I Took a Cruise On Britain's Biggest Ship - (She's Brand New!)
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- I've just disembarked a cruise on P&O's Iona which showed me things I’d never have expected from P&O. From the moment that she was announced Iona was designed to be different, her launch was a bold move for P&O but I wanted to know if the risk had paid off.
In this video, we will look at the ship, the food, the entertainment, and the destinations we visited. I made a decision onboard that I've never made on a cruise before, in the video, I discuss why.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Why I Booked a Cruise on P&O's Iona
00:43 - Iona Embarkation
01:26 - P&O's Muster Drill
02:12 - How Big is P&O's Iona?
02:40 - This Stopped me From Getting Lost
03:00 - Our Inside Cabin, 11115
04:30 - Exploring The Ship and Sky Dome
05:30 - What Capacity is Iona Sailing at?
05:45 - Iona's Pool Side Food, Taste 360
06:25 - Booking Meals and Shows on The App
09:00 - P&O Cruises App
09:15 - Theatre Shows
11:00 - Dome Shows
12:15 - Karaoke, ft Masks!
12:55 - Our Itinerary Change
13:45 - Are P&O's Drinks Packages Worth it?
14:25 - What Food is Included on a P&O Cruise?
14:45 - Buffet
16:00 - The Quays
16:40 - Afternoon Tea
17:15 - Vegan Dining onboard P&O's Iona
17:30 - P&O Cruises Dress Codes
18:35 - Beach House and Olive Grove
19:10 - I Started Planning Something...
19:32 - Le Havre
20:25 - Bad Balcony Cabins?
21:00 - Ship Design
21:12 - Pub and Trivia
21:42 - Can You Book a P&O Cruise From Outside of The UK?
22:05 - I Did Something I NEVER Expected!
22:50 - Why I Nearly Got Stranded in Spain
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I was really surprised by the wheelchair space reservation feature, I think it’s really cool! As a wheelchair user myself I feel like it would be really convenient if all restaurants had this (not only on cruise ships)! Usually I would have to call the restaurant to ask for it. Really nice review, I would love to try this cruise someday!
Honestly I would love to just be able to walk around a ship like this and see the architecture. I find that really fascinating for some reason. I love looking at floorplans and this ship seems like a great place to take in an interesting design.
As an American who loves the British, learning cruising from a different perspective is GREAT. Thanks, Emma.
We have been on a lot of ships on different lines and thought Iona was amazing and beautiful in places - overall the best P&O ship so far. P&O is such good value for money and the company should be very proud of Iona. Parts of the ship were very sophisticated (Crow's Nest, Andersons, a few staircases and nooks and crannies) and the entertainment was generally good to very good. At times in certain places we felt P&O was up there with Celebrity - which is good praise. It's a huge ship but only on the promenade deck and in the Atrium does it feel big. Everywhere else is very cleverly planned - lots of interesting spaces, a great choice of pools and hotubs, clever layering in the Atrium, great and variable choice of seating everywhere, a good mix of shops (neither tacky nor all for the hugely wealthy).
Above all what we liked about Iona was the light - what a bright, sunny ship! Lots of glass and yet a good marriage overall between traditional and modern. We felt the ship felt like a very cheerful place.
We felt Iona suited couples of all ages best, followed by mixed aged families. Younger teens and party animals would probably be better on MSC or RC (which have more razzamatazz and less calm); and people who prefer small ships may prefer Arcadia or Aurora, but most other people would love Iona.
Iona is fun and lively enough without being in your face, but you can find lots of calm too - this is very P&O.
We hardly ever feel the need to return quickly to a ship, preferring to try new ones, but Iona really breaks this rule for us. We went on a two week Canary Island cruise and want to return to cruise on her again. We'd probably try to avoid 100% occupancy - which we would on most ships. We had 65% and it was easy. I think it would be ok for us even at 80-90% as it's such a big ship.
A Britishisms request: Wetherspoons. I couldn't tell if your comment was a good thing or a bad thing. 😉
I'm guessing sticky is never a good thing
Weatherspoons is a low grade pub chain. Cheap beers. Cheap food. Sticky carpets. The toilets are always up or down at least one flight of stairs in the back corner… not great 🤓 They tend to be in cool, historic buildings and named for a local person of note… that is their only plus 🤷🏻♀️
Baaaad
Got locked in one (in the toilets & they never noticed) I’ll let you guess how. I let myself out of the fire exit, touched nothing…. Kind of just wanted to find my bed. I think that sums up ‘spoons. That & I started acquainting their alcohol selection at 16. And still go. Great place to gather and drink whatever and eat chips. My grandparents loved it & their curry night.
Wetherspoons is a good and bad thing
Thanks Emma I went on Iona a week ago and this video made me more excited and confident to go on my first p&0 cruise 😊
Woohoo! Have a great time! 🥳🥳
I was thinking about those cabins on the prom deck and realised who they may be aimed at. I live by the sea and our beach has a prom with beach huts on it. There are waiting lists of people waiting to rent or own a hut. People love being close to the water, but they also love sitting by the hut, with a cup of tea/coffee chatting to everyone who goes by. I suspect, if my mum had one of those cabins she would be in her element. You'd find me a few floors up.
"Chocolate cake at 1:00AM!" That's my YT quote of the week. Liked.
😂😂😂😂
I’m a new subscriber to your channel. You do such a good job of a explaining the cruise and the ship while telling your cruise story. I very much enjoy your approach! Nice work!👍😎
I have been trying to figure out why I enjoy her videos so much. I believe you hit the nail on the head. It isn't her accent (I've watched others with the same accent) it isn't her beauty, again, I've watched other beautiful people. I could go on and on but I believe I enjoy her so much because she is the total package. Informative, very girl next door type in her giving of information, and HUMOROUS.
My wife and I have just come off the Iona after 2 weeks sailing what an truly amazing ship food,service,entertainment all top quality we will be booking again soon we’ll done p&o
The colour coded stairways remind me of P&O Ferries. They basically had a gradient of stairways, with red at the front. Where are the orange stairs? Between the red and yellow. Green stairs are next. Makes navigation so much simpler, although I imagine it's more important when you need to get back to your car.
Just got back off a week in Norway on Iona, whilst the weather wasnt great, the ship itself was amazing and out of the 4 cruise ships I've been on, it was quite possibly the best I've been on.
@Nandos chicken wings it’s like sitting in airport waiting rooms, awful!
Fantastic video - end to end practical information delivered at high speed and none of the moaning about insignificant micro issues that so many videos of this nature contain. Lovely style. Thank you.
Been waiting for this Emma! Thanks.
in 20-30 years time this will be classed as an older ship, Imagine what there going to look like then!
Nice that the ship breaks from the trend to have an "amusement park" on the top deck!
No photographers? Brilliant!!! I can finally get on and off the ship without having a camera shoved in my face and get to and from dinner without them taking over the space!!
I'm shocked that a traveler like you has a bad sense of direction..... makes what you do even more amazing..... ! ❤
I’ve enjoyed your posts for the past 2 years. Love the narration. Always fast paced, informative and well spoken. Also, you looked really smashing in the purple dress! Wow!
Thank you 😊 I am watching from Australia getting my cruise fix .hoping cruising will start here soon 🤞🏼🤞🏼
The size of these things is just awe inspiring…
It’s a ship the size of a large skyscraper lmao, it feels like Star Trek to me 🛳
I feel like if I did a cruise I’d spend the whole thing just sitting in various parts of the ship just staring out the window at the ocean and drawing
If you think that's big, check out Royal Caribbean.
Well done review. Nice pacing, with tons of content. Iona looks like a beautiful ship that I would enjoy!
Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️
Ive learned so much watching your videos! I love watching your videos even though ive never been on a cruise.
Thanks so much Chris, really appreciate that! :-)
We went on the Iona in March down around the Med ( It was our first cruise ) absolutely loved it. Our cabin location was 5:650 a small balcony cabin. We are looking to travel on Iona again later this year or next march
I'm a new subscriber to your channel and I didn't realise how cheap a cruise could really be with so much to offer, Thankyou x
Thanks Emma that was brilliant we were on the same cruise and my son did his first Cruise Vlog! Hopefully he gets in touch for a few tips for his next one
Thanks Emma, it brings back fantastic memories of my two weeks to Spain and Portugal on Iona in Sept/Oct. I think she's a lovely ship which not only suits but exceeds my needs, so much so that I'm already working out when I can go again. I think the options for eating are amazing, the decor is great and the cabins are excellent (I had a deck 16 balcony), so I look forward to your cabin review.
Hi Malcolm, We were also on deck 16 that fortnight. Happy memories indeed.
Thank you lots! So glad you enjoyed it 😀❤️
It is very informative and encouraging to book for a cruise. So much activities that you captured.
You nailed it! That definitely sums up Iona :) Loved this video :)
Excellent review Emma. Impressive ship by the looks of it. Far to big and modern for me personally but horses for courses hey? That's the beauty of cruises, the right type of line and ship for everyone somewhere!
Iona looks like an amazing ship, and definitely works well for a ship based out of Southampton! I've never really considered a P&O Cruise until Iona - but I've just booked a cruise on Arvia for my grandmas 70th.. will be her first cruise! She did think you were called Emma Lettuce though 😂😂😂
Superb video, you capture the feel of the ship so well and all its features. Like you, it's the only time we've booked another cruise on whilst on the ship itself. Unlike other P&O ships in service right now there is no fixed dining at all which adds to the relaxed easy going life on board, we loved the experience. Congratulations on doing the ship justice, extremely informative video for anyone contemplating going on this ship. Thank you for your work and sharing this with the community 👍
P.S. Lovely to see a little clip of Sean & Stef, a nice touch x
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! ❤️❤️
Thanks Emma! I'm on my first cruise on Iona as a young solo traveller and your videos gave me so much more confidence to do it alone. Having a great time 😊
It looks stunning I would definitely go on this cruise ship. We are going on our 1st ever cruise next year on Wonder of the Seas. I am so excited but also scared in case I hate it. I have never met anyone who has been on a cruise and hated it though. I have researched, researched and researched again so I am pretty sure we will enjoy it as we have booked the cruise we would most want to go on for a first time. I love your videos they have made me fall in love with cruising as I love your detail and enthusiasm. 🙂 BTW Pepsi Max is the best 👌 x
Thank you for showing me this. I'm from the Philippines I'm going to work on that ship soon 🥰, now I see how huge the ship is. Keep safe
Hi Emma, another good video, we were on the Iona in August it’s a lovely ship, not a fan of virtual cruising ( didn’t work on our cruise) I am pleased to see you got your favourite word into report (cheap) Carry on cruising cheers Neil
Really helpful & informative Emma . Thanks
We haven't cruised since 2017. I just happened across this whilst scrolling through You Tube. Very well thought out review, quite a talent you have. 👍
Thanks for your excellent review, you answered so many questions that I have that no one else has covered. In particular the distinction between booking a restaurant place and joining the queuing system.
Thanks so much, really appreciate that :D
I had watched other videos on the iona, and decided it wasn't for us, until watching your video we now have to give it a go we usually cruise ncl. Great video.
Another GREAT video my friend!!!
Hey Emma, looking forward to watching your videos. Tony sent us your way to show some cruise video love.
Great video looking forward to my cruise on the Iona in January thank you 👍
Hi Emma, thanks for your great review, sounds that you had a great time. You have Yvonne scrambling over available dates to give it a try so job well done! 🤣👍
Hahaha!!! Thanks for watching Mark 😅❤️
We cruised on Iona in September on the seven day cruise that did not stop anywhere. We loved the ship - it is definitely one of my favourite ships now and I look forward to going on her again soon. We also joined the virtual queue as soon as we were ready to go and found that if there were less than 30 people in the queue we were hard pressed to get to the restaurant in time as we ate at the Pearl Restaurant which was at the other end of the ship. On formal night the app stopped working so we just went straight to the restaurant and got straight in. We personally do not like inside cabins - most of our balconies have been free upgrades so far but I would rather pay extra for a balcony or outside and economise elsewhere by not paying extra for anything else. We needed an accessible cabin and the one we had was huge and superb. Loved the Skydome and went there most nights although we only had singing acts and not the acrobats. I love Le Havre. It was great not having a photographer - I hope they keep that up.
I really love your dress with the llamas on,(or whatever they are) !! Another great insight, Iona looks fab, Never been on a P and O ship but this looks very tempting.
Keep up the great vlogs Emma.
Thanks Janice! Yep Llamas :D
Thank you, a great review. I have just booked a cruise on her to the Fjords next year.
Great review, extra nice to see some Rotterdam scenery!, I could almost wave from across the river where I work
I love your videos Emma. Great editing techniques. Watching from Australia
Thanks lots 😀❤️
Hi Emma! Sending love from the La Lido Loca Family! I was already a subscriber! Love your videos! 💙🛳💙🛳💙
Yay!! Hey Lisa! The La Lido Loca fam are the best :D
Seriously great down to earth advice as usual..
One thing you might not know but if a cruise is longer than 30 days it's actually required to do one of those old school in person drills with everyone at the musterstation. We just did one of those and it was a bit odd... Not to mention the German travellers already waiting there way before it was their turn 😅
Yes, you are right. We germans are obsessed with being on time. Better 1 hour early than 5 minutes late. I apologize🤣
thank you for your videos.they are so helpful
Great video, jealous as was supposed to be on there in June for fyords but was obviously cancelled, looking forward to next year.
Wow that cruise sounds amazing :) hoping p&o aus can match it :) were so excited to go on our first cruise :) so praying that the Australian government will someday soon allow the resumption of crusing here, it'll be almost two years soon since cruising was allowed here. Im hoping they are back up and running by our sept one were booked on next year. Till then ill live through your ventures :)
Beautiful ship , thoroughly enjoyed my one week seacation , this allowed us to really enjoy the ship .
Great video , we was on exactly the same cruise as our First taster in cruising and it did not disappoint we loved every single Minute , the way how we could book our evening meals and shows with ease , we even managed to get into the 710 club one time which was amazing. We have now booked again for next April in the fjords cannot wait , we had and balcony cabin on level 12 near the rear of the ship which was super. we found it easier to pay as you go with the drinks as well.
Thanks Emma for a every nice vid. The only thing missing is to see Iona sail in the Caribbean. Norwegian fjords in the summer, and Spain/Portugal in the winter seams a bit limited. But as you mentioned, the prices are unbeatable!
Yep! So true. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Thanks for the great report on Saling with P&O. Nice know it is a proper English Cruise.
Also thanks for putting Tony of La LIdo Loca straight on rules for a proper tea.
Hello, I have just discovered your channel. I have watched several of your videos and they are very enjoyable. You have a pleasant demeanor. Best wishes in the new year!
Thank you! 😁❤️
Just found this video - thanks! I am on Iona for 2 weeks in March, my original booking was Ventura to Norway to (hopefully) see the Northern Lights, and that was cancelled. The dates needed to stay the same and this was pretty much the only suitable option 🤷🏻♀️
I wasn’t keen tbh, not a fan of the massive ships, but your review has eased my fears - thanks again
Fantastic video as usual. Thanks so much.
Thanks lots Cydney! :D
Another brilliant video!!
Thanks so much 😀❤️
Hi Emma thanks for your review of Iona we are on her doing the same cruise, hopefully with Hamburg in December. Looking forward to using some of your tips on her.
Wonderful video. I want to go on this cruise!!!
Nice video, thank you! Although you didn't point him out, I recognized your brother immediately in that brief clip - you two look so much alike! Fabulous!
Haha!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
So helpful - thank you 🥰🥰xxx
Fab video, I watch everything you post. Surprised the Beach House is included. I have had to pay on every other P&O ship for that one. I cannot wait for my cruise.
Thanks lots! Yeah, not sure about that but it was definitely free for us 😀❤️
In September the Beach House was included but the menu was not in the same league as on other ships, to be honest I'd avoid it unless the menu has changed since Sept/Oct.
I went to the Beachhouse on Azura earlier this month and it was amazing. It was only £7.50 cover charge. I did find it odd how it was basically a cordoned off corner of the buffet seating area though.
Love the cat riding on the scooter! 🤣 Elite tier content 💯
Amazing video. Thank you! I am going on my first cruise on the Iona this year.
Thank you! 😁❤️ Have a great time! 🥳🥳
Fantastic channel. Thank you!
When I lived in the UK and had afternoon tea, I put the clotted cream then the jam on my scone. It just made more sense to me to do it that way.
Living on the Isle of Wight the closest I’ve ever come to a cruise is on the Isle of Wight ferries lol. I am a power chair user (motorised wheel chair) and noticed that the ships you sailed on can vary very differently when it comes to being disabled friendly. I know it’s not your normal in depth speciality, but if possible in the future could we take a look inside a disabled friendly cabin may be? Keep the videos coming Emma I’m really enjoying them and thank you. x
I'd love too, thanks Alex. My friends Paul and Carole at Paul and Carole Love to Travel often see the accessible rooms. I'd recommend you check their videos out :D
Iona looks very interesting. When things get back to normal I will consider a British Cruise. lol. Nice to see and remember Sean and Steph again, I miss them, and wish her only happiness from here on out! I will definitely take your advice about drinks and cabins, thanks Emma for the info.
Thanks Thomas ❤️
LA LIDO LOCA FAM - Now subscribed to you !! :-)
Yesssss!! Hey Patrick! Thanks so much. Welcome welcome 😀❤️
Great video as always!!
And you settled a long standing bet between me and my wife that we've had for almost 20 years!!
I am not the only person in the world that likes ketchup on my pizza!!!
Thank you so much!!
Hahaha 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's great to see cruising finally opening up again. It's time for us to start going out into the world again. For the sake of a healthy society everyone should go out and do something!
Absolutely! So good to be back at sea. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
We both loved your video. You are smart and fast. Keep up the great work.
Thanks so much David 😀
I just watched the video about mean comments. Just to leave a comment myself: i am very happily watchin your videos. I find them informative and the way you present stuff is great. I am also enjoying hearing your lovely voice and the wonderfull accent. Lastly the way you dometimes laugh is ever so sweet and heartworming. Keep the good work up.
You're very kind, thank you!!
Hi there the Iona is a beautiful ship the best cabins to get are midship if you are on the front or back of the ship you literally can feel yourself going up and down in rough weather. My wife and I went on Majestic Princess from Sydney around New Zealand just before covid the ship is a large ship but even though the ship was full we found we never had to que for anything the food was excellent and we didn't have to book for the restaurants or shows. There is a wonderful aria called the Hollywood pool witch has a dome so it is all under cover and usable in cold weather. I cant wait for the ships to come back to Australia we love cruising and have so many exciting destinations to explore around Australia.
Very helpful am Newby to cruising going on iona in May to Norway 🇳🇴 for 7 nights,look forward to seeing some of you!
Sounds good! 😁🥳
5,200 Passengers. 😩 Stop the World I want to off! - lol. Absolutely NO WAY. Thanks for the video.😊
“Proper Pepsi” was the best thing I’ve heard today!
Thanks for the review!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
On Iona at the moment and loving it. Thank you for the tips Emma.
☺️
Sounds like a great ship and great cruise.
Emma great review as always. Greetings from Asunción Paraguay 🇵🇾
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Great video. Here from the Loca Fam!
Hi me and my wife just did our first cruise on Iona to norway 🇳🇴......Brilliant all of it, the staff and standards 10/10, going back again in January. Yes also standard cabins lovely.
Cheers Andrew
Waou . So much knowledge ❤️
New sub sent from the Loca fam 👍🏻
Hey Mike!!! Thanks so much, welcome welcome 😀❤️
Loved your you tube on Iona. Very informative and good to see you have booked again. we are on in March then Arvia in 2023. Your cabin was at the front of the ship not the back but if you have problems with direction this is excused.
Thank you lots! ❤️😀
Thank you Emma great job 👏
I came to visit Tony posted your CZcams channel.
Hey Emma!! :-)
@@EmmaCruises 🥰
This looks amazing
Thanks for sharing, shared.
yes that is an amazing class of ship. i recently sailed the Mardi gras, and i was amazed how much larger she seemed vs all the other carnival ships i've been on.
I loved the thought bubble with “I have an idea” haha
Thanks for another awesome video Emma we loved it 😊 Iona is such a stunning ship, and it's great to see how she is operating on her international sailings. We love Sean and Stef's P&O videos too ❤ The inside cabin look brilliant - how did you find the storage space? It looks pretty good?
Yeah not too bad at all, definitely had more on some other ships, and less on others. In the middle :-)
@@EmmaCruises Hi can you tell me when you went on this ship.
Have you been on P & O Britannia ?
Thanks for another great video Emma! I really like balcony cabins, not sure about the ones right next to the promenade, though. Another thing I'm not so sure about is the exterior design of the XL/Excel(lence) ship class. These ships look really "boxy", not very elegant. Especially AIDAnova because of the dull funnel design. Iona looks a bit better from the outside I guess...
I appreciate buffets being open late at night. I have a tendency to stay up late and it's nice when you can get food whenever.