LoveGlasto

July 14, 2022

Yes currently on the Iona now and we had a swap for Flam instead of Hellesylt yesterday and then stayed at Flam till 4am this morning due to high winds further along the route preventing us from travelling to Haugesund.

Consequently we have now a 2 day sail back to UK with a missed port stop.
Have I read somewhere that that there is compensation due for missed ports?
cruise otherwise has been great.

May 18, 2022

Hi

Is there an easy to read summary of the different restaurants available on Iona for Breakfast, Lunch and Evening Meal?

I am thinking something which would specify dining opening times/buffet or service/cuisine type/included or at extra charge

I am a newbie to P&O (Norwegian Fjord Cruise in July) so I am not at all familiar with the names of restaurants being mentioned in various threads, especially when people are advising booking tables for some restaurants early.

Note we are also travelling as a group of 14 and for evening meal we would love to dine at the same time on the evening understanding that we might have to split onto more than one table. If certain restaurants above would be difficult for big parties, it would also be useful to know this. Thanks in advance.

May 11, 2022

Looking at the same excursion and note it can done with https://rodne.no/en/fjordcruise/lysefjord-preikestolen/ for about £54 vs £85 through P and 0. Departures at 10am and 12pm.

If we did the earlier departure there is no way we would miss Iona leaving Stavanger, but apart from the obvious cancellation issues should the ship not dock for whatever reason, are there any other thoughts on doing the excursion independently?

April 14, 2022

Does anyone who has done a similar cruise before have any tips for shore excursions (P&O or self organised)? We sail on the Iona for the week commencing 9th July 2022. Many thanks in advance.

April 12, 2022

1 hour ago, janny444 said:

Are your bookings linked....that would be one of the first things to do. As soon as you board I would visit the MDR and speak with the maître d and explain your requirements and that your bookings are linked and that you need to be all seated together....especially on formal nights....and ask if you can pre book for a certain time each evening.

Twelve may be too many to all be seated at the same table but others may know different but I would think that they would ensure that the tables were together

Thanks for everyone’s feedback. Yes our bookings are linked and I take on board your suggestion to visit the MDR as soon as we embark to chat with the maitre d. Like you said if we can’t all sit on the same table, then I’m sure there is the option of have two tables close to each other.

Can ask if there is more than one MDR on the Iona and if so if there is any recommendation on which one to use?

April 12, 2022

Damien, many thanks for your informative blog. We are on the Iona to the Norwegian Fjords later this summer.

We are newbies to P&O ourselves so were particularly interested on your comments regarding your experience of the drinks package. I think we will likely check out the bar prices on our first evening and then decide whether to take the package from Day 2.

We are just 2 Adults with no member discount, so our decision will be based on the value of the package vs paying separately for having a few beers and spirit drinks outside of the restaurants and then having wines with our meals. It looks as though the break even would be roughly 7 alcoholic drinks each per day (not including any coffees and water taken). Does this sound right?

I will be keen to understand the limitations on range of spirits and cocktails available on the package too, but expect I will need to look at some of the menus being posted online.

Also, is it correct that some of the bars do not serve pints of beer, so taking a bottle of beer is the only option?

thanks

April 12, 2022

We have previously only ever cruised Royal Caribbean so are used to having a regular table each night in the MDR at the same time each evening.

As newbies to P&O (doing the Norwegian Fjords cruise in July), can someone please answer the following questions:

1. Do we have only have the option to book a table each evening using the P&O App even if we prefer a regular time and table size?
2. What are the maximum size of tables to book as we are large party of 12 adults and are there any recommendations on seating large parties (even if we have to split over two tables)?
3. Any tips on any particular restaurants for larger groups?
4. How does booking work when you use the app, can one person do it by adding multiple cabin numbers?
5. The questions above were specifically for evening meals, but are there any recommendations for the same at breakfast?
6. Finally, I have the same questions for the Iona Formal night ( not sure which night this is yet ), where we intend to all dine at the same time in formal dress?

Thanks in advance.

November 11, 2016

The transfer to the beach at Roatan was included in the trip, we were met at the port.

We took a taxi $17 (1-4 people) each way to Mr Sanchos.

November 5, 2016

We were on the same Liberty cruise out of Galveston last week (23/10).

For what is is worth, our highlights were as follows:

Best Dining Experience: Giovanni's and Chops (equally good)

Best Appetizer: Slow roast belly of pork (Giovanni's)

Best Entree: Filet Mignon (Chops)

Best Dessert: Sticky Bread and Butter Pudding (MDR)

Best Service: Giovanni's

Best Beach: Mr Sanchos (all inclusive $50), Cozumel

Best Trip: Goff's Caye, idyllic desert island off coast of Belize ($40), with superb snorkelling

Best Food (portside): Coconut Shrimp (Mr Sanchos)

Best Drink: Dirty Monkey cocktail (Mr Sanchos)

Best Service (portside): Personal waiter service at Mr Sanchos

Entertainment highlight: Quest Game Show (6th night, I think)

Show highlight: Saturday Night Fever (for 3rd time!)

Daytime ship highlight: Flowrider and Boomerang slide

Best Bar: Hoof & Claw pub

Biggest Disappointment: Men who wear shorts on formal nights in MDR, why can't the slobs stick to the Windjammer?

November 1, 2016

Also used Shoreexcursioner to book Mr Sanchos and can second that it was a smooth transaction booking and paying balance on arrival last week.

A great place to visit and good value for money for the facilities, all inclusive food and drink provided (and superb waiter service).

November 1, 2016

Just a quick update on this thread.

We went on the Goff's Caye excursion last week on our cruise and what a superb place it was. A tiny idyllic desert island with clear waters which are superb for snorkelling.

The trip starts from the Port Harbour on a large speedboat which takes about 35 minutes to get out to the island. There you can choose to sunbathe on the beautiful sands and swim/snorkel from the shore or go back out on the boat for an escorted snorkelling trip (you jump off the boat then swim across the coral reef back to the island).

Booked through the website listed above, the whole excursion takes about 4.5 hours and was great value for money at $40 per person.

November 1, 2016

Used them for two excursions on Liberty of the Seas cruise last week with no issues. Trips were:

Beach Trip (Banarama) at Roatan

Mr Sanchos (all inclusive beach) at Cozumel.

Smooth booking transaction, answered queries quickly on their 'chat' facility, full instructions for excursions issued promptly on booking and no issues on the days when taking each excursion.

Would definitely recommend over the expensive RCCI equivalent excursions.

October 25, 2016

So I did the Formal last night on the Liberty (out of Galveston) and whilst I was in the minority in my tuxedo, there was a good proportion of people dressing up so was glad I brought the suit over from the UK.