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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 😂😂😂
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.
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 😊
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!!
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.
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.
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’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.
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
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 😅
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.
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
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
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!
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.
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!
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! 🤣👍
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!
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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
Symphony of the seas is the biggest ship I've been on that's absolutely huge was the biggest now second biggest now I believe! Iona looks fantastic I'll put it on my to do list
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!!
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.
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.
Same class as Carnival Mardi Gras, which we loved, AND they're LNG fueled, so they are better for the environment than any heavy fuel-oil ships. Our cabin was an aft-extended balcony very close to yours...and yes, it's a long walk! One nice thing is that these Excellance-class ships (and all of Carnival's ships) have 3 banks of lifts, not just two like Royal, so you DO get to walk a little less.
... I agree with you getting lost bow from aft on a cruise ... NCL ... has a million little fish one the hallway carpet to let you know which way your going on the upper decks ... but not one fish anywhere on the promenade level ... or around the stores ...
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 :)
Hi Emma - many thanks as always for another excellent video. Just noticed MSC MAGNIFICA is sailing from Southampton 23rd and 30th November with inside cabins FOR ONLY £40 PER NIGHT. Just booked a valcony for £50 per night on 23rd - incredible for 7 nights.
I think that P&O here in Aus is a bit behind the times. Would be nice if we could get some of these newer and bigger ships, rather than the smaller recycled cast offs 🤣I think that's probably why "The Royal" (as they are apparently called in Aus 🤷♂🤦♂) is doing better lately. Oh well, still had good times on the Pacific dawn when it was here, dodgy loos and all😂
Also want to pull you up on the fact that every home in the UK has a biscuit tin full of biscuits. Mine doesn't, only because the biscuits don't get a chance of sitting in the biscuit tin for long 😊. Also pizza with pineapple 👍. Free afternoon tea!! and it looked like a full proper afternoon tea and yes you are right jam before cream on the scones, I wonder what the difference is between the paid one and the free one? I'm afraid when I'm on the Iona in January the fish are going to starve. This is turning out to be a bit of a foodie post 😁
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!
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 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.
I’m American, but I cannot live without my 7-10 cuppas a day of PG Tips which I saw you drinking in your wonderful video. I’ve never been on a cruise before, and it’s been a dream of mine since childhood. Btw, I drink tea now because my mate from Shrewsbury turned me on to it….. including the milk, electric kettle, and digestives….
“only had to wait 5 or 10 minutes wait for a waiter” …. your level of patience is a credit to you! maybe I’ve been an expat in America for too long, but ai would have walked out after 5 minutes if I had to wait that long for the initial waiter visit! Interesting that everything must be booked through an app. I guess that’s life in the Modern World.
5 minutes is very short. walk away after 5 minutes in europe and all you will get are death stares. i think the average waiting time is about 15 minutes (yes also in the US)
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.
Merry Christmas Emma! I was just looking today at P&Os website. I found a nice Dec 2024 cruise to Canary Islands which also said it included flights. I'm presuming that's from Gatwick (I'm Cdn so would have to buy my London tickets obviously). I will call P&O directly as their special now is requiring something like £90 dep for an inside cabin for 7 or 8 day cruise which is fabulous 👌🏻
I once dated a cruiseship dancer. She said she lost tremendous weight during a contract, there was not the opportunity to eat between rehearsals and shows to stay on optimum weight. The 3 months between contracts were used to train softly and gain the weight back, have somewhere to start from.
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.
Oh Sweet Potato, this is one of the best cruise ship review ever. Absolutely brilliant. I wanted to book the iona for Norwegian Fjords last year but Covid happened. Hopefully I will be able to do it next year 🤞
I have been watching your videos to satisfy my cruise cravings but I have not gone yet T_T. BTW! 16:33 ! I also do that, Usually people frown upon it, I thought its a thing I got grewing up in the Philippines but Pizza and ketchup just goes well.
I'm retired guy in the USA, I love fishing or camping all my life, but never did a cruse, I would try it if you found someone to go with me, presently I live on a Farm in NE Pa. Usa in the country about 75 miles West of New York, It's a nice area, It's called The Pocono's, Pa. many people spend summer time here as it's a recreation area & winter sports like skiing, snow boarding in the winter
Love the same dinig every night. Since you have the same servers, you build a rapport with the staff and I like that. It sounds fun to bounce all over the ship, but frankly, I'm getting too old for that. LOL
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...
"Chocolate cake at 1:00AM!" That's my YT quote of the week. Liked.
😂😂😂😂
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!
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.
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.
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
As an American who loves the British, learning cruising from a different perspective is GREAT. Thanks, Emma.
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.
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.
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
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! 🥳🥳
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.
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.
I'm shocked that a traveler like you has a bad sense of direction..... makes what you do even more amazing..... ! ❤
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 😂😂😂
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
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!
Thank you Emma great job 👏
I came to visit Tony posted your TH-cam channel.
Hey Emma!! :-)
@@EmmaCruises 🥰
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 😀❤️
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 😊
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!!
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.
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!!
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’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.
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
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 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
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 ❤️
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
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.
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! ❤️❤️
Thank you 😊 I am watching from Australia getting my cruise fix .hoping cruising will start here soon 🤞🏼🤞🏼
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!
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.
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 😀👏🏼
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 😅❤️
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!
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! ❤️❤️❤️
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
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
Nice that the ship breaks from the trend to have an "amusement park" on the top deck!
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.
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
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 😀👏🏼
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.
Hey Emma, looking forward to watching your videos. Tony sent us your way to show some cruise video love.
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
Symphony of the seas is the biggest ship I've been on that's absolutely huge was the biggest now second biggest now I believe! Iona looks fantastic I'll put it on my to do list
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 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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!
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.
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. 👍
Same class as Carnival Mardi Gras, which we loved, AND they're LNG fueled, so they are better for the environment than any heavy fuel-oil ships. Our cabin was an aft-extended balcony very close to yours...and yes, it's a long walk!
One nice thing is that these Excellance-class ships (and all of Carnival's ships) have 3 banks of lifts, not just two like Royal, so you DO get to walk a little less.
Great review, extra nice to see some Rotterdam scenery!, I could almost wave from across the river where I work
I like the way closed captioning changes P&O to piano.
... I agree with you getting lost bow from aft on a cruise ... NCL ... has a million little fish one the hallway carpet to let you know which way your going on the upper decks ... but not one fish anywhere on the promenade level ... or around the stores ...
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 :)
I'm American, I haven't been to the UK since the 90s, I've only ever been to 2 pubs (neither a Wetherspoons), and I know about Wetherspoons!
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! :-)
Hi Emma - many thanks as always for another excellent video.
Just noticed MSC MAGNIFICA is sailing from Southampton 23rd and 30th November with inside cabins FOR ONLY £40 PER NIGHT. Just booked a valcony for £50 per night on 23rd - incredible for 7 nights.
YES! I've seen these, sooooo cheap. :-)
I think that P&O here in Aus is a bit behind the times. Would be nice if we could get some of these newer and bigger ships, rather than the smaller recycled cast offs 🤣I think that's probably why "The Royal" (as they are apparently called in Aus 🤷♂🤦♂) is doing better lately.
Oh well, still had good times on the Pacific dawn when it was here, dodgy loos and all😂
Also want to pull you up on the fact that every home in the UK has a biscuit tin full of biscuits. Mine doesn't, only because the biscuits don't get a chance of sitting in the biscuit tin for long 😊. Also pizza with pineapple 👍. Free afternoon tea!! and it looked like a full proper afternoon tea and yes you are right jam before cream on the scones, I wonder what the difference is between the paid one and the free one? I'm afraid when I'm on the Iona in January the fish are going to starve. This is turning out to be a bit of a foodie post 😁
Thank you, a great review. I have just booked a cruise on her to the Fjords next year.
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 😀👏🏼
We had a biscuit tin growing up in NZ too. It's the best with a hot beverage and a biscuit to dunk.
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 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
5,200 Passengers. 😩 Stop the World I want to off! - lol. Absolutely NO WAY. Thanks for the video.😊
I’m American, but I cannot live without my 7-10 cuppas a day of PG Tips which I saw you drinking in your wonderful video. I’ve never been on a cruise before, and it’s been a dream of mine since childhood.
Btw, I drink tea now because my mate from Shrewsbury turned me on to it….. including the milk, electric kettle, and digestives….
Another GREAT video my friend!!!
“only had to wait 5 or 10 minutes wait for a waiter” …. your level of patience is a credit to you! maybe I’ve been an expat in America for too long, but ai would have walked out after 5 minutes if I had to wait that long for the initial waiter visit!
Interesting that everything must be booked through an app. I guess that’s life in the Modern World.
5 minutes is very short. walk away after 5 minutes in europe and all you will get are death stares. i think the average waiting time is about 15 minutes (yes also in the US)
“Proper Pepsi” was the best thing I’ve heard today!
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! ❤️😀
We do our first ever Cruise on Iona Jan 2nd 2023 found your blogs very helpful.
On Iona at the moment and loving it. Thank you for the tips Emma.
☺️
If there's a better cruise reviewer on TH-cam, I'm yet to see them. As an Aussie, I love the British-isms.
Awh! So kind. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Merry Christmas Emma! I was just looking today at P&Os website. I found a nice Dec 2024 cruise to Canary Islands which also said it included flights. I'm presuming that's from Gatwick (I'm Cdn so would have to buy my London tickets obviously). I will call P&O directly as their special now is requiring something like £90 dep for an inside cabin for 7 or 8 day cruise which is fabulous 👌🏻
Good to hear the buffet is open till 1 AM. On the RC Mariner of the Seas, it closed at 9
Seriously great down to earth advice as usual..
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
Hah when I was on a Norwegian cruise my room was 11116! Easy number to remember!
I once dated a cruiseship dancer. She said she lost tremendous weight during a contract, there was not the opportunity to eat between rehearsals and shows to stay on optimum weight. The 3 months between contracts were used to train softly and gain the weight back, have somewhere to start from.
The cabins along the promenade deck would be perfect for someone who is afraid of heights.
Great video. Here from the Loca Fam!
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.
Oh Sweet Potato, this is one of the best cruise ship review ever. Absolutely brilliant. I wanted to book the iona for Norwegian Fjords last year but Covid happened. Hopefully I will be able to do it next year 🤞
You nailed it! That definitely sums up Iona :) Loved this video :)
I have been watching your videos to satisfy my cruise cravings but I have not gone yet T_T. BTW! 16:33 ! I also do that, Usually people frown upon it, I thought its a thing I got grewing up in the Philippines but Pizza and ketchup just goes well.
Yum yum yes always! 😀❤️
Been on this ship twice. Love it.
I love to P&Os version of the Masked Singer😆
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! 😁🥳
I'm retired guy in the USA, I love fishing or camping all my life, but never did a cruse, I would try it if you found someone to go with me, presently I live on a Farm in NE Pa. Usa in the country about 75 miles West of New York, It's a nice area, It's called The Pocono's, Pa. many people spend summer time here as it's a recreation area & winter sports like skiing, snow boarding in the winter
Love the same dinig every night. Since you have the same servers, you build a rapport with the staff and I like that. It sounds fun to bounce all over the ship, but frankly, I'm getting too old for that. LOL
We have just booked our first ever cruise, 2 weeks onboard Iona going to the Canaries. Got to wait till next October, can't come quickly enough 😄
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 just got off this ship today, did the same cruise as you. Didn't have all the covid stuff though. She is huge, it was stunning.
Epicurean afternoon tea is amazing , as is the main dining there , well worth the surcharge .
You had me at Cornation Street! Very Canadian too.
Because of your Vlog I would totally go on IONA before I would never think of it