Discover which cabins to avoid on P&O’s Iona, what to look out for when booking and how to choose the right cabin for your cruise.
Planning a cruise on Iona and not sure which cabin to choose? I know what that feels like!
When I booked my first cruise on Iona, I was a little overwhelmed by all the options and ended up making the wrong choice. I thought I’d booked a standard balcony cabin, but it wasn’t quite what I expected.
Thankfully, it all worked out ok in the end, but it taught me a valuable lesson about making sure you know exactly what you’re booking.
Not all cabins on Iona are quite what they seem, particularly when it comes to balconies. So, to help you avoid making the same mistake I did, I’ve put together this guide highlighting some of the things to look out for when choosing your cabin.
At a glance: Iona cabins to avoid
There aren’t many cabins on Iona I’d say you should definitely avoid. However, some have a few quirks that are worth knowing about before you book, particularly if you’re planning to splash out on a balcony.
Here’s a quick rundown of the cabins and locations I’d suggest checking carefully.
| Cabin type or location | What to be aware of |
|---|---|
| Deck 8 Promenade cabins | These cabins face onto the promenade deck, so privacy can be an issue. Sea views are also partially obstructed by the deck itself and the plastic screen along the outer railing. |
| Deck 5 sheltered balcony cabins | Narrow, sheltered balconies built into the hull of the ship. Great for protection from the weather, but they have limited space and don’t get as much sun as standard balconies. |
| Obstructed balcony cabins | Some balconies have whirlpools or parts of the ship blocking the view. Not necessarily a bad thing, but worth checking if you’ve got your heart set on a clear sea view. |
| Overlooked balcony cabins | Some midship and aft balconies can be overlooked by other passengers. Something to bear in mind if you like a bit of privacy. |
| Forward facing steel fronted balconies | Fantastic views when standing up, but you won’t be able to see much when sitting down. They can also get pretty windy, and access may be restricted in bad weather. |
| Cabins near entertainment venues | Great if you’re a night owl, but perhaps not so good if you’re a light sleeper. Music, shows and rehearsals can sometimes be heard in nearby cabins. |
| Cabins near smoking areas | Worth checking if you’re a non-smoker, as smoke and chatter could affect nearby balconies. |
| Cabins at the front or back of the ship | Iona is a big ship, so cabins right at the front or back can mean quite a walk to some restaurants and facilities. Great for getting your steps in, but perhaps not ideal if you prefer everything close by. |
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. As this was my first cruise I had booked and Iona was a new ship, I knew very little about cabin grades or promenade decks. So, I booked what I thought was a standard balcony cabin.
Of course, with everything that happened over the following couple of years, the cruise was postponed until 2022. At the time, I was in the middle of chemotherapy, so when it became clear the 2021 season wasn’t going ahead, I asked my travel agent to move my booking to 2022 as it was. I was actually more concerned about the itinerary than the cabin, as there were now two Norwegian Fjords itineraries to choose from.
Looking back, I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised when I was allocated a cabin on Iona’s infamous promenade deck. Instead of the traditional balcony overlooking the sea that I’d imagined, I had one that was more like a patio that faced onto the deck.
Thankfully, it all worked out ok in the end, but it was a lesson in making sure I knew exactly what I was booking.
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to cruise cabins. What might be a cabin to avoid for one person could be the perfect choice for someone else.
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’ve got your heart set on a balcony cabin.
There are standard, deluxe and smaller balcony cabins. The interiors are fairly similar, but the balconies themselves can vary quite a bit depending on where they are on the ship. Some are small, some are much larger, while others are sheltered, overlooked or have an obstructed view.
There are also balconies on suites and conservatory mini-suites, so there’s plenty of choice. However, with so many different options, it’s easy to end up booking something that isn’t quite what you expected.
I’m sometimes asked what the best balcony cabins on Iona are, but honestly it’s quite difficult to say. It really depends on what you’re looking for, whether that’s a great sea view, a bit of privacy or somewhere to sit and enjoy the sunshine.
The important thing is knowing what you’re booking, particularly if you’ve chosen a fare that doesn’t allow you to select your own cabin. And if you have the option to choose your own cabin, it’s definitely worth taking a good look at the deck plans before making your final decision.
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 plenty of debate in some of the cruise groups I’m in.
You’ll find smaller, standard and deluxe balcony cabins on this deck, along with some conservatory mini-suites. What they all have in common is that their balconies face onto the promenade deck, which wraps around the ship.
This means people can walk right past your balcony and, in some areas where the deck widens, even sit outside it.
Having seen these cabins for myself, I’m still a little surprised they’re sold as balcony cabins. To me, they’re more like cabins with a patio than a traditional balcony overlooking the sea.
If you are anything like me, when you book a balcony cabin, you expect to sit outside and enjoy the sea views. Unfortunately, that’s not quite what you get on deck 8.
As the promenade deck sits between your balcony and the sea, you can’t even see the sea unless you stand up. And even then, there’s a 2ft screen that runs around the outer railing.
It also feels like privacy could be an issue with these cabins. AAs well as people walking past, some balconies are in areas where the promenade deck widens and there are chairs directly outside. So, you could end up with people sitting right in front of your balcony.
There are also infinity whirlpools on either side of the promenade deck, directly in front of some cabins. Not only do these obstruct the sea views even further, but you may also hear noise from the whirlpools themselves and people 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 spend much time looking into your cabin, I imagine it could feel a little uncomfortable having people walking past throughout the day, particularly if you’re someone who likes a bit of privacy.
I was briefly in one of the smaller balcony cabins (GZ grade) and found the lack of privacy a bit off-putting.
There’s no sofa in these cabins, so the bed is right by the sliding doors onto the balcony. I found it quite distracting catching glimpses of people out of the corner of my eye as they walked past. Even if they couldn’t see directly into the cabin, I was still aware of the movement and shadows as they passed.
You’d also need to be a little careful in the evenings, particularly when getting changed with the lights on. I’d definitely be keeping the curtains closed!
As someone who often cruises on my own, I didn’t feel particularly comfortable with how exposed these cabins were to the public promenade. I spoke to a couple of other solo female travellers onboard and they felt much the same.
Are there any advantages to deck 8 cabins?
It’s not all bad though. The cabins themselves are absolutely fine and they’re in a fantastic location. It’s easy to get to the restaurants, bars and entertainment venues on decks 6 to 8 without having to rely on the lifts.
Some of the balconies along the narrower parts of the promenade deck are also huge. If you’re travelling with young children, the extra outdoor space could be a bonus. Plus, with the promenade deck between your balcony and the sea, you don’t have the same direct drop to the water as you would on a traditional balcony.
Both cruises I’ve done on Iona have been around Northern Europe, so there wasn’t much opportunity to sit outside in the sunshine. However, I imagine those larger balconies would be great in warmer destinations. You could definitely spread out and soak up the rays!
And if you’re a sociable person, these cabins could be a great way to meet people. I saw a few passengers chatting to people walking past while sitting out on their balconies.
Overall, I don’t think these are bad cabins. It’s just that the balconies aren’t quite what you might expect. If you know what you’re booking and you’re happy with the potential lack of privacy, they could be a great choice. But if you’ve got your heart set on sitting outside enjoying uninterrupted sea views, I’d look elsewhere .
Deck 5 – A balcony but not quite what you might expect
The balcony cabins on deck 5 are a little different from those on the higher decks. Instead of a traditional balcony with glass railings, they are cut into the hull of the ship, making them sheltered balconies. Not necessarily a bad thing, but something to be aware of.
The balconies are quite narrow, with just a little more room than the width of a chair. With two chairs and a small table, there’s not much space left.
Being sheltered means you get a bit of protection from the weather, which can be particularly welcome on a Norwegian Fjords cruise. However, you won’t get as much sunshine as you would on a more open balcony.
One of the things I really liked about these cabins was how close they are to the sea. They’re a great spot for watching out for sea life or just sitting and listening to the waves. Although the balconies can get a little wet and damp at times.
Unlike balconies on the higher decks, there are no sliding doors. Instead, you have a door that opens outwards onto the balcony. It’s quite heavy too, so not something you can easily leave open to let a bit of fresh air in.
There is also a storm door which can be shut in rough seas covering the balcony door and effectively turning your balcony cabin into a sea view one.
I stayed in one of these cabins for a week after being moved from deck 8 and actually really liked it. While it wasn’t exactly what I imagined when I originally booked my cruise, it turned out fine and I’d definitely consider booking one of these cabins again in future.
However, I spoke to a couple of passengers during the cruise who were disappointed with their deck 5 balconies, as they were not expecting a balcony like that.
Obstructed balcony cabins
Some balcony cabins on Iona are marked as having an obstructed view. This basically means that something is blocking part of the view from the balcony.
Usually this is a lifeboat above, below or in front of your balcony or some part of the ship’s equipment. On Iona, some of the obstructed balconies are on the promenade deck, where the infinity whirlpools can block the sea view.
The trade-off is that obstructed balcony cabins can sometimes be cheaper than those with an unobstructed view. 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.
I actually had an obstructed balcony cabin on another cruise line. The obstruction was a lifeboat directly below the balcony, so when I looked down, it was right there. But looking straight out to sea? No obstruction at all.
Just bear in mind that not all obstructions are the same. Some might only affect your view when looking down, while others could block a much larger part of the sea view.
Overlooked balconies
Another thing to watch out for on Iona is balconies that are overlooked by other cabins or public areas of the ship.
You might have a lovely sea view, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have much privacy. Depending on where your cabin is located, passengers on the decks above may be able to look down onto your balcony.
This is particularly worth bearing in mind if you like sitting outside with a book or relaxing in the sunshine without feeling as though you’re on display.
Personally, I prefer a balcony where I can sit outside without feeling overlooked. However, if privacy isn’t particularly important to you, it might not be something that bothers you at all.
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 having frosted or clear glass. So there’s no sitting down and watching the sea go by. Although you can always stand up and pretend you’re sailing the ship!
Perhaps more importantly, access to the balcony may be restricted during bad weather.
It can also get quite windy at the front of the ship, so you might not want to sit outside for too long. I spent a few hours at the front of deck 8 while sailing into Olden and it was very breezy, to put it mildly!
Speaking of deck 8, you might find people gathering here for the sail-in and sail-out of some ports. This probably isn’t so much of an issue on higher decks, but if you’re on deck 8, they’ll be right in front of you.
So, if you like chatting with fellow passengers, you’ll probably have a great time. If not, you might find having people gathered in front of your balcony a little annoying.
Cabins above or below entertainment venues
Shows and entertainment in some of Iona’s venues can go on late into the night.
When I was last on Iona, the last set in the 710 club finished at 1am and the party in the clubhouse continued into the early hours. There are also regular shows in the Headliners Theatre and SkyDome, although timings can vary.
If you are a night owl and are likely to be out and about, this probably won’t be so much of an issue. However, if you are a light sleeper the noise may disturb you so it is something worth considering when choosing your cabin.
One of my fellow solo passengers actually had to move cabins on the first night of our cruise. She was underneath the 710 club and couldn’t sleep as she could hear the music in her cabin.
There are often rehearsals and soundchecks during the afternoon in many of these venues, so that is something to keep in mind if you like an afternoon nap.
One other thing to consider if you choose a cabin under the lido deck (including the SkyDome) is that you may hear sun loungers and chairs being moved around, particularly early in the morning or when they’re being put away.
Cabins near smoking area
There are two designated smoking areas on Iona, both on deck 18. One is forward on the starboard side and the other is aft on the port side.
If you are a smoker, you may wish to choose a cabin with easy access to deck 18. On the other hand, if you are a non-smoker, you might prefer to avoid balcony cabins close to these areas.
As people tend to gather in smoking areas, there is also a chance of hearing conversations from nearby balconies. So, if you like a bit of peace and quiet, it’s something worth bearing in mind.
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 on one of the lower decks. You’re likely to feel less movement here than at the front or back of the ship, particularly in rough seas.
It’s also worth considering a balcony cabin if you’re worried about feeling seasick. That way, you can get some fresh air and look out towards the horizon if you start to feel a bit rough..
Cabins at the front or back of ship
(if you don’t like walking far)
Iona is 344m long and has 19 decks. So whichever way you look at it, you’ll be doing a bit of walking onboard. One of the lovely crew members told me she had a 1km walk to work each morning and I’m not entirely sure she was joking!
So, if you don’t fancy a hike to one of the main dining rooms for breakfast or for a late night tipple in the Crows Nest, then it’s worth giving some careful thought to the location of the your cabin.
That said, if you’re worried about all the lovely cruise food on offer and the lack of incentive to go to the gym while on holiday, these cabins could be a good choice. 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 spending lots of time in your cabin. Plus, they’re usually cheaper than balcony cabins, so you’ll save some money…which could be used for another cruise!
However, before booking one, it’s worth having a quick think about whether you’ll be happy in a room with no natural light. They do make for a great night’s sleep but, you’ll 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. I didn’t miss having a balcony at all, although the destinations weren’t particularly scenic, and it saved me quite a bit of money.
For that type of cruise and the incredible price I paid, I thought it was probably one of the best cabins on Iona I could have been allocated.
Single cabins
Again, I don’t think these are cabins to avoid. In fact, it’s great to see cruise ships offering more single cabins. That said, it’s worth checking how much a standard or deluxe balcony cabin would cost at solo occupancy before booking.
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 single cabins are a great addition, I’d always recommend comparing the prices with a standard cabin before booking. That way, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed choice.
The last word
Choosing a cruise ship cabin can be a more complicated business than you might think at first. However, with a little research and a good look at the deck plans, you should be able to find one that suits you.
If possible, unless you’re a night owl or party animal, I’d recommend booking a cabin with other cabins above and below you. That should reduce the risk of being disturbed by noise from entertainment venues. Although, of course, you can’t guarantee you won’t have noisy neighbours!
Choose a lower deck if you want to be closer to many of the restaurants and entertainment venues, or a higher one if you’d prefer easy access to the outside decks, The Retreat or Horizon Restaurant.
There are really very few cabins on Iona that I’d say you should definitely avoid. It all depends on what’s important to you. What are your non-negotiables and what are you prepared to compromise on?
Once you know that, you’ll be in a much better position to choose the right 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