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My first experience of Iona after many cruises on smaller ships

By Powellj3 , November 11, 2023 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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Interesting feedback. We had 350 more passengers than you did when we were on Iona and it certainly felt very crowded. Our main problems were two that you also experienced - lack of lift capacity and poor lift etiquette, so much so that my wife (a wheelchair user) won’t entertain going on her again. We’ve just got off Ventura and it was chalk and cheese compared to Iona in these two regards. No lift issues at all and other passengers were very considerate to the needs of wheelchair users.

Luckily we had no noise issues with our cabin on Iona (other than some thumping around on the balcony above us) and having been alert to the challenges getting into specialty restaurants we had booked them all when bookings opened at midnight 2 weeks before the cruise.

Would you be happy to go on Iona again?

Adding a few comments sailed 3 times on Iona 21,22,and 23 same cruise sane place but this time was the most passengers we had sailed with. As we booked all 14 nights mdr 6pm we didn't see any queues we saw most 8.30 shows all booked prior 1st week and 2nd week whilst onboard .Rear lifts were fine most times just straight down from deck 10 to 6 .We only missed one mdr night cancelled on tge app celebration night 2nd week just couldn't choose anything so went to the buffet over dressed among the tee shirt brigade in my tuxedo never mind I was the odd one out. Food was about the same on all 3 cruises on Iona .Missed Alacanti just put my first claim in for missed port in 34 cruises so see how that goes. The pool at the back was closed the whole cruise for maintenance. The skydome music is still poor and doesn't help the entertainment. Find 1 person on their own is a bit better then a group but still very poor . We had booked the theatre most nights and most nights they never checked you in .The entertainment team on these big ships is nothing like the smaller ships anymore as already reported .We got off ship at 7.45 am no customs found our 3 cases and away by 8.15am which was supposed to be our time in Andersons .Well next year we are trying Arvia so will be able to compare. PS WORST BAY OF BISCAY YESTERDAY DRAWERS AND CROCKERY WENT FLYING IN THE MDR

I would cruise on Iona (or Arvia) again. Only out of season though and then when there was a good offer (suggesting poor occupancy). we were on Ventura last spring on a 5 week tour of Belise / Mexico /US. It certainly had its own problems - mainly because it was rushed out of dry dock and had many new staff. But it felt like a family. People were friendlier. I suppose part of that was the narrower type of cruiser. Most retired, most with good P&O loyalty and hence into the “P&O thing”. The sort of thing you get with Arcadia and Aurora, having that fierce small ship loyalty.

Yes would agree as we had done that cruise last two years obviously first 2 were covid times with less passengers we were supprised how well it went except for the weather at times ,but usually do end May mid September hoping to miss school holidays.I guess with 34 p and o cruises never done anything else and never will we are pretty loyal and just go with what ever is on offer.

Red Leicester

I was on the same cruise the last couple of weeks, second time on Iona having done others. A few points from me:

1 - Lift etiquette is lacking on all ships I've been on. We're mid-forties and not all disabilities are visible. There were some very rude queue jumpers who presumed we didn't need the lift, barged in and took our spaces. I struggle with depth perception so to others there appears nowt wrong, stairs can become very precarious especially with a rolling ship and where edges aren't clearly distinguishable for me. Front or rear lifts were quiet generally.

2 - I'm no foodie but the food seemed okay to me, always fresh and their butter chicken one night was very spicy, that took me by surprise, tasty though. One odd day where the choice was veal and I think squid... I opted for the Quays that day. The hot vegetarian offering in Horizon seemed to not vary much for a few days. Beach House lava steak now comes with prawns, this was my go to but I'm allergic to prawns... Fajitas were a good back up. My food didn't taste any different on celebration night in the buffet as some were in black tie and I wasn't! Didn't do either of the formal nights, didn't bother taking a suit or anything like that.

3 - I had absolutely no complaints or issues at all. Never struggled for a seat anywhere, never had bad service, never spotted any trouble though is you listen to rumours there was some. It was the busiest sailing we'd done too. Had one internet package between us which worked really well. Never lost signal and could stream YouTube easily.

4 - The cabin stewards work hard. Very hard. I take the bed linen off on my last morning, this really helps them. A lot were working clearing tables in Horizon of an evening. On the crew exercise day he didn't clean our room before 12:30, phoned to apologise and asked if we needed anything. We didn't, I can imagine some people wouldn't have liked that. Cabin was huge! Longest I've had. Quiet too. Plenty of sockets and USBs. Didn't spot the lack of sockets in the bathroom but I wet shave so wasn't looking.

5 - bugbears for me... people saving tables in Horizon. I know and get why people do it but it's frustrating and only adds to the problem of it being busy. A lot of children on board but what comes of a) going on Iona; and b) half the cruise going over half term. That said some counties now have two weeks in autumn and less over the summer. I knew families would dominate the pools and hot tubs so didn't bother with swimming togs. I also saw a load of people at reception cancelling meals and that. Good on them for cancelling rather than no show but why book on the off chance? I had a late boarding time this time, and when I boarded and set myself up by 16:00 I could already book places. I don't think this is fair. By all means be able to book one of anything and maybe with loyalty add an extra but don't have people block booking when others don't get a look in, this means people don't get the full experience and can put them off coming back. I have commented on this in other threads. A lot of people want that last day Epicurean, I didn't stand a chance.

6 - We took some board games to play, a couple were one-time play ones but could be replayed by someone else, I left them in the library on a shelf and was pleased to see a mum and son had picked them up and were playing them.

7 - Horizon was available electronically on My Holiday. Maybe save some paper and give passengers an e-only option if they so wish.

8 - by the end a cold was going round, I dodged it but the chatter on the shuttle in Lisbon (between the coughing) was around the air con being to blame. It didn't feel like it was the other thing. Had this on Arcadia and Britannia as well.

9 - Entertainment... we keep ourselves to ourselves and I can be a small fish in a big pond on Iona. Two weeks to switch off. I have neve done the dancing, talks, shows, quizzes or parties. I read, play games, browse online, ship spot, drink, eat, wander around. Entertainment staff were a lot less cringy than previous, Britannia last year was just awful. Infinity pool at the back was out for maintenance for the two weeks, just unlucky I guess. Didn't cause too many issues. It was relaxing.

I find Iona is very marmite, you either love it or hate it. I watched a YouTube video on another cruise line but their summary is quite apt. If you are new to cruising then people love it. If you are seasoned I find people generally don't like the change. That's fine. Different ships appeal to different people. P&O are changing and Iona is appealing to a broader and new market for them in the longer term. For us it's not the ship that drives my holiday, it's the ports. For others it will be the ship. Will I be disappointed if formal nights went in a decade or two? Personally... no. Would I want P&O to become a full on party ship? No. Iona is a halfway house in that respect.

A lot of people I spoke with were on the first cruise and thoroughly loved it and had booked a second, that's a good thing surely. Others go looking for issues, wind themselves up over the smallest things (dust on top of one wardrobe door, I mean who goes looking) and then vow never to cruise with P&O again. And then rebook...

Interestedcruisefan

Excellent reviews

Arvia and Iona are getting enough things very right for so many people they are going to prove a huge success for P and O and cruising in general

8 hours ago, Red Leicester said: 1 - Lift etiquette is lacking on all ships I've been on. We're mid-forties and not all disabilities are visible. There were some very rude queue jumpers who presumed we didn't need the lift, barged in and took our spaces. I struggle with depth perception so to others there appears nowt wrong, stairs can become very precarious especially with a rolling ship and where edges aren't clearly distinguishable for me. Front or rear lifts were quiet generally.

Of course it is rude and unacceptable to jump the queue.

However I would suggest that issues with the lifts are deeply exacerbated by not filling the lifts with the number of people they can comfortably accommodate.

Too often have I had to stand there with my foot in the door asking people to move back to let others in because there is clearly space for half a dozen more people in the lift.

16 minutes ago, 9265359 said: Of course it is rude and unacceptable to jump the queue. However I would suggest that issues with the lifts are deeply exacerbated by not filling the lifts with the number of people they can comfortably accommodate. Too often have I had to stand there with my foot in the door asking people to move back to let others in because there is clearly space for half a dozen more people in the lift.

This could be post-p fallout and the changes in behaviour. If you are in a shop and just need space to browse a cough and sneeze works wonders.

Also despite the fact it says "63 people can fit in this lift" the reality is somewhat different and it's overengineered. Reassuring in a way. And yes I know it doesn't say "63...".

40 minutes ago, 9265359 said: Of course it is rude and unacceptable to jump the queue. However I would suggest that issues with the lifts are deeply exacerbated by not filling the lifts with the number of people they can comfortably accommodate. Too often have I had to stand there with my foot in the door asking people to move back to let others in because there is clearly space for half a dozen more people in the lift.

Not filling lifts has become very common since the pandemic, not just on cruise ships. People have just become more conscious that ramming into a tight sealed space is not such a good idea because of spreading colds, coughs and other things. It's now in the psyche and will be hard to remove.

40 minutes ago, Red Leicester said: Also despite the fact it says "63 people can fit in this lift" the reality is somewhat different and it's overengineered. Reassuring in a way. And yes I know it doesn't say "63...".

Particularly as most people on cruise ships are not under the 65kg weight they use as an average person...

4 minutes ago, Megabear2 said: Not filling lifts has become very common since the pandemic, not just on cruise ships. People have just become more conscious that ramming into a tight sealed space is not such a good idea because of spreading colds, coughs and other things. It's now in the psyche and will be hard to remove.

I find it easy to resolve, by simply putting my foot in the lift doorway so it isn't going anywhere until people do move back and make space.

yorkshirephil

9 hours ago, Red Leicester said: 1 - Lift etiquette is lacking on all ships I've been on.

Bit of an oxymoron,

We are lucky and don't need to use lifts yet and hopefully won't for years to come, however I do find it amusing sometimes when observing from afar, we usually wait after the show until the theatre has cleared then leave , usually by which time there is a crowd in the lift area. I love it if Mrs YP goes to the loo and I can watch, the lift etiquette that is not mrs YP before someone else mentions it. There are those that stand around a lift doors willing to accept that is the lift they want regardless of whether another one comes first, furtively trying to figure out who is first and who may look like runners in the block ready to push through.

There are those who stand back watching the numbers count down, edging towards the one that looks like it may get there first but then stops on the floor above so move back into position. When the lift arrives it is a bit like the Finding Nemo film where he has been stranded on the ship and all the seagull are lined up eyeing him up and screeching mine, mine, mine.

I do wonder how long some people would stand and wait for a lift rather than walk up or down a deck or two, keeps me entertained anyway

People watching is fascinating. I try and walk the stairs as much as possible and give up my space but sometimes I need the lift, Mrs RL does too.

Listening to conversations is fascinating too. What people expect for the price you pay is interesting. For the price I paid on Iona my expectations were met and there was thus no stress or disappointment. If I'd paid twice as much I'd have expected much better, but I knew what I was walking into.

Splice the mainbrace

Picking up on one of the points made, I think that a lot of new P&O customers are holiday makers at sea rather than people who love cruising and all that goes with it. There is a certain, in a lot of cases unwritten, etiquette, camaraderie and ways of behaving on a cruise, it is not just a hotel at sea IMO.

If it's unwritten then how is someone to know? That creates a clique and they can cause ructions. If someone won't let you in on the camaraderie, and some give off that vibe by how they talk at me, then how are you supposed to join in? There has to be a compromise from both sides.

If it's unwritten then how is someone to know? That creates a clique and they can cause ructions. If someone won't let you in on the camaraderie, and being honest some give off that vibe by how they talk at me, then how are you supposed to join in? There has to be a compromise from both sides.

Change happens, it has to happen at times. It's not all bad. (I didn't mean to post twice!)

13 minutes ago, Red Leicester said: If it's unwritten then how is someone to know? That creates a clique and they can cause ructions. If someone won't let you in on the camaraderie, and being honest some give off that vibe by how they talk at me, then how are you supposed to join in? There has to be a compromise from both sides. Change happens, it has to happen at times. It's not all bad. (I didn't mean to post twice!)

I see what I think STMB is saying, they are not unwritten methods as such but experiences and knowledge that you learn along the way. When we have sat/talked to other people and we have mentioned something they have said "Oh we didn't know you could do that" bit like on here really, we like to share. It is surprising how many new cruisers have very little idea of how things work despite the social media availability available, mind you that could actually put you off sometimes. A lot of cruise forums make the point that there is no such thing as a stupid question, however sometimes when someone starts with "I know this might sound a stupid question" We were all new once.

We were all new to everything. A lot of inefficiency is created due to "it's always done that way so it can't be changed".

Iona is starting that change I believe, tapping into the family market. I know a lot of people who are now cruising who never have before and that's because a lot of the more maybe traditional aspects are relaxing. It's bad news for some but opens up new experiences for others.

In forty years time I fully expect to be in the "it's always done that way, don't change it" category but companies will be tapping into the next forty years worth of coin.

4 minutes ago, Red Leicester said: We were all new to everything. A lot of inefficiency is created due to "it's always done that way so it can't be changed". Iona is starting that change I believe, tapping into the family market. I know a lot of people who are now cruising who never have before and that's because a lot of the more maybe traditional aspects are relaxing. It's bad news for some but opens up new experiences for others. In forty years time I fully expect to be in the "it's always done that way, don't change it" category but companies will be tapping into the next forty years worth of coin.

Spot on, sometimes you just have to move on, we used to say "we won't like the big ships" even before we tried them, our thoughts were based on what other like minded people were telling us. We were wrong, the bigger ships are not for everyone but they are the future of affordable cruising for the majority.

We have booked Iona for 35 nights to the Caribbean and I expect a different experience than I would two weeks during out of term time which I wouldn't go on if it was free. We don't use the speciality restaurants a lot but are looking forward to trying them on Iona and will embrace the change.

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the 35 nighter Phil as we are doing it in 2025. We are booked for this New Year cruise and 2 weeks in March. Both on Iona. We know the NYE cruise will be very busy and we’ll book everything possible in advance. They say forewarned is forearmed so we will expect the lifts to be rammed and the bars to be heaving but we’ll still have a good time.

48 minutes ago, sandancer said: Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the 35 nighter Phil as we are doing it in 2025. We are booked for this New Year cruise and 2 weeks in March. Both on Iona. We know the NYE cruise will be very busy and we’ll book everything possible in advance. They say forewarned is forearmed so we will expect the lifts to be rammed and the bars to be heaving but we’ll still have a good time.

We are on the 2025 Iona cruise so see you there. There are a few others from here on it too.

4 hours ago, Splice the mainbrace said: it is not just a hotel at sea IMO.

That might be your opinion, but I would suggest that an awful lot of people disagree with you, and on the newer ships likely the majority of people - not helped by Iona and Arvia looking like floating tower blocks and not ships.

4 hours ago, 9265359 said: That might be your opinion, but I would suggest that an awful lot of people disagree with you, and on the newer ships likely the majority of people - not helped by Iona and Arvia looking like floating tower blocks and not ships.

If you've got that view of a cruise ship then surely every cruise ship is a floating hotel?

Just that some are bigger than others?

Just that the bigger ones have more facilities and lots more choices where to eat, drink and be entertained?

5 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: If you've got that view of a cruise ship then surely every cruise ship is a floating hotel?

Well even the cruise companies have that view with a position of 'Hotel Director' onboard looking after 'Hotel Operations'.

9 minutes ago, 9265359 said: Well even the cruise companies have that view with a position of 'Hotel Director' onboard looking after 'Hotel Operations'.

Maybe a more accurate description would be holiday complex at sea. As with a complex on land people can stay in the complex and enjoy the facilities or go out and take tours and explore, bigger complex, usually more facilities. Complex at sea more places to explore. I am sure we all see it differently.

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P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlog Series

We spent 7 days on the brand new P&O cruise ship Iona in August 2021. During that time we filmed a series of vlogs of our time on board.

There are 7 episodes all covering different aspects of the this cruise ship and you can see what each episode covers in the descriptions below.

If you want to find out what cruising on this ship is really like then watch these vlogs now.

Episode 1 P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs

In our first episode of our Iona Seacation vlogs we have a very stressful embarkation, a huge surprise with our cabin and eventually a first fun night on board.

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Episode 2 P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs

In episode 2 of our P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Ship Vlogs we take you on a tour of the deck 8 promenade and show you the cabins that have caused a lot of debate. We also sample the included dining in the Quays and Olive Grove and Paul gets a great surprise in Brodies Pub.

Episode 3 Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs

In episode 3 we take you on a full tour of all the pool areas, sample more food from the main dining room, and two speciality restaurants, and also experience entertainment in the Clubhouse, Sky Dome and Theatre.

Episode 4 P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs

In episode 4 of our P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs we have our first buffet breakfast, we show you the shopping delights on board, and there’s also a trip to the Oasis Spa. It is Celebration Black Tie Night and we end the day having a fabulous dinner and cabaret night in the Limelight Club.

Episode 5 P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs

In episode 5 of our P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs Paul has his first Spa experience, we sample the Horizon Buffet and enjoy entertainment in the Sky Dome and have fun at the Silent Disco. We also discuss the controversial changes that P&O have made to their drinks package !

Episode of 6 P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs

In episode 6 of our P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs we have a Sea Shanty Singalong in the Clubhouse, we eat at the speciality restaurant The Glasshouse, try our luck at the casino, and have pre dinner drinks at the Crows Nest. We also didn’t expect to find this particular thing on a P&O cruise ship!

Episode 7 P&O Iona Seacation Cruise Vlogs

In our last episode of our P&O Iona Cruise Vlog Series we celebrate Paul’s Birthday and give our verdict on whether we would cruise again on Britains biggest and newest cruise ship!

We met some lovely people on this cruise who came up to us to let us know they watch our You Tube channel , so thank you all so much for that. We love meeting new people, so if you do spot us on a ship do make sure you do come and say hi!

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Cruise Review – P&O Iona

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In November, Charlotte spent 7 nights on P&O Iona to celebrate her birthday during storm Eunice so it is safe to stay it was a cruise that will never be forgotten. Despite the weather, everything on board was more than satisfactory and the ship itself is truly beautiful and has so much to offer inside and out.

Itinerary Spain & Portugal from Southampton

How was the embarkation process with P&O Cruises?

When I went on this Cruise back in February, we were required to test on arrival in order to board the ship. Before heading to the test site we gave our checked-in bags to the P&O Cruises staff who sent them down the conveyor belt, there were no queues or checks for this, it was all very efficient. After handing over the bags we went to the testing site which was onsite next to the cruise ship. The process was organized and efficient, we entered the testing facility and within 20 minutes we had completed our tests and were off to check-in. There were a few queues but nothing too long at check-in and once complete we sat in the designated area waiting for our test results. Once we had come back negative we got onboard the ship.

Tell us about the accommodation on P&O Iona?

I was staying in a Standard Balcony room on Iona, which was on deck 12 near the middle of the ship. The room was well furnished with light woods and hints of blue around the room. One of the best features was the size and comfort of the bed, which was excellent, I never had any issues sleeping at all. Another great addition was the comfortable sofa bed for the guests who have children or more than 2 passengers staying in one cabin and it was great to sit on and watch tv or watch the world go by on sea days.

The only slight downside of this room is the storage space, which was sometimes difficult to access. The cupboards open towards the bed and there wasn’t much drawer space. Guests who are staying on for a long period of time may want a larger room with more storage. I was also a little disappointed at the fact that they no longer put Chocolates on your pillow during the turn-down service at night due to a supplier issue.

Our cabin steward always greeted us with a smile and never said no to anything that we asked him for, he was always very happy to help and was very attentive. He did a great job at tidying the cabin throughout our cruise as well.

How did you find the ship in general?

Iona has so many great indoor spaces where you can spend your days. If you want something relaxing you can head to the Crows Nest or the Library/Gin Bar where there are a selection of books and quiet spots you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, or cocktail whilst taking it easy. You could even try the sea-inspired Marabelle Gin distilled on board at the very first distillery at sea, the guests can see this happen in person.

The Marabelle Gin is inspired by the isle of Iona and is found at Anderson’s bar and library. If you are in the mood for something a bit more exciting, then there are a number of quizzes every day in Brodies the English Pub on board and there is daily bingo at The Club House. All areas of the ship are beautifully designed, and this is highlighted by the Grand Atrium which has breath-taking glass floor-to-ceiling windows stretching over three decks (6,7,8) perfect for watching the world go by. There is a fantastic silver and marble spiral staircase going all the way through these three decks, from the coffee bar at the bottom to the steak restaurant on deck 8 at the top. This area is absolutely stunning with marble staircases and feels very bright and spacious

The outdoor spaces are just as good as the indoor with a lovely sunset bar situated at the aft of deck 8, there are two very large hot tubs that can seat which are a fantastic place for the sunset if the weather has got a little cold, these will certainly warm you up. If these hot tubs are busy however then don’t worry as there are more located all around the outdoor decks of the ship. There are 24 hot tubs in total on Iona so there should always be a space in one of them!

You will never struggle to get a sunbed as there are so many places to sit throughout the day and many sunbeds available as there is such large deck space onboard there is loads of space for sunbeds. If you are not one to sit around on a sunbed then there are plenty of outdoor games including table tennis and shuffleboard to keep you entertained as well as a sports arena and two main outdoor infinity pools where you can get amazing views of the sea or port that you are in along with the indoor pool in the beautiful Skydome bringing the outdoors inside. There are also infinity whirlpools on deck 8 which provide wonderful panoramic views of the sea whilst relaxing in a hot tub which would never get boring!

The ship’s interior is all very well designed it looks very modern and slick with plenty to do and see throughout guests’ time onboard.

What was the food like on the Iona?

I mainly ate at the main dining restaurants throughout our time on Iona and the food was great. The menus changed daily and so did the food, although it came from one central kitchen for the 4 main dining restaurants which were good. Being freedom dining we did have a slot booked through the P&O Cruises app each night but usually, we turned up as and when we were ready and they always had a table for us.

The buffet called Horizon served a variety of lovely food for breakfast lunch and dinner, the lunch and dinner changed each night, and the quality was good. This buffet also did late-night hot and cold food from 11-1AM every night which is great for those late-night cravings.

Personally, I liked to go to the main dining restaurants for breakfast as they have a few more bespoke options that the buffet doesn’t offer, and the buffet can sometimes get a little busy.

If you want a quick bite for lunch or dinner then head to the quays where you can find a fish and chip shop, an American diner and an Asian takeaway. These are good fast-food options that you can grab and go. There is also a dessert and salad station here as well. There is also Taste 360 offering a street food experience in the Skydome as well as the Poolside Pizzeria offering tasty pizzas that you can enjoy by the pool.

Although I didn’t eat at the specialty dining restaurants I did speak to other guests who really enjoyed them and said the overall quality of food was excellent. The Olive Grove serves great Mediterranean food and The Beach House is perfect for those wanting Caribbean and South American classics. Keel and Cow is a lovely gastropub specializing in steaks, Sindu is a stylish Indian with lovely decor inside, and The Glass House is a sophisticated wine bar also offering classic English dishes and tapas-style dishes.

What is the entertainment like on the Iona?

There is never a shortage of entertainment on Iona, that is for sure. From pub quizzes, bingo, a four-screen boutique Ocean studios cinema, guest speakers, a gym, a relaxing tranquil spa, and a casino there is so much going on throughout the day.

The evening is where the entertainment really comes alive. The SkyDome and Headliners theatre are the two main locations for the evening entertainment shows, with three shows in each venue every night.

The wonderful skydome is perfect for any rainy day as this venue brings the outside in. By day it is a relaxing inside pool and lounge area where you can chill out with a cocktail from one of the surrounding bars, take a dip in the pool, or read a book. By night the Skydome is an entertainment venue where some of the best shows on the ship take place such as the breath-taking aerial acrobats who make use of the height available in the skydome as it is situated on two decks, deck 16 and deck 17.

There was great variety on board with a comedian, a girl band, two solo singers, and a dance group who performed a number of tricks and acts. There is also the 710 club which has late-night live music on every evening after the main shows. The Club House was the place to go for late-night dancing and drinks as this venue hosted late-night music with a DJ playing into the early hours of the morning.

If you wanted a more peaceful evening then head to the crow’s nest where you can find a live pianist, who will accompany a cocktail rather nicely.

Does Iona offer any fitness & recreational facilities?

The gym on Iona is amazing, even better than some gyms you may find near where you live. It is filled with the latest Technogym equipment, free weights, and lots of resistance machines. If you want to do classes then there is a wide range from Spin, HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness. The Spa on Iona is also extensive, with a thermal suite, a range of destination-inspired treatments as well as a number of handy Salon services for the formal nights on board.

Any tips for someone looking to cruise on P&O Iona?

All bookings for restaurants and entertainment must be booked through the P&O Cruises app so make sure to download it as soon as you get on board.

If you want to go to the additional restaurants, then make sure to book them in advance on board as they do get busy, especially the Olive Grove. The same goes for afternoon tea, as there is only a one-time slot in the afternoon per day.

If there is a popular film that you want to see, arrive at the cinema early to avoid missing out, the queue for the latest James Bond movie was very long when I saw it onboard.

When booking the main dining restaurants, you don’t necessarily need to go at the time booked, they will keep the table for you even if you are late. You may also ask to hold the same table for the duration of your cruise if you like it that much. When at the main dining restaurants don’t be afraid to get two starters or to try an extra main course, the brilliant waiters will always be attentive to your needs and will never say no.

Final thoughts on Iona

I loved my time on Iona, I thought it was a beautiful and fun ship that had very nice and modern décor and it was a light and airy ship with comfortable furniture. Iona is a very peaceful ship with lots of hidden gems on board where you can go and enjoy a cheeky tipple. The ship is great for families and couples as there is so much entertainment catered for people of all ages. It is a great addition to the P&O Cruises family and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a fun holiday with lots of great activities and delicious dining. When you are on board this ship you feel like you are onboard your home from home and all of the staff go above and beyond to meet your needs and requirements

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P&O Cruises Iona Norwegian Fjords Cruise – Our Onboard Experiences

There is a huge range of entertainment on board Iona. It’s one of the most impressive things I found about the cruise – how they manage to create such a variety of experiences to cater to the tastes and interests of such a huge range of people, every day and night.

I don’t think it’s possible to experience everything Iona has to offer on a one week cruise. The variety of venues and performances is so huge.

Below is a description of just a small sample of the experiences, venues and entertainment on offer that interested us.

Every day a newsletter is delivered to your cabin with the full timetable of events for that day, which is really useful, but here’s some of what we got up to during our times on board….

I’m sure going to the gym and working out is the last thing on the minds of many cruise ship passengers, but as gym lovers we were keen to visit the gym when we had some spare time to do so.

It’s a very well-equipped gym with a wide range of equipment – lots of cardio machines and very modern, high quality weights machines.

Even serious weightlifters can get a decent workout in here, with reasonable weight dumbbells (up to 30kg) and barbell with a good selection of plates up to 20kgs.

They also run a selection of exercise classes and even fitness consultations in there.

The gym is as good, if not better, than many leisure-club style gyms you might be a member of on dry land.

The 710 Club is a small, adults-only live music venue which has some kind of connection to Gary Barlow.

I believe he picks the music acts and sometimes is on board performing there himself – though not when we were there.

Before every performance at the 710 Club, a long queue formed at the entrance, with lots of people turned away each time.

It’s a popular venue – and, having gone in there three nights running, we can see why.

The band in there was incredibly good. The real peak of the live music acts on board, performing a wide variety of music in a unique style.

It’s well worth making the effort to try to get in – a great venue with very high quality live music.

Headliners Theatre

The main theatre on board is a huge auditorium as large as some theatres on land, with a theatre company performing a variety of different musical-style shows multiple times each night.

We saw two – one called Festival and the other called The Sky’s the Limit.

I had no expectations of being impressed at all, having never seen cruise ship entertainment before but, as with most things on this cruise, my expectations were totally wrong and both performances were very entertaining with really high quality performers.

On the last day we went back to the theatre to watch a behind-the-scenes talk with the performers which was also interesting.

Crows Nest Bar

Perhaps our favourite bar on the ship, which is not quite so obvious to find as many of the others, as it’s tucked away right at the top and front of the ship.

Its position gives you panoramic views over the Fjords from a great vantage point and, during port ‘sail aways’ (and at other times throughout the evening) a brilliant pianist plays and sings, creating a special atmosphere as you pass by dramatic waterfalls and the cliff faces of the Fjords all around you.

Comedian Mickey P Kerr

How funny can some cruise ship comedian you’ve never heard of really be? The answer is – very!

He has an entertaining act of funny stories, jokes and comedy songs, one which is in the early evening and family-friendly, and another adult’s only one late at night.

We saw both and both were great – even despite an unwelcome intervention by an audience member trying to disrupt the late night adult performance, which Mickey P handled brilliantly and somehow even managed to get laughs out of that.

Rise – Acrobatics

The dramatic ‘skydome’ is rigged up with acrobatic trapeze equipment, which is used to put on a show where acrobats swing through the sky in the middle of the ship.

This was the only performance that we found a bit underwhelming – maybe it was just because we didn’t get a great view of it as the skydome was so busy when we arrived.

But that said, it’s still clearly very popular.

Oasis Studios Cinema

The ship has its own decent-sized four screen cinema, showing films throughout the day and night.

There’s a good variety of modern and classic films showing, with different ones screened each day.

Sunrise Sail into Olden

We heard an announcement from the captain that the ship would arrive in the Olden Fjord around 4am, sailing through the most picturesque of the destinations on the cruise as the sun rose, arriving at the port at around 9am.

We’d heard several passengers say they would get up at 4am to see the arrival at the Fjord at sunrise, so we set our alarm and, when it went off, had a look out the balcony to see if it was worth getting up for.

The answer was definitely yes – the glowing pink sky behind the mountains and the serene calm of the Fjord at that time of the day was well worth the early start for.

We walked around various different viewing points of the decks, with only a small handful of other passengers up and about at that time – and seeing the beauty of the Fjord as the ship glided through at that quiet time of day, with the sun rising over the mountains was amazing.

CruiseMapper
P&O Cruises

Cruise line P&O UK (P&O Cruises)

Southampton (England)

Iona current position

Iona current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 61.84429 N / 6.81099 E) cruising en route to NOOLD > NOAES. The AIS position was reported 11 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Iona

Iona current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Norwegian Fjords . The itinerary starts on 13 Apr, 2024 and ends on 20 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

Hints & Tips Onboard P&O Cruises’ Iona

by - 3 Nov 2023

In September 2023, I was lucky enough to enjoy a 7-night Fjords cruise onboard P&O Iona , so I thought I’d share with you some of my hints and tips so you can make the most of your time on this fabulous ship!

She’s a big ship!

This may sound like I’m stating the obvious a little bit, but Iona is one of the biggest ships to sail from Southampton, with over 30 bars and restaurants to choose from. Therefore, try as you might, you’ll never get to do everything in one 7-night cruise! As a result, I’d recommend doing some research before your P&O Cruise to prioritise what you’d love to do and book them in advance or as soon as you embark.

Dining options such as Sindhu, Olive Grove and the Chef’s Table are incredibly popular. As are early theatre shows or the 710 Club as a whole. This is not to say you won’t get a chance to enjoy these if you’re not proactive, but your choices may be limited somewhat or you may have to adjust your schedules a little!

Try the Olive Grove

Situated on deck 8, this is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and although it’s classed as an extra charge speciality restaurant, most of the food options are included within your cruise fare. Open at both lunch and dinner, it offers a fabulous array of sharing platters, pizzas and grill options with some equally tempting dessert options too! It offers a fun alternative to lunch or dinner, so I’d recommend giving it a go when you’re onboard!

See aerial shows in the Sky Dome

By day, the Sky Dome is Iona’s all-weather pool but at night, it transforms into an incredible space with standout performances by the Creativa. These talented aerial and acrobatic performers treat you to some stunning shows featuring some jaw-dropping choreography and set design! I’d recommend choosing the later showings when it’s pitch black outside as it really helps the special effects stand out.

Dine in Quays

Situated on deck 8, this is an alternative informal dining venue to the ship’s Buffet and is included within your fare.

Here you can enjoy the following;

Boardwalk Diner – serving Burgers and Hot Dogs
Hook Line and Vinegar – offering Fish and Chips
Asian Fusion – serving a range of Asian-inspired dishes

Now Asian Fusion was a personal favourite of mine as it offered something a little different to what I’d normally have at home! Breakfast is also served here and included a full-cooked breakfast, a pancake and waffle station as well as the chance to order freshly made omelettes too. This was perfect for those with cabins lower down in the ship so you didn’t have to go all the way up to Deck 16 for food

See the Limelights after hours

Now the Limelight Club is already a popular speciality restaurant offering a 3-course meal and then a performance from visiting entertainers however following this, you can enjoy a performance by the resident band ‘The Limelights’ as they cover a wide range of genres in their own style. I found it to be a great way to end the evening so I’d recommend visiting as it’s included within your fare!

Try the Chef’s Table

On Iona’s only formal ‘Celebration’ night, there’s the opportunity to dine at the Chef’s Table. This is an inclusive dining option which gives you the chance to enjoy some different dishes from what you get offered in the main dining rooms. This is held in a portion of the Horizon Buffet dressed appropriately for the occasion and I felt it was really fancy! The service was fantastic and was a great alternative if you’ve had a few celebration night dinners in the main dining rooms of a P&O Ship . I’d thoroughly recommend booking as it was lots of fun and the food tasted so good – especially the Beef Wellington…

So, there’s a section of my hints and tips for P&O Iona and I hope you found them useful! A massive thank you to Cruise118.com for featuring me and I hope that you have a fantastic cruise on Iona, whatever you get up to!

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The Cruise Blogger | Cruise Blog

Unpacking the myths about cruise holidays. Tried and tested cruising advice from a thirty-something former officer's wife.

The newest P&O Cruises ship – Iona – arrives in Southampton

Britain’s largest and most environmentally-friendly cruise ship, P&O Cruises Iona, arrived into her home port of Southampton this morning ahead of tonight’s official naming ceremony.

Iona is powered by liquefied natural gas, ground-breaking for the UK cruise industry and one of the cleanest fuels in the world.

The ship will be named this evening in a glittering quayside ceremony at 9pm, hosted by Jo Whiley and broadcast to a “virtual” audience, the highlight of which will be Iona’s music director Gary Barlow performing a short set.

Dame Irene Hays, chair of Hays Travel, Britain’s largest independent travel agency, will name the ship and a specially produced Nebuchadnezzar (equivalent to 20x 750ml bottles) of Alex James’s Britpop cider will smash against the hull of the ship to bring it good fortune in the future.

Iona will have 30 bars and restaurants with many new speciality dining options including tapas from award-winning Spanish chef José Pizarro paired with wines selected by Olly Smith and a new Chef’s Table menu from Marco Pierre White. Entertainment venues include the first “SkyDome” – an extraordinary glass structure which will be a relaxed poolside environment by day and then transform at night into a spectacular venue with DJs, stage and aerial acrobatic shows.

There will also be the first gin still on a cruise ship, created in association with Salcombe Gin, distilling tailor made spirit on board. The gin’s maiden production will take place in Iona’s custom-made still named “Columba” and will be distilled, bottled and labelled on board.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said “It is a landmark day for both P&O Cruises and for the travel industry as a whole.

“We are on the cusp of a bright new beginning and Iona’s arrival into Southampton this morning is very visible evidence of this much anticipated future.

“Our guests are longing to get back to sea and Iona’s summer season of UK coastal cruises, including her maiden voyage on August 7 up to her namesake island of Iona, have seen overwhelming demand.”

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