Iona

The dining options available aboard P&O Cruises’ Iona showcase the best British cuisine alongside flavours and foods from around the world, giving guests a fantastic culinary experience that’s both familiar and exciting. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite during the daytime, a casual meal as a family group, or a special treat in one of the sensational specialty restaurants, there’s always going to be something new to try.

Included Restaurants

P&O Cruises' fantastic value voyages mean that you'll find a great choice of restaurants which are included in your cruise fare. This means there's no need to worry about picking up the bill at the end of your delicious meal! These complimentary venues include:

• Main Restaurants (Coral, Opal, Aqua or Pearl)- here you'll find breakfast, lunch and three-course evening meals, perfect for those who like a more traditional cruise ship dining experience
• Horizon- a casual, all-day restaurant with dishes from around the world to suit all tastes and dietary needs
• The Quays- with its street-food atmosphere, colourful décor and al fresco dining option, this is one of the liveliest restaurants onboard

If you want more insight into what dining aboard Iona is like, you can find out more about the top breakfast restaurants on P&O Cruises' Iona right here; while dining in one of the following specialty restaurants is always special, the complimentary dining venues are a great option when it comes to the first meal of the day!

Specialty Restaurants

As well as the excellent complimentary dining options, you'll also be able to try something different at the specialty restaurants onboard. Both formal and informal, this is the perfect way to treat the family:

• The Glass House - P&O Cruises Food Hero Olly Smith has helped to curate the meal and wine menus on offer in this popular restaurant; learn about pairing your dish with the perfect wine, or attend tastings and talks here as well
• The Olive Grove - savour the fresh tastes of the Mediterranean at this authentic restaurant
• The Epicurean - get ready for beautifully presented, contemporary dishes using only the best British ingredients
• The Beach House - tuck into mouthwatering American-style cuisine with dishes from the United States, the Caribbean and South America
• The Limelight Club - combining live entertainment with delicious dining, settle in for a night of amazing performances and a three-course meal
• The Keel & Cow - from burgers and fish and chips to pie and premium steak, the gastropub food served at The Keel and Cow is as varied as it is delicious
• Sindhu - take a journey through contemporary Indian cuisine; what's more, on sea days you can even enjoy a tasty tiffin-style lunch here
• The Chef's Table - get ready for a VIP experience at The Chef's Table; this exclusive dining experience celebrates British and regional dishes paired with the best wines

On Iona, you’ll find entertainment everywhere you look – and not always the entertainment you expect. If you spend enough time in the Atrium, for example, you’ll soon find yourself enjoying a performance from the P&O Cruises’ resident musicians or dazzled by an aerial acrobatics display. Similarly, the SkyDome is a fantastic place to spend an evening; a must-visit venue onboard that transforms once the sun sets, you’ll find a schedule of impressive live shows and DJ party nights here throughout your voyage. And, if you’re looking for a more sophisticated brand of onboard entertainment, you’ll find a number of stage shows being performed throughout your voyage in the Headliners Theatre.

When it comes to live entertainment, there really is something for everyone on P&O Cruises’ Iona. Other highlights include:

• Sunset Bar - found in the aft area of the ship, this al fresco bar is the perfect place to grab your favourite cocktail and watch the sun go down
• Emerald Bar - balancing the hustle and bustle of the ship’s Atrium area with an exquisite cocktail menu, Emerald Bar is one of the best places onboard if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere – and the aerial artists showing off their skills above you make for a truly unforgettable evening
• Anderson’s Bar - a cosy bar designed to tempt gin lovers into an evening of entertainment with an enticing menu, you can even try P&O Cruises’ own Marabelle gin, which is distilled right before your eyes, here
• Crow’s Nest - if you’re looking for a late-night spot to enjoy a drink before bed, this casual piano lounge is perfect – and complete with sensational views from the upper decks
• Brodie’s - lively and social, this British pub-style venue is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a taste of home; with a variety of beers and tasty pub snacks available, you’ll find time flies when you’re here

As well as providing the perfect cruise getaway for adults, P&O Cruises’ Iona is also a great way to sail the seven seas as a family!

Whether you want to enjoy some quality time with one another poolside, engage in some friendly competition at the sports courts, or indulge in some delicious dishes and great conversation in one of the onboard restaurants, Iona caters to children throughout.

However, while spending time together is important, younger cruisers (and their parents) will be delighted to know that they can take some time to socialise with other children their own age in one of the onboard kids’ clubs. From the Nursery (6 months to 2 years), Splashers (ages 2 to 4) to Surfers (ages 5 to 8) and Scubas (ages 9 to 12), there are supervised clubs with age-appropriate activities available for children of all ages – though, children in the Nursery must have a parent or guardian with them at all times.

Teens aren’t being left out, though, so don’t worry about that. The Scene (ages 13 to 17) is a hangout spot complete with games consoles, pool tables, foosball, and more age-appropriate activities. While a little less supervised, there will still be members of P&O Cruises’ Youth Team around organising activities and troubleshooting any problems.

Recreation

While sailing aboard P&O Cruises’ Iona, you can make the most of your time at sea by exploring all the incredible amenities and fantastic facilities this cruise ship has to offer. Of the abundance of recreational activities available onboard, highlights include:

• SkyDome - an exciting hub of activity, the SkyDome is the perfect place to relax poolside with a drink in hand; however, you’ll also find pop-up performances and aerial acrobatics to keep you entertained throughout the day and into the evening
• Onboard Shopping - if you want to treat yourself during your getaway, P&O Cruises’ Iona is also home to an excellent selection of shops; from popular designer brands to all your holiday essentials, treat yourself to a well-deserved present or two while indulging in some retail therapy
• Ocean Studios Cinema - enjoy a premium cinema experience while at sea thanks to the four-screen Ocean Studios, where you can check out family-friendly classics and the latest blockbuster releases throughout your voyage
• Swimming Pools - with both indoor and outdoor pools, you can make the most of lounging by the water whatever the weather; and, with bars just a stone’s throw away, you’ll never have to go far for refreshments

Spa and Fitness

When it comes to wellness on P&O Cruises’ Iona, you’ll have options. If you want to make the most of your sea days with some valuable ‘me time’ in the spa, you’ll find everything from aromatherapy and massages to hydrotherapy pools and heated loungers available – the traditional spa services really do go hand-in-hand with the facilities in the thermal suite.

Alternatively, if you’d rather work up a sweat while at sea, you’ll find a well-equipped fitness centre available onboard. With state-of-the-art gym equipment and expert-led classes to sign up for alongside the services of personal trainers – if you’re in need of a helping hand getting your head around a particular workout regime – you’ll find everything you need to get active and stay active aboard Iona.

Beyond this, those of you looking to refresh yourself ahead of a shore excursion or an exciting evening onboard will find a full range of salon treatments and services available aboard P&O Cruises’ Iona. From hair cuts and barbering to manicures and pedicures, there’s nothing stopping you from letting yourself get pampered during your cruise.

The Retreat

An adult-only area designed specifically for calm comfort, The Retreat is a tranquil haven aboard Iona; boasting infinity whirlpools, an abundance of comfortable seating, daybeds commanding an incredible view of the ocean, and a juice bar, head here if you’re looking for a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the ship.

Accommodation

Like everything else on your cruise, the onboard accommodation has a lot to offer. On Iona there are seven different options of cabins and suites, each of which boasts comfortable, welcoming décor of warm creams and blue tones, which are complemented by natural furnishings and pretty porthole-style windows. The Conservatory Mini-suite is particularly special, with the option of outdoor seating on a balcony, or equally fabulous sea views from a generous conservatory-style space.

P&O Iona is one of the ships sailing from the UK. To see the other ships departing from the UK, see our recent blog post - Cruise Ships Departing From Southampton.

Drinks Packages

Discover P&O Cruises' drinks packages, including the Refresh, Alcohol-Free, Classic and Deluxe drinks packages. Offering something for all tastes, these drinks packages are bound to please.

P&O Iona Dress Code

During the day, P&O Iona has a casual dress code. You can dress casually around the ship in t-shirts, shorts, trousers, sundresses, skirts, sweaters and other items depending on the weather. However, no swimming attire can be worn in the ship's lounges, inside bars, dining areas, or in the atrium.

There are two types of dress codes onboard P&O Iona in the evenings: Evening Casual and Black Tie. For Evening Casual, you can wear dresses, long skirts, long trousers, long-shirts and other similar attire. Tailored shorts are allowed on evening casual nights, but only in the buffet, The Beach House, and The Glass House. Tracksuits are prohibited.

You'll also have the opportunity to dress formally on Black Tie evenings by donning a suit, tuxedo, ball gown, cocktail dress or smart jacket with a tie. Except for the buffet, no location on Black Tie Night allows tailored shorts. Evening Casual is, however, permitted on Black Tie nights in the Beach House, The Glass House and the buffet.

Depending on the length of your voyage, you may spend one to four Black Tie evenings onboard. To make sure you've packed properly, be sure to review your itinerary before you go.