mrsgoggins

We sailed on Iona this year and didn't love the ship and won't be back, despite enjoying the cruise overall. No major complaints and a lot to like, but not for us. We liked 711, Limelight and were easy users of the App. We don't care for dressing up (but comply when needed) and are not interested in ballroom dancing. Generally however, we felt the cruise did not match what we wanted for what we paid. It is oft quoted on these boards that P&O can make a profit if these ships sail at 60% full. I assume this figure is not based on filling the ship with those who pay in the region of £50+ per night or the bargain headline fares that are currently advertised. I have said previously that on my Iona cruise we met may passengers who were keen to tell us what a bargain it was. And good for them ..... really; no sour grapes here. We have a very healthy travel budget but I love a bargain as much as the next person. Some were paying the £50 pppn as mentioned. We were paying £193 pppn in a nice, but unremarkable, mid ship deluxe balcony plus extra for internet (£10 per day approx) and speciality dining. Not a particularly cheap cruise, booked on release with little OBC. Our decision of course, but one we are unlikely to make again on either Iona or her sister ship. My question/supposition would be do they need those of us who are prepared to pay these amounts to make a profit on these big ships? Aren't the ones with the funds to shell out on full fares, in cabins more than just a place to sleep more likely to be older? IMHO, P&O really do need to be very mindful of the older cruiser on these large ships too. I think Fionboard makes a very valid point.

After first hearing of Wordle and Querdle on here, my friend introduced me to Sqaredle and just this week, Blossom. I'm hooked and they are taking over my life 😁.

What a bargain indeed! We've been NT members all of our married life so just imagine how much that would have saved us, although we do now benefit from the oldies/5+ years of membership cheaper rates.

My husband would often work out in Northern Italy and I would go out with him when I could, at all times of the year, and stay in Bardolino, next door to Garda, which is handy for the motorway network and hence, his job. We have seen snow in Bardolino and walked in the main street, towards the church, when we were the only people around. I used the buses quite a bit when I was by myself during the day and know all of the resorts around the lake very well. These days - pre-pandemic and post retirement - we would go out at least once a year to our favourite lakeside hotel in Bardolino (where many of the staff have been there for the 20+ years of our history with it) either at the start or the end of the season, booking directly with the hotel. I can recommend April (before the TUI season begins) when the lakeside is in full bloom with tulips - the planting provided by Sigurta gardens, which I can highly recommend. I am now off to work out when we can next go ...... after your reminders of how much I love it 💐. Happy to note that you and MB share my affection for the area. Cruising is a good and relatively easy way to see nice places, but still happy to travel under our own steam while we still can 🤞

I’m impressed. I only got it on the 4th line …… but the thought process to get it ….. 🤭?

Like you, we are computer literate and able to sort out issues that arise, I also fall into the 'not for me camp' when it comes to the 2 new ships based on our 2 (okay) weeks on Iona in the Canaries in March, despite there being much I did like. Also like you, we met people who loved the ship and had travelled on her before, and also those who said 'never again' - and they were not always those who could not manage the technology or missed ballroom dancing! Essentially, if I were interested in the cheap last minute fares - on my cruise I heard 'this is costing me £50 a day; I can eat more than that' in addition to the 'cheaper than staying at home' comments - I too would probably would have thought it was great. But as we paid a full, not insignificant fare, with little OBC (booked early as per the advice on this site at that time) I would choose to spend my money elsewhere; Lake Garda is one of my 'go to' places due a return visit. We are very fortunate people. I have Cunard booked in the future, a first for us, along with Celebrity, Princess and also Ventura. We may try Britannia at some time. I think you have done a splendid job of highlighting your cruise, with its pitfalls at the start, and I thank you very much. Safe travels home 🙂

I’d love to see some pics 👍. I bet your girls are so excited! I’ll be there myself in November and might even go into a park if DH can be persuaded. Have a ball and I hope the weather is kind to you.

I have just checked my records for our deluxe Iona mid-ship balcony to the Canaries in March; it was £137.50 pppn on a 14 night cruise. Oh and I purchased the basic internet package around £10 a day from memory. We often shared tables at lunchtime and met any number of people who had booked last minute bargains at great rates and were keen to give details ('cheaper than staying at home' was oft quoted), and I was genuinely pleased for them. But - and here's the rub, it would definitely affect the way I book with P&O in the future (if I do that is, but I currently have 2 already booked). As I previously posted, one of my January Celebrity cruises came in at £155 pppn, including drinks package, internet and gratuities. P&O included parking and gratuities. I know which gave us better value for money. Caveat emptor.

I am surprised at this because I had crepes Suzette on Iona in March - brought to the table ready made, and then again on Ventura recently, where they were made table side very skilfully. Also the server assured me, confidently, that this service was once again being rolled out fleetwide and was now happening on Iona! Guess it’s in progress, but heaven only knows why 🤷‍♀️

Tiny TV in our balcony cabin on Ventura, C deck last week. I commented (negatively) about this on the feedback form, especially as we are due to spend 35 nights on her next year.

I salute you in your efforts to give people full information of your cruise; warts and all. It takes time and effort to post in such detail, and yours are obviously considered posts. I often intend to post more about my experiences (this year 2 x Celebrity, Iona and Ventura so far) but then the desire evaporates as it takes such a time to avoid giving offence when you recognise that others' experiences are likely to be very different to yours. The point you made so eloquently in a previous posts and something of which you are clearly mindful. I note you are still posting on other threads, which I was pleased to see, and like others, do hope that you will be able to return to this thread and continue to give us the benefit of your experiences. Well done for getting a taxi for the old ladies in Palma and for a fulsome report on what an ordeal that whole boarding process was.

On last week’s Ventura cruise Valerie Singleton was one of the guest speakers and she was one of the best ever! I believe she’s about 86 - but I’d never had guessed had she not told us - and very smart, interesting, funny and utterly charming. Needless to say she had a good audience for her first talk, but by the second, word had obviously got round and there was only the odd seat in the theatre to be had. And as the subject heading is ‘food and dining’ so as not to upset a couple of regulars re subject ‘drift’ 😉, I will add that when Valerie asked on her final talk, ‘how many of you have I shared a table with?’ lots of hands went up.

Totally agree re Tesco and eggs. I like Maran or Burford browns for eating (as opposed to baking) and so many times I order only to find them out of stock later in the week. I regularly tick for a substitute and have had all sorts, but sometimes I have to resort to visiting Lidl or elsewhere. I dislike shopping but sometimes it's necessary.

We did this last year after a holiday in France (hence eliminating the need to drive south again) because Warners Bembridge had good late offers, including the ferry. It was our second Warners stay (the other being Nidd Hall) and whilst the rooms were very nice at both, we are not fans and are unlikely to do another Warners stay. Good way to see the IOW however, but as it rained the whole time, we didn’t see it at its best.

That’s a lovely outcome for the unfortunate Evie. We too always had at least one cat but usually two and always rescue ones, but I’ve always longed for a Persian blue. Despite that, I know if we do go for another cat, it will be another rescue and old; I doubt I have another 20 years left to look after kittens 😉

Fabulous tulips but it was the lovely cat that caught my eye. I really miss having cats (our last pair of litter sisters made it to 20) but it would be difficult now because of our travels and location. One day maybe!

I don’t believe it’s consumer regulation as much as custom and expectation. Pre-Covid Celebrity and Royal Caribbean had started to offer 2 fares, the lower being a discounted fare with less flexibility. Whether this has held since, as they try to regain confidence in cruising I don’t know.

I’m surprised at the inclusion of arthritis Graham (previous post) because I had RA diagnosed more than 20 years ago and it’s never affected my premium (now in long-term remission but only ever relatively minor as the condition goes). I thought additional premiums were only for conditions that might cause you to need treatment whilst away? I declare everything and have had annual insurance for decades, albeit with different companies.

Having done a 14 night Iona cruise where Epicurean switched from menu 1 to 2 half way, and on my current 10 night Ventura cruise they are switching from menu 1 to 2 tomorrow, ie after 5 nights, so half way again. I wouldn’t be surprised if this were the regular pattern but I don’t actually know for sure.

I enjoyed your review and thank you for taking the trouble to provide good detail. Having been on Iona, also in a deluxe balcony, in March, I agree with much of what you say.

I had Crepes Suzette prepared table side 2 nights ago on Ventura and my husband has the jamon Pata Negra likewise. When I commented that the same dessert had been brought ready-prepared to the table on Iona in March, the server sounded very knowledgeable in telling me that having been a Covid measure, service had been back to normal for the last 2 Iona sailings and that it was now fleet wide.

A gift left in our room this morning on Ventura The contents were x 2 but DH had his share immediately. He can have mine later (the G&T not the popcorn 😉). Nice gesture even though the mini canvas tote has a clear Made in China label inside.

Interesting. My experience is also that you need to be cautious with these early prices, but I’ve ‘risked’ £2 on a Canaries cruise next year, deluxe balcony. I also priced up Britannia for earlier the same month, 2 days longer and slightly different ports. Britannia was about £100 more and included parking and £300 OBC whereas the Princess Plus package includes wifi, drinks and gratuities. DH makes use of the drinks package even if I don’t, but I enjoy the specialty coffees and mocktails etc. Not much in it but we do like Sky Princess.

Oh dear, miserable cold weather does not, in my book, go hand in hand with feeling good about a destination. We did a Fjords cruise last year (not with P&O) and loved it so much that we are repeating the experience with friends who have never cruised before, but we had fine weather. I hope they get the ‘glitch’ sorted out for you soon. On my first ever P&O cruise some years ago, after returning home we discovered that my husband had been charged for items from the ship’s spa. Once we had stopped laughing (he being a man whose personal hygiene routine is accomplished with help from a discount supermarket’s own brand shampoo, soap, toothpaste and deodorant; the cheaper the better!) it took me a few phone calls to get them to accept that he had never been anywhere near the spa, let alone made expensive purchases. Hopefully as you are not the only ones to experience this, they can sort it quickly for you 🤞

I really like the breakfast on P&O! I like the fact that they serve 'proper' tea, that there are classy pots of Bon Maman jam and most of all, that toast comes in a toast rack and is therefore not soggy, unlike on US lines. And I've found P&O's eggs Benedict to be excellent. Like you, I am not a fan of Apex (sailed on her January last year) and so we are sailing on Silly back to FLL in October and then next April, we are returning with her to Amsterdam 😪 (we are not staying in Florida all that time though!). We especially value our Elites breakfast in Tuscan Grille on the S class ships. I do hope that the OP is finding more things to like on Iona. For me, like with Apex, it was a 'one time and done' ship, even though I know others really like it.