We had a fantastic time aboard Iona and came home feeling thoroughly refreshed. From the moment we arrived at the terminal, everything felt well organised and welcoming. Embarkation was straightforward, our luggage reached the cabin quickly and the crew greeted us with genuine warmth. Iona is a large ship, but we found her layout surprisingly easy to understand after the first day.
Our balcony cabin was modern, comfortable and kept beautifully clean throughout the cruise. There was plenty of storage for everything we had brought with us, and the bed was exceptionally comfortable. Sitting on the balcony with a morning coffee while watching the coastline drift past became one of our favourite parts of the holiday.
We were very impressed by the choice of food on board. There was always something different to try, from relaxed lunches and afternoon snacks to more leisurely evening meals. The quality was consistently good, and the waiting staff were friendly, attentive and happy to offer recommendations. We especially enjoyed having so many dining options available without needing to repeat the same experience every night.
The entertainment was another highlight. There was a good mixture of live music, theatre performances, quizzes and quieter activities, so it was easy to find something that suited us. Some evenings we joined in with everything, while on others we simply found a comfortable seat, ordered a drink and enjoyed the atmosphere around the ship.
Despite Iona’s size, we never struggled to find somewhere peaceful. There are plenty of lively public areas, but also quieter lounges and outdoor spaces where we could relax with a book or watch the sea. The ship was kept spotless, and the crew seemed to be working constantly to ensure every area remained clean and welcoming.
The itinerary was excellent and gave us a lovely balance between exploring ashore and enjoying the ship. Returning to Iona after a busy day felt like coming back to a comfortable floating hotel. The views from the open decks were superb, particularly during the sailaways, and there was always a real sense of occasion as we left each port.
What made the cruise particularly memorable was the service. Every member of staff we spoke to was polite, cheerful and helpful, even during the busiest periods. Our cabin steward was excellent and always seemed to know exactly when the room needed attention without ever making us feel rushed or disturbed.
Overall, we had a wonderful holiday and would happily sail on Iona again. She offers an impressive range of facilities while still providing plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy being at sea. We returned home with some brilliant memories and were already talking about our next cruise before we had even disembarked.