Reviews
![2023-06-05 16:35:05]()
This was our first cruise and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The food, cabins, and public areas of the ship were excellent. The Captain gave entertaining announcements each day which added to the whole experience. The scenery of the fjords was stunning. The excursions with P and O were overpriced but we only went on one to the glacier and did our own thing in other ports. Although the cruise itself was enjoyable the customer service prior to and post cruise was dreadful. I think P and O need to seriously look into addressing this as I know I am not the only one who has experienced bad customer service. This a shame because the cruise itself was very good hence the stars I've awarded. Please be aware that P and O charge twice for any onboard spending you do on a debit card. They charge you as you go along and then add up all the charges and charge you the total again which comes out of your bank account. Customer Services will tell you that one of the transactions is on hold and that it is usually then refunded after 7 days. 10 days in and I am still waiting for my money as are the other members of my party. I was told I should use a credit card next time. Not much help when I don't have one or want one!
Reviews
![2023-06-04 22:25:57]()
A lovely new ship, the shortcomings of Britannia were overcome with excellent lift access. Venues apart from main dining rooms and paid venues had ample availability to see shows. Brodies was so popular for the quizzes etc that it was one of the hardest venues to access. All in all a good looking ship with a decent design... but not perfect.
Balcony cabins on deck 5 although the second top GB grade had smaller metal framed balcony’s which you could see straight onto neighbours balconies, this is the grade that many saver fares will be “upgraded” Into. There is no way those balcony’s could be considered better than others other than by being more central, room size is identical. The cabins on the promenade are really over looked by people walking around, this in the niche just in front of the central section are overlooked too. Some cabins at the back complained about water spray from the infinity pool a few decks above. The worst of all is the virtual queuing for groups larger than 2. We were a group of 5 - three nights out of 7 we had to wait between an hour and two hours to get a main dining room Table, this had a knock on effect as pre booked entertainment venues could not be attended on time. This really ruined a good holiday. For this reason if you are a family and travelling in a school holiday, I would not recommend this ship unless you like self service buffet dining.
Reviews
![2023-06-04 11:29:46]()
Iona service can be improved on.
Meals are adequate but variety could be improved on
There are too many restaurants where a cover charge applies .
The theatre shows are fine but there needs to be a variety.
The shows can be performed slightly earlier in the day on a sea day so more people can be entertained
Reviews
![2023-06-03 20:20:53]()
very good boarding from car to cabin wishing 30 minutes
restaurant service very slow waiting on average 1 hour for a table then about one and a half to two hours to eat, had one meal I had finished before my wife had hers, I had stake and chips (7 chips) was still hungry most nights, ship was lovely as well as staff but quite obvious was well understaffed
Have been very satisfied with P&O over the years but very disappointed this time, will definitely not go back on Iona.
Reviews
![2023-06-03 04:54:58]()
Fantastic time
Reviews
![2023-06-02 18:59:50]()
Ship is a few years old now and is pristine. Issues we encountered were that the ship's public areas were very busy and at the start of the cruise service in some of the public bars was very slow . The coffee shop on deck 6 was a particular issue with many people leaving after waiting for over 20 minutes for table service! It improved towards the end of the cruise however . Dining room service was also slow and one night we were sat at a table for 15 minutes before our order was taken!
Great ship but needs more staff in public areas.
Embarkation was good..30 mins to get onboard. Debark on the other hand ended up as a free for all! Took use almost an hour to get off and out of the baggage hall!
Reviews
![2023-06-02 18:31:32]()
Excellent cruise. Never been on such a big ship but no problems queuing.
Only complaint. Couldn't get into cinema as full even though we got there 1/2 hrs before showing. Would be good if same film on in a couple of the cinemas at same time on sea days.
Reviews
![2023-06-02 17:47:26]()
Really excellent cruise. Food really delicious, service excellent as always, and the cruise itself excellent value for money.
Reviews
![2023-06-02 17:35:45]()
First time on such a large ship and was pleased it was a 14 night cruise or we couldn’t have fit everything in but because of that we did not feel quite as refreshed as we usually are afterwards. The cabin (balcony) was lovely and our room steward (Paolo) was great. We found it a bit of a bind having to book for shows and restaurants as opposed to simply turning up. I feel the size of the ship would be a little overwhelming if just on a 7 day cruise.
Reviews
![2023-06-02 16:37:33]()
the app was not working as it should . although used the app for entertainment and restaurants were repeatedly told that we were not booked in . repeatedly sent food back to be cooked as requested . one port of call was missed .
Reviews
![2023-06-02 16:22:31]()
The ship and the Norwegian ports were fantastic unfortunately Booking dining and entertainment on the app was not a pleasurable experience, when you are on a cruise you don't want to be having to check your phone all the time. The app was also limited because for the options you didn't need to book you had to keep the daily newsletter with you. It was also disappointing passengers booking but not turning up so preventing other passengers the chance.
Reviews
![2023-06-02 16:20:08]()
We have done 26 cruises and this was the 1st time with P & O and it will be our last. It was a huge dissapointment. There was very little to do on sea days. The occasional talk but no organised crafts or cookery demonstrations. Nothing at all apart from bingo the occasional quiz and Zumba. Every time you wanted to go to the cinema or a show you had to book it otherwise there was no guarantee you would get in. The food was OK but nothing special and certainly not fine dining. The best food was the fish and chips on deck 8. The entertainment was ok but again nothing special. We did not see the Captain or any of the officers once. The celebration night was a huge joke. Everyone was dressed up and for what! There was nothing different from any other night other than you have a ticket for half a glass of cheap champagne. We had friends who got on the ship as we got off and they have said it was their 2nd cruise and it has put them off cruising ever again. I cannot begin to stress what a huge dissapointment this cruise was and we were glad to get off at Southampton.
Reviews
![2023-06-02 16:10:53]()
Have travel a few time with PO and other shops were far better, had a balcony which went onto a walk way no privacy, eventually got a upgrade but a right ordeal, in other ships had free sauna after swim this one had to pay £38 for a hour crazy .Overall the IONA is not a improvement on the older ships .Noise from air con in room nothing done was advise to open balcony door.Been to Norway before and stops were so much better , poor selection this time .We also miss some of the Fjords because of weather but been on ships in poor weather force 12 (not fun scary) but the weather ref the Iona was fine
Reviews
![2023-06-02 15:48:16]()
Ship excellent. Destination Norwegian Fjords. Ship is far too large to enter any of the lovely fjords. To sail 1 1/2 days there and same length of journey back for what we saw was a waste of time. The wool was put on our eyes. This was our first cruise and could well be the last one
Reviews
![2023-06-02 14:37:38]()
Don't like Glass House on Iona. Really wish P&O could bring back turn down service in cabins.
Suitcase was broken but refunded very quickly
Excursions still too expensive. WiFi extortionate. Everything else amazing
Reviews
![2023-06-02 12:45:24]()
