Iona questions

[mjnoliver]

Hi, 

ahead of our Iona sailing this July to the Norwegian Fjords, I had a few small questions about the ship and although not that important, will help me plan what to bring and what needs to be organised in advance. 
1. Speciality dining: I’d like to book Chef’s Table on gala night, and also Sindhu and the Olive Grove. Are these options ever available to book before you sail or do you have to wait until on board? Bit confused by conflicting info I’ve read. 
2. Are the on-board in-cabin hairdryers good or should I lug mine along with me? 
3. Do people think the pool will be warm enough to swim outside in July on Norway? 
4. which was your favourite shore excursion and why - so many to choose from that look great! 
Thank you!!! 

[indiana123]

Not insignificant at all.  Welcome to Cruise Critic.  Very helpful on here and very friendly.

 

The only one I can really comment on is re excursions.  We are off to the Fjords in May and  people say The Flam Railway one is good, if you are going there of course!  It is one of the excursions people say is best booked through P and O as it cuts out the queues which can be long when the big ships are in.  

 

I'm sure someone can give you better advice on that,

[Klou142]

Hi,

 

I've just booked my dining for my Norwegian Fjords cruise in a couple of weeks. Chef's Table and Sindhu were available to book but Olive Grove was not and only once on board.

 

I did a similar cruise last May and found the hot tubs lovely but cold getting out. I'm not a big swimmer but some of the days would have been fine for swimming in and plenty of people were. I've cruised the Fjords a few time in May and August and swam both times as we had lovely weather 24-28 degrees. Obviously it isn't always like that and the weather can change quickly in Norway. 

 

Last year I did the Loen Skylift which was amazing! The views were stunning and I loved it. Previously I took a boat trip from Stavanger through the fjord to see Pulpit rock. The scenery was again stunning and well worth seeing although seeing Pulpit rock from below was very underwhelming. This might have been because on a previous cruise with a different line I had climbed to the top. 

It is also easy to do a lot of the ports yourself and see some amazing things. 

 

Hope this helps and have a fab time😊 

[david63]

Hairdriers are subjective. My wife has no problem with P&O hairdriers but others cannot cope with them. It also depends on where the hairdrier is - on some ships they are/were in the bathroom.

Edited March 24 by david63

[Klou142]

1 minute ago, david63 said:

Hairdriers are subjective. My wife has no problem with P&O hairdriers but others cannot cope with them. It also depends on where the hairdrier is - on some ships they are/were in the bathroom.

I forgot about the hairdryer! I agree they are definitely subjective. I have frizzy and fairly thick hair. On Iona it is not an annoying bathroom one and was pretty good at drying my hair. I took my straighteners and used the hairdryer onboard.

[Lucysnan]

I agree we did this cruise last year in June, definitely enjoyed the Flam Railway and Pulpit Rock from Stavanger.

I hope you have as a lovely time, as we did, although I must admit the weather wasn’t great but the scenery was amazing.

[purplesea]

Dining is available to book 14 days before your sail date.

It will depend on the weather as to swimming outside, I have been to Norway on several occasions when it's been warmer than home and also on the cool side. Iona does have an indoor pool if the weather is not suitable for swimming outside.

I recently taken excursions to the Loen Skylift and Flam Railway.

I don't use a hairdryer, so sorry can't answer that question.

[Ardennais]

The hairdryers are fine for me as I have a short pixie cut, but probably not so good for long, thick hair. I don’t think I’ve ever had a hairdryer in the bathroom on a cruise, 

[Harryjacobs]

Hello and welcome

First of, Chefs Table I found very underwhelming as it is hosted in a section of area of the buffet,  not particulary glamorous when wearing black tie.  We now use the MDR for formal night as for some reason feels right.

I can highly recommend the rib ride in Hellesylt, the oil and canning museums in Stavangar and the Loen Skylift.  These are all trips that are very easy to book and arrange yourself far cheaper than booking with P&O.  However the skylift is best booked when you arrive because if the cloud is low when you arrive then its a waste of money going up as you will not see a thing.

We had cracking weather in June, 26c and the locals were saying it was unusual yet I had a friend who went in July who had rain and a bit cooler, so its like an English summer....changable.

Enjoy!

[sandancer]

Can’t recommend the Chefs Table. We enjoyed it on our NYE cruise but on our latest cruise it was like school dinners. There are so many better options on Iona, as Harry pointed out, the MDR is a much better option or if you want to splash out book the Epicurean. You’ll need to be sharpish though and book as soon as it’s available 2 weeks beforehand. As for the hairdryers, I found it no different to my hairdryer at home. I remember the days when the dryer was in the bathroom, they were usually hopeless. I used to say that my DH could blow on my hair and it would dry more quickly. 

[sddsddean]

We don't do speciality dining, but MDR was fine and Horizon buffet pretty good. Our revelation was The Quays. Great for a snack (especially lunchtimeish), or have two portions for a bigger meal...they do a great breakfast too.

As others have said Flam railway is great, but sells out quick. If you are going to Gerainger, do the trip to Mt. Dalsnibba..much cheaper on your own than through the ship https://www.geirangerfjord.no/bus-tour-to-mt-dalsnibba

 

Whats hair??!!😁

 

Simon

[Clodia]

I have very long thick hair and found the Iona hairdryers fine unlike those on some ships. Sindhu you can book in advance, cost £10 and you just pay anything in excess of that on the night. Olive Grove book as soon as you board or you won't get in.

I found Chef's table underwhelming. Epicurean well worth booking in advance. 

Excursions to Briksdal Glacier, Flaam railway and Loen Skylift are all worth doing. 

[sandancer]

You also get 20% discount in Sindhu for booking in advance. So when you get the bill check to make sure your £10 deposit pp has come off + 20% off. 
Never had to query this as they know you booked before boarding. 

[crimson moon]

If you are going to Flam the railway is a must. However, book it directly online at www.norwaysbest.com

 

The price is half the cost of the P&O trip and the only difference is on P&O you get escorted to the station five minutes walk from the ship and reserved carriage. I also found that when we got to Myrdal station (the turn round point) I was able to get off and walk round and take in the views, whereas the P&O trip were apparently told in no uncertain terms by the guide that no one was allowed off the train.

[Slugsta]

When the speciality dining is open for bookings can be rather variable. We are embarking on our next cruise in 2 weeks time (we should be onboard and under way in exactly 2 weeks time 🙂) and we were able to book speciality dining yesterday afternoon. Yet I have heard other people say that it hasn't been available until well into day -14 for them, so look early and keep trying if it isn't open.

Edited March 25 by Slugsta
typo

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

Weather wise, we went to Norway in August last year (not p&o)

 

weather in Norway is changeable. We were forecast rain for pretty much every stop and didn’t see much rain really. Very lucky!

 

go with the expectation that the temp could be mid teens or mid 20’s. Rain or not. And if you are going up a skylift take layers. It might have been 20 on the ground, but I was happy for my jumper and waterproof at the top of Hoven mountain (Loen skylift)

 

my advice on the trips. If you are doing Olden I can recommend Loen Skylift. The view 🥰 

 

Words, nor pictures, do it justice.

 

this is the Iona docked in Olden. We (sky Princess) were tendered off of Loen. If you are making your way from Olden to Loen go EARLY. the queue when we came down was over 2 hours long. People were turned away because they wouldn’t have got up and down again in time for the ship!

 

We queued for 20min

 

 

 

 

 

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

Flam- the railway. BUT it sells out quick if booking direct. The ships trip may be the only way to do it. And if it is, it’s worth it imo.

 

Plus the chaos by the train station is pretty epic. Being in an organised group was easier for us but I get v anxious in crowds like that so that might be just me

[Sheila127]

On 3/24/2024 at 6:56 PM, Klou142 said:

Hi,

 

I've just booked my dining for my Norwegian Fjords cruise in a couple of weeks. Chef's Table and Sindhu were available to book but Olive Grove was not and only once on board.

 

I did a similar cruise last May and found the hot tubs lovely but cold getting out. I'm not a big swimmer but some of the days would have been fine for swimming in and plenty of people were. I've cruised the Fjords a few time in May and August and swam both times as we had lovely weather 24-28 degrees. Obviously it isn't always like that and the weather can change quickly in Norway. 

 

Last year I did the Loen Skylift which was amazing! The views were stunning and I loved it. Previously I took a boat trip from Stavanger through the fjord to see Pulpit rock. The scenery was again stunning and well worth seeing although seeing Pulpit rock from below was very underwhelming. This might have been because on a previous cruise with a different line I had climbed to the top. 

It is also easy to do a lot of the ports yourself and see some amazing things. 

 

Hope this helps and have a fab time😊 

Hi thinking of booking a cruise August 2025 special Birthday! I appreciate its school holidays but wondered whether this destination is popular with families  especially young children! Having travelled in August would appreciate your comments! Thank you!

[Fionboard]

5 hours ago, Sheila127 said:

Hi thinking of booking a cruise August 2025 special Birthday! I appreciate its school holidays but wondered whether this destination is popular with families  especially young children! Having travelled in August would appreciate your comments! Thank you!

Adults only ships do the fjords. More expensive though. 

[Sheila127]

9 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

Adults only ships do the fjords. More expensive though. 

Unfortunately  can't find any which cover my Birthday! But will keep looking! Thank you!