Jennizor

Like you, we avoid the buffet. It’s not just the lack of personal hygiene, I hate the way one of you has to stay at the table while the other goes for something else to eat or drink. I have seen people clearing tables and sitting down leading to confrontation. Not for me.

Hi Lisa and Paul Can’t help you with the cabin. You will only be able to book the speciality restaurants two weeks before you sail. I would advise you to do that as soon as the booking option opens. We are going on our second Iona cruise 3 weeks today and will book as soon as online booking opens to ensure we get in at a time we want. I can’t comment on the Epicurean restaurant, we have never been as I couldn’t eat five courses but there are other members on here who find it very good. The food in the Limelight Club was very good both times we visited it, plus you get entertainment so it’s a good evening out (obviously depends on who is on but we have never had a bad experience). Sindhu is a lovely restaurant and the food is very good. We will book the Chefs Table for the formal night. We didn’t know what to expect last time as it is part of the Horizon buffet which we never use, however, we were very surprised. It was a sectioned off area, set out to look like a stylish restaurant and the menu was very good. We also like the Olive Grove and the Glass House. I hope this helps and you have a great cruise on Iona. Jennizor Iona is a lovely ship and despite there being over 5000 passengers on board the only time it felt busy was in the evening when the entertainment venues were finishing. There are lots of lovely seating areas and bars.

Sounds just like me Stefken. Roll on our next cruise in 3 weeks, a different outfit every night with bling to match - all in the best possible taste of course.

Hi Julie, we are on this cruise from 22 December to 5 January. We have had several new year cruises, all in the Caribbean. This is the first one over Christmas as well though. The atmosphere was always brilliant on New Years Eve, apart from one when the weather was bad and walking round the ship was difficult. We were due to go into port ( can’t remember which) but the weather was too rough. We all just made the best of it though. Everyone was dressed for the occasion, the evening meal was a special one and the atmosphere was brilliant. We have had the drinks package a few times and it worked for us, especially last time as it was complimentary as part of a random offer we received. Not sure whether we will this time or not. If you have a good amount of on board credit that you don’t want to spend on other things (like a Radley bag) it may be worth having the package. Only you can decide. The only thing you need to understand is that there may be quite a few children on board with it being in school holidays. It has never been a big problem for us as we like to be on decks away from the pool on sea days. I will say, however, that until recently Azura was our favourite ship. We went on Iona in Feb/March and loved her, she is lovely, and going on her again in three weeks to the Fjords. Regards Jennizor

I have always had a different outfit for each night. Never done more than 2 weeks though. Doing 16 nights on Arvia next year so will have to think about that (maybe Ian can take less clothes).

Yes, it is.

Similar position but a few decks down. We really must meet up with you and TigerB. It’s funny the thought of travelling half way around the world to meet people who live not that far away.

We were also in the Fjords in June 2019 on Arcadia. I agree with your comments about the temperatures. I was just glad we took clothes for any weather. Off again in 4 weeks on Iona and will do the same.

Michelle, what is your cabin no.? Ours is 12426.

25 degrees here in Bolton. Sadly we are going to our lovely neighbour Mary’s funeral at lunchtime. She has been in a home for a while and died very suddenly. Her husband Tom is 93 and still going strong. I am keeping out of the garden for a while. We have some big flying insects who seem very partial to my legs. One ankle swollen and two on my legs that are puffy. Not a good look! They don’t seem to bother Ian at all.

Graham, I booked the Limelight Club x2, the Chefs Table and Sindhu two weeks before we went on our March cruise on Iona. I have just checked my booking on My P&O cruises as it says I can book the restaurants I want 2 weeks before our July Iona cruise.

26 degrees here already in Bolton. The really heavy downpour last night has left my numerous newly cleaned pots splashed and looking a mess. Strangely enough, the plants in them don’t look too damaged. No rain forecast for the next week so I will be back to the hose. Not complaining though as it’s great to look out onto a blue sky and see the garden blooming.

We saw Ray Quinn and Joel Harper Jackson on our Iona cruise Feb/March. They were both excellent. If either of them are on when we are back on Iona in July, we will be booking them. Over the years we have seen loads of Limelight Club shows and never had a bad one. Gareth Gates and Cheryl Baker were both brilliant too.

Thoroughly agree with you Dai. Us oldies are on our 2nd Iona cruise in July and going on Arvia in March 24. Really looking forward to that too.

We started our cruising experience in 2001 on the Crown Princess around the Hawaiian Islands and we were instantly hooked. Since then we have been on mostly medium sized ships and recently on Iona. Yes, there have been lots of changes over the years and Iona did seem huge at first but I had booked some restaurants in the two weeks before the cruise. On the first night we went to the Glasshouse and were given a table straight away. We didn’t use the App at all on the cruise. On the nights we hadn’t pre-booked we just went to the Coral or Opal restaurants and usually were taken straight to a table (usually sharing as we enjoy those). We go on Iona again in July, I will pre-book some venues and we will do the same again for the rest of the cruise. We are in our 70s, my husband is not keen on using the App but I will use it I have to, no problem. Times change and we just have to do our best to keep up. We didn’t feel our cruise was compromised because we didn’t use the App.

Whenever we have the option to share, we always do. We have probably 90% good experiences over 15+ cruises. We were on Iona in Feb/Mar and when asked outside the MDR, we opted to share. Again, we had some lovely table companions. We are all different and for us, meeting new people is part of a lovely cruise. We did have a table for two at some of the speciality restaurants, and enjoyed those too. Everyone is different and it’s your holiday so your choice is right for you. I would never chose the buffet though

We have had a few really nice days here in Bolton. I have managed to get most of my bedding plants in the borders or pots and the forecast for tomorrow is good again so should get finished (well, unless I am tempted again at the local nursery. I find it difficult to drive past it).

Our experience with the Chefs Table on Iona in March was very good. The tables were nicely laid and in an area sectioned off from the Buffet. The menu was very good, more like a good restaurant than the MDRs. The service was excellent too. Will definitely be booking it again for Iona cruise to the Fjords in July.

Michelle,sorry to hear about your dog, you love them so much and it breaks your heart when they start to suffer through old age. Sorry for you too. You seem to be getting very good treatment from your hospital. Have a good weekend, the weather forecast looks good for us. Jennizor X

I am not sure why you are so obsessed with decisions other people have made regarding their cruises. We are all entitled to make our own decisions (as you are). We have been on lots of cruises (Princess and P & O). Some have been brilliant, some slightly less so but never had a bad one. At the end of the day you pay your money and take your choice. We have three more booked, two this year and one next. The next one is in 8 weeks and we are really looking forward to it. My glass is half full, not half empty.

I have always had a cat in my life, sometimes more than one. I lost Cassie in December 21 while on a Caribbean cruise. I said I wouldn’t have any more as it was heartbreaking to lose her. My daughter in a Veterinary nurse and we always had rescue cats. Despite me saying I couldn’t cope with the heartbreak of losing another cat, she persuaded me to have this one. She was brought into the surgery to be put down after she had been hit by a motorcycle. They never put down a healthy cat, so they repaired her fractured pelvis and she came to me. She is called Evie and is a delight.

Those tulips look like some new ones I plant this year. Gorgeous aren’t they.

Looking forward to meeting you both already. We are on Iona in July, going to the Fjords, Azura for Christmas and New Year, never been away for Christmas before, lots of times for New Year. Not sure yet how Christmas away from our two families will be but we are going to see how it goes.

So pleased that we are on the same cruise. We have done the Caribbean several times but flown both ways, the last time in December 21. We have always said we should do the transatlantic return, so very excited about it. We must try and meet up at some point.

I don’t know if you have mentioned Arvia next March before, when are you going? We are also on her in March. We fly out on the 15th and sail back to Southampton arriving on the 31st. Jennizor