per day)

Classic drinks package

The P&O Classic drinks package includes everything from the Refresh and Alcohol-free drinks packages, plus even more. From Piña Coladas and Mai Tais to your pick of Smirnoff Vodka, Bell’s Whisky, P&O’s exclusive Marabelle Gin and Golden Tide Rum, and a choice of Heineken, Birra Moretti or John Smith’s for the beer-lovers, you’re spoilt for choice.

Price before your holiday: £40.45 | On-board price: £44.95 (Per person, per day)

Deluxe drinks package

The P&O Deluxe drinks package includes the same selection as all other packages and then some more! Delight in P&O’s most popular brands like Grey Goose and Salcombe Gin, as well as an extended selection of cocktails, including a fresh Aperol Spritz or Sunset Cooler.

Price before your holiday: £49.45 | On-board price: £54.95 (Per person, per day)

What’s included

Purchase and Availability

• Drinks Packages are available on cruises of 5 nights or longer.
• Drinks Packages can be purchased in advance of your cruise via My P&O Cruises or on board during the first 2 days of your cruise.
• If you purchase a Drinks Package on board, you will only pay for the day of purchase and the remaining days of your cruise.
• Drinks Packages must be purchased for the entire duration of your cruise. They cannot be purchased on a per-day basis.
• Classic and Deluxe Drinks Packages may only be purchased by adult guests. Adult guests are guests over the age of 18, or over the age of 21 if your cruise visits USA or UAE waters.
• Any guests aged 17 years must purchase either a Refresh or Alcohol-Free Drinks Package when any adults in the same cabin purchase a Classic or Deluxe Drinks Package.

Limits and Use

• The same Drinks Package must be purchased by guests aged over 18 years sharing a cabin.
• A complimentary Refresh Drinks Package will be provided to guests aged 16 or under where all adults travelling in the same cabin have purchased a Classic or Deluxe Drinks Package.
• All Drinks Packages are limited to 15 drinks per guest in any 24-hour period, starting each day at 6am.
• P&O Cruises reserves the right to refuse the service of alcohol at any time in accordance with P&O’s policy for the Responsible Service of Alcohol. This requires bar staff not to serve guests they believe to be intoxicated.
• Only one drink may be ordered at a time. All drink orders must be at least 15 minutes apart.
• Guests can only use their own Drinks Package to order drinks. Sharing or transferring Drinks Packages is not permitted.
• Some drinks are excluded from Drinks Packages. See the Exclusions section for details.
• Peninsular Club loyalty discounts apply to purchases of all Drinks Packages both via My P&O Cruises and on board.
• Classic and Deluxe Drinks Packages entitle guests to a 20% discount on drinks not included in their package or ordered above the 15-drink limit. Drinks that qualify for the 20% discount are shown in the 20% Discount Offer table. Discount is applied against the full menu price.

Terms of Use

• Pre-Cruise purchases of Drinks Packages must be made at least 3 days before the departure date of your cruise.
• Drinks Packages purchased pre-cruise can be cancelled no later than 3 days before departure. In this event, a full refund will be applied to the credit/debit card used to make the purchase.
• Drinks Packages purchased on board may not be cancelled once purchased.
• P&O Cruises reserves the right to refuse service of alcoholic drinks to guests who appear under the age of 18 or 21.
• Drink selections and service hours are limited to each on board venue’s menu and operating hours.
• All bottles and cans will be served opened.
• For cruises starting outside the UK, Drinks Packages sold on board may be subject to a local tax. These charges will be applied to the price of a Drinks Package at the point of purchase.
• Individual drinks included in a Drinks Package are subject to availability. P&O Cruises may substitute any drink(s) included in a Drinks Package for an alternative product of comparable or greater value. No refunds will be given in the event a substitution is made.
• P&O Cruises reserves the right to make additional exclusions or further reasonable limitations to Drinks Packages at any time.
• In exceptional circumstances, P&O Cruises may withdraw Drinks Packages from a cruise entirely. In this event, a full or pro-rata refund will be offered to guests and P&O Cruises will not be liable for any other costs or expenses incurred.
• The price of Drinks Packages purchased on board may differ from the price payable pre-cruise. P&O Cruises is not obligated to reduce the on board price to match any price available in advance of your cruise. If the on board price is lower, partial refunds for Drinks Packages purchased in advance will not be given.
• P&O Cruises reserves the right to change the price of the drinks or the Drinks Packages at any time. If a Drinks Package has been booked and paid for, the price paid will not change.

All Drinks Packages exclude the following:

• All Signature whiskies, cognac and rums
• Bottles of wine, Champagne or spirits
• Selected glasses of fine wine
• Large bottled water
• Freakshakes
• Seven Wonders cocktails / Seven Treasures cocktails in Amber and Emerald Bar
• Exclusive Cocktails in Anderson’s Bar
• Drinks sold in shops on board
• Wine, beer and spirit flights or buckets of beer
• Drinks provided via self-service or vending machines
• Room service orders
• In-cabin water orders
• Mini-bar items
• The Retreat menu items
• For guests under the age of 18, non-alcoholic beers, wines, spirits and Red Bull are not available
• Use at special events such as P&O Cruises cocktail parties, wedding receptions or similar pre-booked private events.
• Other than Peninsular Club loyalty discounts, Drinks Packages may not be combined with any other programmes, promotions, or on-board specials offers, or applied toward speciality dining cover charges. They may not be used with any ‘Buy One Get One Free’ or multi-buy offers or used as part of any guest experiences (such as Wine Tastings, Cocktail Masterclasses or Spirit Masterclasses). The Classic Drinks Package also excludes spirits served in 50ml measures, wine served in 250ml measures and medium size Costa Coffee products. If your cruise ends in the UK, customs restrictions require that only non-alcoholic drinks are available once the ship has entered UK waters prior to disembarkation.

Go live dates:

How to purchase a new drinks package:.

You can purchase the drinks packages on My P&O Cruises immediately after booking your cruise and up to three days prior to departure, where they will receive 10% discount. Or you can purchase the packages on board during the first two days of your holiday. However, please note this will be at full price, with no discounts for on-board purchases.

Will children still receive a complimentary package when an adult in the same cabin purchases a drinks package?

Yes, all guests aged 16 years old or under will receive a complimentary Refresh Drinks Package when a qualifying adult in the same cabin has purchased a Classic or Deluxe Drinks Package. Any guests aged 17 years old must purchase an Alcohol-Free or Refresh Package when any adult guests purchase an alcoholic package.

Can adults purchase the Refresh Drinks package?

Yes, the new P&O Refresh Package that has an incredible selection of soft drinks can be purchased and enjoyed by everyone.

Why is the pre-cruise price different to the onboard price?

P&O Cruises are offering guests the opportunity to purchase drinks packages before they go on holiday via My P&O Cruises, at a 10% discount on the full retail price. SO it is cheaper to buy the drinks package before you go!

Can you still purchase products outside of the package?

Yes, guests who have a Classic or Deluxe Package can purchase drinks outside of the package with a 20% discount on the full price of the product.

Are the wine packages still available to purchase?

Yes, they are.

What happens if you have purchased pre-cruise an Ultimate/NonAlcoholic or Children’s package prior to the new go live dates?

Guests who had previously purchased a drinks package via My P&O Cruises will automatically receive an improved new package at no extra cost. This will have been communicated to guests via an email:

Children`s Drinks Package – Refresh Drinks Package Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package – Alcohol Free Drinks Package Ultimate Drinks Package – Deluxe Drinks Package

The original packages will continue to show under ‘My Orders’ in My P&O Cruises; this will be taken care of on board.

If you purchase a package via My P&O Cruises, will I have to visit a bar to receive a sticker?

If pre purchased your package via My P&O Cruises, you will no longer need to visit a designated bar venue to receive a sticker on your cruise card and sign P&O’s terms and conditions. Instead, this will be processed, charged and the sticker applied to your cruise card before it is left outside the cabin. You will also receive a copy of the terms and conditions and the list of included products. 

We hope you have found this useful, legacy information is still available on our website:

P&O Drinks Packages… Is it worth it?

P&O Drinks Packages Explained 2023 prices

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The rumours have been rumbling around Facebook groups for a few weeks now and today, 18th May 2023 P&O finally confirmed and update to their drink packages.

So throw out what you know – and read on. There are some changes (and inevitable price increases) ahead. 

What are the new P&O Drinks Packages?

There are now 4 P&O drinks Packages.

Refresh drinks package Price: £10.95 per person, per day 10% discounted price when purchased before your holiday.

Alcohol-free drinks package Price: £24.95 (per person, per day) 10% discounted price when purchased before your holiday.

The Classic drinks package £44.95 per person per day 10% discounted price when purchased before your holiday.

The Deluxe drinks package £54.95 per person per day 10% discounted price when purchased before your holiday.

What are the key changes?

Apart from price increases and a new premium drink package, here are some more the key changes I’ve noticed…

• There is now no mention of the £6.95 drink limit which might mean price changes on the new menus are ahead.
• There’s now a 10% discount incentive to book before you get on board.
• The Refresh drink package now replaces the Childrens’ Drinks Package.
• The Alcohol-free drink package is the new Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package.
• The Classic drink package seems to be the Ultimate Drinks Package

While The Deluxe drink package is listed as offering ‘everything from the Classic and even more!’ such as double measures, large glasses of wine and the full range from Costa coffee – this package still has a LOT of exclusions which I’ll go into below.

What’s not changed:

• You will still receive your Peninsular Club loyalty discount on your drinks package (this is the only discount which can be combined with the 10% advance purchase discount)
• Drinks packages are available on cruises of 5 nights or more.
• Drinks packages can only be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise. They cannot be purchased on a per-day basis.
• All adults in the same cabin must purchase the same drinks package.
• The sharing of packages isn’t permitted, so each adult sharing a cabin must buy the same drinks package individually.
• Only one drink may be ordered at a time.
• All drink orders must be at least 15 minutes apart
• Guests are entitled to up 15 drinks per day, per package. After which, any drinks will be charged at full price less 20% discount.
• Any guests aged 16 years and under will receive a complimentary Refresh drinks package when all adults occupying the same cabin purchase a Classic or Deluxe drinks package.
• Any guests aged 17 years must purchase an Alcohol-free or Refresh drinks package when any adult guests purchase an alcoholic package.
• Only one drink may be ordered per package at any one time at a minimum of 15-minute intervals.
• If purchasing a round of drinks, only one drink will qualify under their drinks package and the rest will be charged, with a 20% discount applied.
• Only guests aged 18 years and older on the date of embarkation (or 21 in USA/UAE territorial waters) may purchase the Classic or Deluxe drinks package.
• Guests aged 17 years and under may purchase the Alcohol-free drinks packages but will not be allowed to order non-alcoholic beers, wines, spirits, or Red Bull.
• You can buy packages at any bar on board until midnight on night two of your cruise and you can use your package in all the restaurants, bars and cafés on board.
• Children can have the refresh package independently of their parents. There is no requirement for adults in the same cabin to also purchase a package.
• Any loyalty discount will be applied when purchasing a drinks package.
• Drinks Packages purchased on board may not be cancelled once purchased (Drinks Packages purchased pre-cruise can be cancelled no later than 3 days before departure. In this event, a full refund will be applied to the credit/debit card used to make the purchase.)
• All bottles and cans will be served opened

What’s included in the new P&O Cruises drinks Packages? 

For an overview of what’s included see below.

When do the new drinks Package start?

It looks like drink packages will be rolled out across the fleet between 20 May – 6 July depending on the ship. For cruises which set sail before these dates, the current packages will still be available to purchase.

Here are the following dates are when the new packages will be available on each ship:

• Iona (G315): 20 May 2023
• Ventura (N313) 20 May 2023
• Arvia (K311)28 May 2023
• Arcadia (J306N) 6 June 2023
• Britannia (B315N) 9 June 2023
• Aurora (R311) 22 June 2023
• Azura (A319) 6 July 2023

I’ve already bought a drinks package? 

But what if you’ve already bought one of the ‘old’ drink packages and you set sail after these dates?

If you have previously purchased a drinks package via My P&O Cruises, you will automatically receive an improved new package at no extra cost.

• Childrens’ drinks package will be automatically upgraded to The Refresh drinks package.
• Non-alcoholic drinks package will be automatically upgraded to The Alcohol-free drinks package.
• Ultimate drinks package will be automatically upgraded to The Deluxe drinks package.

What’s excluded from the Drinks Packages?

The following are NOT included in any drinks Package.

• All Signature whiskies, cognac and rums
• Bottles of wine, Champagne or spirits
• Selected glasses of fine wine
• Large bottled water
• Freakshakes
• Seven Wonders cocktails / Seven Treasures cocktails in Amber Bar (on Arvia) and Emerald Bar (on Iona)
• Exclusive Cocktails in Anderson’s Bar
• Drinks sold in shops on board
• Wine, beer and spirit flights or buckets of beer
• Drinks provided via self-service or vending machines
• Room service orders
• In-cabin water orders
• Mini-bar items
• The Retreat menu items

For guests under the age of 18, non-alcoholic beers, wines, spirits and Red Bull are not available · Use at special events such as P&O Cruises cocktail parties, wedding receptions or similar pre-booked private events.

Other than Peninsular Club loyalty discounts, Drinks Packages may not be combined with any other programmes, promotions, or on-board specials offers, or applied toward speciality dining cover charges.

They may not be used with any ‘Buy One Get One Free’ or multi-buy offers or used as part of any guest experiences (such as Wine Tastings, Cocktail Masterclasses or Spirit Masterclasses).

The Classic Drinks Package also excludes spirits served in 50ml measures, wine served in 250ml measures and medium size Costa Coffee products.

If your cruise ends in the UK, customs restrictions require that only non-alcoholic drinks are available once the ship has entered UK waters prior to disembarkation.

When Can you buy the Drinks Package on board P&O Cruises?

• Drinks Packages are available on cruises of 5 nights or longer.
• Drinks Packages can be purchased in advance of your cruise via My P&O Cruises or on board during the first 2 days of your cruise.
• If you purchase a Drinks Package on board, you will only pay for the day of purchase and the remaining days of your cruise.
• Drinks Packages must be purchased for the entire duration of your cruise. They cannot be purchased on a per-day basis.
• Classic and Deluxe Drinks Packages may only be purchased by adult guests. Adult guests are guests over the age of 18, or over the age of 21 if your cruise visits USA or UAE waters.
• Any guests aged 17 years must purchase either a Refresh or Alcohol-Free Drinks Package when any adults in the same cabin purchase a Classic or Deluxe Drinks Package.

For the full set of Terms and conditions click the image below. 

It looks like Drinks Menus will be changing

One thing which P&O cruises have made simpler is having a refresh of the drinks menus to show whether a drink is included in your package or not.

While I think this is a great thing – it will be interesting to see whether the prices of drinks change too.

Is the Drinks Package worth it?

Until we see the new drinks menu prices, we can’t say for sure how much value the new drinks packages will be. It also depends on your preferred drinks of choice, who you’re travelling with, how many ports and sea days you have, and even what cabin or loyalty tier you’re in. 

Watch this space for a fuller review once the new menus have been published. 

Read Next: Arvia Conservatory Mini Suites – All you need to know

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Steph is the founder of Cruise with Amber. She been cruising since 2005 and spent over 100 nights at sea. She is a Mum, Wife, Chartered Psychologist, business owner, exceptionally bad surfer, artist and cruise blogger. 

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Iona current position

Iona current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 50.58438 N / -0.72496 W) cruising at speed of 17.2 kn (32 km/h | 20 mph) en route to NOAES >GBSOU. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Iona

Iona current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Norwegian Fjords . The itinerary starts on 06 Apr, 2024 and ends on 13 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Iona

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Iona Itineraries

Iona review, review of iona.

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS Iona cruise ship is P&O UK fleet's first Excellence-class boat (delivered in October 2020 and inaugurated in August 2021), with sistership Arvia (2022). P&O Iona and Arvia are currently the newest and largest passenger liners designed and built for the UK source market.

Other Helios-Excellence-Class vessels (Iona sisterships) include Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), AIDAnova (2018), AIDAcosma (2021).

The vessel (IMO number 9826548) is currently UK- flagged (MMSI 232025845) and registered in Southampton .

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which in 2003 merged with Carnival Corporation. P and O is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

P&O Iona and Arvia ships are from the Carnival Corporation's Excellence Class (aka "Helios", and "Carnival XL"). The vessel design was developed in collaboration with renowned maritime companies and interior design firms, including Meyer Werft (German shipbuilder), Jestico+Whiles ( London -based hospitality design studio), Richmond International (London-based hotel architecture), Partner Ship Design ( Hamburg -based maritime architecture specialist with several Carnival Corporation projects - including AIDA, Costa, P&O, CCL-Carnival).

For cruise liner's hotel facilities and amenities were contracted the companies Richmond International (London UK), The Four Seasons Moscow, Langham Hotel, and Sandy Lane Hotel (Barbados). Passenger cabins were designed by Partner Ship Design (Hamburg Germany). The ship also introduces the fleet's first "Conservation Mini-Suite" cabin category. The stateroom features a separate, conservatory-style area as a cabin extension. Offering more flexibility, this lounge room is furnished with an L-shaped sofa and can be left open or closed off. The conservatory opens out fully and leads directly onto the suite's balcony. It also can be used for private parties and celebrations with an in-cabin beverage service by a dedicated butler.

Decks and Cabins

MS Iona has 18 decks (16 passenger-accessible, 11 with cabins), a total of 2614 staterooms for 5204 passengers (lower berths/max capacity is 6264) served by 1762 staff-crew, 17 dining venues (11 restaurants plus 6 food bars, including 9 breakfast-serving, 7 coffee-serving, 5 Afternoon Tea-serving, 8 specialty restaurants, 4 MDR-dining rooms), 12 bars and lounges, 4 swimming pools (1 indoor plus 3 outdoor/2 infinity), 18 outdoor Jacuzzies (large outdoor whirlpool hot tubs), 13 entertainment venues (including adults-only), kids-dedicated zones (indoor-outdoor facilities and sundecks/playgrounds), 22 elevators (passenger lifts located forward-midship-aft).

The boat has 8 laundrettes (self-service laundry rooms for passengers). The largest passenger accommodations are the 2-Room Sky Suites (400 ft2 / 37 m2 plus 110 ft2 / 11 m2 terrace/step-out balcony). Staterooms include 121 Suites, 1496 Balcony, 174 Oceanviews/Seaviews, 819 Interior. P&O Iona has a total of 32 studios (single-occupancy cabins) and 55 wheelchair-accessible/handicap cabins (for disabled passengers).

Most cabins are sized between 135-170 ft2 (13-16 m2). Excepting the Suites, all cabin balconies are very small - sized just 20 ft2 (2 m2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

With a choice of 30 venues, many of which open from early morning until late at night, guests enjoy the widest ever selection of spots to eat and drink onboard a ship built exclusively for the British cruise market. The new venues join P&O Cruises favorites, such as The Glass House, Epicurean, Sindhu and Brodie's among a long list of cafes, bars, self-service choices, and restaurants. Not traditionally for P&O Cruises, Iona offers exclusively "Freedom Dining" (aka "Flexible Dining") in all main restaurants. The policy allows passengers to choose where, when and with whom they prefer to eat.

On Iona ship, P&O debuted the "food market" dining concept. "The Quays" piazza (Deck 8) has a great number of takeaway and self-service food bars. The Quays restaurants and eateries offer international food, including American diner classics, Asian street food, Mediterranean sharing platters, fish & chips, Italian gelato, plus the new "Olive Grove", "Hook Line and Vinegar", "Boardwalk Diner", "Fusion".

• "The Olive Grove" is an intimate restaurant serving lunch and dinner, with a menu focusing on traditional Mediterranean dishes and sharing platters.
• "Hook Line and Vinegar" is a self-service, all-day restaurant for traditional British seafood specialties - battered fish, fish burgers, scampi, calamari, crab cakes.
• "The Boardwalk Diner" is self-service, all-day food bar for classic American cuisine, which menu includes burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, eggs over easy,
• "Fusion" is a takeaway, all-day Asian food bar.
• The cruise liner has four Main Dining Rooms (MDRs) named Aqua, Coral, Opal, Pearl. Located on decks 6-7, all main restaurants offer "Freedom Dining" (open-seating) breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea service, and dinner. Gala Nights (formal dinner events) are also hosted there, with a special dinner menu by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. The largest MDRs (Pearl and Coral) are located aft on decks 6-7 and interconnected, to make one large 2-level restaurant.
• "Horizon Restaurant" (Pool Deck 16) is the ship's Lido Buffet with all-day self-service. The Lido restaurant is casual (as dress code), with flexible dining and a wide range of dishes - from traditional British to world foods. It also caters to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and healthy food options.
• "The Beach House" is an informal Select Dining venue which in the evenings comprises Horizon buffet's forward section. The menu is inspired by British, American and Caribbean cuisines, offering steaks, grills, ribs, hanging kebabs, burgers, sharable sides, gourmet desserts.
• "The Limelight Club" (Deck 6) combines gourmet food with top-quality entertainment, exclusively for adults. The lounge offers live performances by popular guest entertainers, as well as by ship's resident performers, accompanied by Iona cruise ship's own music band. Here are also hosted daily dancing classes and music events. The club lounge is served by its own full-service Bar. After the evening show, Limelight Club transforms into Disco Nightclub.
• Deck 6 (Grand Atrium area) houses "The Vistas Cafe Bar" (patisserie with a menu by Eric Lanlard), "Emerald Bar" (living-room-like premium cocktail bar), live pop-up entertainment in mid-morning (musical performances, buskers) and early evening starting aerial acrobatics (circus performances).
• "The Glass House" (Deck 7, Atrium area) is via a partnership with Olly Smith. Premium wines are served here by the glass. The Cellar Door at the Glass House offers tastings, wine talks, and wine-pairing dinners. Passengers can relax and watch aerial and circus performances in the unique 3-story high space.
• The all-day open "The Keel and Cow" (P&O's first-ever gastropub) is on Deck 8, overlooking the Atrium and also with ocean views. The menu has traditional favorites, sharing platters, aged steaks.
• "Andersons" (gin bar lounge on Deck 6 ) doubles as Library/relaxation lounge. In the evening, Andersons serves with alcoholic drinks the nearby MDR restaurants. Lounge's focal point is the Marabelle Gin distillery (via partnership with Salcombe Distilling Co Ltd), gin tastings, and workshops (master classes).
• "Brodie's and Casino" (Deck 7) is a classic British pub bar with ship's largest selections of UK and international bottled beers, ales and ciders, drafts (draught beers), extensive wine menu, traditional British pub snacks (pork scratchings, crisps, peanuts). During the day, the pub offers live sporting, bingo, quizzes. By night, here are offered live entertainment, quiz games, game shows, karaoke. The adjacent Casino features the latest gaming technologies and various gambling games, for novices and experts alike.
• "The Sunset Bar" (Deck 8, Promenade's aft) provides easy access to The Club House. By day, it provides canopies (shaded seating) to relax with a drink and enjoy the sea views.
• "The Gelateria" (Atrium's top-level on Deck 8, at the entrance to The Quays) provides access to Promenade Deck. here are offered scoops of Italian gelato ice-cream, premium teas, and coffees.
• "Sundaes" (Deck 16, in the SkyDome) offers complimentary ice creams.
• "Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea" (Deck 17) is the ship's classic British tea bar.
• "Beachcomber Bar" (Deck 18) serves with beverages the Beachcomber pool deck and offers plenty of sunbathing space and shaded seating.
• "Crystal Bar" and "Laguna Bar" (Deck 16, in the SkyDome) are outdoor poolside bars offering non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Fun activities here include the traditional sail-away deck parties.
• "Sindhu" restaurant (Deck 8) offers authentic Indian food.
• "SkyDome Pizzeria and Grill" (Deck 16) offers complimentary fresh oven-baked pizzas by the slice, as well as grilled food (top-quality burgers, classic fish and chips), worldwide street foods.
• "The Crow's Nest" (Deck 17) is an observation lounge with floor-ceiling windows and comfortable seating, In the evenings it transforms into a cocktail lounge with live grand piano performances.
• "The Epicurean" restaurant (Deck 17, adjacent to Crow's Nest) is a specialty / fine dining venue with Select Dining, impeccable service, top-quality dining amenities, gourmet food, and premium wine list. Dishes are prepared with freshest and finest local produce. A private dining area and "Chef's Table" (capacity 8 guests) provide options for private parties and special celebrations.

Through the partnership with Salcombe Distilling, P&O Iona ship guests can purchase and even create their own Marabelle Gin (42% ABV/alcohol by volume). The exclusively created for P&O Cruises alcohol is produced on the Iona ship only. For the unique gin recipe are used 18 herbs - including Iona Island's heather (calluna vulgaris), mint, citrus, blackberry, green apple, rose petals, kelp (seaweed). Since MS Iona's inauguration, Marabelle Gin (trademarked brand) is also available fleetwide - served across P&O UK's fleet. The produced on the cruise ship gin is bottled and labeled, with bottles available for purchase.

Via partnership with three celebrity chefs (Marte Marie Forsberg, Jose Pizarro, Kjartan Skjelde), P&O UK upgraded Iona ship's dining to offer the fleet's most diverse culinary experience. Chef Forsberg designed the menu of "Taste 360" (street-food-style dining) and MDR's (dining room's) Norwegian-inspired dishes. On itineraries to Iberia (Portugal, Spain) and the Canaries, tapas dishes-based menus are specially created by Chef Pizarro for the restaurants "The Glass House" and "Taste 360". On Norwegian Fjords itineraries, the menus are upgraded by chefs Skjelde and Forsberg. Skjelde developed a special 6-course Norwegian food tasting menu for "The Epicurean" restaurant.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

SkyDome is one of the cruise liner's signature attractions and the largest onboard entertainment hub. SkyDome is named the pool deck which is covered with a retractable glass roof and consists of a large swimming pool (with retractable stage) and Jacuzzis (whirlpool hot tubs), SkyDome also serves a unique live entertainment program with performances and DJ-led deck parties, regardless the weather. During the day, SkyDome serves resort-style leisure activities and offers entertainment and casual dining. The night entertainment includes on-roof media projections, laser shows, aerial acrobatics performances, DJ disco parties, theatrical productions, movies (on a large LED screen).

Note: SkyDome actually sits on two decks - Deck 16 (midship resort-style swimming pool with food and drink options, aft-located Infinity Pool/resistance swimming pool with stern views and Infinity Bar) and Deck 17 (mezzanine level with a bar and outdoor seating). A second Infinity Pool is located aft on Deck 18.

On March 6, 2020, P&O announced three aerial acrobatic shows (designed specifically for MS Iona) - Rise (birds-themed), Triboo (battle between two tribes - of the Moon and of the Sun) and Dream (magic-themed). Rise and Triboo are performed at the SkyDome, while Dream is at the Atrium. Two new aerial shows (Virtuosi, Spark) are scheduled for Iona's inaugural season 2021.

The 3-deck high Grand Atrium is located midship and has an open-floor design. All Atrium levels have natural light and offer floor-ceiling sea views. Iona's Grand Atrium is a new concept for P&O, created by architecture and interior design practice Jestico+Whiles, the creators of The Yas Hotel (Abu Dhabi), W Hotel (London) and Aqua Shard (restaurant in the Shard). Grand Atrium is the ship's key entertainment space that hosts from morning coffee to evening drinks.

• "Headliners Theatre" (decks 6-7) is the ship's main show lounge for grand-style music and dance productions in the evenings. The theater has comfortable plush seating and the latest LED and sound technologies. The 2-deck-high auditorium during the day serves as a complimentary Cinema and also offers matinee performances and fun activities (Q&As, port talks, lectures). In the evenings, full-scale productions offer West End-style shows (including "Festival"), stand-up comedy, and cabaret performances.
• "The 710 Club" has a stylish cocktail bar (professional mixologists) and music bar offering live acoustic performances by top-quality artists.
• "Ocean Studios" is a boutique cinema with comfortable seating and 4 screens running throughout the day classic movies and recent blockbusters. The Cinema is fitted with the latest surround sound technology.
• "The Club House" (Deck 8) is a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor space for families to enjoy afternoon entertainment and play fun games. In the evening, it becomes a late-night "music hall" for dancing and live performances by the Iona ship's band (named "Pulse").
• "The Ivory Suite" (Deck 17, adjacent to Crow's Nest and Epicurean) is the ship's chapel - a venue dedicated for weddings and vow renewals at sea.
• Ship's Kids Clubs are on Deck 17. "The Reef" is P&O's complimentary onboard program for children, served by a crew of qualified Reef rangers and offering age-specific activity entertainment. The program is divided into Nursery (toddlers 6-months to 2-years-old), Splashers (ages 2-4 years), Surfers (ages 5-8 years) and Scubas (ages 9-12). A secure outdoor playground area and splash pool park are available for all age groups. Parents benefit from the company's complimentary "Night Nursery" (for kids ages 6 months to 4 years, opening hours between 6 pm through 2 am each night).
• "Scene" (Deck 6) is the ship's teen club - hang-out lounge for teenagers 13-17 yo, separated from the kids' club. It operates only during the high-peak season. During low season, the Scene teen club functions as an adults-only entertainment venue.
• Oasis Spa & Health Club (2-level wellness complex forward on decks 5-6) has a Thalassotherapy Pool, Cool Therapy Room, Salt Sauna, Steam Rooms, Treatment Rooms, Beauty Salon, Spa Shop, Oasis Villa (spa lounge), 2x Thermal Suites for couples (each with Steam Room and Hammam Room/Turkish bath). New (Arvia ship exclusive) treatments including Kneipp Walk (pebble foot massage combined with hot-and-cold water treatments).
• Sports Arena is the outdoor full-size, multi-sports court suitable for playing football, basketball, tennis, cricket, and other group games.

The Beachcomber complex (forward on Deck 18) features an indoor swimming pool (covered by a SkyDome/round-shaped glass roof) and a spacious outdoor Sundeck (sunbathing space with shaded seating, 2x outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpool hot tubs, padded chaise lounges, deckchairs, showers). During the day, the Beachcomber hosts pool deck activities, while in the evenings, the sundeck transforms into an entertainment venue with aerial acrobatic performances and live music, also hosting deck parties under the stars.

Adjacent to the Beachcomber (at the bow on Deck 18) is The Retreat - an adults-only VIP Sundeck with 2x outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpools. This is the ship's "spa terrace" with several shaded private cabanas (available for rent). The VIP sundeck (accessed via prepaid day- or voyage-long passes) is inclusive of alfresco dining, Spa massages, dedicated staff service (chilled drinks, cold flannels, light snacks).

PO Iona ship also has a 0,5-mi (800-m) long outdoor Promenade Deck (named "Lanai Deck") wrapping around the entire Deck 8. It is much wider than the industry's standard and lined up with open-air bars and alfresco dining venues. In the Promenade's forward section are positioned a total of 6x Infinity Whirpools with glass walls facing the ocean (3x portside and 3x starboard).

Itineraries

P&O Iona ship's itinerary program was originally planned to be based on 7-day Baltic (Northern Europe and Norwegian Fjords) cruises roundtrip from homeport Southampton (England) and visiting in Norway ports Stavanger, Olden, Hellesylt (or Alesund), Geiranger, Bergen. P&O's Norway Fjords cruise excursions offer experiences like sea kayaking, river rafting, zip-lining, fishing (crayfish), high-speed boat tours (RIB), helicopter and seaplane tours.

MS Iona's inaugural season was planned to start on May 14, 2020 (Maiden Voyage) with only no-fly cruise itineraries roundtrip from the UK (Southampton). Bookings for the new liner were opened on September 7, 2018. However, due to the ongoing COVID-related travel restrictions, in mid-September 2020 P&O UK canceled all scheduled voyages (fleetwide) through early-February 2021 (Caribbean fly-cruises) and through mid-March 2021 (ex-UK cruises). As for the canceled 2020-2021 winter season (October through March), the liner was rescheduled (2021) with Southampton roundtrips to Iberia (Spain-Portugal), Canary Islands and Northern Europe.

In February 2021 P&O UK canceled more summer departures. In early-March were announced major itinerary program changes with only Britain Coastal mini-cruises and 7-day roundtrips from Southampton. MS Iona's Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for September 25 (14-day to Iberia/"Spain And Portugal"). The new ship's entire Norwegian Fjords 2021 program was canceled.

Iona ship's Maiden Voyage was eventually rescheduled for August 7, 2021 (7-night "British Isles"/ Cruise to Nowhere itinerary roundtrip from Southampton, booking code G126N) and priced from GBP 950 per person (~EUR 1100 pp / ~USD 1320 pp). The portless itinerary featured scenic cruising along Cornwall's coast, anchoring off Isle of Iona (for a fireworks show on the island), three days of Scottish coastal cruising - the islands Colonsay , Mull (Lochbuie, Duart Castle, Tobermory), Bac Mor, Staffa (Fingal's Cave), Jura , Islay (Claggain Bay), Kintyre Peninsula (Mull of Kintyre), Sanda Island .

Iona's cruise itineraries are 7-day and 14-day in length and include extended port stays (with late-night departures) that allow travelers to sample the local nightlife. The list of visited countries and call ports include Portugal ( Lisbon , Funchal-Madeira ), Spain ( Cadiz , Alicante , Barcelona , Malaga , Valencia , Vigo ), Gibraltar , Canaries ( Fuerteventura , Tenerife , Gran Canaria , Lanzarote ), Holland ( Rotterdam -Amsterdam), Belgium ( Zeebrugge ), Germany ( Hamburg ).

Iona - user reviews and comments

Photos of iona.

Iona ship related cruise news

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Other P&O UK cruise ships

On April 25, 2018, at Meyer Werft's Papenburg Shipyard was held the steel-cutting ceremony (hull S-715), which officially started the vessel's construction (Meyer Werft's 50th cruise liner). On February 22, 2021, started the construction of the sistership Arvia (2022).

In January 2018, the shipbuilder contracted ALMACO Group (1998-founded, Finland-based company) to provide catering solutions for the newbuild. The deal included turnkey deliveries and installation of cold- and freezer rooms (total area ~1900 m2 / 20450 ft2).

Arvia and Iona are P&O UK's largest vessels ever constructed - with GT tonnage 180,000 tons and max passenger capacity 6600 (plus 1800 crew). They are also the biggest UK-based passenger ships (permanently homeported in Southampton England ) and the UK cruise market's first LNG-powered newbuild (followed by Arvia). These liners have Wartsila LNG engines that provide electricity for the propulsion system both in ports and at sea.

Like most large -sized newbuilds , the P&O ship Iona is LNG-powered , with 4x engines generating combined output 61,7 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters with combined power output 74 MW. The vessel has 3x LNG tanks (cryogenic steel) with total capacity ~3200 m3. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m / 115 ft, diameter 8 m / 26 ft, gas capacity 1525 m3), while the 3rd tank has length 28 m (92 ft), diameter 5 m (16 ft), and gas capacity 520 m3.

P&O Cruises revealed the "Iona" name for the new build on May 24, 2018, naming it after Iona Island (Inner Hebrides) located off Scotland's coast. The name also keeps the tradition all boats in the P&O UK fleet to have names ending with "A". The ship name was chosen via an online contest with received over 30,000 submissions.

The vessel's keel-laying ceremony was held on June 14, 2019. During this traditional event, under the keel (first hull block, where the bow thrusters are mounted) was placed a bronze coin (from Isle of Iona's Abbey) and a slice of green marble (also from the island). Then a 600-ton gantry crane lowered the steel block. This block (#18) is part of the bow section and has weight 461 tons, length 21,5 m, width 19,4 m, height 9,8 m. The "coin ceremony" was attended by Paul Ludlow (P&O Cruises UK's President), Stephan Schmees (Meyer Werft's Executive Board Member / Project Management) and Jurgen Storz (Meyer Werft's Project Leader). Like on all new passenger liners , Iona's construction blocks (hull and superstructure) are pre-fabricated then floated out to the shipyard for assembling.

On August 2 (2019) the vessel received its iconic SkyDome. The 970-m2 (10440-ft2) glass roof cover consists of 340 pieces and weighs 105 tons. For its mounting was used a 750-ton mobile crane (Liebherr LTM1750-9.1).

The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) on February 14, 2020. Its Ems River conveyance (Papenburg Shipyard to Eemshaven Holland ) was conducted on March 18-19. Followed the sea trials in the North Sea (Baltic Sea) for testing the vessel's machinery and nautical equipment.

MS Iona was officially delivered to P&O UK on October 9, 2020, in Papenburg. The documents were signed by Paul Ludlow (P&O's President) and Jan Meyer (Meyer Werft's Managing Director).

P&O Iona (Papenburg shipyard/hull number 710) is powered by MAK-Caterpillar LNG marine engines generating total power output 61,7 MW.

Next is the P&O UK's timelapse video of the cruise ship's construction.

In late-April 2021 P&O UK announced the name of MS Iona's godmother - Dame Irene Lucas-Hays (1954-born British businesswoman). "Dame" (a title equivalent to lady) signifies that she was DBE-rewarded ("Most Excellent Order of the British Empire"/order of chivalry/knighthood). Irene Lucas is the current Owner and Chairwoman of Hays Travel Ltd (1980-founded by John Hays, Sunderland England-based travel agency group) - the UK's largest independent travel agent with ~1500 employees and ~GBP 1 billion in annual sales.

• In October 2019, Hays Travel Ltd purchased all Thomas Cook Group's stores in the UK, which were to be closed after Thomas Cook entered liquidation in September. With this deal, Hays Travel took over Thomas Cook's 550 retail stores, almost trebling the number of its existing shops across the UK and doubling its workforce.
• In September 2020, Hays Travel Ltd acquired Tailor Made Travel (Wales-based travel agency chain).

The boat's christening ceremony was on May 16th, held in Port Southampton . The pier-side event was led by Jo Whiley (Joanne Whiley-Morton/1965-born DJ and TV presenter). It was broadcasted live and included a short performance by Gary Barlow (1971-born English singer, songwriter, actor, TV personality). Traditionally, to bring the ship good fortune, Dame Irene Hays smashed against the hull a large bottle of Alex James Blur (cask-strength apple and pear cider/distilled spirit).

For the Maiden Voyage (August 7, 2021), P&O planned several special events, including a fireworks show (from Isle of Iona) and onboard e ntertainment featuring live performances by Tony Hadley, aerial shows (designed by Creativiva Inc, Canada), cooking masterclass (by celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Olly Smith, also creating a unique Chef’s Table menu), special dining menus (smoked salmon, regional cheeses, Cranachan/Scottish dessert with whisky).

Ship christening cruise "Ionafest 2020" (CANCELLED)

The vessel's naming ceremony was initially scheduled for July 4, 2020 (Southampton) and planned as part of the themed "Ionafest cruise" (itinerary July 4-11) starting with the pierside naming event. Prices for the special voyage started from GBP 1300 pp (double-occupancy Inside cabin rates). However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, this special voyage was cancelled.

• Ionafest was based on numerous pre-scheduled onboard events (taking place simultaneously and at different locations/venues) including live performances (music and entertainment) and street festival-like celebrations - all on a first-come-first-served basis.
• The Southampton-roundtrip itinerary (Norwegian Fjords) was planned to visit Olden , scenic cruising (Innvikfjorden, Nordfjord), Hellesylt , Geiranger , scenic cruising (Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjorden, Storfjorden) and Bergen .
• Among the confirmed British performers acting live on the liner during the Ionafest Cruise were Clean Bandit (electronic music band), MBE (Trevor Ricardo Nelson / DJ), Jo Whiley (Johanne Morton Whiley / radio DJ and TV presenter), Chris Ramsey (stand-up comedian and actor), Sara Cox (Sara Joanne Cyzer, DJ, radio broadcaster and model), Alex James (Steven Alexander James, DJ, musician and songwriter).

In February 2021 P&O UK cancelled more summer departures. In early-March 2021 were announced major itinerary program changes with only Britain coastal mini-cruises and 7-day roundtrips from Southampton. MS Iona's Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for September 25 (14-day to Iberia/"Spain And Portugal").

The new ship's entire Norwegian Fjords 2021 program was cancelled.

7-day "Norwegian Fjords" itinerary 1

7-day "Norwegian Fjords" itinerary 2

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2020-2021 (CANCELED)

MS Iona's inaugural season was planned to start on May 14, 2020 (maiden voyage) and included only no-fly cruise itineraries roundtrip from the UK. Bookings for the new liner were opened on September 7, 2018.

However, due to the ongoing COVID-related travel restrictions, in mid-September 2020 P&O UK canceled all scheduled voyages (fleetwide) through early-February 2021 (Caribbean fly-cruises) and through mid-March 2021 (ex-UK cruises). As for the canceled 2020-2021 winter season (October through March), the liner was rescheduled (2021) with Southampton roundtrips to Iberia (Spain-Portugal), Canary Islands and Northern Europe.

P&O Iona's maiden voyage was rescheduled first for October 24, 2020 (7-night Western Europe), later for March 6, 2021 (14-night "Spain and Portugal"), April 24 (7-night Norwegian Fjords), and finally for August 7 (7-night "British Isles"/ Cruise to Nowhere ).

Next tables show the ship's inaugural voyages by destination. All itineraries are roundtrips from homeport Southampton England.

( CANCELLED MAIDEN VOYAGE 2020 ) 7-day "Inaugural Cruise" (Western Europe itinerary)

( CANCELLED MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021 ) 7-night "Norwegian Fjords" itinerary (booking code G111) - from GBP 700 pp

P&O Cruises to the Caribbean

Book your P&O Caribbean cruise holiday ahead of time and benefit from early booking discounts, low deposits, and spread the cost with manageable monthly instalments. Choose from a myriad of exciting destinations such as the Mediterranean, and Caribbean, or sail from the UK from Southampton  port onboard the amazing P&O Cruises Arvia for a hassle-free, no-fly cruising experience.

Not sure which destination or ship is the right one for you? Why not call us today and speak to our P & O experts who will be more than happy to help you choose and book your perfect cruise holiday experience. All bookings are fully ABTA & ATOL protected.

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Cruises from Southampton in May 2023

Are you looking for cruises departing from Southampton in May 2023?

Happy days, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Southampton Cruise Centre we have all the May 2023 cruise deals from all major cruise lines! Use our search facility below to find your next cruise holiday. You can enquire online using our easy enquiry forms. However, we love the personal touch, so why not call for a chat with our cruise specialists! We’re part of the Travel Village Group – a 4th generation family business. And, we’ve been established for over 60 years so you can imagine the knowledge and experience our team have! We can give you independent, impartial advice and we can offer you amazing deals & discounts! The number to call is 02380 658 386 .

If you don’t find a suitable getaway in the search facility below then don’t worry, speak to our team as we also offer cruises from other ports around the UK . We can also arrange fly-cruise holidays, beach escapes, city breaks, tours and even UK staycations! We have access to hundreds of suppliers, so the only limit is your imagination!

All of our holidays are protected by ATOL & ABTA, meaning your money 100% secure for peace of mind! And don’t forget, once you have booked with us, you have access to our Customer Care team who are on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have! We have won awards for our first class customer care!

We look forward to finding you the perfect May 2023 cruise!

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P&O Cruises Celebrates Coronation with Royal Offers

• May 5, 2023

To celebrate His Majesty The King’s Coronation, P&O Cruises unveiled a range of offers of up to £100 off per person.

Guests can save up to £100 per person based on a balcony cabin, enjoy £70 off per person on sea view cabins and £50 off per person on inside cabins. P&O Cruises’ offers are valid for seven-night sailings departing between October 2023 and November 2024, provided these are booked by May 9, 2023.

In addition to these offers, P&O Cruises will also be celebrating the coronation with a range of events onboard including a live broadcast of the coronation, a coronation party where guests will be encouraged to wear red, white and blue outfits, a special coronation Big Lunch where guests will be invited to join the entertainment team for games, live music and royal-inspired food and the Big Help Out, where guests will be asked to signing up to a 5km Trek the Deck challenge in honor of the Teenage Cancer Trust, P&O Cruises’ charity partner.

Highlighted itineraries include:

• A seven-night Northern European City Escape voyage departing February 10, 2024, with prices starting from £399 per person;
• A seven-night Canary Islands fly-cruise, departing January 6, 2024, with prices starting from £499 per person for an inside cabin.
• A seven-night Spain and Portugal cruise departing May 4, 2024, with prices starting from £529 per person.

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• May 18, 2023

New P&O Drinks Packages for 2023

If you're planning a cruise holiday with P&O Cruises, one of the things you may be wondering is whether to purchase a drinks package. After all, alcohol and other beverages can be quite expensive on board and the last thing you want is to blow your budget on drinks alone. But are P&O drinks packages worth it?

The answer depends on several factors, including your drinking habits, the length of your cruise and the ports of call you'll be visiting. P&O Cruises offer several different drinks packages to choose from, ranging from soft drinks only to all-inclusive packages that cover alcoholic drinks, coffee, and even bottled water. Plus drinks packages have just been updated!

What are the new drinks packages?

From 18th May 2023 P&O have released a set of new drinks packages:

The original Ultimate drinks package for £39.95 has been split into the Classic drinks package at £40.45 per person per day and Deluxe drinks packages at £49.45 per person per day.

The Non-Alcoholic drink package has been renamed to the Alcohol free package with a price increase from £19.95 to £22.45 per person per day.

The Children's drinks package has now been replaced by the Refresh drinks package with a price increase to £9.85 from £7.95 per person per day.

What are the package costs buying pre-cruise vs onboard?

When do the new drinks packages come into affect?

The launch dates will differ for each ship. Starting from May 18, 2023, new packages will be offered for purchase on My P&O Cruises. These packages will be applicable for all cruises departing on or after the respective launch dates below of each ship. Guests sailing before the launch dates can still buy the previous drinks packages either through My P&O Cruises or onboard.

Iona - 20/05/2023

Ventura - 20/05/2023

Arvia - 28/05/2023

Arcadia - 06/06/2023

Britannia - 09/06/2023

Aurora - 22/06/2023

Azura - 06/07/2023

Related article: Can I take drinks onboard P&O?

Could a drinks package benefit me?

If you're someone who enjoys a few drinks every day, especially alcoholic beverages, then a drinks package may be worth considering. The cost of individual drinks can add up quickly and a package can help you save money. However, if you only have an occasional drink or prefer non-alcoholic beverages, then a drinks package may not be necessary.

It's also worth considering the ports of call you'll be visiting. If you're going to be spending a lot of time off the ship, exploring different destinations, then you may not get your money's worth from a drinks package. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time on board, enjoying the ship's facilities and entertainment, then a drinks package could be a good option.

While some cruise lines offer all-inclusive options, P&O Cruises doesn't typically market their cruises as such. However, the good news is that in 2023, P&O Cruises introduced a new drinks package ‘The Deluxe drinks package’, that can effectively make your cruise feel like an all-inclusive one.

P&O Cruises Drinks Packages

There are four distinct drinks packages available on P&O Cruises, starting with the Deluxe drinks package, which costs £49.45 per person per day as well as the Classic drinks package for £40.45 per person per day. Additionally, there's the Alcohol free package, which is priced at £22.45 per person per day and finally, the Refresh drinks package is available at £9.85 per person per day.

What is the Deluxe drinks package?

The Deluxe drinks package includes all drinks in the Refresh, Alcohol free and Classic drinks packages. Deluxe includes Grey Goose vodka and Salcombe Gin, along with an extended range of cocktails, including options like Aperol Spritz or the Sunset Cooler.

The package is priced at £49.45 per person per day and must be purchased for the duration of your trip. Each adult assigned to the same cabin must purchase the Deluxe drinks package as sharing is not permitted.

While the Deluxe drinks package is not included in the price of your cruise fare, it can be added on as an optional extra when booking your trip. It can also be added on to an existing booking in the ‘Manage my Booking’ site online.

If you're planning a 7-night cruise for two adults, be prepared to spend an additional £692.30 for the Deluxe drinks package. Nevertheless, if you decide to purchase this package, any children aged 16 and under travelling with you in the same cabin will be offered Refresh drinks package at no cost.

So, while P&O Cruises may not offer all-inclusive packages like some other cruise lines, their Deluxe drinks package can certainly help you enjoy a more comprehensive and carefree experience onboard.

What is the Classic drinks package?

The Classic drinks package offers a wide selection of beverages, including those in the Refresh and Alcohol free drinks packages. Additional drinks include Piña Coladas and Mai Tais, premium spirits such as Smirnoff Vodka, Bell's Whisky, the exclusive Marabelle Gin, and Golden Tide Rum. For beer enthusiasts, the choice includes Heineken, Birra Moretti, or John Smith's.

The package is priced at £40.45 per person per day and must be purchased for the duration of your trip. Each adult assigned to the same cabin must purchase the Classic drinks package as sharing is not permitted.

If you're planning a 7-night cruise for two adults, be prepared to spend an additional £566.30 for the Deluxe drinks package. As with the Deluxe drinks package any children aged 16 and under travelling with you in the same cabin will be offered Refresh drinks package at no cost.

Do P&O Cruises offer any packages for non-alcoholic drinks?

If you're looking for an alcohol-free option for your P&O cruise, you'll be happy to know that they offer a Alcohol free package. This package includes R. Whites Lemonade, Pepsi, juices, lattes, cappuccinos or teapigs™ from Costa Coffee, 0% Heineken, Tanqueray, Torres and wine, still or sparkling water (330ml) and some of our best non-alcoholic cocktails. By purchasing this package, you'll have unlimited access to these non-alcoholic beverages throughout your cruise for the price of £22.45 per person per day.

The Alcohol free package is a great option for those who don't drink alcohol, as well as for families with children or teenagers. You can enjoy refreshing beverages by the pool, during meals, or while relaxing in your cabin. By pre-purchasing this package, you'll save money compared to buying individual drinks throughout your trip. Plus, you won't have to worry about keeping track of your expenses, as everything will be included in the package. So, if you're looking for a tasty and convenient way to quench your thirst on your P&O cruise, consider the non-alcoholic drinks package.

Refresh drinks package

P&O Cruises offers a Refresh drinks package that is perfect for adults, children and infants.

Unlimited soft drinks, such as R. Whites Lemonade, Pepsi and juices are included with this package.

All guests ages 16 years old or under and are sharing a cabin with an adult who is on the Classic or Deluxe drinks package will receive a complimentary Refresh drinks package.

The Refresh drinks package is great value, as it allows kids to stay hydrated and refreshed without having to pay for individual drinks. Plus, it's a fun way for kids to feel like they have their own special treat on the cruise. So, if you're planning a family cruise with P&O, consider adding the children's drinks package to your booking for a worry-free and enjoyable holiday.

Who is eligible to purchase a drinks package?

Drinks packages are available on cruises of 5 nights or more and must be purchased for every day of your cruise.

You can buy packages on board at the areas advertised until midnight on night two of your cruise and you can use your package in all the restaurants, bars and cafés on board.

Each adult assigned to the same cabin must purchase the same drinks package. Sharing is not permitted.

Children can have the Refresh Drinks package independently of their parents. There is no requirement for adults in the same cabin to also purchase a package.

When a Classic or Deluxe drinks package is purchased, a complimentary Refresh drinks package will be offered for all the children travelling in the same cabin only (aged 16 and under).

Related article: What drinks are free on P&O?

Is it cheaper to purchase a drinks package before boarding?

Yes, a 10% discount is applied if a package is purchased before your holiday. Prices in this article include the 10% discount.

Are wine packages still available?

Yes, both the Captain’s Collection and Commodore’s Collection wine packages are available to purchase via the customer contact centre or onboard.

Are there any limitations?

Only one drink can be purchased at a time with this drinks package, and there is a 15-minute wait time between ordering drinks to prevent sharing of the package.

There is a limit of 15 drinks per day per package. Any further drinks will be charged with a 20% discount.

If I have already purchased an old drinks package will this be honoured?

If you have previously purchased an old drinks package via My P&O Cruises you will automatically receive an upgrade to a new package at no extra cost. This will be communicated to you via an email, informing you of your new package entitlement as per below:

Children's drinks package > The Refresh drinks package

Non-alcoholic drinks package > The Alcohol-free drinks package

Ultimate drinks package > The Deluxe drinks package

Source: https://www.pocruises.com/onboard-activities/bars-and-lounges

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• auto recall

Ford under investigation for Bronco Sport gas leaks; US says its remedy doesn't fix problem

DETROIT -- The U.S. government's auto safety agency has opened an investigation into a Ford recall for gasoline leaks from cracked fuel injectors that can cause engine fires, saying in documents that the remedy doesn't fix the leaks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents posted Friday that the probe will "evaluate the adequacy and safety consequences of the remedy" that Ford specifies in the recall.

The agency moved with unusual speed, posting documents detailing the "recall query" just two days after the recall was made public.

The recall covers nearly 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, and Escape SUVs from 2022. All have 1.5-liter engines.

NHTSA said that fuel injectors can crack, causing gasoline or vapors to leak at a high rate onto hot surfaces in the engine compartment.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Ford's remedy for the leaks is to add a drain tube to send the gas away from hot surfaces, and a software update to detect a pressure drop in the fuel injection system. If that happens, the software will disable the high pressure fuel pump, reduce engine power and cut temperatures in the engine compartment. Owners also will get a "seek service" message.

But the U.S. said Friday that Ford's fix lets fuel drain from a cylinder head hole to the ground below the vehicles. "The recall remedy does not include replacement of the cracked fuel injector," the agency said.

Ford said Friday it is working with NHTSA on the investigation.

The company said in documents that it has reports of five under-hood fires and 14 warranty replacements of fuel injectors, but no reports of crashes or injuries.

In an email on Wednesday, Ford said it is not replacing fuel injectors because it is confident the recall repairs "will prevent the failure from occurring and protect the customer." The new software triggers a dashboard warning light and allows customers to drive to a safe location, stop the vehicle and arrange for service, the company said. NHTSA documents filed by Ford say the problem happens only in about 1% of the SUVs.

The company also said it will extend warranty coverage for cracked fuel injectors, so owners who experience the problem will get replacements. Repairs are already available, and details of the extended warranty will be available in June, Ford said.

The recall is an extension of a 2022 recall for the same problem, according to Ford. The repair has already been tested on vehicles involved in the previous recall, and Ford said it's not aware of any problems.

The company also said it isn't recommending that the SUVs be parked only outdoors because there's no evidence that fires happen when vehicles are parked and the engines are off.

NHTSA said in documents that in the 2022 recall, which covered nearly 522,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes, Ford had the same remedy as the latest recall.

Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, called Ford's remedy for the fuel leaks a "Band-aid type recall" and said the company is trying to avoid the cost of repairing the fuel injectors.

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