Discover the pros and cons of different cabin styles on P&O’s Iona so you can make an informed choice when you book your cruise
Planning a cruise on Iona and not sure what cabin to select? I know what that feels like! On my first cruise on this wonderful ship I was a little overwhelmed with all the options and made the wrong choice. Thankfully, it all worked out ok in the end but it was a lesson in making 100% sure you know what you are booking.
To help you avoid the same mistake I did, I’ve put together this guide highlighting some of the things to be aware of when booking a cruise cabin on Iona.
At a Glance: Iona Cabins to Avoid
- Cabins on the infamous deck 8 (promenade)
- Sheltered balconies on deck 5 if you would like a standard balcony
- Obstructed balcony cabins if you would like clear sea view
- Overlooked balcony cabins if you value your privacy
- Cabins with steel fronted balconies if you like to sit and look out to sea
- Cabins near, above or underneath entertainment venues
My poor cabin choice story
All the way back in 2019, I snapped up a great solo occupancy price for a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords in 2021, without thinking too much about it. As this was my first cruise I had booked and Iona was a new ship, I knew very little about cabin grades and promenade decks so I just booked what I thought was a standard balcony cabin.
Obviously, with everything that has gone on over the last few years, it had to be postponed to 2022. An added complication for me was that I was in the middle of chemotherapy when it became clear the 2021 season wasn’t going to happen. So, I asked my travel agent to move my booking to 2022 as it was. At that time I was actually more worried about the itinerary than cabin choice as there were two options to cruise the Norwegian Fjords unlike when I first booked.
I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised to have been allocated a cabin on the infamous promenade deck with it’s patio like balconcies and not ones that look directly out to see. It all worked out ok in the end but it got me thinking about what I should consider when booking my next cruise.
It can be very confusing when booking a cabin, particularly for those new to cruising. It’s also disappointing when you don’t get quite what you thought you had booked and paid for. Hopefully my guide will give you enough information to help you select a great cabin for your cruise.
Cabins on Iona
Everyone has their own personal requirements for a cruise cabin, so there is no one size fits all for cabins to avoid. While one style of cabin might not be right for you, it could be perfect for someone else. However, whether you want a well-located cabin, a panoramic balcony view or would like to save a few pennies there will definitely be a cabin on Iona suitable for you
Understanding Iona’s Balcony Cabins
Not all balcony cabins are equal on Iona so it pays to do a bit of research before booking your cruise, particularly if you have your heart set on a balcony cabin.
The main types of balcony cabins are standard and deluxe cabins. Inside the configurations are pretty much the same. However, the type of balcony can vary quite significantly. From small to large, sheltered or overlooked, there are a few differences depending on location and booking grade.
There are also balconies on suites and conservatory mini-suites so there is a lot of choice when picking a cabin and potential for booking the wrong one for you.
I’m sometimes asked what the best balcony cabins on Iona are but honesty it’s quite difficult to say. As long as you know about the different types available you should be able to pick the perfect cabin for your needs – as long as you have a fare where you can select your cabin.
Iona Cabins to Avoid
Cabins on the infamous promenade deck
I call Iona’s deck 8, the marmite deck. You either love it or hate it. There is no in between it seems. It causes a great deal of debate and opposing opinions in some of the cruise groups I’m in.
Smaller, standard and deluxe balcony cabins are located on this deck along with some of the conservatory mini-suites. What all these cabins have in common is that they all have balconies that face out onto the promenade deck which wraps its way around the ship.
This means people can stroll past your cabin and in some cases, where the deck widens, sit right outside. Having seen these cabins, I’m surprised they are sold as balcony cabins. They are more like cabins with a patio rather than a balcony.
If you are anything like me when you think of a balcony cabin you expect to overlook and be able to enjoy the view of the sea. Not on deck eight. You can’t even see the sea unless you stand up and even then there is a 2ft screen that runs around the edge of the deck that is in the way.
It also feels like there might be little privacy in those cabins. As well as people walking past, some cabins at the wider point of the deck have chairs in front of them. So you could end up with people sitting in the right front of your balcony.
There are also infinity whirlpools on each side of the deck which are directly in front of some cabins. This means those cabins have an even more obstructed view and can be affected by noise from the whirlpools themselves and people enjoying using them.
Many people use the promenade deck to get a bit of exercise or just to wander around enjoying the view. While most people are unlikely to look into your cabin too much, and you do have to be fairly tall to see over the balcony rail for most of the cabins, it can be a little uncomfortable if you are in one of these cabins.
I was briefly in one of the smaller balcony cabins (GZ grade) and it felt like there would be little sense of privacy. There is no sofa in these cabins so the bed is by the sliding doors out onto the balcony. I found it a little off-putting catching glimpses of people out of the corner of my eye as they walked by, even if they can’t see directly in. You are aware of the movement and shadow as they pass.
You’d also probably need to take care of an evening and perhaps keep your curtains closed when getting changed with the light on.
As a solo traveller, I was not comfortable in this type of cabin. In fact, I found it a little surprising they would allocate a cabin with two access points to a solo female traveller.
While it is unlikely anything would happen or anyone would try to get into your cabin, travelling alone does carry extra risk. I spoke to a couple of fellow solo female travellers onboard and they all agreed they would not feel comfortable in a cabin on this deck either.
It’s not all bad though. The cabins themselves are fine. They are in a fantastic location. It is very easy to get to the restaurants, bars and venues on decks six – eight.
You also don’t have to worry too much about the lifts unless you want to get up to the higher decks.
If you have young children, the balconies alongside the narrow part of the deck 8 are huge which could make a nice little play area. Plus you don’t have to worry about anyone accidentally falling overboard with the deck between the balcony and the sea.
Both cruises I’ve done on Iona have been around Northern Europe, so not much sun or warm weather. However, I imagine the size of those balconies would be great in sunny destinations. You could definitely spread out and soak up the rays.
If you are a social person these cabins would be a great way to meet people. I saw a few people on their balconies chatting to fellow passengers as they walked by.
Overall they are not bad cabins, it’s just the balcony that’s not really a balcony that makes them cabins to avoid on Iona.
If you know what you are getting then it is perhaps ok otherwise, it can be a disappointment and put a bit of a dampener on your cruise before it has even begun.
Deck 5 – a balcony but not quite what you might expect
Cabins on deck five have their balcony cut out of the hull of the ship. This means they are covered and sheltered balconies. Not necessarily a bad thing, but something to be aware of.
You’ll have a little protection from bad weather but won’t quite be able to sit out in the sun all day.
The balcony is quite small, just a little more room than the width of a chair. With two chairs and a small table, there is not much space left.
However, you are very close to the sea. These balconies make a great spot for watching out for sea life or listening to the waves. Although they can get a little wet and damp at times.
Unlike balconies on higher decks there are no sliding doors to access them but a door that opens outwards. It is a little heavy and not something you can easily keep open to let the air in.
There is also a storm door which will be shut in rough seas covering the balcony door and turning the cabin into a sea view one.
I stayed in one of these cabins for a week after being moved from deck eight and actually really liked it. While it wasn’t exactly what I hoped for when I booked my cruise, it was fine and I’d consider booking one of these cabins again in future.
However, I spoke to a couple of people in the lift lobby throughout the week and they were disappointed as they were not expecting a balcony like that.
So, again it pays to do some research and study the deck plans to make sure you know exactly what you are booking or could be allocated.
Obstructed balconies
Some cabins are marked as having an obstructed view. This basically means that something is blocking the view from the balcony.
Usually it is an lifeboat above, below or in front of your cabin balcony or some part of the ship’s equipment. On Iona, it is one of the infinity whirlpools on the promenade deck.
The trade-off with these types of cabins is that they are often cheaper than unobstructed cabins and can be in a good location.
I actually had an obstructed balcony cabin on another cruise line last year. The obstruction was a lifeboat underneath, so when looking down from the balcony it was directly in view. However, looking out to sea? No obstruction at all.
So, if you are looking to save a bit of money and are not too bothered by the view, then it could be a risk worth taking.
However, take some time and make sure you understand exactly what you are booking to avoid any disappointment once onboard. Be prepared that you may end up with a fully obstructed view.
Overlooked balconies
Obstructed balconies are not the only thing to watch out for. Some cabins are overlooked a little (or a lot).
This could be by cabins next door or above. On Iona, this applies to the corner cabins (midship and mid-forward) and a few of the cabins next door as well as the aft cabins.
The cabins on the promenade deck (8) are also marked as being overlooked. These are kind of overlooked in two ways I think, one by the cabins above and by people walking past on deck.
If you are not very social or value your privacy then best to avoid these cabins.
Steel fronted balconies (front of the ship)
Cabins at the front of Iona offer some incredible panoramic views, particularly in the Norwegian Fjords. However, there are a few things to be aware of before booking one.
The balconies are steel fronted instead of frosted or clear glass. So no sitting down and being able to see where you are going. Although you can probably stand up and pretend you are sailing the ship.
Perhaps more important to know is that during bad weather, access to the balcony may be restricted.
It can also get quite windy here so you may find you might not want to sit out for too long. I spent a few hours at the front of deck eight while sailing into Olden and it was very breezy, to put it mildly!
Speaking of this deck, you might find people gathering here for the sail in and out of some ports. This probably isn’t so much of an issue on higher decks but if you are on deck eight they will be right in front of you.
So, if you like to chat with your fellow passengers you’ll have a great time. If not, then you might get annoyed with people in the way.
Cabins over or under late-night venues
Shows in some of the venues on board can go on late into the night and the early hours in some cases.
The last set in the 710 club finishes at 1am and the party in the clubhouse can go into the early hours. There are also two shows most nights in the Headlines Theatre and the SkyDome.
If you are a night owl and are likely to be out and about this won’t be so much of an issue. However, if you are a light sleeper this may disturb you.
One of my fellow solo passengers had to move cabins on the first night as she was underneath the 710 club and couldn’t sleep as the noise from the club was seeping into the cabin. There are also rehearsals and soundchecks in the afternoon for many of these venues so that is something to also keep in mind if you like an afternoon nap.
One other thing to note if you choose a cabin under the lido deck (including the SkyDome) is that there is a chance you may be disturbed by sun loungers and chairs being put out/away.
Cabins near smoking area
There are two dedicated smoking areas on Iona, both on deck 18. One port side, mid-forward and one port side, aft.
If you are a smoker you may wish to choose a cabin that has easy access to deck 18. On the other hand, if you are a non-smoker you may wish to avoid balcony cabins near these smoking areas.
As people will congregate here, there is also a risk of the sound of a bit of chatter carrying. So, if you plan to be out on your balcony a lot, this might be an area to skip.
Cabins to avoid if you are prone to seasickness
If you suffer from motion or seasickness then it’s best to look for cabins in the middle of the ship and on low decks. In these areas you should feel less movement that at the front or aft.
It is worth considering having a balcony cabin if you think you might suffer so you can get some fresh air if you feel rough and gaze at the horizon if necessary.
Cabins at the front or back of ship
(if you don’t like walking far)
Iona has a length of 344m and 19 decks. So which ever way you look at it you’ll be doing a bit of walking onboard. One of the lovely crew onboard told me she had a 1k walk to work each morning and I’m not entirely sure she was joking.
So, if you don’t want a hike every morning to one of the main dining rooms for breakfast or for a late night tipple in the Crows Nest, then it is worth giving some careful consideration to the location of the your cabin.
That said, if you are worried about all the lovely cruise food that is available and the lack of incentive to go to the gym while on holiday, these could be a good location. Having a cabin at one end of the ship is a great way to get your daily steps in without even trying!
Cabins you don’t need to avoid
(as long as you are aware of a few things)
Inside cabins
I probably shouldn’t really mention inside cabins as I don’t think you should avoid them.
They are a great option if you are the type of person that likes to be out and about exploring the ship rather than being in your cabin all the time. Plus, they are usually cheaper than balcony cabins. So you’ll save some money…which could be used for another cruise!
However, before you book one of these it’s worth having a quick think about whether you’ll be ok in a room with no natural light. They do make for a great night’s sleep but you have to switch the ship’s camera on the TV to see what the weather is like!
I stayed in one of the square shaped inside cabins for a week and really liked it. Didn’t miss having a balcony (the destinations were not particularly scenic) at all and it gave me a good saving cost wise.
For that type of cruise and the incredible price I thought it was probably one of the best cabins on Iona that I could have been allocated.
Single balcony cabins
Again I don’t think these are cabins to avoid really. In fact, it is great to see cruise ships offering more single cabins. That said, it is worth checking what a standard or deluxe balcony at a solo occupancy price is.
On my first cruise on Iona, a standard inside cabin at solo occupancy was significantly cheaper than a single cabin. Not only did I save money but I also gained twice the space in the cabin.
So, while the single cabins are a great addition, always check what a standard cabin would cost before booking. Then you’ll have all the information to make a informed choice.
The Last Word
Choosing cruise ship cabins is a more complicated business than you might think at first. However, with a little research and a look at the deck plans, you’ll find the right one.
If possible, unless you are a night owl or party animal, I’d recommend booking a deck with cabins above and beneath you. That will take some of the risk out of being too close to noisy venues. Although, you can’t guarantee you won’t have noisy neighbours.
Choose a low deck if you want to be near to the most of the facilities or a higher one if you want easy access to the outside decks, The Retreat or the Horizon restaurant.
There are really very few cabins on Iona to truly avoid, it all depends on what is important to you. What requirements are non negotiable and what are you are prepared to sacrifice or put up with?
Once you know this then, you should be able to pick the perfect cabin for your cruise.
You may also like…
- Cruising the Norwegian Fjords on P&O’s Iona
- P&O Iona: Inside cabin review
- P&O Iona: Balcony cabin review (deck 5)
- P&O Iona: Dining on Iona
- Arvia cabins to avoid (+ to book)
Hi, we stayed in cabin 12452 during the Norwegian Fjords trip on Iona and we found the vibrations went through the bed the whole time! and were even more noticeable in the bathroom, we asked others who said that isn’t normal. We thought deck 12 middle would be good for this. Has anyone else experienced the constant shaking / tremors?
Hi Dan
I haven’t personally but hopefully someone will see and comment if they have. Might be worth checking some of the cruise Facebook groups if you are on there too as you may find some other people that have experienced it too.
Rgs
Emma
Hi Emma
Thank you so much for useful tips,
Now we are sailing Iona Nov 2024 and allocated inside cabin on Deck 5. (5425)
Bit concern about engine noise ? Can you pls advice Nita x
Hi, I stayed in 5454 and didn’t hear any engine noise. You are a bit further along so hopefully you’ll be the same. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi, we have booked cabin 9411 for the Fjords on Iona next July.. anything in particular we should be aware of? 1st time on this cruise ship .. thank you
Hi Sally. I’ve not stayed on that deck but had a quick look and the plan and looks like it is in a good location. Easy to get down to deck and the facilities there. Maybe a bit of noise from the hot tubs on deck 8 but hopefully not much. Enjoy your cruise when it comes. Emma
Hi Emma we’ve booked for sept 24 . we’re on deck 14 …cabins 201 and 202 . we’re taking our 82 yr old parents . I’ve noticed the cabins are coloured orange o the deck plan . I can’t find the cabin grade , would you know if there is an issue, i.e are they smaller ? Thanks
Hi Inga, it looks like they are GZ grade, the smaller balcony cabin. I had one of those on my cruise and it has no sofa so a smaller cabin. I ended up moving as I was on deck 8 which I didn’t realise had a balcony overlooking the promenade deck as I had booked a saver fare before ship was in service. From the few hours I was in a GZ cabin, it was fine. Just a little more compact than a standard balcony. Hope that helps. Emma
Hi Emma any tips on cabin 11745 Deck 11
Hi Helen, looks like you have an aft balcony, is that right? I’ve not stayed in one of those but you should get some great views. You just may need to watch out for some water issues from the infinity pool above. Maybe check out some of the cabin review groups on fb to see if anyone has stayed in that cabin and shared a review. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi Emma any tips on cabin 15228
Hi Deborah, I’ve not stayed on that deck. But looks like it might be a nice quiet location – surrounded by other cabins rather than the facilities is usually good. Not too far from the lifts either, you’ll be up enjoying the views in the Crows Nest in minutes :o). Enjoy you cruise, where are you cruising? Rgs Emma
Hi Emma, I’ve booked a Deluxe cabin on the 15th Deck on Iona for November. One thing I noticed, was the bed in my cabin is stated as a Queen size. Yet I noticed the beds in a standard balcony appear as a King. If this is the case, my deluxe cabin will look more spacious because the beds is smaller. Can you advise me? thanks
Hi Richard, I thought they were king sized bed but might be worth giving P&O a call to check. Either way they are super comfortable! Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi Emma.
We are first time cruisers and have booked deck 9 9137 on the Iona. Is there anything we need to be potentially aware of or concerned about ?
Hi Liam, Just had a quick look at the deck plan and think you should be fine. Obviously, choosing a cabin is very much personal choice, what is good for one person might not be for another. However don’t see any major potential issues there. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
i have been on a cruise before and there is nothing to worry about
Hi Joe, thanks for your comment. Hope you enjoyed your cruise. Emma
Hi Emma, Thank you for this article a great read. We booked and went on Iona had an inside cabin to the fjords deck 10 and loved it just booked for the med in October November and had a choice of deck 5 or deck 15 we picked deck 15 and cabin 15608 but have now seen there is noise on some reviews from the Horizon above early hours of the morning such as 1am and 2am so am panicking any idea if you are allowed to change your cabins once booked? Many thanks Michelle
Hi Michelle, I think it depends, maybe give them a call and they can run through what options are available. If not, and if the noise does turn out to be an issue (it may not) you can also pop to reception and see if they can move you. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Found it difficult to give them a call. Waiting time was 45mins I gave up. Tried to email and it didn’t recognise my booking reference but I know it is correct ?
Hi Diane, probably best to keep trying. Maybe try first thing when the phone lines open or can you log onto to your cruise personalise to check the booking reference?
Hi Emma, we’ve just been upgraded from an inside cabin on deck 11 to an inside cabin deck 4, there doesn’t seem o be a difference any thoughts?
Hi Janet, sorry for the delay, have been travelling. Hard to say without knowing details but it could be a grade upgrade? Moving to deck or location on a deck that is a higher grade. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi Emma, we’ve just been upgraded from an inside cabin on deck 11 to an inside cabin deck 4, there doesn’t seem o be a difference any thoughts?
Hi Janet, is it a different location on the ship (mid, forward, aft etc) or a different cabin grade? That could be the upgrade. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
I am going on the Fjords Cruise April/May this year has anyone been on this cruise that time of year I haven’t a clue what to wear whether it’s very cold or not . Is there air conditioning on the boat ?
Hi Marie. Take layers is the best advice. The weather is very changeable in the fjords. Will probably still be quite chilly in April/May so if you are planning to be off the ship a lot in port being able to layer up and down allows to you be comfortable whatever the weather and temperature. I went in June so a little later but I have a packing list that has a few tips. You can find it here.Norwegian Fjords Packing List. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi , that’s when I’m going to !! Thank you for asking that question as I was also unsure what to pack . This is my first cruise since 1990!! Also my first solo holiday .. Exciting but scary at the same time . I book a balcony cabin on deck 9 as this was recommended by the cruise advisor who was helping with my booking .
Hi Emma Please do you know if cabin 15373 under the infinaty pool gets wet as we have booked tis but can change it if needed
Hi Julie, do you mean 15737? Couldn’t find 15373 on the deck plan. I think you are to the side of the infinity pool so should be ok. I found a few reviews for 15737, only one mentioned water from the infinity pool. They said that they never had any on their balcony but saw some land on the balconies below. Hope that helps. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi Emma
Im booked on Iona Deck 9 216 is that overlooking those Jacuzzis ??
l know its cabins above and below
Hi Brinley, I’ve had a look at the deck plan and cabin 9216 looks to be an inside cabin. Is that the right number? Thanks Emma
This article has been very helpful as I am planning to book for August.
We have always wanted to book an aft balcony cabin and I’d noticed there was one free and an ok price on deck 10 .
Fortunately I came across this article and also noticed that the sunset bar and jacuzzis are directly below.To be honest I hate noise and this would really ruin my holiday.
So many thanks for this
Lorrraine
Hi Lorraine. Thanks for your comment, glad I could help. It’s definitely a balance, great views from aft cabins but a risk of noise if low down. If you are on FB, it might be worth having a look at some the cabin review groups and seeing if there are any reviews of the aft cabins you are/were considering. They may give an insight into any potential noise issues. I hope you find a suitable cabin and have a great cruise. Emma
Thanks for all that,I wish I knew this before. Just returned from Avia Mediterranean cruise. Was in cabin 9717 below the club house.at2a.m I was moved to 5429 because of the continuous noise. Shame really for a new ship
Oh no that is a shame Marlene. Hope it didn’t spoil your cruise too much. Emma
We have just returned from 2 weeks on Iona. We originally booked an ocean view but were allocated 8105 which is over the bows on the infamous deck 8. We really liked it as we could watch the progress of the ship as we went along from our sofa and our patio/balcony was pretty big. Yes people had a brief stare in sometimes as they walked past but as it wasn’t the weather for lingering or even for sitting outside much it really wasn’t a problem. We would book this cabin on a winter cruise by choice, great location for getting to the restaurants and venues. I agree with the comments about cabins and balconies near the hot tubs, they would be best avoided.
Hi Helen, thanks for you comments. That sounds a great cabin. Deck 8 is certainly a good spot to be able to get to the restaurants and venues easily. Agree re the hot tubs, seems an odd choice to put them right outside cabins. Emma
My previous query said Iona but I actually meant Arvia, sorry
Sorry just seen this. As Arvia not sailing yet I don’t anyone can say for sure. I’d recommend giving P&O a call and seeing what they say.
Hi is WiFi free on the Iona.And we are on deck 11 in cabin number 11214 if you know anything about it would be much appreciated.Thanks.
Hi Bernie, you can use the wifi to access the My Holiday page/digital planner free while onboard but for anything else there is a charge. You can pay by the day or there are usually packages for the duration of the cruise. I tend to purchase on sea days and then use my mobile data on port days (have a plan that covers Europe, might be worth checking what your plan covers as may save you needing wifi for a few days). Enjoy your cruise.
We have booked an aft cabin on deck 10 on the Iona but have recently read there might be problems with water from the pool above. Does anyone know if this is true as we still have time to change it. Not too keen on sitting on the balcony admiring the lovely views (hopefully) with water dripping on us.
Hi Heather. I’ve not stayed in one of those cabins so can’t say for sure. However, I’ve seen in a couple P&O passenger groups on Facebook that they are aware of the issue and were looking it/fixing it. I’d suggest either giving them a call to check or maybe see if you can find people that have recently traveled on Iona in one of those groups. Enjoy your cruise.
Hi we are going on iona on april 8th 2023 cabin with balcony 12531 do u know if its a good cabin emma 🤞😀
Hi Angela, I’ve not stayed in a cabin on deck 12 but I’ve had a look at the deck plans and it looks a good choice. Surrounded by other cabins rather than any of the facilities or amenities. Looks a good location too, midship and not too far from the lift but far enough not to be potentially disturbed by them. I also checked a P&O review group on Facebook and found someone that stayed in that cabin that said the bed is by the wardrobe so if that is still the case it makes it even better! Enjoy your cruise. Emma
I had 10745 in October 2022 and water did spill down from above at times and was fairly annoying.
Emma thanks for all the info. We are due to sail on 24 Sept and are on deck 5. I am a little disappointed at the balcony so am enquiring about changing. We booked in the saver fare so we were allocated this balcony rather than choose it. I will be careful when offered a change that I am not jumping from the fire pan into the fire. Thanks for spending the trouble to pass on your tips.
Hi Pammy, thanks for your kind comment. Hope you manage to swap to something more suitable. Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi Emma. I am off on my first cruise on iona on deck 15 117 quite excited but worried about seasickness. Any advice x
Hi Allison. I won’t worry too much, Iona is so large you hardly notice you are moving! That said if you are prone to motion sickness or worried you might be I’d look into some seabands or motion sickness remedies just to have on hand in case. There is also medical centre onboard that you can take advice from if feeling bad. Hopefully though you won’t need any of that! Enjoy your cruise. Emma
Hi was you cabin ok.we are going to be in that cabin may next year
Hi Sue, which cabin? I was originally on deck 8 but managed to move to a cabin on deck 5. The cabin on deck 8 was fine, great location but you get a patio rather than a balcony. Plus have people walking past. The cabin I moved to on deck 5 was nice, bigger as it had a sofa and again had a good location. The balcony was cut out of the hull but was fine for me, although the door out to the balcony was a little heavy. To be honest, I found I was on deck more to see the fjords as you get an all round view. Whichever cabin you have am sure it will be fine. Enjoy your cruise when it comes.
We were allocated a balcony on deck 5 and yes it’s small but functional the rooms are smaller but for what we paid where adequate. The best part is you only have to go up one floor to eat in the restaurants. We spent two weeks in the cabin and it was fine for us.
Hi Graham, yes the location was very handy. So easy to get many of the restaurants and bars. I found deck 5 fine too, wouldn’t worry me if I was allocated a cabin there again. Emma
Hi hunnie I’m due to go on the iona in December to hamburg and zebrugger can’t wait first time on a cruise it’s a inside cabin not sure what deck we will be on yet though
Hi Karon, December will come round quick! Enjoy your cruise.
One answer to cabin choices.
Choose Saga ships.
Hi Carole, I’m a few years off them but on my list for one day! Emma
A interesting article and most people would be unaware of differences in cabins.
We have just spent a week in a balcony cabin on deck 12. Although I itiallywe though it small we soon got used to it. We real.y enjoyed the cabin especially the bathroom and the bed. Due to the weather we did not spend much time on the balcony, but it was spacious and not overlooked.
Hi David. Thanks for your comment. Yes, I agree unless you are an experienced cruiser I think the different cabin types could come as a surprise. I didn’t realise there was so many options. Glad to hear you enjoyed your cabin. I liked the two cabins I’ve stayed in on Iona too. I guess everyone has different requirements but on the whole the cabins on Iona are great, you just need to be clear on what you are booking. Emma
Thank you for a very interesting and informative article. Unfortunately we didn’t enjoy our cruise on Iona and the main reason was that we hadn’t noticed that the cabin we had booked on deck 9 overlooked two of the jacuzzis on deck 8! The constant screaming and shouting from these things, even in bad weather was terrible. Having been on many cruises, this was definitely the worst. I wish we had read something like your article before booking!
Hi Diana, thanks for your comment. Yes, it’s the little things like that you don’t really know before booking isn’t it? Think those kind of potential issues should be make clear before bookings, would save a lot of disappointment and complaints I suspect. Emma
We are first time cruisers and booked in cabin 9240. What Cabin numbers on deck 9 overlook the jacuzzis on deck 8?
Hi Jeff. Looks like they are a few cabins down from you. Having had a quick look at the deck plans, cabins 9310-9314 overlook the whirlpool nearest your cabin. I’ve also seen a review of 9240 in one of the cabin review groups on Facebook and they had no complaints. The whirlpools were not mentioned either so hopefully you’ll find the cabin ok. Enjoy your cruise. Emma