P&O Iona

We first sailed on P&O Iona in May 2022. We sailed on Iona again in April 2023 and May 2025. Whilst we enjoyed our first cruise on Iona, it was a mixed experience. Our experiences in both 2023 and 2025 were far better, with terrific food, service and entertainment.

This gives a brief overview of Iona. Subsequent blogs will look at various aspects in more detail.

P&O's 184,700 ton Iona carries around 5,200 passengers and entered service in 2020. It has an array of entertainment, dining options and bars and lounges.

Dining on board Iona includes the main dining rooms, Horizon (all day buffet), The Quays (street food atmosphere) and The Olive Grove (Mediterranean style), all included in the cruise fare. Iona has a range of speciality dining restaurants including The Epicurean, The Glass House (P&O Cruises’ Food Hero Olly Smith has helped to curate the meal and wine menus on offer here), The Beach House (American-style cuisine) and Sindhu (Indian cuisine, one of our favourite restaurants at sea, but be warned that the portion sizes are enormous, so take care when ordering!).

There are plenty of bars to chose from on Iona. These include the Sunset Bar, Emerald Bar, Anderson's Bar, Crow's Nest and Brodies (pub style). Each offers their own atmosphere.

Entertainment wise there is plenty to do on Iona. Daily activities include quizzes, live entertainment in a variety of venues, dazzling entertainment in the Headliners Theatre, impressive displays in the SkyDome and the amazing dining and performance venue of The Limelight Club. Ocean Studios provides an impressive 4 screen cinema venue. There is always chance to spend a little time shopping on board too.

Iona has indoor and outdoor pools as well as spa and fitness facilities providing the opportunity to relax and inwind.

An interesting addition on Iona is gin making masterclasses!