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Iona by p&o cruises: a complete guide & review, plus things to do onboard.

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It’s not often you get a chance to be on a Maiden Voyage . Especially not one as huge as the launch of the new P&O flagship Iona . It was made even more special because I’ve been involved with the launch of this ship for nearly 3 years. From my first trip to Norway , to promote the excursions Iona will be doing there, to watching Gary Barlow live at a London launch.

But this article isn’t about me, that was just me highlighting my connection with Iona. This article is about you, and everything you can do onboard Iona . In this article I will cover everything this ship has to offer. And I mean everything .

Our Maiden Voyage was a cruise around the UK, meaning it didn’t stop anywhere due to Covid restrictions. That had one major benefit, it gave me a whole week on board to see and do as much onboard as possible. I still didn’t cover everything. I think it’s been designed that way, so you come back for more. That’s a smart strategy.

I don’t plan to specifically focus on the Covid rules in this article, however to stay up to date with safety protocols, vaccination requirements and FAQs, please see the P&O Cruises Cruise with Confidence .

Facts about Iona

Before I get into a few facts and figures. The real show-stopping fact for Iona is it’s powered by Liquified Natural Gas . This makes Iona one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world. She has zero sulphur and nitrogen emissions and produces 20 per cent less carbon than ships running on marine diesel.

That’s impressive. It’s so important to see a huge player in the cruise industry setting the standard. So, onto the facts:

• Iona is the largest ever cruise ship to fly the UK flag
• She can hold 5,200 guests and 1800 crew
• There are more than 30 places to eat and drink onboard
• There are 4 swimming pools (2 infinity pools) and 18 hot tubs
• Iona has the world’s first gin distillery at sea (more on that later)

Dining on Iona

As you’ll see from my video above. P&O Cruises has really set the bar high with dining onboard Iona. This isn’t just some of the best food I’ve eaten at sea, it’s some of the best I’ve ever experienced. Quite frankly, I don’t know where to start when it comes to the cuisine.

Well firstly, there is freedom dining throughout the ship included in the price. There are four main dining areas and a few other casual places included in this. This food is of fantastic quality. Some restaurants have a traditional buffet selection; albeit no longer self-served due to CoronaVirus protocols. And having no self-service is no bad thing in my opinion.

Personally, I love a buffet when I want an informal setting and I’m short on time. However, my favourite of the ‘included’ or ‘free’ selection was The Quays . Three restaurants in a small piazza offering Asian cuisine at Fusion, fish and chips at The Hook or American dining at Boardwalk Diner.

Moving onto the speciality restaurants, which you must try. These incur an extra charge, but for good reason. Usually, the charge isn’t that much and believe me when I say it’s worth it. I suggest you budget for that pre-trip. Here’s a couple of my highlights (keep in mind I did not have time to try every restaurant).

• The Glass House : a light tapas style menu in the Grand Atrium with wines selected by Olly Smith (who happened to say hello when I was there for lunch!)
• The Olive Grove : Mediterranean style food with a small surcharge. Probably my top tip, it wasn’t busy and the value for money is amazing. I recommend the Tagine.
• The Keel and Cow : if you like your steaks and burgers then look no further. The Prime-minister burger is known as the “best burger at sea”, and I love the fact that the blue cheese comes from the Isle of Wight.
• Epicurean : fine dining with British / Norwegian inspired dishes at £28 a head. This is one of many destination-inspired restaurants onboard, a lovely touch.
• The Limelight Club : a three-course meal combined with entertainment. Brilliant. An elegant venue with a cabaret show, we saw the singing plus comedy drag-queen La Voix .
• Sindhu : Authentic Indian food with a British twist.

When it comes to the bars, I’ve included these under things to do below.

Things to do on Iona

I should probably just have a separate article focusing on this alone! And if you’ve not watched the video above, please check that out. My main line in the video is “ you won’t get bored onboard” . That couldn’t ring truer, especially when cruising returns to normal and you’ll be getting off most days.

You’ll most likely find you haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to exploring Iona.

I’ll break it down into day and night, starting with daytime. Firstly, relaxing. Try 4 swimming pools (two of which are infinity pools) with sunlounges, indoor and out plus 18 hot tubs, enough choice? There’s usually live acoustics around and always a waiter on hand for drinks.

Daytime entertainment

For a tranquil setting, there’s the adults-only Retreat . It offers some of the best views onboard. For even more relaxation book yourself into the Oasis Spa , complete with jacuzzis, sauna, salt room, steam room and hydrotherapy pool. I had the hot stone massage which was incredible. Please book early as this was mostly fully-booked on my trip.

I was also impressed with the size of the gym onboard, which has daily fitness classes and yoga.

For Children

For the children you have “ The Reef ”, which is organised into age-specific clubs with outdoor play areas, and entertainment such as puppet shows and treasure hunts.

Evening entertainment

In the evening your first option is aerial displays and laser shows in the SkyDome . It blew me away how an indoor swimming pool by day was transformed into at acrobatics entertainment area by night.

Your second option on Iona is the two-story auditorium the Headliners Theatre . They host live music, stand-up comedy, and theatre performances such as the new “ Festival ” show which was a fantastic spectacle.

Bars and Drinking

Personally, when cruising I love to spend my evenings in a smaller bar with some live music.

There was no better live music venue than the 710 club (if you can get in). The cosy and very intimate venue has partnered with no other than Gary Barlow as the musical director. But get there early or book in advance, as (rather frustratingly) these were the hottest seats onboard.

There’s also the Crow’s Nest cocktail bar, which has lovely views but wasn’t my favourite atmosphere. Instead, I preferred the Emerald Bar in the Atrium, where I had an exquisite cocktail called ‘ The Smoke that Rocked’ ; a smokey cherry bourbon Old Fashioned. I also found the live music at the Club House , and the informal setting at Brodie’s more my style.

Brodie’s is also conveniently next door to the casino too. However, I was a little disappointed with the Casino, there’s a limited selection of games and just a small number of tables. When the ship is full, I doubt you’ll get much chance to play.

Finally, movie lovers will enjoy Ocean Studios , four cinema screens running throughout the day with the latest surround sound and a mix of classic flicks and recent blockbusters.

Rooms and Suites on Iona

I have always said that once you have a balcony on a cruise, you can never go back. Clearly the inside cabins are friendlier on the wallet. But once you step out of bed and onto your private balcony, with a coffee and the crisp sea air, you won’t go back.

I had a Balcony Suite , which is far more spacious than any previous cruise with P&O Cruises. With a small working and sitting area, a big screen TV and plenty of wardrobe space it’s hard to know what more you need. Oh wait, brand-new for Iona is P&O Cruises very first Conservatory Mini-Suite . These suites have a stunning conservatory style roof over a casual seating area, bringing in loads of natural light and perfect for entertaining or relaxing.

You can also choose from sea-view cabins, inside cabins and solo cabins. I found the inside cabins surprisingly bright and spacious considering there is no natural light, and they also have a small seating area.

The World’s first Gin Distillery at Sea

That’s right, Salcombe Distilling Co. have curated the sea inspired Marabelle Gin which will be distilled onboard, right there for the guests to see. I met Angus from Salcombe Gins to learn about Marabelle. He took inspiration from the Isle of Iona itself, foraging botanicals around the island.

The sea inspiration doesn’t stop there. The label has similarities to the sunset logo from P&O Cruises and star constellations on the inside. But importantly, it’s a stunning gin. I know as I’ve already had a bottle at home, and a few more G&Ts on board. It’s a fresh gin with a distinctive flavour, which coupled with citrus and apple gives you the perfect G&T after a long day exploring the Norwegian Fjords or Canary Islands.

The Gin Distillery is found at Anderson’s Bar and Library , a classy venue to sip a G&T and watch the distilling process in action. All Marabelle bottles with a gold top have been distilled at sea.

Other Unique Features on Iona

All around the ship you can see that every effort has been made to design a ship that feels bright and spacious. It’s a sense of space that you don’t expect on a ship, where space is a premium.

This starts in the stunning 3-story Grand Atrium , the first place you see when you embark. It has floor to ceiling windows (yes spanning all 3 floors), making it the perfect spot for watching the world pass by. It also houses several bars and restaurants, not least the Glasshouse mentioned above.

Next, we have the SkyDome . A huge dome roof gives you the comfort of an indoor pool and somewhere to relax whatever the weather. But the impressive part is how it’s transformed into an entertainment zone in the evenings. With a retractable stage over the pool, we saw aerialists and laser shows late into the night. I can see this having the party atmosphere when the ship is full, especially with DJ sets produced by Blur’s Alex James .

Iona Destinations

Iona will sail to the Norwegian Fjords in the summer, starting in 2022. To me you can’t find a more perfect partnership. As I’ve mentioned above, she is designed to let the outside in, and what more perfect place to marvel from the comfort of the Atrium than the majestic Norwegian Fjords? I even wrote about all the fantastic Norwegian Fjords Excursions you can do, in advance of Iona’s launch.

During the winter Iona will sail to the Canary Islands , another fantastic destination to compliment the ship. We spent our week on the coast of Scotland in summer, a temperate climate and sunny most days. But being around 20-22 degrees meant it could get a little chilly. Well Iona has that covered. Hot tubs dotted all round and the cover pool of the SkyDome mean you can still enjoy some bathing, whether inside or out.

Final thoughts on Iona

On a personal note, I have been excited for the Maiden Voyage of Iona by P&O Cruises for some time. It was a privilege to be onboard and presenting a tour of the ship. Iona has been designed to be different, and to appeal to a younger generation of cruisers. The original launch was due to showcase that with a weeklong festival, one of many plans scuppered by Covid.

Nonetheless Iona will get there, back where she belongs exploring the world. She’s a bold eco-friendly cruise ship with a vibrant atmosphere, targeted at a younger audience. And when she is sailing through the awe-inspiring Norwegian Fjords, I can’t think of a better place to be to witness it.

This article was supported by P&O Cruises but as always, the opinions and photos in the article are all my own, and I think it’s clear to see I loved every minute of my time onboard!

Founder & Editor of Intrepid Escape, a huge lover of adventure, adrenaline, sport & fitness. After travelling extensively for the last 12 years, Scott started to document his travels before fulfilling an important lifelong goal by starting Intrepid Escape. He has since become a full-time Travel Writer, Videographer, Presenter and Producer.

0 thoughts on “ Iona by P&O Cruises: A complete Guide & Review, plus Things to do Onboard ”

I really want to know when Gary Barlow is on the Iona surprise present for my daughter treating her to a cruise.

Just reading your comments it says book early for Gary Barlow how can we do that we don’t know when he is on

I went on Iona 7 May to 14 May Norway and Fjords had different cruises booked for 3 years this was first one we went on. Ship was great food good. We went to see Fjords but Iona couldn’t sail through them as high winds so had another day at sea. I have been ill for eleven days since coming off ship. Also paid extra to pick cabin on 11th deck but moved to one 14th deck. Complained but fell on deaf ears. Dissapointing.

I have booked Iona for October, have been trying to contact ROL cruises for over a month, no reply

Hi, sailing on Iona December, to celebrate my partners 70th would like to surprise him with a birthday cake, would they be able to organise one for me at a cost, or should I take one with me. Many thanks

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Iona Deck Plans & Reviews

Activities & entertainment

• Crows Nest _ Observation Lounge
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Dance Classes
• Splash Zone
• Whirlpools (18)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Oasis Spa *
• Thermal Suite *
• Late_Night Activities
• Fitness Classes
• Jogging Track
• Organized Activities and Games
• Sports Court
• The Retreat *
• Art Gallery *
• The Avenue Shopping *
• The Photo Hub *
• Ivory Suite
• The Reef _ Kids Club
• Scene _ Teens Club
• Shore Experiences *
• Loyalty and Cruise Sales *
• Self_Service Laundry *
• Medical Center
• Headliners Theatre
• Nightly Live Music
• Ocean Studios
• The Club House
• The Limelight Club
• The 710 Club
• Enrichment Lectures
• Aqua Restaurant - Main
• Coral Restaurant - Main
• Opal Restaurant - Main
• Pearl Restaurant - Main
• Vistas Cafe Bar - Coffee Bar *
• Emerald Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Brodies - Pub *
• Sindhu - British-Indian *
• Sindhu Bar - British-Indian Bar *
• Horizon Restaurant - Buffet
• The Beach House - Steakhouse *
• Andersons Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Epicurean - Gourmet *
• The Olive Grove - Mediterranean *
• Crystal Bar - Pool Bar *
• Beachcomber Bar - Pool Bar *
• Infinity Bar - Pool Bar *
• Laguna Bar and Sundaes - Pool Bar *
• Sky Bar - Pool Bar *
• Sunset Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Keel and Cow - Gastropub *
• Panorama Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Glass House - Wine Bar *
• The Quays - Worldwide Snacks *
• Ripples - Ice Cream *
• Grab and Go - Snacks
• Taste 360 - Street Food
• Room Service *
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• Terrible 74
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Iona Deck Plans & Reviews

Activities & entertainment

• Crows Nest _ Observation Lounge
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Dance Classes
• Splash Zone
• Whirlpools (18)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Oasis Spa *
• Thermal Suite *
• Late_Night Activities
• Fitness Classes
• Jogging Track
• Organized Activities and Games
• Sports Court
• The Retreat *
• Art Gallery *
• The Avenue Shopping *
• The Photo Hub *
• Ivory Suite
• The Reef _ Kids Club
• Scene _ Teens Club
• Shore Experiences *
• Loyalty and Cruise Sales *
• Self_Service Laundry *
• Medical Center
• Headliners Theatre
• Nightly Live Music
• Ocean Studios
• The Club House
• The Limelight Club
• The 710 Club
• Enrichment Lectures
• Aqua Restaurant - Main
• Coral Restaurant - Main
• Opal Restaurant - Main
• Pearl Restaurant - Main
• Vistas Cafe Bar - Coffee Bar *
• Emerald Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Brodies - Pub *
• Sindhu - British-Indian *
• Sindhu Bar - British-Indian Bar *
• Horizon Restaurant - Buffet
• The Beach House - Steakhouse *
• Andersons Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Epicurean - Gourmet *
• The Olive Grove - Mediterranean *
• Crystal Bar - Pool Bar *
• Beachcomber Bar - Pool Bar *
• Infinity Bar - Pool Bar *
• Laguna Bar and Sundaes - Pool Bar *
• Sky Bar - Pool Bar *
• Sunset Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Keel and Cow - Gastropub *
• Panorama Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Glass House - Wine Bar *
• The Quays - Worldwide Snacks *
• Ripples - Ice Cream *
• Grab and Go - Snacks
• Taste 360 - Street Food
• Room Service *

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• Terrible 74
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Duration 10 to 14 nights 15 nights or more 4 nights or less 4 to 7 nights 7 to 10 nights

Home P&O Cruises Iona

Having joined the P&O Cruises fleet in 2021, Iona is the largest cruise ship ever built for the British market. Offering capacity for 5,200 guests, she captures the essence of modern cruising and boasts many enhancements, the likes of which have never been seen on a ship before.

One of the many ‘firsts’ on Iona is the SkyDome. Spanning Deck 16 and 17, the SkyDome houses a swimming pool, a variety of eateries, a stage and ample seating all under cover of a huge glass dome. Offering a relaxed environment by day, the SkyDome comes alive at night and turns into a must-visit entertainment venue with live music performances and a party-style atmosphere under the stars.

P&O Iona Accommodation – Cabins & Suites

There are five main categories of accommodation on P&O’s Iona, each with a choice of grades depending on their position on the ship. There are also ten cabins set aside for single occupancy, so the ship is well-suited to solo travellers.

The accommodation categories are as follows:

• Inside Cabins
• Sea View Cabins
• Balcony Cabins
• Conservatory Mini-suites

The Inside Cabins and Sea View Cabins are roomy, with ample storage space and en suite bathrooms stocked with amenities provided by The White Company. The Conservatory Mini-suites are new-to-P&O and offer a private balcony and L-shaped seating in a conservatory-style space, making it the perfect environment for pre-dinner drinks or gatherings.

Dining on P&O Cruises Iona

Iona boasts a variety of options for dining and drinking across 23 different venues. There are four main dining restaurants (Aqua, Coral, Opal and Pearl), all of which are located on Decks 6 and 7. Offering flexible seating in an elegant environment, the main dining rooms are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and routinely feature Gala nights, devised by P&O Cruises’ food hero, Marco Pierre White.

On Deck 8, you will find The Quays, a multi-venue piazza offering a choice of restaurants and eateries, serving up delicious southern-fried American cuisine (The Boardwalk Diner), fish and chips (Hook, Line & Vinegar) and the mouth-watering flavours of the Mediterranean (The Olive Grove).

Other notable dining experiences on Iona include Sindhu, which offers a British take on authentic Indian dishes, and The Beach House, where you can enjoy the flavours of the Americas and the Caribbean in a relaxed, informal space. For fine dining, The Epicurean combines science and gastronomy to guarantee an unforgettable culinary journey.

Facilities on P&O Cruises’ Iona

In keeping with the other ships in the P&O Cruises fleet, Iona is packed full of modern amenities. For the ultimate in relaxation, the ship’s spa is equipped with a hydrotherapy suite, a relaxation room and a salt/steam sauna and boasts a comprehensive menu of treatments, including Nordic cleanses and Baltic Fire & Ice massages.

Iona’s Grand Atrium acts as the hub of the ship and is one of the main entertainment spaces onboard. Here, you can grab a drink or snack and watch the world go by, courtesy of panoramic sea views. Alternatively, if you’re looking to keep active on your cruise, you’ll find more than enough to keep you occupied in the ship’s health and fitness suite, with classes available should you wish to partake in a yoga or pilates session.

In the evening, the Headliners Theatre plays host to West End-style performances, stand-up comedians and cabaret act, while the adults-only 710 Club offers a laid-back atmosphere and a fantastic cocktail menu.

Other facilities on Iona include:

• Ocean Studios – a four-screen cinema showing all the latest blockbusters.
• Kids Club – with a night nursery available for children between 6 months and 4 years.

For further information regarding P&O Cruises Iona or to receive a quote for a future sailing, please make an online enquiry for your preferred cruise or call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677 .

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Additional Information

Sea View (Outside)

Approximately 210-307 sq. ft. If a balcony is not top of your list, but you’re seeking great value and a sea view, then our Sea view cabins are ideal. Well designed and with all those little extras.

Single Inside

Approximately 101 sq. ft. These spacious cabins are perfect if you want a more economical way to travel and prefer to be out and about experiencing the ship or reclining up on deck by the pools.

Single Balcony

Approximately 107 sq. ft. There’s nothing quite like opening your patio style doors onto your own private balcony, especially to take in the fresh morning air or to enjoy a spectacular sail in to your next destination.

Approximately 101-213 sq. ft. These spacious cabins are perfect if you want a more economical way to travel and prefer to be out and about experiencing the ship or reclining up on deck by the pools.

Approximately 107-300 sq. ft. There’s nothing quite like opening your patio style doors onto your own private balcony, especially to take in the fresh morning air or to enjoy a spectacular sail in to your next destination.

Deluxe Balcony

Approximately 226-362 sq. ft. There’s nothing quite like opening your patio style doors onto your own private balcony, especially to take in the fresh morning air or to enjoy a spectacular sail in to your next destination.

Conservatory Mini Suite

Approximately 274 sq. ft. The Conservatory Mini-suite cabin is an exciting new addition to the choice of accommodation and a signature option on Iona.

Family Seaview Suite

Approximately 434-530 sq. ft. Aft and Forward Suites are always special, giving guests the ultimate experience of relaxation in their own boutique-hotel haven. A luxurious space is created as the doors of interconnecting rooms open fully to create a larger, brighter studio ambience.

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P&O Cruises' biggest and most innovative ship ever built for the UK market is the first Excellence-Helios Class in the fleet.  Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is considered one of the cleanest-burning fuels reducing sulfur emissions and nitrogen oxide, Iona is one of the greenest ships in the world. With a capacity for 5,200 passengers Iona boats a number of new-to-the-line facilities including a multi-functional glass-roofed "Skydome", the first gin distillery at sea, and 30 different dining venues to choose from. Designed to let the outdoors in and create an atmosphere of light, calm, and relaxation in the public areas Iona’s facilities are nothing short of impressive. The ship’s sensational Grand Atrium which offers panoramic ocean views, contemporary architecture and a seductive space will present aerialists and pop-up performances with spectacular shows. This family-friendly vessel has many interesting facilities to keep kids and adults entertained. The ship features Kids Club, Ocean Studios, and a four-screen cinema with screenings throughout the day with complimentary ice cream, popcorn, and snacks. With 12 bars, 13 entertainment venues, four swimming pools (three outside and one Indore), and many daily activities the ships guarantees a lot of fun.

Ship Specifications

City Southampton

Iona itineraries, 7 night norwegian fjords, 14 night canary islands, 14 night spain and portugal, 7 night northern europe, 7 night western europe, p&o cruises fleet.

• Bremerhaven
• Le Havre (Paris)
• London Greenwich
• London Portsmouth
• London Tilbury
• Southampton
• Warnemunde (Rostock)
• Zeebrugge (Bruges)
• Arctic Circle
• British Isles
• Midnight Sun
• Northern Europe
• Northern Lights
• Norwegian Fjords
• Scandinavia
• Transatlantic
• Western Europe
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• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises
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• Royal Caribbean
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• Ports Of Call

Iona Cruise Ship

Welcome aboard the P&O Cruises Cruise Line's magnificent vessel, the Iona. A jewel of the high seas, the Iona offers an unparalleled cruising experience in Northern Europe, combining exceptional comfort and cutting-edge amenities with an intoxicating itinerary. This ship offers a wide variety of stateroom options, from spacious suites with private balconies to cozy interior rooms, all adorned with tasteful décor and state-of-the-art technology.

For entertainment and relaxation, the Iona is second to none. With a vast range of recreational facilities such as a [spa/wellness center, swimming pools, sports complex], this ship ensures every guest can find their preferred mode of enjoyment. The ship's entertainment program boasts a variety of performances, including [type of shows, e.g., Broadway-style shows, live music], that are sure to impress and delight.

P&O Cruises invites you to embark on a vacation cruise across Northern Europe on the Iona cruise ship. During your trip, you will see a variety of towns and locations, some of which include glacier-carved fjords, man-made canals, Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea, Iceland, and the British Isles.

Ship Iona from P&O Cruises

Northern europe with iona cruise ship.

Discover the wonders of Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland with Iona from P&O Cruises. Explore the gems of Russia, Baltic Sea and Norwegian fjords, where Vikings roamed and czars reigned. Cruise between some of the most fascinating cities in the world such as the fairy-tale charm of Estonia, the majesty of St. Petersburg to the warm spas of Iceland. Cruise with Iona from the Northern Europe ports: Southampton, England;

7-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Southampton

Iona, p&o cruises.

Date: May 4, 2024

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

Date: May 11, 2024

Date: May 18, 2024

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

Date: May 25, 2024

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

Date: June 1, 2024

Date: June 8, 2024

Date: June 15, 2024

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

Date: June 22, 2024

Date: June 29, 2024

Date: July 6, 2024

Date: July 13, 2024

Date: July 20, 2024

Date: July 27, 2024

Date: August 3, 2024

Date: August 10, 2024

Date: August 17, 2024

Date: August 24, 2024

Date: August 31, 2024

Date: September 7, 2024

Date: September 14, 2024

7-day Northern Europe cruise from Southampton

Date: October 19, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bruges, Southampton; View Itinerary

7-day Western Europe cruise from Southampton

Date: October 26, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Coruna, Cherbourg, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: November 2, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Bruges, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: December 7, 2024

Date: February 15, 2025

Ports of Call: Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: February 22, 2025

4-day Northern Europe cruise from Southampton

Date: April 1, 2025

Ports of Call: Southampton, Bruges, Le Havre, 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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P&O Iona Cruise Photo Review – Ship, Food, Entertainment, and More

When P&O Cruises first announced that they would be launching a cruise ship called Iona, she was promised to be the ‘start of a new era in travel’. 

She cost £700 million pounds to build and expectations were definitely high.

P&O Cruises have been sailing since the 1970s, Iona was designed to be dramatically different from anything P&O had done before.

Building Iona was a bold and brave choice for P&O but what I wanted to know was, did the risk pay off?

I’ve just disembarked a week-long cruise on Iona and although I thought I knew P&O cruises pretty well before the cruise, this cruise showed me things I’d never have expected from P&O. 

Iona Was Meant to Launch in 2020

Iona had just been built and was completing her sea trial tests in March of 2020. Not the best timing in hindsight but that was just bad luck. 

She was delivered to P&O in October of 2020 and at this point, we still hoped that the pandemic would be over soon so that cruising would resume but it wasn’t until August of 2021 that Iona finally completed her maiden voyage. 

Anticipation for the ship had been building up over this time and there was definitely some level of anxiety about the changes that P&O were making compared to their traditional cruising history.

On one hand, we had families and younger people very excited to try Iona’s more flexible approach to cruising and on the other, we had traditional P&O cruisers who had been loyal to the brand for years, wondering if they would enjoy a cruise on a Megaship like Iona.  

Why Did I Book a Cruise on Iona?

I was originally meant to cruise on Iona in January of 2021 and I was gutted when that didn’t happen. I knew that I had to get on board the ship to try her for myself, so I booked a very cheap week-long cruise to Northern Europe.

I booked the cruise with my brother and we paid £439 ($600) each for the 7-night cruise including gratuities. 

For that price, I didn’t go into this cruise with huge expectations.

A number of my friends and fellow YouTubers had been on Iona before me and I had seen mixed reviews about the ship and cruises online but I knew I had to try it for myself.

Most cruise ships do have a few issues when they first launch.

Embarkation Was Easy, Despite The Paperwork

The embarkation process was very easy, we went through a drive-through Covid testing centre at Southampton port, waited a while for our car parking and for our Covid results, and then when we had our negative results, we went into the cruise terminal. 

Like most cruises at the moment, we did need quite a bit of paperwork to embark, I had been in Spain the week before and when I told the lady at check-in this she looked concerned and said that she would have to speak to a manager.

I’d read P&O’s terms and conditions inside out to make sure that it was okay for me to board but I was still nervous while I stood there, until I stepped onto the ship I didn’t let myself get too excited.

The manager came over to us and we explained where we had been and that we had had a PCR test since getting back to the UK.

It was okay and we did get our ‘OK to board’ stamp but those few seconds were tense. 

When We First Embarked Things Were a Little Different

Normally when you embark on a cruise ship you just wander off and do whatever you’d like to do, for most people they’ll either head to their cabin or to get a drink or food depending on the time of day. 

Our boarding time wasn’t until after 3 pm and when we embarked Iona things were a little different, we weren’t given our cruise cards before we embarking the ship and we were sent straight to our muster station with a piece of paper to have our QR code scanned.

Our Muster Drill was ‘Virtual’

It’s a legal requirement that everybody embarking on a cruise ship has a safety drill and pre-Covid, this usually meant watching safety videos at what is called your muster station.

Believe it or not, we did all used to stand together in big groups, sometimes out on the promenade deck. 

Due to social distancing, this is no longer the case and you usually visit your muster station, then watch the videos in your cabin. This is what happened on our P&O cruise.

To learn more about how muster drills work now, check out this post: Muster Drills Have Changed For The Better (REVIEW of New After Covid Process)

After scanning our QR code we began the long walk to our cabin.

How Big is P&O’s Iona?

Iona is a big ship and I did know that before I booked the cruise, I don’t think until you’re really on board though, it’s possible to get an idea of scale. 

The last couple of cruises I’ve been on have been on ships half the size of Iona and until I was walking down the corridor to get to my cabin, I didn’t truly appreciate how huge Iona is.

For those who know about tonnage, she’s roughly 180,000 gross tons and that means she can hold over 5200 passengers at a time with 1700 crew members. 

She’s around 4x the size of the Titanic. To learn how other modern cruise ships compare to Titanic, check out this post: Titanic vs a Modern Cruise Ship Fleet – Comparison with Photos!

Iona is designed with her size in mind meaning that there are LOTS of maps around and signs.

They also have a cool feature where the colour of the artwork on the stairs tells you where you are. These were blue at the front of the ship, grey in the middle, and red at the back.

That’s the kind of detail I like on a ship, and it makes a big difference to me, I have no sense of direction. 

We Booked The Cheapest Cabin Available

We booked the cheapest cabin available which is a guaranteed inside cabin, this meant that we didn’t pick our cabin location and it was assigned to us.

Our cabin was cabin 11115 and it was right at the back of the ship. As in, there were no inside cabins further back than us. 

I loved having the cabin number 11115 as it was really easy to remember our room number, we did have to tell it to quite a lot of people on the cruise, when checking in for shows or meals, but more about how that works later.

Being at the back was also great for me because that was where the buffet was.

I’m a firm believer in the idea that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your cabin to enjoy a cruise. I hate the idea that somebody might be put off of trying a cruise because they feel as though they ‘need’ the money for a balcony. Inside cabins are totally fine. 

Our Cruise Cards Were Left Outside Our Cabin

Our cruise cards were in an envelope outside of our cabin door and there are a few cruise lines that do embarkation like this.

I often hear the argument ‘what if somebody takes the card and gets into your room’. Well if they did before I got there then they’ll just be in an empty room, so not sure why they’d want to do that. If they’re on the cruise, they have their own room. 

Our inside cabin was great and we were very comfortable here for the week.

P&O Clean The Cabins Once Per Day

We watched the safety drill videos on our TV and our room steward introduced herself to us. She explained that our room would only be cleaned once a day instead of the two times a day that P&O used to offer. 

To be honest that suited me perfectly.

I try to keep my cabin as tidy as possible and apart from needing extra towels occasionally or needing more toilet rolls I really don’t need my room serviced twice per day.

I usually feel bad that the cabin steward has made my bed in the morning, I’ve climbed in there again in the afternoon and then they make it again in the evening, so at least I didn’t have to worry about that. 

Our First Exploration of The Ship Was Exciting

After completing our muster drill we went to explore the ship.

Personally, this is probably my favourite part of a cruise, the part where you run around the ship excitedly just trying to take everything in. It can feel a little overwhelming, especially on a big ship like Iona but that’s part of the fun for me. 

First, we went straight to Iona’s SkyDome.

The SkyDome is the thing that sets Iona apart from other cruise ships and although there is a swimming pool in the dome, the space was used for so much more than swimming.

Iona is Great For Swimming!

Iona has 4 swimming pools and 16 whirlpools with what felt like thousands of seats outside. 

Iona is one of the very few cruise ships that is designed with cold weather in mind. There is still plenty of seating outside, but even if that isn’t being used, there are inside alternatives for everybody.

Most weren’t used during our cruise because it was pretty chilly but the sun did come out at one point and everybody flocked to the sunny side of the ship.

If you’re from somewhere cold you’ll know what it’s like to need to soak up the sunshine as soon as it appears. 

Our cruise was sailing at a little over 65% capacity and only time will tell how she will feel at 100% capacity. I am going to get the chance to find out though, more about that later. 

Iona also has a 4 screen cinema!

What Was The SkyDome Used For? – Taste 360 Review

The SkyDome is used as a pool in the day and you’ll find bars here too with a place to grab food called Taste 360.

Taste 360 serves your typical poolside grill type of food, pizza, burgers, chips, that kind of thing.

They also have veggie burgers which was great for me and everything was always freshly cooked so it was really hot and tasty.

I hoped that the food on the rest of the ship would live up to the quality of the poolside grill!

Those chips were perfect. 

Whenever we sat here, we would have a waiter with us within minutes to get us a drink and we always found the service to be great. Helped I’m sure by the reduced capacity. 

After a while, our minds started to turn to dinner, as they often do!

We Had to Book Most Things on P&O’s App

Speaking to other people on the cruise, one thing that seemed to divide opinions was how almost all of the restaurants had to be booked in advance on the app.

This wasn’t a problem for us at all, but I know how some people don’t like to use their phones when cruising.

I like to eat early, around 6pm and this definitely helped me to be able to book the restaurants I wanted on the days that I wanted. If you were cruising as a larger group, or wanted to eat later in the evening, it may be tricker to get bookings.

With over 3000 people on our cruise though, I understood the need for the booking of the restaurants.

It’s just something to keep in mind. The booking of restaurants isn’t so much of a ‘P&O thing’ as it is a ‘large ship thing’.

Lots of ‘mega ships’ of this size require bookings to be made ahead of time. 

There are LOTS of Included Dining Options

We tried our best to try as many restaurants on board as we could.

Iona has 3 ‘main’ restaurants where bookings ahead of time weren’t required. Instead of going to the restaurant and standing in the queue to get a table you could instead join the ‘virtual queue’ on your phone.

You’d tell it how many people you wanted a table for and if you needed a wheelchair space, you’d then have to keep your phone on that page and it would tell you when your table was ready. 

We never had to wait more than 5 minutes for our table to be ready and then at that point they would hold the table for 15 minutes.

We would be getting ready for dinner in the cabin, join the virtual queue and then just head to the restaurant when it was ready which was great. 

I’ve got to be honest I did find the dining options and having to book/virtual queue for things a little overwhelming when I first got on board.

I’ve cruised a lot so I had some idea of how cruise ship dining worked but if you were new to cruise, or somebody who was used to cruising with a fixed table and dining time each night, it could get confusing and you could end up missing things.

P&O did have lots of information in the cabins about how everything worked onboard but I’m definitely one of those people who just tries things and works things out as I go.

An overwhelming amount of choice is somethings just something that comes with cruising on such a big ship.

P&O’s App Worked Well But Had a Few Features Missing

P&O cruises app wasn’t really an app that you have to download to your phone it’s more just a webpage that you have to load.

To use the app you have to be connected to the WiFi but don’t have to pay to use the WiFi in order to use the app. You’ve just got to be connected so that the ship can send you the information.

Overall it worked pretty well but did miss a few key things like the opening times of restaurants and the daily schedule.

Theatre Shows Also Had to be Booked

It wasn’t just the dining options that had to be booked ahead of time, all theatre shows did too.

Capacity in the theatres was reduced slightly for social distancing and we had to wear masks while watching the show. No drinks were allowed in the theatre at any point.

My last cruise was with Marella where they hand you a drink as you walk into the theatre so that did take a little getting used to, but not the end of the world. 

I booked the main couple of theatre shows before we embarked the cruise, if you are travelling as part of a big group it might be worth doing this.

Each show was on 3x a night and most shows would be repeated two days in a row. I’m not exactly sure on the capacity of the theatre but it was quite big, that said with 5200 potential guests they need to make sure that everybody has a chance to see every show. 

Sometimes we would just book the shows 10 or so minutes before we went to the theatre which usually worked.

On one evening we wanted to see the 8.30 show but it was sold out so I booked the later show.

It got to around 8 pm, we were in a lounge and we were in the theatre mood so I decided to try and cancel my later booking and book the earlier show hoping that somebody had cancelled since I first tried.

When I asked my brother if I should try he said ‘well you can…’ clearly not thinking it would work. But it did! 

You can cancel and book the theatre shows at any time if you decide you don’t want to go or your plans change.

I assume that at some point before the show they release the spaces of those that haven’t shown up and let in people without a booking. 

The Theatre Shows Were Great

When we were on board Iona there were two main theatre shows, Festivals and Centre Stage.

The team of dancers and singers were amazing and both shows were great. P&O made good use of the theatre space and I enjoyed the shows a lot. I’m a very visual person

I like to see bright colours and costume changes and Iona’s shows had a lot of that, plus songs I liked and knew! 

We also watched a comedian in the theatre and went to a couple of presentations about satellites and space, both very interesting! 

I usually like to go to the theatre each evening but because Iona is large and the shows are repeated two days in a row this isn’t really how a typical day onboard ended up working for us.

What was great was that there were also shows held in the SkyDome. These would be acrobatic shows and the dome made the most amazing setting.

The SkyDome Was a Popular Evening Venue With Incredible Shows

The dome had lights on it, lasers, smoke, you name it.

Most nights we would either go to the theatre, or we would go and see the dome show. They would also have live music in the dome, like the brilliant band She or the equally brilliant house band called Pulse.

We listened to a rock music show amongst a few other things.

For the main acrobatic dome shows it was pretty tricky to get a seat if you arrived with less than about 20 minutes to spare.

We usually just stood which was totally fine, the shows weren’t long, but if you do need a seat, get there early. 

There was lots and lots and lots of live music around the ship with each show being repeated multiple times.

Covid rules meant that nobody could dance on the dancefloor but they could dance by their seats on the carpet, and they did!

Mask Wearing Was Compulsory if Singing Karaoke!

We went to karaoke one night and the person singing had to wear a mask which I thought was a little odd.

Masks have to be worn when walking around but not when seated in a restaurant or bar so nobody in the audience was wearing a mask and we were all singing along too.

The singers did a great job singing through their masks though and I guess it’s just to prevent spray singing? You’d have thought they could just put them behind a screen though or disinfect the microphone.

Oh well, it was good fun anyway. 

Our Itinerary Changed – As They Often Do

When I booked our cruise we were meant to be visiting Hamburg, Rotterdam and Bruges.

It was a week before the cruise that I got the email saying that Hamburg has been replaced with Le Havre. For those of you who don’t know, Le Havre is the port that’s usually referred to as the ‘gateway to Paris’ even though it’s usually a 3-hour drive away. 

It was actually my agent, also called Emma who told me about the change before P&O did and although I was looking forward to going to Hamburg as I’ve never been, that wasn’t the end of the world for me.

I was mostly looking forward to cruising on Iona. 

If you’d like to book a cruise through me, and my fabulous agent Emna, you can do so by filling out our booking form here: Book a Cruise .

We Didn’t Take Cruise Line Excursions

In Bruges and Rotterdam, we created our own walking tours, stopping off at the places that looked interesting like the cube houses in Rotterdam and the quaint little streets of Bruges.

It’s really easy to wander around Bruges and Rotterdam and our main priority was just trying to walk when it wasn’t raining. We did 20k+ steps per day and really enjoyed it.

I even found the world’s biggest Pepsi Max which is my favourite drink. 

I didn’t know what we would do in the port is Le Havre though, I definitely wasn’t going to spend 3 hours each way on a bus to Paris. I’ve been to Paris so I knew I’d stay close by. 

We Spent a Lot of Time in The Main Atrium

After walking 20k+ steps in port whenever I came back into the ship I would be desperate for a drink.

The main atrium area of Iona is this huge area that is split over multiple levels with two staircases in the middle.

The glass windows are on both sides and we spent quite a lot of time here with a drink just sitting and watching the world go by. 

P&O’s Drinks Packages Aren’t Great Value (For Most People)

I have to say, I think P&O have some of the worst value drinks packages on the market and for most people, it makes more sense to pay as you go.

That said the prices on board were really pretty good, a Pepsi cost less than it does in my local pub. Not only that but it was proper Pepsi and as the waiters always asked if we wanted ice, we always said no.

Here in the UK, it isn’t the default to always get lots of ice in a drink in the way that it seems to be in the US and other countries.

It was pretty cold on this cruise away and the way I see it, if I’m paying for a glass I’d much prefer it to be full of Pepsi than half full of ice which just hits me on the nose and gets annoying.

Don’t get me wrong, if I’m cruising on the Caribbean the ice is much appreciated but on a northern Europe cruise in October, no thanks! Let me know if you’re on team ice, or team no ice in the comments.

They did have both Pepsi and coke to keep everybody happy. 

Also in the atrium, there is a Costa Coffee and a restaurant called the Keel and Cow which does cost extra. 

The Main Dining Rooms and Buffet Weren’t The Only Included Dining Venues

As far as included food goes though, even on our 7-night cruise, we could have eaten in a different place every night without paying anything extra.

There are LOTS of included food restaurants.

P&O Iona’s Buffet Was Open a LOT and Served Great Food

The first and the biggest is the buffet, the buffet was open from way before I got up until 1 am in the morning and would only be closed for a few hours in between.

Lots of cruise ship buffets have long opening hours but P&O’s are extra good. The late-night snacks and late-night chocolate cake were AMAZING. 

In the buffet I found the BEST Yorkshire puddings and lots and lots of roast potatoes. I couldn’t fault anything with any food item in the buffet, it was brilliant.

They even have veggie sausages for breakfast and vegan desserts! Woohoo. 10/10 from me. 

There’s also tea and coffee available in the buffet all the time that it’s open at no extra charge.

P&O Provide Kettles in The Cabins!

Every cabin does come with a kettle and as I usually drink peppermint tea I took a few peppermint tea bags back to my room so that I could have tea in the mornings. 

As well as having a kettle in your cabin we would also find little biscuits delivered each day.

The Quays was a Great Additional Dining Venue

An extra addition that most other cruise ships don’t have is a food court called the Quays.

This is kind of like an extra buffet but everything is made to order. We came here for pancakes for breakfast and burgers in the evenings.

This area did remind me of the food court ‘galley’ that Virgin Voyages have on their cruise ships that they are so keen to not call a buffet. 

The Quays is located in the middle of the ship by the atrium and they even have a ketchup station here. I put ketchup on almost everything so this was great. 

Afternoon Tea is Served in One of The 4 Main Restaurants

P&O have 4 ‘main dining’ rooms as I mentioned earlier and as far as I can tell they all served the same menu which changed each night.

There are two main dining rooms at the back of the ship which I loved and also two on the sides. We only went into the restaurants on the sides for afternoon tea in true British style. 

Afternoon tea was a little strange because you didn’t order any food like you usually would, you still got food of course but it would just arrive.

This meant that anything we didn’t eat would be thrown away which seemed like a waste but really it would just be mushed up and released as fish food so any cakes I didn’t eat were just dessert for a lucky fish. 

P&O Are Great For Vegetarians and Vegans

The food in the main dining rooms was always good and there were lots of vegetarian options.

P&O are one of the best cruise lines I’ve found when it comes to vegan dining with a vegan starter, main and dessert on every menu. 

The Dress Code on P&O Cruises is Quite Strict

P&O have fairly strict dress codes compared to some other cruise lines but the dress codes mostly apply to the main dining room.

On ‘formal’ night called celebration night, most men wore a suit or at least a shirt and tie, you could probably get away with just a shirt though, maybe.

On non-formal nights the dress code is casual but you’re not meant to wear trainers, hoodies or light jeans in the dining room. 

In reality, as long as you don’t look scruffy and don’t have big logos all over your clothes I don’t think anybody would mind.

If you do want to dress up though and have a prom dress or bridesmaids dress you’d like to wear you won’t feel out of place on a P&O cruise, some people went all out and looked lovely having photos taken in the main atrium. 

There Were no Photographers Onboard

Interestingly there weren’t any cruise line photographers onboard for ‘Covid reasons’.

Not too sure why Covid means P&O can’t have photographers as most other cruise lines have managed it since but it doesn’t bother me, I quite liked the prime photo spots not being taken up by photographers.

We ate in The Beach House and Olive Grove Restaurants

There’s also the Beach House and Olive Grove restaurants which are both included in our cruise fare on Iona.

Both have to be booked in advance and made sure we went to both.

The beach house served south American food and it usually costs extra on other ships but was free on Iona for our cruise, I suspect it will cost extra on Iona soon though, but it was never very expensive.

The Olive Grove restaurant is Mediterranean. I had a pizza in the Olive Grove which wasn’t Princess cruises Alfredo’s standard, but all in all the food was really good. 

I Had a Decision to Make

As the cruise went on I was thinking more about the price I’d paid and the experience I was having.

I knew that I had other family members that I’d left at home that would enjoy the cruise so I did start a bit of cruise planning, while on the cruise.

Something I’ve never done before. 

In Le Havre we Saw a Boat Show (By Accident)

When we visited Le Havre we were treated to what I can only describe as a boat show, but by accident.

We planned to walk into Le Havre just really to get some fresh air and stretch our legs but when we got to the main bridge the road was closed. The bridge was open to let in boats and we sat there for about 45 minutes, with other passengers, waiting for the boats to go by so that we could go over the bridge.

It turns out that a big boat race was due to leave Le Havre the next day so there were TV crews there and all kinds of people.

It was pretty cool to see but not what I had planned when I got off the ship.

We did have sunshine in Le Havre though which was amazing. We spent the rest of the day having drinks by the pool or wandering around the promenade deck.

Iona has a LOT of promenade deck space with infinity whirlpools and other things. 

P&O’s Iona Has Some STRANGE Cabins on The Promenade Deck

It’s here on the promenade deck that you’ll find a group of balcony cabins with a very strange design.

The balcony cabins sit just above the promenade deck so when sitting out on your balcony you’d almost be sitting with the people on the promenade deck.

You’re also a long long way from the edge of the ship and when walking by you can see into these cabins quite easily, not sure who designed these cabins but I would try to avoid them if cruising on Iona. Very strange!

The Ship Felt Clean and Modern

The non-restaurant areas on the ship were also lovely.

My brother described the aesthetic as being that of a ‘nice hotel’ and I think I agree. There was lots of marble, sparkles, and clean lines which I liked.

There were lots of nice little touches like cushions and fabrics which made the ship feel quite expensive. 

We Visited The Pub Most Days

Even the pub was nice and we did trivia in here most days. It definitely had some sort of nice Wetherspoons vibes, but without the stickiness, you usually get in Wetherspoons. 

It was great for me that the trivia was so British, I often get confused on American cruise lines as the questions are very US-based but on Iona, there was even a question about Coronation Street! 

Can You Book a P&O Cruise From Outside The UK?

Guests from outside the UK can and do cruise with P&O and the easiest way seems to be to book through VacationsToGo.

My friends Sean and Stef came over to the UK a few years ago and took two P&O cruises which they loved. It was so funny for me to watch my American friends discover British things on their P&O cruise. You can watch videos of their P&O cruises on their channel here: Sean and Stef IRL

I Rebooked Iona, while Onboard

When onboard I actually booked another cruise on Iona and I really think that is the highest praise I can give to a ship.

Not only because I’ve booked it again but also because I’m going to be bringing 8 family members with me including my 2 nieces who haven’t ever cruised before.

For 2 adults and 2 children in a balcony for a week was only £1500 ($2000) and for me in my inside cabin was only £385 ($525). It’s impossible to argue with that price, it includes gratuities too! 

I only hope that Iona lives up to what I’ve promised and that the increase in capacity won’t change things too much. 

The cruises sails from my local port which makes everything a lot easier, my last cruise was a fly cruise, and as amazing as it was to get out of the UK, it wasn’t without it’s problems.

To find why I nearly got stranded in Spain and how that cruise went, check out this video next. 

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P&O Cruises' Britannia sets sail after extensive refurbishment

P&O Cruises UK 's flagship Britannia left from Southampton on April 21st following an extensive multimillion drydock refurbishment .

The company recently announced that Britannia will be featured in its travel agent ship visit schedule, offering 3 opportunities for visits.

Completed earlier this month, the refurb prepares the vessel for its upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration cruise on June 6, 2025.

The upgrades encompass various areas of the ship, including public spaces, all staterooms, as well as an extension of the loyalty desk and cruise sales area. Additionally, enhancements have been made to the Market Cafe, and a substantial investment has been allocated for crew areas. The children's splash area has been revamped with interactive water features. Furthermore, the capacity of the Sunset Bar has been increased with extra seating, incorporating design elements from P&O UK's newest ships ( Iona and Arvia ).

Paul Ludlow (the company's President and CEO) said Britannia was their flagship, and with her 10th anniversary celebration cruise next summer they knew the importance of ensuring the vessel looked "its absolute best to deliver an elevated experience" for their new and loyal guests.