Somerset Cruiser

7 hours ago, amurray88 said:

Outcome: was told to sort it onboard

 

 

In my experience that is not a good option. The first thing you will be told is that cabin allocation is dealt with onshore and they can't help.

Guest services may have many useful purposes but in 30 or so P&O cruises I have yet to discover one. Their main purpose seems to be appeasement. Try to sort your problems before you go, Guest Services will only make you lose the will to live and ruin your holiday. 

13 hours ago, Selbourne said:

There was a medical emergency when we were on Iona last week. From memory the announcement was “This is the Bridge. Medical Response Team to deck 18 Sun Deck”. That was repeated but no code words used. 

I heard Alpha Alpha used on Iona last December, also heard the MRT call on separate occasions. 

On 6/16/2023 at 11:13 AM, Interestedcruisefan said:

TBH most names I see for Limelight don't enthrall me but not heard a bad review yet for any of them?

 

The opposite in fact

I could spoil that if I could remember the performers name.  Iona at Christmas,  he sang a few songs, talked about his performance on one of the many tallent shows, also talked about his appearance of 'celebrity' Dine With Me. We saw much better entertainment in other venues at no extra cost. 

Lovely cabins, very spacious, big window so lots of light, also very quiet.  

Some have the bed at the window end and others the settee, so try to pick one that suits.

On 4/8/2023 at 7:05 PM, Megabear2 said:

 

 

The DinP excursion only works out of season when the actual filming is happening.  The shack etc are props built on the beach as temporary structures every year and the police station is an educational storage place in normal times.  The local tour operators have permission to place signage on the buildings and sites to try to make it authentic.  Like any film set visit it's all down to the individuals' imagination.  

 

 

 We were there in March, the DinP excursion went the the shack location and as you say it is dismantled during the tourist season, however the location is still worth visiting and is recognisable from the programme. From there we visited the harbour, onto Catherine's bar where we had a drink sat at the very table where the last scene of Beyond Paradise was filmed. Then into the police station which is just as you see in the programme, even the cells,  no imagination needed. An excellent trip.

On 2/22/2023 at 5:17 PM, dronnygirl said:

So pleased things worked out for you, you must have been so disappointed when Marella cancelled. However, the photo is exactly why we don't fancy the P&O new ships - would be far too big for us.

Give it a try, we've been on Iona 4 times, the last 2 it was full. I would say that due to the layout it and the variety of eating and entertainment it rarely felt too busy. There are the usual bottlenecks such as restaurants or theatre at peak times, but if you can avoid those you would find it hard to believe there are 5000+ passengers. 

23 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Think the thrusters have always been an issue on this ship, even prior to Marella buying her, we had a problem in the Adriatic when we had to have three tugs to dock etc. 🙄

The ship had thruster problems in the Far East December 2019.

5 hours ago, TigerB said:

Per pod? 😯

Yes,

19 minutes ago, zoe sproodle said:

Another reason to take your own pods is the price they charge on board, can’t remember when it was but I’m sure I saw them charging £2 per pod on one cruise.

£1 on Iona in December.

48 minutes ago, thornegirl said:

I emailed P&O for port arrival and departure times for our upcoming cruise on Arvia 2nd April.  They emailed back with the timings a couple of days later.

If they received this request in sufficient numbers then the work involved might make them publish for all to see. 

4 hours ago, Neecy1 said:

We saw him on Iona in November. He was fantastic. It is for charity. 

Also

Agreed

It is

3 hours ago, davecttr said:

Iona is overnighting in Rotterdam next month. Is there a shuttle to the city provided?

I see you've already worked out the Metro, but just 200 yards from the terminal is the New York Hotel which has a bar and restaurant. 

16 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Certainly was bonded in December.  I spoke to P&O last week regarding the 18 February Arvia cruise and was told I had two choices of flights to Barbados Gatwick on TUI or Heathrow on Virgin, both charters.  I was told there was a problem sourcing charter flights - certainly bears out looking at the number of cruise only Caribbean cruises left this season.  Couid it be to do with that?

Thanks, it was P&O who told the TA this, they have since checked with TUI and all cruise flights to Barbados have bonded luggage 

Our TA advises that they no longer do bonded luggage, has anyone any experience of this.

1 hour ago, Eglesbrech said:

 

 

Can anyone who has done it comment on how good the food and wine service were please. We fancied doing a wine pairing with each course as per the menu.

In short, changable. Bear in mind it's buffet staff waiting tables. 

2 hours ago, jaydee6969 said:

 

As mentioned above it does.  On embarkation day it will be well stocked, but leave it and it soon empties.  Certainly was the case in November when we were on her.  I suggested to a member of our party to grab a book whilst we were in there on embarkation day, but no, they would leave it till later in the cruise.  They didn't get a book!

On Iona last October I saw a man leave the library with 6 books. You can bet he is a 2 sunbeds man as well. 

47 minutes ago, happy v said:

Am I right in thinking Iona doesn't have a library? 

It does, 300 - 400 books. 

On 11/7/2022 at 2:47 PM, Red Leicester said:

I caught the shuttle in Funchal is Mrs RL doesn't like walking.  I went back out later and walked back, not too far a walk and stopped for a leisurely local beverage on the way back.

Lanzorote is a a flat and very short journey. 

5 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Don't take anything as gospel on here just to make sure of the conditions might be worth ringing P&O. There is always conflicting answers on CC and so you don't miss out might be getting correct info direct from P&O.

The 7 night minimum was as quoted by P&O 2 weeks ago. If you look a the schedules for 35nights you will see 5 nights or less either side of them. 

15 minutes ago, EM35 said:

Thank you for your reply - that solves me ringing them as the 2nd cruise is only 5 days. 

For that reason you usually see 5 nighters either side of a 35 +night.

7 minutes ago, EM35 said:

Good afternoon everyone, 

Does anyone have recent experience of P&O offering a discount on a back-to-back cruise out of Southampton? If this discount is still offered, is there a specific length that each cruise has to me? 

 

Many thanks 

Minimum 7 nights and the same type of fare, ie select, for both cruises. Or on second thoughts possibly both select.

40 minutes ago, davecttr said:

Wot! no green beans? I thought P&O had bought the entire crop of them

Be assured, they have green beans. 

18 hours ago, alpha whiskey said:

I appreciate that a lot of people have had different experiences on Iona, but we have just returned from a 12 night cruise and would like to say that we were well entertained; well fed and watered(🍸!);  well looked after and well happy.

Huge round of applause 👏👏👏👏 to the Captain and all his crew for working their socks off to ensure we had a great time.

We appreciate all that you did to make our time onboard so enjoyable.

We spent Xmas, New Year and the week before on Iona, 23 nights in all. Whilst we have a long list of minor complaints and Xmas Dinner arrangements were a farce we left the ship feeling we had had a really good time.

If you let the little niggles take over it can pull you down, or you can concentrate on the good stuff and enjoy. There is so much about Iona which is very good.

6 hours ago, ace2542 said:

because i was hanging out with them in the club?

And followed them back to their cabin?

7 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

I also got stopped for wearing a Dagenham & Redbridge tshirt in the gym many years ago

Did they want to know if you knew John Still?