If you’re planning your first P&O Iona cruise, there are a few things that can make a real difference to your experience once you’re onboard.
Before my first sailing, I thought I was well prepared. But there are some things that only really make sense when you experience them for yourself, especially on a ship the size of Iona.
After cruising on Iona twice, these are the key things I wish I’d known before boarding. They’re based on the questions most first-time cruisers have, and they’ll help you save time, avoid frustration, and get more out of your cruise from day one.
Watch the full video guide here:
P&O Iona – What I Wish I Knew Before My First Cruise
When Should You Book Dining and Shows on P&O Iona?
One of the biggest things to get right before your Iona cruise is booking early, but not assuming that fully booked means you’ve missed out.
Speciality dining and entertainment don’t open at the same time. Speciality restaurants can usually be booked earlier, while Headliners Theatre shows typically open around two weeks before your cruise through the My Holiday system.
The 710 Club is different, as you can only book that once you’re onboard.
That’s the point where it’s worth securing anything you really want, especially popular venues like Sindhu, The Epicurean and The Beach House, along with the most in-demand theatre slots. These do fill up quickly, particularly on sea days and in the evenings.
But at the same time, plans change once people get onboard. Many passengers make multiple reservations before the cruise, then adjust them during the week, cancelling or switching plans.
That means availability does move. So the best approach is to book early, but keep checking once you’re onboard. Fully booked doesn’t always stay that way.
If you want a full breakdown of what’s included and what’s actually worth booking, see my full Iona dining guide.
How Important Is the My Holiday App on P&O Iona?
Before your cruise, the My Holiday App system might sound like something you’ll only use occasionally. In reality, it becomes central to how your day works onboard.
You’ll use it for booking dining, reserving shows, joining virtual queues, checking daily schedules, and tracking your onboard spending.
It’s worth logging in as soon as you board and getting familiar with it early. On Iona, it’s not just helpful, it’s how the ship runs.
What Should You Pack for a P&O Iona Cruise?
There are a few simple things that make a noticeable difference once you’re onboard. Bottled water isn’t included, so buying it throughout the week adds up quickly. There are water stations around the ship, so having a refillable bottle saves both money and hassle.
If you plan to grab takeaway coffee, you’ll need a reusable cup, so it’s worth bringing one with you rather than buying one onboard.
Evenings can feel cooler than expected, particularly in places like the theatre where the air conditioning is strong, so a light jumper or extra layer is useful.
One of the most practical things to bring is magnetic hooks. Cabin space is limited, and being able to hang jackets or bags on the walls makes it much easier to stay organised.
Does P&O Iona Feel Too Busy on the First Day?
Iona is a large ship, and embarkation day can feel busy very quickly. Everyone is boarding, exploring, and trying to get their bearings at the same time.
What surprised me is that although it feels overwhelming at first, the ship actually has a very good flow once you understand it.
It’s worth spending time on that first day walking around, using different staircases, and getting a feel for where things are. By day two or three, it starts to feel much more natural, and getting around becomes much easier.
How Do You Find Your Way Around P&O Iona?
There are a couple of simple navigation tricks that make a big difference once you know them. Near the lifts, you’ll notice coloured markers. Blue means you’re towards the front of the ship, grey is midship, and red means you’re towards the back.
On the cabin decks, the artwork also helps. Sunrise images mean you’re heading forward, and sunset images mean you’re heading aft.
Once you recognise these patterns, you stop relying on the maps and start moving around the ship much more easily.
What Should You Do First When You Board P&O Iona?
One of the first things you’ll be directed to is your muster station. A crew member will check you in there, which confirms your safety briefing requirements. After that, you’re free to head to your cabin, go for lunch, or start exploring.
Your cruise card will usually be waiting outside your cabin door. You’ll need it for access, purchases, and getting on and off the ship, so it’s worth picking it up early.
You’ll also need to watch the safety video on your cabin TV. It’s best to get that done early so it doesn’t interrupt the rest of your day.
Are the Lifts on P&O Iona a Problem?
This is one of the more frustrating parts of the ship, especially at busy times. On embarkation day, before dinner, after shows, and on sea days, lifts can be slow and crowded.
It’s not unusual to see people go down a few decks just to get space in a lift coming back up. If you’re only moving one or two decks, using the stairs is often quicker and much less frustrating.
How Do You Make the Most of Cabin Space on P&O Iona?
Cabins are well designed, but they can feel tight if you don’t organise them properly. The simplest thing to do is get your cases under the bed straight away. That frees up floor space and makes the cabin feel much less cluttered.
If you need more hanging space, just ask your cabin steward for extra hangers. Packing cubes or small organisers also help keep everything tidy, especially as the week goes on.
It’s not something people think about before cruising, but staying organised in the cabin makes a noticeable difference.
What Entertainment Do You Need to Book on P&O Iona?
The main things to book are Headliners Theatre shows and the 710 Club, as these fill up quickly. Most other entertainment is flexible, and you can just turn up. That includes live music, talks, and events in the SkyDome.
However, it’s still worth arriving early for things like quizzes in Brodie’s, bingo in The Club House, and screenings in Ocean Studios if you want a good seat.
The SkyDome is another one where it’s worth walking around rather than stopping at the first busy area, as there’s often more space than it first appears.
Where Are the Best Quiet Areas on P&O Iona?
The busiest areas are usually around the main pools, which is where most people head first. Deck 19 is often quieter and has more available sunbeds. Deck 17 outside the SkyDome is another good option that people overlook.
The Sunset Bar is also a great place to sit, especially around sailaway, and the whirlpools there are often less crowded than other areas.
Even in places that look busy at first, like the SkyDome, if you walk around both sides you can usually still find space.
When Is the Best Time to Use Facilities on P&O Iona?
Timing makes a bigger difference than most people expect. On port days, pools and hot tubs are much quieter because many passengers are ashore.
Late afternoon is another useful window, as people head back to their cabins to get ready for dinner. The same spaces that feel crowded earlier in the day can feel completely different just a few hours later. Once you start noticing these patterns, it becomes much easier to avoid the busiest times.
Do You Need to Spend a Lot of Money on P&O Iona?
There’s a lot included on Iona, and you don’t need to spend heavily to enjoy the cruise. Between the main dining rooms, The Quays, the buffet, the theatre, live music, and the SkyDome, there’s already plenty to do.
It’s easy to feel like the best experience must be the paid one, but that’s not always the case. Trying the included options first helps you decide what’s actually worth upgrading.
Do Small Costs Add Up on a P&O Iona Cruise?
They do, and often quicker than expected. Coffees, drinks, excursions, photos, and small extras can build up over the course of the week.
That’s where the My Holiday app system is useful again, as you can check your spending as you go rather than waiting until the end.
Is the Included Food Good on P&O Iona?
The included food is better and more varied than many first-time cruisers expect. You’ve got the main dining rooms, The Quays, the buffet, Olive Grove, and Taste 360 all included.
Menus also change during the cruise, so it’s worth revisiting places rather than assuming they’ll be the same every time.
A lot of people think they’ll rely heavily on speciality dining, but that isn’t always necessary once you see what’s already included.
Should You Ask the Crew for Help on P&O Iona?
If you need something, it’s always worth asking. Cabin stewards can help with extra hangers, ice, or small requests that make your stay more comfortable.
Toiletries are already provided in the bathroom, and pool towels are available on deck, so there are a few things you don’t need to bring with you.
These small details don’t seem important before your cruise, but they do make a difference once you’re onboard.
P&O Iona FAQs
When can you book dining on P&O Iona?
Dining and entertainment bookings usually open around two weeks before your cruise through the My Holiday system. It’s best to book early for popular venues like Sindhu, The Epicurean and The Beach House, as well as Headliners Theatre shows and the 710 Club.
However, it’s also worth checking availability once you’re onboard. Many passengers change or cancel bookings during the week, so slots often reopen even if something looked fully booked before you sailed.
Is P&O Iona easy to get around?
It can feel confusing at first, but once you understand the layout and navigation cues, it becomes much easier.
Do you need to book entertainment on P&O Iona?
The main shows you need to book are the Headliners Theatre productions and the 710 Club, as these are the ones that fill up quickly, especially on sea days.
Most other entertainment doesn’t require booking. Live music, enrichment talks and many SkyDome events can usually be attended just by turning up.
However, it’s still worth arriving early for popular activities. Quizzes in Brodie’s, bingo in The Club House and screenings in Ocean Studios can all get busy, and seating in the SkyDome is more limited than it first appears.
Is the drinks package worth it on P&O Iona?
It depends on your drinking habits. Many people find it better to wait a day or two before deciding.
Useful Guides for Your P&O Iona Cruise
If you’re planning your P&O Iona cruise, these guides will help you understand how the ship works before you board, so you’re not figuring it out as you go.
If you want to understand how the ship is laid out and what’s actually onboard, my full Iona what’s onboard guide walks through the main areas, venues and facilities so you can get a clear picture of how everything fits together before your cruise.
For a full breakdown of food onboard, my Iona dining guide explains all the included and speciality restaurants, how booking works, and which venues are actually worth your time.
If you want to see exactly what food is available, including real menus, my Iona dinner options guide with PDF menus gives you a clearer idea of what to expect before you sail.
Drinks are another area where it helps to plan ahead. My P&O drinks package guide explains how it works, what’s included, and whether it’s actually worth it based on how you cruise.
And if you want to check current prices before you board, my P&O drinks menu with prices guide includes a full downloadable PDF so you can see exactly what things cost onboard.
Is a P&O Iona Cruise Worth It?
Iona is a modern, high-capacity ship with a lot of choice, but getting the most out of it comes down to understanding how it works.
Once you know how to navigate the ship, when to book things, and how to time your day, the experience becomes much smoother.
Most of the things that catch people out are small, but together they make a big difference.
If you go in prepared, Iona is a ship that’s easy to enjoy from the first day rather than spending half the cruise working it out.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
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Staying Connected at Sea
If you don’t want to rely entirely on the ship’s Wi-Fi, another option is a cruise eSIM.
Saily has recently launched cruise eSIM plans that provide mobile data both at sea and in supported ports. Depending on your itinerary and how you use your phone, this could be a convenient alternative for messaging, maps and general internet browsing.
You can check the latest plans and coverage here: Saily Cruise Esim
Use code SOLOTRAVEL10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I haven’t personally tested Saily’s cruise eSIM yet, so please check the latest coverage, data allowances and device compatibility before purchasing.