Great video Jamie, one of the best I’ve seen. My wife and I, (well, the missus did), have booked the Norwegian Fjords on Iona in April 2026, deck 16, almost, but not quite, directly above the one you were in. Not sure on the bed to couch configuration, but not an issue either way. Our very first sea cruise, which we are really looking forward to. Thanks again for this and the other reviews you have done on Iona and the Fjords really informative… edit ah ha found the room configuration, it’s the same bed by the balcony. ,
Me and my boyfriend are going on our first cruise in April 2024 on Iona, doing the Fjords. We’re staying in a standard balcony and can’t wait. This will be our first holiday abroad as a couple.
@@TravelBlogJamie we had an amazing time. We were on the Norwegian Fjords 06-13 of April and the balcony cabin was amazing. Thank you so much for your videos, they were a great help.
We were in 12530 and that cabin was the other way round , bed next to the wardrobe, it is quite tight to open doors but we had no problems . We did 3 weeks with no storage issues 😁😁
I’ve seen the Iona has Blue in the front section (for the sea ahead), Silver in the middle (to represent the moon) and red at the aft (to represent the sunset). I think this is true for stairways but as you were in the front and had blue in the cabin it might be true for them as well. We are just down the corridor to this in May and praying for a smooth crossing to Norway
Fabulous review! I cannot wait to get onboard now! Also off to buy some air fresheners (I never knew you took them and why have I never thought of that!!) 😂 We did have a drainy smell (is that even a word??!) on Ventura last time!
Thanks Jamie. Room looks nice. I watched a cabin review the other day and the bathroom looked much bigger - must have been one of the extended balconies you mentioned. It's disappointing you have to pay a surcharge for room service. Another good reason to stretch those legs and burn off those breakfast calories ;-)
That won’t have been a standard balcony cabin in that case - the extended corner balconies have same sized bathrooms. Maybe it was a deluxe or accessible?
Hey Jamie, we have also been upgraded, to midship deck 12 for our next sailing. So excited. Noticed the breakfast menu didnt have a bit to hang so do you just place it in the postbox outside? We have a couple of early excursions so want to make use of the service this time.
Hi Jamie, I love the way this cabin is configured with the bed next to the balcony door but other cabins seem to have the bed next to the wardrobe and the sofa next to the balcony, how would I check which way my cabin is set up?
This is really hard to explain without a diagram. Essentially 2 cabins occupy the same door frame. For port side, the one on the left has a bed by the wardrobe and the one on the right has a bed next to the balcony. Have a look at a deck plan: our cabin is 10228 and it’s to the right of the door frame
Booked Arvia Balcony cabin for April, almost sorry I didn't take a chance with a sea view and hope for an upgrade. Do you get upgraded often. I did not put option in for upgrade incase they put me on a deck eight Cabin.
When you book the holiday there is an option to click ‘upgrade if available’ - you will be informed 2 weeks (approx) in advance if one has become available and given this for free. Alternatively call P&O if you want to pay for an upgrade and they’ll offer you the price that was in place when you originally booked. You can also wait until on board but this is a gamble.
Great timing - on Iona Mar. 4th (Spain/Portugal). Have seen/read a fair amount, by no means all encouraging, so will be hoping there's more good than bad news in this & any later video. Thanks for your trouble !
When you book there’s an option to tick ‘upgrade if available’. 2 weeks before I was notified we had been upgraded (and I know a lot of people on this cruise who got upgraded). Worth remembering it may be an upgrade you aren’t happy with (ie an upgrade to a balcony is fab but if you’re placed at the very front of the ship this might not suit you)
@@clatterowls you’d have to contact P&O very quickly if this were the case and there’s be no guarantee, so if you’re happy with the cabin you book, I wouldn’t risk it.
Morning Travel Blog Jamie sorry missed live chat today, we are going to be on deck 12 aft for our cruise next year balcony cabin for 3 people ,good to know can bring litre bottle Alcohol on board wish cruise was sooner , enjoy rest of your holiday ❤
@@TravelBlogJamie mock tails in day time soft drinks usually buts it’s good to know thanks Jamie every little bit information is a great help as it will be our first cruise with P&O
Great video Jamie, one of the best I’ve seen. My wife and I, (well, the missus did), have booked the Norwegian Fjords on Iona in April 2026, deck 16, almost, but not quite, directly above the one you were in. Not sure on the bed to couch configuration, but not an issue either way. Our very first sea cruise, which we are really looking forward to. Thanks again for this and the other reviews you have done on Iona and the Fjords really informative… edit ah ha found the room configuration, it’s the same bed by the balcony. ,
You’re very welcome! Have you checked out my fjords cruise on Iona? Have a great cruise!
I enjoyed your Vlogg Jamie, nice to see Matthew in the background always in his cameo role. You both make a good team. Carry on the good work.
👍👍👍
I wouldn’t mind having one of these. Love to be so close to the sea, especially while its rough.
I love the motion of the ocean 🌊
Just booked to cruise on Iona's sister ship. Arvia, next year. Can't wait. Thanks for the review (and also your embarkation vid). xx
No problem at all ❤️
Join me on Sunday for the premier
Me and my boyfriend are going on our first cruise in April 2024 on Iona, doing the Fjords. We’re staying in a standard balcony and can’t wait. This will be our first holiday abroad as a couple.
Ah how amazing! Let me know how you get on!
@@TravelBlogJamie will do. We’re both super excited for it.
@@MrMrjjk3 Excited for you both !
@@TravelBlogJamie we had an amazing time. We were on the Norwegian Fjords 06-13 of April and the balcony cabin was amazing. Thank you so much for your videos, they were a great help.
We were in 12530 and that cabin was the other way round , bed next to the wardrobe, it is quite tight to open doors but we had no problems . We did 3 weeks with no storage issues 😁😁
Ah that’s good to know - there’s definitely less storage space than some of the other ships but there’s be enough for us as well
I’ve seen the Iona has Blue in the front section (for the sea ahead), Silver in the middle (to represent the moon) and red at the aft (to represent the sunset). I think this is true for stairways but as you were in the front and had blue in the cabin it might be true for them as well. We are just down the corridor to this in May and praying for a smooth crossing to Norway
I’m sure the crossing will be fine!
Fabulous review! I cannot wait to get onboard now! Also off to buy some air fresheners (I never knew you took them and why have I never thought of that!!) 😂
We did have a drainy smell (is that even a word??!) on Ventura last time!
Well I’m pleased to say no drain smells in this cabin but we like those fresh scents - hehe ❤️❤️❤️
Prob one of my fave cabins yet ☑️
Maffoo seal of approval
Thanks Jamie. Room looks nice. I watched a cabin review the other day and the bathroom looked much bigger - must have been one of the extended balconies you mentioned. It's disappointing you have to pay a surcharge for room service. Another good reason to stretch those legs and burn off those breakfast calories ;-)
That won’t have been a standard balcony cabin in that case - the extended corner balconies have same sized bathrooms. Maybe it was a deluxe or accessible?
@@TravelBlogJamie must have been deluxe!
@@L2Cruise I think so too
Hey Jamie, we have also been upgraded, to midship deck 12 for our next sailing. So excited. Noticed the breakfast menu didnt have a bit to hang so do you just place it in the postbox outside? We have a couple of early excursions so want to make use of the service this time.
The breakfast menu has a cut out section at the top that you can hang in your door
I loved the decor etc,but thought it was a bit tight really..We'd also definitely need more cupboard space
I can see how some would think this
Great video!
Quick question; Can it get noisy at night?
Not in this cabin
Hi Jamie, I love the way this cabin is configured with the bed next to the balcony door but other cabins seem to have the bed next to the wardrobe and the sofa next to the balcony, how would I check which way my cabin is set up?
This is really hard to explain without a diagram. Essentially 2 cabins occupy the same door frame. For port side, the one on the left has a bed by the wardrobe and the one on the right has a bed next to the balcony. Have a look at a deck plan: our cabin is 10228 and it’s to the right of the door frame
Booked Arvia Balcony cabin for April, almost sorry I didn't take a chance with a sea view and hope for an upgrade. Do you get upgraded often. I did not put option in for upgrade incase they put me on a deck eight Cabin.
If I go inside / ocean view I always click upgrade. I’ve had a fair few over the last 12 years of cruising!
We use the laundry a lot for gym kit , very useful 😁
Oh maybe those were your smalls whizzing around?!!
@@TravelBlogJamie not on deck 10 lol deck 12 defo 🤣🤣
@@tonynewman1694 😂😂😂
Was that Paul and Carol walking around the deck ?
@@Philippa- hmmm I’d have to look again. I imagine they would have still been in bed or having breakfast when I filmed this 😂
We are on Ventura from Apr 6-18. How do I find out if upgrades are available?
When you book the holiday there is an option to click ‘upgrade if available’ - you will be informed 2 weeks (approx) in advance if one has become available and given this for free. Alternatively call P&O if you want to pay for an upgrade and they’ll offer you the price that was in place when you originally booked. You can also wait until on board but this is a gamble.
Do you have to buy the laundry pods from reception?
Yes, although I’d suggest taking your own on board
❤❤❤
⚡️⚡️⚡️
This is standard DELUXE, a standard is smaller so not all balcony cabins have a sofa only the deluxe
Incorrect - the deluxe has more space. There is a ‘small’ balcony cabin with no sofa. This, as I stated, is a standard.
How greedy can you be with the room service breakfast? Asking for a friend 👀
Fill your boots 👢
Was it noisy on deck 9 from the promenade on deck 8?
Not where we were located, no
Great timing - on Iona Mar. 4th (Spain/Portugal). Have seen/read a fair amount, by no means all encouraging, so will be hoping there's more good than bad news in this & any later video. Thanks for your trouble !
I can say now that we had a great week!
Great cabin! Fantastic video. awesome channel.
Thank youuuuuuu so much 🙏🙏🙏
Perfect cabin review 👌 😍
YOU are perfect 😍
Hey Jamie. So, did you get the upgrade automatically. Or did you request it on board 🤔
When you book there’s an option to tick ‘upgrade if available’. 2 weeks before I was notified we had been upgraded (and I know a lot of people on this cruise who got upgraded). Worth remembering it may be an upgrade you aren’t happy with (ie an upgrade to a balcony is fab but if you’re placed at the very front of the ship this might not suit you)
Can you opt out of the upgrade if, like you said, the position of the upgrade doesn’t suit you?
@@clatterowls you’d have to contact P&O very quickly if this were the case and there’s be no guarantee, so if you’re happy with the cabin you book, I wouldn’t risk it.
Morning Travel Blog Jamie sorry missed live chat today, we are going to be on deck 12 aft for our cruise next year balcony cabin for 3 people ,good to know can bring litre bottle Alcohol on board wish cruise was sooner , enjoy rest of your holiday ❤
Thank you 🙏 yes, 1 litre per adult - woohoo!
🎉as sailing on my birthday next June doing Fjords and it’s good to know prices are going up ,is drinks package worth getting?
@@baileysmum2288 if you like wine, beer, a small range of cocktails and drink at least 6 glasses a day, then probably
@@TravelBlogJamie mock tails in day time soft drinks usually buts it’s good to know thanks Jamie every little bit information is a great help as it will be our first cruise with P&O
@@baileysmum2288 welcome 🙏
Do the rooms have an iron ?
No irons on P&O - laundry rooms have them