Iona – what to expect/changes

Iona

Cabin
Bathroom doesn’t have a 2 pin shaver/toothbrush charger socket
No miniature white company products (in shower Shampoo+shower gel/hand-wash dispenser)
No blue sunbathing towels in cabin
No drawers (shelving/wardrobe)
TV – no bow cam/map position/only a few channels which don’t work in Port and at sea frequently pixilates/on demand films poor)
Balcony – creaks and bangs at sea
No large 1.5 litre bottle of water – small tins available to purchase £7.25 for 6
No privacy glass to cabin – be mindful as many cabins overlooked. The cabin next to us overlooked our balcony and if they looked at the dressing table mirror could see into our cabin
Breakfast room service – £2.50 delivery charge. Reduced menu no hot drinks/no toast/no marmalade
Room Service – set price per item + £2.50 delivery charge
Glass balcony reduces breeze but when hot had a conservatory effect
Long call waiting times to speak to someone on reception
Air conditioning in cabin doesn’t work very well ad the weather gets warmer. We had to sleep in top of the duvet.
Due to the design of the ship you may find there is limited sun on your balcony.

Food
The overall quality of meals in the dining rooms is mediocre/poor choice. If you have previously cruised with P&O you will notice a distinct difference.
There is no longer the option to have a salad/cold meat selection in the dining room at lunchtime
No longer the option to have grilled chicken on an evening
White meat is rarely available as a menu choice
Foccaci bread is no longer available in the main dining room on an evening
On a 14 night cruise only 2 formal nights
Encouraged to book dining but those who haven’t booked who are in the left hand que got in quicker with option to select table before those passengers who had booked

Crew
Many of the crew are inexperienced and are new to cruising. Their lack of experience really shows as unable to answer questions/give conflicting answers/shrug their shoulders/unable to describe menu items
The layout of the buffet restaurant isn’t free flowing there are congestion points
No themed evening menu in the buffet restaurant

Iona interior/exterior
No handrail in the corridor outside Pearl restaurant / potentially dangerous in rough seas
Blinds in pearl restaurant do not work so it can be excessively bright
Corridors do not have any artwork appear bland along the lines of an office block with no character
It’s not practical to do laps on the promenade deck due to width of deck, obstructions(sunloungers/glass screens/outside dining/jacuzzi /ball lighting on deck/sineage columns/bar to the rear on promenade deck)
Horizon magazine – many activities are chargeable or an introduction to a chargeable activity/many dining options incur a charge. The charges are not set out in the Horizon magazine
The lifts seem to be out of order frequently and show the wrong deck on the display. You can be waiting some time for a lift.

Other
No port talks
No port guides/printed maps with key information
Towels on loungers promenade deck from 7am