Cruise Review – P&O Iona

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 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?

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