
P&O Cruises' biggest and most innovative ship ever built for the UK market is the first Excellence-Helios Class in the fleet. SkyDome is one of the cruise liner's signature attractions and the largest onboard entertainment hub. During the day, SkyDome serves resort-style leisure activities and offers entertainment and casual dining. The night entertainment includes on-roof media projections, laser shows, aerial acrobatics performances, DJ disco parties, theatrical productions, movies (on a large LED screen). During the day, the Beachcomber hosts pool deck activities, while in the evenings, the sundeck transforms into an entertainment venue with aerial acrobatic performances and live music, also hosting deck parties under the stars.
Night Canary Islands
Here is one of a series of Facts & Figures infographics on P&O ships, this one for P&O Iona. In early-March were announced major itinerary program changes with only Britain Coastal mini-cruises and 7-day roundtrips from Southampton. MS Iona's Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for September 25 (14-day to Iberia/"Spain And Portugal"). The new ship's entire Norwegian Fjords 2021 program was canceled.
Deck 16
Adjacent to the Beachcomber (at the bow on Deck 18) is The Retreat - an adults-only VIP Sundeck with 2x outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpools. This is the ship's "spa terrace" with several shaded private cabanas (available for rent). The VIP sundeck (accessed via prepaid day- or voyage-long passes) is inclusive of alfresco dining, Spa massages, dedicated staff service (chilled drinks, cold flannels, light snacks). P&O Iona and Arvia ships are from the Carnival Corporation's Excellence Class (aka "Helios", and "Carnival XL"). Four different Freedom restaurants offer dishes from around the world while the Horizon buffet is the ideal place for an informal meal at almost any time of day.

Dining on Iona
Iona has been designed to be different, and to appeal to a younger generation of cruisers. The original launch was due to showcase that with a weeklong festival, one of many plans scuppered by Covid. In the evening your first option is aerial displays and laser shows in the SkyDome.
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With a vast range of recreational facilities such as a [spa/wellness center, swimming pools, sports complex], this ship ensures every guest can find their preferred mode of enjoyment. The ship's entertainment program boasts a variety of performances, including [type of shows, e.g., Broadway-style shows, live music], that are sure to impress and delight. At full capacity, she can host 5,200 passengers and 1,800 crew. With 15 guest decks and a wide range of features including bars, restaurants, swimming pools, hot tubs, theatres and lounges, Iona rarely feels too crowded. Arvia and Iona are P&O UK's largest vessels ever constructed - with GT tonnage 180,000 tons and max passenger capacity 6600 (plus 1800 crew).
Deck 18
They are very comfortable, so much so I would happily have moved in after my last cruise. A family-friendly ship, Iona is designed to bring the outdoors in. Whether that is the stunning scenery of the Norwegian Fjords or the sparkling ocean views of The Mediterranean. Overall, though, Iona is an impressive ship, packed with quality entertainment and likely to be a huge hit with younger cruisers looking for nightlife, good food and affordable entry-level pricing. Some of the new restaurants feel soulless, like The Keel & Cow.
Food on Iona Offers Plenty of Variety, But Not Everything Works
P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which in 2003 merged with Carnival Corporation. P and O is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia. Whirlpools - The whirlpools on-board are not to be used by children aged 8 and under, and children aged 8-16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian. If you can tear them away from the clubs, there’s a wide range of activities and entertainment to enjoy all together, as well as lots of delicious dining options. Excepting the Suites, all cabin balconies are very small - sized just 20 ft2 (2 m2).
A huge dome roof gives you the comfort of an indoor pool and somewhere to relax whatever the weather. But the impressive part is how it’s transformed into an entertainment zone in the evenings. With a retractable stage over the pool, we saw aerialists and laser shows late into the night. I can see this having the party atmosphere when the ship is full, especially with DJ sets produced by Blur’s Alex James. You can also choose from sea-view cabins, inside cabins and solo cabins.
Iona Cruise Ship Guide – All you need know to plan your cruise with P&O
Iona’s Conservatory Mini-Suites offer a soothing space featuring a deeper balcony with a glass-enclosed sitting area. One of the perks of this room type is it allows passengers to open the area up to create a bigger outdoor space or close it off from the main cabin. This function is handy if you're travelling with a young child and you want to continue your evening after you've put them to bed.
An enormous glass dome covers a double-height space on Decks 16 and 17, which serves as a pool, drinking and dining venue by day and a dramatic entertainment space in the evenings. Other intriguing features making their debut include a boutique, four-screen cinema, an intimate nightclub masterminded by Take That frontman Gary Barlow and the first gin distillery at sea. The 3-deck high Grand Atrium is located midship and has an open-floor design.
Dame Irene named Iona when the ship entered service in May 2021. Iona has a normal operating capacity of 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew. The following numbers Standard Interior cabins are handicap/wheelchair-accessible. The following numbers Standard Balcony cabins are handicap/wheelchair-accessible.
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All Atrium levels have natural light and offer floor-ceiling sea views. Iona's Grand Atrium is a new concept for P&O, created by architecture and interior design practice Jestico+Whiles, the creators of The Yas Hotel (Abu Dhabi), W Hotel (London) and Aqua Shard (restaurant in the Shard). Grand Atrium is the ship's key entertainment space that hosts from morning coffee to evening drinks. MS Iona's inaugural season was planned to start on May 14, 2020 (maiden voyage) and included only no-fly cruise itineraries roundtrip from the UK. PO Iona ship also has a 0,5-mi (800-m) long outdoor Promenade Deck (named "Lanai Deck") wrapping around the entire Deck 8.

Iona’s as yet unnamed sister ship will be delivered in December 2022. Whether you want a scaled down replica of Iona or one of the (very) popular teddy bears, you can pick up a great memento to remember your holiday by. If theatre shows are more your style, you won’t be disappointed with the Headliners Theatre productions or if you prefer settling down to watch a movie with some popcorn, you’ll be at home in the four-screen cinema. Some of these restaurants are included in your cruise fare with the odd extra surcharge for some items. While this has many advantages, such as always knowing you have a time slot and table to eat at it is something that can also be a bit off-putting, particularly to new cruisers. So, if you are planning to book a cruise (or maybe already have) on Iona you are in the right place to find out all you need to know about this wonderful ship.
Staterooms include 121 Suites, 1496 Balcony, 174 Oceanviews/Seaviews, 819 Interior. P&O Iona has a total of 32 studios (single-occupancy cabins) and 55 wheelchair-accessible/handicap cabins (for disabled passengers). The ship has 13 entertainment venues, four swimming pools, an infinity pool overlooking the waves and 16 whirlpools.
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