Iona Cruise (P&O) - Discussion Thread (11/02/2023)

Posted 25th Jan 2023

Hi all,

I remember quite a few people from here had booked on the Iona cruise:
hotukdeals.com/dea…088

I thought, as many people had booked this deal, this might be a good place where we could ask any questions, general discussion, or arranging a HUKD meet up.

58 Comments

sorted by

27th Jan
You can now book entertainment. Get in quick.it gets booked up fast.
27th Jan
Thanks. Registered for the Kids Club and got the shows booked in. Some of the earlier shows already fully booked.
29th Jan
What are you guys doing about the manadatory Cruise travel insurance? Do your travel insurance policies include cover for cruises or have you paid for the P & O policies? How strict are P&O on ensuring cruise cover is in place? (edited)
Author
30th Jan
I went with a Post Office annual cover.
27th Jan
Hope everyone has a nice cruise (Love this) (edited)
25th Jan
I'm on this. Done loads of cruises but first on this ship. Did its sister ship a couple of weeks back, the Costa Smeralda. Very big ships. Hoping Iona is good as I've already booked another cruise on her later in the year
Author
7th Feb
Not long to go now
10th Feb
Hi All, I'm booked on this too. Hope to have a drink with some on you onboard.

Should we arrange a way of finding eachother? Or meet at a particular place and time on the ship?
11th Feb
I'm up for a HUKD meet up, but being tight I won't have WiFi onboard once away from port. Feel free to suggest a meet up.
11th Feb
Have a great time everyone

Ship is ready...
18th Feb
And so it ends. I had a brilliant week. Solo cruises work really well. Met loads of great people, and what I expected to be a relaxing quiet trip on my own ended up with dancing every night and never making it to bed before 2am. I need a week off to recover now.
Author
18th Feb
My family and I had a great time also. So glad we went. Really thinking about booking another cruise.

Like you, the majority of my nights were very late. Think I'm going to sleep for quite a while once I get back to London.

Glad you had a fantastic time.
11th Feb
Well, I arrived at the Ibis last night and parked the car up for the week. Lovely relaxing morning so far, I'll probably leave at 12.00 and find somewhere local for lunch. Nice bonus was view of the ship from my bedroom last night.
Author
11th Feb
Been a stressful morning, as I left the packing until the last minute.

However, I am now on the train to Southampton. Cutting it fine, but should be OK for time.

Slight problem though, I've checked in, but couldn't print the boarding passes. Think I threw them away, after printing early. Trued to print today, but it said I'm too late. Hoping they show me pity, and can just show possport etc.

Hoping we all have a good time. I'm up for a drink with fellow hukd'ers, if anyone fancies it.
25th Jan
I'm booked. Not long to go.
I've booked coach travel down.
Have you done your check in and gotten a room number yet?
Mine is still TBC.
Author
25th Jan
Hi Bobbajob.
Glad to hear from you.

Where are you travelling from? and do you know what time we need to arrive?

I've not done my check in yet, will hopefully get around to doing it toinght.

Once you have checked in, can you start to book the restaurants etc, or do you need to wait until you are on the ship.
I heard that it is best to book everything asap, but not sure how true that is
26th Jan
I’m all checked in now and boarding passes printed off. I’ve been allocated 2 cabins on deck 5. Thinking about wearing something smart for one of the nights (suit jacket and tie). Anyone booked any good value parking near the terminal?
27th Jan
My cabins is still TBC and not able to print luggage labels yet.
27th Jan
Hi guys, just found out about this thread and I am on this cruise. I’ll be driving down and stopping at the Ibis the night before and parking my car there for the week. My first cruise and was wondering about the dress code. Casual OK?
27th Jan
My first cruise too, but I think most nights are smart casual, and there is one celebration night where certain restauratns are smart only. Still options for other places to go though. As I'm travelling alone, I can't be bothered packing a suit for one night.
I'll just be in jeans/shirt/shoes the other nights.
27th Jan
You will all need one of these... see the post here on HUKD for Patagonia fleece

27th Jan
That fleece costs more than the cruise! Think I’d rather just stay inside the ship
(edited)
Author
28th Jan
A heads up that some of the restaurants can be booked from today
28th Jan
But never fear if you can't book a restaurant, because you can quite happily spend half your cruise eating at The Quays.
11th Feb
On the coach now. Next stop Warwick then Southampton.
11th Feb
Long queues but it's moving quickly
13th Feb
Hope everyone is having a good time. So much food and so little sleep. On the transfer to Hamburg now.
Author
13th Feb
We are having a great time. So much to do on board. I've had great value from the drinks package so far, I think I am in credit by day two.

Really enjoying the food, and the 710 club was really enjoyable last night.

What had been your highlight so far?

We are on our way into hamburg now, but to be honest, I wish I was just staying on the ship lol
Author
15th Feb
Another day, another country. What have you got planned today?
15th Feb
On the train into Amsterdam for an explore. I've got Ann Frank museum booked for this afternoon. I hope that I don't accidentally stumble into the red light district
Author
20th Feb
Hi,

I was just wondering, if you were looking to go on another cruise would you:

- choose Iona again
- choose P&O again, but not Iona
- choose a different company

I was having a quick look today, I was really impressed with Iona, and was thinking of going again. Likewise I was really impressed with the food, drinks and entertainment with P&O.
20th Feb
I'd definitely go Iona again, but would also consider MSC.
I'd probably book on price, as they are pretty similar quality and service wise.

I'm already looking at a Fjords cruise.