Great review and it was nice to hear about some prices for things, that's what most reviews leave out. Well done for having no background music as you were talking as well, that drives me crazy in other reviews! Your a good presenter 👍
Many thanks fella for your updates and information on the varied ports of call. My good lady and myself have only been on Arcadia to Tromso and we are next off to Alta in December on Aurora, to be honest we're not keen at all going on the huge ships of around five thousand passengers and in fact when we go in December it's the same day when Ariva has her maiden voyage so many thanks for the heads-up regarding traffic in your earlier update as I can see a mass of vehicles descending into Southampton. Many thanks, Tony and Tracey. 👍
No problem, also if Southampton football club are playing at home that really adds to the traffic too. Aurora looks a great ship and is many peoples favourite so I’m sure you will have a great cruise.
I recommend using the local bakeries and coffee shops, its nice to support the local community. After a week on Iona, a nice coffee and danish was needed. Haugesund you can walk, train or a shuttle bus (about six pound return). I felt Iona was too big and overwhelming for the local communities, due to the number of people on board. Norway was great, Iona the ship, not for me. The gospel choir from Stavanger was a highlight and I give PO points for that. Positives. Great showers, pillows and mattresses. Negatives. Food was bland, cocktails watery and sea days busy and understaffed.
Thanks so much for this and your previous video. I am a wheelchair user who is booked to travel alone to the Norwegian Fiords in May 2023 on the Iona, so I really did watch and listen closely to the details on the ports and ship. Luckily my wheelchair is electric and very maneuverable so I’m not too concerned about the terrain ashore. I’m too booked on deck 15, but most definitely don’t have that overhang, maybe because my cabin is a disabled one? 🤷🏼♀️ I can see why on this particular cruise the overhang must have been a little disappointing. I’m less interested in the entertainment and food, and more so my spacious cabin with a very large balcony (obviously to accommodate a wheelchair). This will be my first cruise - not to mention doing so alone and having to suck up the huge premium on being a single traveller, as well as being one of my bucket list destinations. I actually booked it in October 2021!! I intend to find places to huddle up on deck whilst sketching/painting, or do so from the privacy of my balcony. Does this sound anti-social for a cruise? Never having been on one, I wouldn’t wish to seem standoffish etc. I’ve subscribed and hit the bell. I look forward to your further adventures. Kind regards from Scotland.
I'm sure you will have a great cruise and cant think of a better destination to sit and sketch and paint, the views are stunning. I think Iona is a good choice of ship for those using a chair, loads of lifts, far more than are on Britannia and almost all the public bathrooms have handsfree entry and large entrances. Very annoying for you having to pay the single traveller charge, there are some single cabins but unsuitable for you as they are not accessible. Thanks for your kind words, I have some new videos to post soon.
@@CruisewithSteve Thanks for your reply. I look forward to watching more of your adventures. Do you think you could perhaps begin to mention anything glaringly unsuitable for wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties? I know it’s perhaps not something you think of, but there are very few travel blogs that are inclusive in this way, maybe you could benefit from mentioning such things as an aside. Again though, only if they are obvious, I don’t expect you to be an expert! 😊🎨🖌👩🎨
I wish they just left this last city out and went down another fjord near Haugesund to Folgnefonna glacier. I thought 2 days on the fjords wasn't enough and not a fan of cities unless they are unique!!! I did this cruise last week and came back on Saturday morning at Southampton. Also Steve I wasn't really planning to do more than one excursion because Norway is very expensive, but was a bit disappointed when we couldn't get to see the glacier near Olden because of the mountain mist as we got the wrong bus glacier tour and then chanced by going on Skylift waiting for the mist to clear in the afternoon and it didn't!!! So wasted money on those damn excursions. Did you get to see the Norway coast when traveling on the sea from one fjord to the other because I only saw a few islands? Apart from that most of the stuff on the ship was great particularly the food hot tubs entertainment etc. and travelling down the fjords in the evening!!
I know what you mean I would have liked to have spent more time in the fjords rather than the costal cities which didn’t really offer that much. I have cruised into Oslo on a Northern Europe cruise and I think you got a better view of the coast but of course didn’t get the fjords. Glad you enjoyed the ship even if you did have a few issues on land.
@@CruisewithSteve That is interesting too know, I certainty felt a bit rushed as I have been to the fjords area b4 as a land based tourist back in August 2010 when staying in a hut at a campsite at Sogndal where we explored the highest road in Norway, drove to the Jostedalsbreen glacier and went on a boat trip to Flam where we got the train up to one of the mountains then headed off to see Bergen for a few days!!! I wanted to ask you is a cruise to Iceland a waste of time if you being as I have on a self drive tour twice to the Island?
@@nigelclifford8405 I haven’t yet cruised to Iceland but it’s in my plans for later this year. I would never say any cruise is a waste of time but if you have been twice is there anywhere else on your list first?
Thought Iona Was the worst ship we have been on the only good bit was our balcony cabin. Nightmare to get a table in the dining rooms as done away with 1st & 2nd sittings so never saw a waiter twice. Waiters clearing tables while you were eating nearby. Breakfast was a bun fight with not all the serveries open then one closing early complete chaos. We did not call at the ports we were supposed to. They said through bad weather. Evedently this was there excuse each week. Probably to save money. We did this cruise a few years ago with P. O on a different ship & it was a lovely cruise. P. O up your game you will loose all your old customers but perhaps you don't care you are out for a quick buck
Thanks for your feedback, shame it wasn’t the ship for you, hope it doesn’t put you off cruising. The staff shortages are clearly still a big problem and they should probably sell less cabins until they are resolved but I guess given the debt they accumulated during the shutdown they are trying to get as much money as they can but that shouldn’t be at the expense of customer service. I am hoping to travel on Aurora soon so will be interesting to see if the same issues exist on the smaller ships.
Your videos are informative, realistic and have good content. Keep making videos, you have a talent.
Thank you for your comments, very kind
Great review and it was nice to hear about some prices for things, that's what most reviews leave out.
Well done for having no background music as you were talking as well, that drives me crazy in other reviews! Your a good presenter 👍
Thank you thats very kind
Interesting and thanks for giving prices, always useful information when planning my own itinerary
Great, hope it helps, enjoy your cruise.
Many thanks fella for your updates and information on the varied ports of call. My good lady and myself have only been on Arcadia to Tromso and we are next off to Alta in December on Aurora, to be honest we're not keen at all going on the huge ships of around five thousand passengers and in fact when we go in December it's the same day when Ariva has her maiden voyage so many thanks for the heads-up regarding traffic in your earlier update as I can see a mass of vehicles descending into Southampton. Many thanks, Tony and Tracey. 👍
No problem, also if Southampton football club are playing at home that really adds to the traffic too. Aurora looks a great ship and is many peoples favourite so I’m sure you will have a great cruise.
Really enjoyed your vlog we are going there next year and can't wait.
Thank you, I’m sure you will love it. I plan on going back as I was blown away by how beautiful it was.
Great video!!! My husband and I are going on a Norwegian cruise in May, and you have given us some good tips. Thank you! 😊
Thank you, have a great cruise, look forward to seeing your videos
Thank you 😊
I recommend using the local bakeries and coffee shops, its nice to support the local community. After a week on Iona, a nice coffee and danish was needed. Haugesund you can walk, train or a shuttle bus (about six pound return). I felt Iona was too big and overwhelming for the local communities, due to the number of people on board. Norway was great, Iona the ship, not for me. The gospel choir from Stavanger was a highlight and I give PO points for that. Positives. Great showers, pillows and mattresses. Negatives. Food was bland, cocktails watery and sea days busy and understaffed.
Great information thank you 😊
Thanks for watching
Thanks so much for this and your previous video. I am a wheelchair user who is booked to travel alone to the Norwegian Fiords in May 2023 on the Iona, so I really did watch and listen closely to the details on the ports and ship. Luckily my wheelchair is electric and very maneuverable so I’m not too concerned about the terrain ashore. I’m too booked on deck 15, but most definitely don’t have that overhang, maybe because my cabin is a disabled one? 🤷🏼♀️ I can see why on this particular cruise the overhang must have been a little disappointing. I’m less interested in the entertainment and food, and more so my spacious cabin with a very large balcony (obviously to accommodate a wheelchair). This will be my first cruise - not to mention doing so alone and having to suck up the huge premium on being a single traveller, as well as being one of my bucket list destinations. I actually booked it in October 2021!! I intend to find places to huddle up on deck whilst sketching/painting, or do so from the privacy of my balcony. Does this sound anti-social for a cruise? Never having been on one, I wouldn’t wish to seem standoffish etc. I’ve subscribed and hit the bell. I look forward to your further adventures. Kind regards from Scotland.
I'm sure you will have a great cruise and cant think of a better destination to sit and sketch and paint, the views are stunning. I think Iona is a good choice of ship for those using a chair, loads of lifts, far more than are on Britannia and almost all the public bathrooms have handsfree entry and large entrances. Very annoying for you having to pay the single traveller charge, there are some single cabins but unsuitable for you as they are not accessible. Thanks for your kind words, I have some new videos to post soon.
@@CruisewithSteve Thanks for your reply. I look forward to watching more of your adventures. Do you think you could perhaps begin to mention anything glaringly unsuitable for wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties? I know it’s perhaps not something you think of, but there are very few travel blogs that are inclusive in this way, maybe you could benefit from mentioning such things as an aside. Again though, only if they are obvious, I don’t expect you to be an expert! 😊🎨🖌👩🎨
@@anitadavidson1266 Great idea, I will try and consider accessibility where I can in future reviews. Thanks
I wish they just left this last city out and went down another fjord near Haugesund to Folgnefonna glacier. I thought 2 days on the fjords wasn't enough and not a fan of cities unless they are unique!!! I did this cruise last week and came back on Saturday morning at Southampton.
Also Steve I wasn't really planning to do more than one excursion because Norway is very expensive, but was a bit disappointed when we couldn't get to see the glacier near Olden because of the mountain mist as we got the wrong bus glacier tour and then chanced by going on Skylift waiting for the mist to clear in the afternoon and it didn't!!! So wasted money on those damn excursions. Did you get to see the Norway coast when traveling on the sea from one fjord to the other because I only saw a few islands?
Apart from that most of the stuff on the ship was great particularly the food hot tubs entertainment etc. and travelling down the fjords in the evening!!
I know what you mean I would have liked to have spent more time in the fjords rather than the costal cities which didn’t really offer that much. I have cruised into Oslo on a Northern Europe cruise and I think you got a better view of the coast but of course didn’t get the fjords. Glad you enjoyed the ship even if you did have a few issues on land.
@@CruisewithSteve That is interesting too know, I certainty felt a bit rushed as I have been to the fjords area b4 as a land based tourist back in August 2010 when staying in a hut at a campsite at Sogndal where we explored the highest road in Norway, drove to the Jostedalsbreen glacier and went on a boat trip to Flam where we got the train up to one of the mountains then headed off to see Bergen for a few days!!!
I wanted to ask you is a cruise to Iceland a waste of time if you being as I have on a self drive tour twice to the Island?
@@nigelclifford8405 I haven’t yet cruised to Iceland but it’s in my plans for later this year. I would never say any cruise is a waste of time but if you have been twice is there anywhere else on your list first?
Thought Iona Was the worst ship we have been on the only good bit was our balcony cabin. Nightmare to get a table in the dining rooms as done away with 1st & 2nd sittings so never saw a waiter twice. Waiters clearing tables while you were eating nearby. Breakfast was a bun fight with not all the serveries open then one closing early complete chaos. We did not call at the ports we were supposed to. They said through bad weather. Evedently this was there excuse each week. Probably to save money. We did this cruise a few years ago with P. O on a different ship & it was a lovely cruise. P. O up your game you will loose all your old customers but perhaps you don't care you are out for a quick buck
Thanks for your feedback, shame it wasn’t the ship for you, hope it doesn’t put you off cruising. The staff shortages are clearly still a big problem and they should probably sell less cabins until they are resolved but I guess given the debt they accumulated during the shutdown they are trying to get as much money as they can but that shouldn’t be at the expense of customer service. I am hoping to travel on Aurora soon so will be interesting to see if the same issues exist on the smaller ships.
Unfortunately bus 115 only starts service in May so and stops from Iona before then, you are out of luck.
Thanks for the info, that is really useful to know
Nice if they call at ports you pay for we did not and for no reason other than save money. Rubbish ship bad design.