IONA review. Part 2.

[Funboy]

 

Positive Experiences.

 

We were able to book Olive Grove as the concierge at the door corrected their mistakes with the bookings. By 7.15 when we left it was less than half full on both nights. The food in the buffet was good with a varied menu (except on the 'Indian' night) and only one night with the dreaded beans! On our visits to the casino we found the staff were brilliant and we were on first name terms with them after a couple on nights. The 'pit boss' even bought us drinks on three nights...and we won around £700 as well.. We always found plenty of places to sit and had no problems in the Atrium or Crows Nest when we wanted coffee and some waiters remembered our orders from previous days. Our inside cabin on deck 11 was very quiet and we got plenty of sleep. The weather was good except for the downpour in Stavanger. The entertainment was average, not as good as on RC, but the acoustics in the dome are diabolical.

 

Negatives.  

 

Quite often there was food on the floor in both the Quays and the buffet from previous sittings and tables were only given cursory wipe. Sitting near the hand wash sinks on two occassions for around an hour each time we did not see anyone stop to wash their hands. Whenec

ver we went in we washed and people just walked past. There were no crew members to remind people either or enforce it. Norovirus did not seem prevelant though two cabins near us had trays outside for every meal which seemed strange. Whatever you do, do not go on a cruise when England are playing. For some unknown reason drink and football go together and the casino lost all its chairs from one area for fans in Brodies.  When asked not to take a chair at a slot we were just about to go on the 'fan' just mouthed something and walked off with it. The passage past Brodies was completely blocked by rowdy fans for over an hour. There were two brawls on board involving security but fortunately not near us.. Our journey home was over 7 hours thanks to the M! being closed in two places. As an aside, Intercruise told us to ignore the P&O embarkation time and be on the coach for 9am. P&O said ignore the Intercruise time and do what it says on the leaflet!. That said arrive in the theatre by 9.15.  No communication. 

 

Overall we enjoyed the cruise as we went mainly just to relax. I have to say though that having been on Iona three times to Norway it does get boring and unless the itinery changes dramatically  we shall not be going again, especially if Haugesund is on the menu.