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P&O Iona Deck 5 Balcony Cabin Review: What Are They Really Like?

Last Updated by emmaonline

Planning a cruise on P&O Iona? Find out what it’s really like to stay in a Deck 5 balcony cabin, including the pros and cons, so you know what to expect before booking.

Booking a cruise ship cabin isn’t always as easy as you think it might be. The choice can be a more than a little overwhelming. Even picking a balcony cabin isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. As I found out on a cruise on Iona, not all balconies are equal.

So, if you are considering a cruise on Iona, read on to find out what I thought of staying in one of the ships deck 5 balcony cabins and what you can expect if you book one yourself.

P&O Iona cruise ship docked in Rotterdam beside a landscaped waterfront promenade under a cloudy sky. Multiple decks of balcony cabins are visible above the red and blue Union Jack design on the white hull.

My cabin reviews are designed to give you an idea of what it would be like to stay in this type of cabin should you be considering booking one. Using my experience I take an in-depth look at everything you need to know from the cabin layout to the amenities included and share any useful tips.

At a glance

In a hurry? Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from a balcony cabin on Deck 5 of P&O Iona.

At a glance

In a hurry? Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from Iona’s Deck 5 balcony cabins.

  • Balcony style: Sheltered balconies cut into the hull of the ship, rather than the usual glass-fronted ones.
  • Balcony size: On the small side, but enough room for two chairs and a little table.
  • Views: I loved being so close to the water, watching the waves and listening to the sound of the sea.
  • Location: One of the best things about Deck 5. Just a few minutes walk from most of the restaurants and bars.
  • Privacy: Not quite as private as you might think. You can see into neighbouring balconies through small gaps in the partitions. Not a huge issue, but something to be aware of.
  • Noise: My cabin was pretty quiet, even with the laundrette just down the corridor.
  • Things to be aware of: The balcony door is quite heavy, and storm doors may be closed in particularly rough weather.
  • My verdict: Not quite the balcony I was expecting, but I ended up really liking it. I’d happily book one again.

My Iona balcony cabin review

I took a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords on P&O Cruises Iona and decided to splash out on a balcony cabin as it is such a scenic destination. After all, it’s all about the views in the Norwegian Fjords right?

Although this was the first cruise I booked on Iona it was actually my second time on the ship. I’d taken advantage of a last-minute solo deal a few months earlier and stayed in an inside cabin, which I loved. However, for Norway, I was looking forward to having a balcony.  

If you are anything like me when you think of a cruise ship balcony, you probably picture one of those glass-fronted balconies that overlooking the sea. Like the image below which was taken from a balcony cabin on deck 12 while sailing out of the fjords one evening.

View from a P&O Iona balcony looking across a Norwegian fjord towards steep green mountains, a narrow waterfall and distant snow capped peaks. The ship's wooden balcony railing runs along the right side of the photograph.
View from a balcony cabin on deck 12

That’s what I thought I was booking. However, things didn’t go quite to plan.

I’d originally been allocated a cabin on Deck 8, Iona’s promenade deck. Not exactly what I’d imagined when booking a balcony cabin!

It was my fault I guess, but in my defence, I’d booked the cruise back in 2019, before Iona had even entered service. It was also my first cruise booking, so I didn’t really know what to look out for when choosing a cabin.

Luckily, it kind of worked out ok in the end. The wonderful onboard team kindly moved me to a balcony cabin on Deck 5, where the balconies are cut into the hull of the ship. It still wasn’t quite the balcony I’d originally pictured, but as it turned out, I actually really liked it.

So, I thought I’d write a Iona balcony cabin review so you know what to expect if choose this cabin style or maybe to reassure you if you have been allocated one of these cabins on deck 5. 

Iona deck 5 balcony cabins

After a bit of musical cabins, my home for the week while cruising around the Norwegian Fjords was cabin 5454. A balcony cabin on deck 5 and a nice easy number to remember!

Unlike the traditional balconies higher up the ship, the ones on Deck 5 are cut into the hull, as you can see in the photo below.

Close exterior view of P&O Iona showing a row of sheltered balcony cabins with blue glass railings beneath a large curved glass structure. The arrangement shows how the cabins sit within the ship's exterior.

Location wise, these cabins are fabulous. Being on deck 5 gives you easy access to all the restaurants and bars on decks 6 to 8. I think it took me less than five minutes to get to most places on those decks. You can also get to the Headlines theatre and spa pretty quickly.

The gym (if you are that way inclined) is at the end of deck five so there is no excuse to skip gym day either!

For ease of access to many of the facilities on board, I think Deck 5 has a good shout at being one of the best decks on Iona.

My cabin was a short walk from the midship lifts and stairs, so it was easy to get around the ship. I could be up in the Vista Café and Grand Atrium in just a few minutes by taking the stairs.

It was also a few cabins down the corridor from the laundrette. Trying to find your cabin down those long corridors can be a challenge sometimes, especially if you are new to Iona. So, I found it quite handy to have a marker to look out for when heading back to the cabin.

The location was pretty quiet too. The odd person was a little noisy walking down the corridor every now and then, but nothing too bad. There was no noise that I could hear from the laundrette either. 

Related post | If you’re still deciding which cabin to book, have a look at my guide to cabins to avoid on Iona.

Cabin layout

The cabin was a good size and had pretty much everything I needed for the week. There was plenty of space for me travelling solo, although it might feel a little more cramped if you were sharing with two or three other people

P&O Iona deck 5 balcony cabin interior with a double bed, white bedding, circular wall mirrors, a small sofa and a desk. Glass doors at the far end lead to the private balcony overlooking the port.

Bathroom

Walking into the cabin the bathroom is to the right. It is a good size, well designed and of storage space. There are two shelves on the wall next to the sink and more shelving underneath and to the side of the sink.

The shower is enclosed by a screen, so no shower curtain here! The water pressure was great, and you could almost forget you were in a cruise cabin.

Toiletries are provided by The White Company and smelled amazing. There was hand soap by the sink, with shower gel and shampoo in the show cubicle.

If you’re planning to do any hand washing, there’s also a small washing line in the shower

View through the doorway into a P&O Iona cabin bathroom showing the glass shower enclosure, white toilet, sink and wooden storage shelves. The small bathroom has wood effect flooring and cream coloured walls.
Compact bathroom in a P&O Iona balcony cabin with a white toilet, curved sink, illuminated mirror and two wooden storage shelves. The glass shower enclosure sits immediately beside the toilet.
Shower inside a P&O Iona deck 5 balcony cabin bathroom with a chrome handheld shower head, adjustable rail, wall mounted toiletry bottles and two metal storage baskets. A glass shower screen separates the shower from the rest of the bathroom.

Bedroom and living area

Once past the bathroom, you’re into the main living area, with the wardrobe running along the wall to the right.

The wardrobe is a good size, with one full-length hanging space and one half-length section. There is also a shelf above the rail where the lifejackets are stored. These take up most of the space, but there’s a little room left for a few extra bits and pieces.

Between the two hanging areas are six deep shelves, which are ideal for packing cubes, jumpers and other clothing.

There were 20 hangers in the wardrobe. Yes, I counted them! I’d been asked a few times after my last cabin review, so I made a point of checking this time. You can always ask your cabin steward for more if you need them.

Overall, I thought there was plenty of storage space, although I was travelling solo, so that’s probably easy for me to say.

Open wooden wardrobe in a P&O Iona balcony cabin with two bright orange life jackets stored on the top shelf and wooden clothes hangers beneath. The wardrobe sits beside the bed and provides hanging storage.
Open wardrobe in a P&O Iona cabin showing a white safe with its door open above a hanging rail of wooden clothes hangers. The compact storage arrangement is built into the light wood cabinetry.

The super comfortable queen-sized bed takes up half the room, with a soft bed and dressing table filling up the space in the other half.

In my cabin, the bed was next to the wardrobe and the sofa was nearer the balcony. Personally, I’d have preferred it the other way around, particularly as having the bed next to the wardrobe made things a bit of a tight squeeze.

There wasn’t much room to manoeuvre, and when you opened the wardrobe door, it almost touched the bed!

It also made the full-length mirror difficult to use unless you stood right up against it. Not a disaster, but it does make you wonder why they designed it like that. Surely someone must have noticed it was difficult to use the mirror?

Even just moving the mirror to another wall would have made a difference.

Interior of a P&O Iona deck 5 balcony cabin showing light wood wardrobes, a full length mirror and a narrow walkway with blue patterned carpet. The edge of the double bed is visible beside the wardrobe.

Next to the bed and dressing table was a large TV, which could be adjusted depending on whether you were watching from the bed or sofa.

Underneath the TV was a small storage unit with two narrow shelves. Handy for things like umbrellas or hair straighteners.

On top were the tea and coffee-making facilities, including plenty of tea bags (P&O is a British cruise line after all!) and a couple of biscuits that were replenished each day.

Tip: Take a little plastic cup or jug with you and you can bring fresh milk down from the Horzion Restaurant to keep in your fridge. It makes for a much nicer morning cuppa than using the little cartons provided.

Deck Five Balconies

As I mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons I booked a balcony cabin for my Norwegian Fjords cruise was for the views. I had visions of sitting on my balcony with a cup of tea (or prosecco!) while enjoying the scenery.

The balconies on deck five are cut into the hull of ship, which means they are covered and sheltered from the elements. So you get some protection from bad weather, always a possibility in the Norwegian Fjords! Perhaps not so good if you were looking forward to sunbathing in the Mediterranean though.

Exterior of P&O Iona showing rows of sheltered balcony cabins with blue glass railings beneath a large curved glass structure. The photograph illustrates how balcony cabins are positioned beneath the upper decks.

Being so low down on the ship and close to the water is one of the best things about these balconies. They’re great for looking out for sea life or just sitting and watching the waves.

There are a few downsides though, so it’s worth knowing what to expect before booking one.

Balcony size and privacy

The balcony itself is pretty small. There is just about enough room for two chairs and a little table. So, not much room to stretch out, but it was perfect to sit with a cuppa and enjoy the scenery. 

Admittedly, that might be easy for me to say as I was travelling solo. However, I think two people could comfortably sit out there. Three would be very much a squeeze!

One thing to note about these balconies is that you might not have quite as much privacy as you’d expect. You can see into the neighbouring balconies through small gaps in the partitions.

I didn’t think it was a huge issue, but it might be for some people.

Balcony doors and bad weather

Unlike the sliding patio doors on the balconies higher up the ship, the door out to the Deck 5 balcony is a rather heavy one that opens outwards.

I didn’t find it too bad to open most of the time but occasionally, it was a bit of a struggle. also think it would be difficult to keep open if you wanted some fresh air in the cabin. You’d have to find something to prop it open with.

Another thing to be aware of is that in very bad weather or rough seas, a metal storm door may be closed across the balcony door. This effectively turns your balcony cabin into a sea view cabin with one large window.

Thankfully, that wasn’t needed on my cruise, but it’s something to bear in mind if you’re thinking of booking one of these cabins.

Small grey table on a P&O Iona balcony holding a white mug and a teddy bear wearing a red shirt marked "IONA". Blue water and distant green hills are visible beyond the glass railing.

Narrow P&O Iona deck 5 balcony cabin outdoor area with two grey chairs positioned beside the cabin window. A glass railing overlooks the port while a white oval partition door separates the neighbouring balcony.
iona balcony cabin pictures
Close up of the white oval shaped partition door separating neighbouring balcony areas on P&O Iona. The hinged panel has metal fittings and is part of the balcony layout.

Even though we had great weather and calm seas throughout the week, I occasionally noticed a little water on the balcony.

What I thought of the balcony

While it may not have been the type of balcony cabin I had dreamed of when booking, I was pretty happy with it. I really liked being so close to the water and it was lovely to sit out there with a cup of tea, enjoying the views and listening to the sound of the waves.

I did speak to a couple of my cabin neighbours while waiting for the lifts throughout the week, and some of them were a little disappointed. Like me, it just wasn’t the balcony they’d been expecting when they booked.

So, if you’ve got your heart set on a particular type of balcony, make sure you do a little research into the different types available on Iona beforehand. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re booking or what you might be allocated if you’ve booked a guaranteed cabin grade.

Amenities included in Iona’s balcony cabins

All cabins on Iona come with the following amenities:

  • Air conditioning
  • Complimentary toiletries from The White Company
  • Fridge
  • Hairdryer
  • Safe (can hold a laptop, my 15″ MacBook fitted in fine)
  • TV
  • Tea & Coffee making facilities (including biscuits!)

The last word

I had a great week cruising the Norwegian Fjords on Iona, it was easily one of the best trips I have done.

Overall the cabin was very comfortable and one I would happily book again. While it wasn’t quite the balcony I’d been expecting, my initial disappointment didn’t last long. It was a lesson learnt though, and I’ll definitely be more careful when choosing cabins in future!

Having stayed in an inside cabin on Iona as well, I don’t think you necessarily need a balcony to enjoy a Norwegian Fjords cruise. There are plenty of places around Iona where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery, so you certainly won’t miss out if you book an inside cabin instead.

And if you’re someone who prefers to spend their time exploring the ship rather than sitting in their cabin, an inside cabin could be a better (and certainly cheaper) option.

But, if you like the idea of being close to the water and having a sheltered balcony, I think Iona’s Deck 5 balcony cabins are well worth considering.

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30 thoughts on “P&O Iona Deck 5 Balcony Cabin Review: What Are They Really Like?”

  1. KF says:

    A note on the full-length mirror you complain about. I’ve seen it said in a YouTube video that the mirrored door is on a 180 degree hinge, so you’re supposed to open it out fully and stand in the corridor space to use it properly.

    Reply
  3. Dave says:

    Thanks for the very informative review. By coincidence, I’ve just booked a cruise for next month on Iona in the exact same cabin (5454).

    This will I be our first ever cruise (it will be just me and my 11yo Son), and I was worried about sea sickness, so I was keen to book a balcony cabin near the middle of the ship and on a low deck.

    Due to booking so late, deck 5 was the only deck with suitable balcony cabins still available in the middle section, so I went for this one, but I was a little concerned I’d made the wrong choice.

    I’m so glad I found your review, as the cabin and balcony look fine, so it’s put my mind at ease. I also like the idea of being close to the water.

    Many thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
  4. Mrs P Long says:

    We were on Iona 3weeks ago had a fabulous time ship was amazing as were the Norwegian fjords ,our cabin was lovley with wardrobe an a sofa definitely go again.

    Reply
  5. Terry says:

    We went on the Iona in March Spain and Portugal this year this being our first cruise really didn’t know what to expect. Had no complaints with anything.Have booked for next year.

    Reply
  6. Tony says:

    Hi Emma like to cruise but think as a single don’t know why I should have to pay at least a third more for a single cabin tony

    Reply
    • emmaonline says:

      Hi Tony, I know I agree. I think more could be done for solo travellers. Look out for no or low solo supplements, they do pop up time from time. I got a great deal on Iona last spring with no solo supplement. Emma

      Reply
  7. Jessica says:

    I went with Iona for our honeymoon. I’m afraid to say I actually found it extremely disappointing, the canned water tasted so bad I actually went on to buy some bottled. Not enough milk left out for a proper lattes, the toilet is one of these new air toilets which makes an appalling noise when flushed! The food choices available at the on board restaurants for vegetarians I found very limiting and what P&O don’t tell you is the cost of the WiFi. You have to pay £100 for a week worth of service which at times was hardly usable and unreliable. I felt totally left down by this cruise company and would certainly not use them again.

    Reply
    • emmaonline says:

      Hi Jessica. Congratulations on your wedding. Sorry to hear your honeymoon was disappointing.

      Yes, the toilets are loud aren’t they? I took a water bottle and used the refill stations, that didn’t taste too bad. Milk, I used to bring some down from the buffet and kept that in my cabin fridge for a morning cuppa. Wifi, it does feel expensive…I think would be good if it was included like some other cruise line. I ended up just using it for the odd sea day and then just waited till in port. Was good excuse to have a break from the phone.

      Maybe it’s worth looking at some other cruise lines? I think there is definitely a cruise line for everyone. You just need to find it.
      Emma

      Reply
    • Hazel says:

      I went on my first cruise this year for my anniversary I was not disappointed we booked inside cabin but when got to cabin had sea view, the entertainment was good met Harry rednap ,Alfie boe and Russel Watson and some other great guests. We went on the Ventura would go again

      Reply
  8. Eve says:

    Is there a site where you can get the best deals as a single person? I’ve just done a cruise with my son and know that I’d love to be able to cruise more but I’d have to go alone. Thanks.

    Reply
    • emmaonline says:

      Hi Eve, thanks for your comment. There are a couple of solo cruise groups on facebook where good deals are often posted. I also keep an eye on the cruise company websites for any low/no solo supplement deals. There are some good deals out there, just got to keep looking. Emma

      Reply
  9. John T. says:

    I have cruised with P and O but never on the Iona. Always had a balcony cabin and never like you described. I don’t like cruising very much as it is and an inside cabin or one as you described, I would never cruise again. Now you want to know why I cruise if I don’t like it. Well here it is, no entertainment that I enjoy. They cut trips to suit themselves. The spend money is your own money over paid in the ticket price which you don’t get back if it isn’t spent. At one time you were forced to pay tips but not now.
    It’s my partner who loves cruising I just pay for them.

    Reply
    • emmaonline says:

      Hi John. What other ships have you cruised on? I’ve only been on Iona and Britannia so far with P&O. I think the entertainment can be a bit hit and miss. Guess it depends on what you like. I tend to stick to live music and avoid the comedians. On Iona you have the SkyDome which has some great aerial shows (mostly, there was one on the first Iona trip I did that seemed to leave most people scratching their heads, still have no idea what is was about) which I think is a bit different from some of their other ships. Emma

      Reply
  10. Lynne Boyle says:

    We were allocated 5420 on a staycation and in order to avoid the dreaded deck 8, we paid select price to choose this cabin again. It was great! I’m not keen on heights so it’s perfect.

    Reply
    • emmaonline says:

      Hi Lynne, thanks for your comment. Deck 5 is a great choice if not keen on heights. Not too high but still able to enjoy the views. I would choose deck 5 again too I think. Emma

      Reply
  11. Beryl Starling says:

    Hello, thanks for your review. I am thinking of first cruise with family to Norway on Iona and would need single balcony. How much would be a good price? Thankyou

    Reply
    • emmaonline says:

      Hi Beryl, thanks for your your comment.The price can vary quite a lot depending on when you go, how busy it is and if there are any offers on etc. The two things to look out for are no or low solo supplements and always check what a standard cabin at solo occupancy is. I’ve travelled on Iona twice and both times the standard cabin was cheaper than the solo cabin (and much bigger).

      To give you an example of Norway prices for solo on P&O, when I first booked it (back in 2019) it was around £1k however, when I moved it to 2022 it had jumped to £1.5k (lots of people were moving cruises then I think). So I’d say my original price was a great deal, what I actually ended up paying not so much. The trip was wonderful though so it was well worth the money. I’d expect to pay something between those prices for a single cabin.

      Reply
    • Debbie Joplin says:

      We had an inside cabin 5304, loved it, close to everything, used the gym so just across the landing, can’t fault any part of it!

      Reply
      • emmaonline says:

        Thanks for the comment Debbie, deck 5 is great isn’t it? I had an inside cabin on my previous cruise up on deck 9 and loved it. Would book an inside cabin again one day for sure.

        Reply
  12. Tony Benham says:

    We had a balcony cabin on deck 11 and found that alternate cabins had a different bed/dressing area arrangement. Some cabins also accommodated bunk beds. You can bring a fridge magnet and stick it on your door to find your cabin easier. Bring some photos of family, friends to personalise your room. Once the sun was out it was very difficult to find an available jacuzzi. The restaurants were a much better dining experience than the Horizon. When joining a queue, you have to be very diligent to stop people pushing in!

    Reply
    • emmaonline says:

      Hi Tony, thanks for those great tips. The fridge magnet is a great idea, I’ll defo do that next time. I know what you mean about the jacuzzi’s and queues, although I guess to be kind of expected on such a large ship. Hope you had a great holiday. Emma

      Reply

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