If you’re choosing between Iona and Arvia, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is which P&O ship should I book?At first glance, it’s not an easy decision. Iona and Arvia look very similar. They are both large, modern Excel-class ships with similar cabins, dining, entertainment and onboard spaces. But once you sail on them, they don’t feel exactly the same.
I’ve sailed on both Iona and Arvia, including a recent cruise on Iona with over six thousand four hundred passengers onboard during the school holidays, and a busy Mediterranean sailing on Arvia. That means I’ve experienced both ships in the conditions where these differences matter most.
This guide is not just about listing what each ship has. It is about how Iona and Arvia actually feel in practice, especially when they are full, when dining is busy, when the decks are crowded, and when you are relying on the ship itself during sea days.
Watch My Iona vs Arvia Video
If you want to see the comparison in more detail, watch my full Iona vs Arvia video where I talk through the biggest differences between the two ships and which one may suit you better.
Are Iona and Arvia the Same Ship?
Iona and Arvia are very similar ships, so it is easy to assume that the experience onboard will be almost identical. They are both large, modern P&O Cruises ships with the same broad design, similar cabins, similar entertainment venues and many of the same restaurants and bars.
If you have sailed on one of them, the other will feel familiar straight away.
You will recognise the atrium, the SkyDome, The Quays, the theatre, Brodie’s, the Club House, the speciality restaurants, the buffet and the general layout of the ship. Even the cabins feel very similar, especially since Iona’s refit, which has reduced the sense that one ship feels noticeably newer than the other.
But the important thing is that similar does not mean identical.
The Biggest Difference Between Iona and Arvia
One of the clearest differences between Iona and Arvia is the SkyDome.
Both ships have a SkyDome, and both can be covered when the weather is poor. The difference is that Iona’s SkyDome is always enclosed, while Arvia’s has a roof that can open when the weather suits.
That changes how the space feels.
On Iona, the SkyDome feels more like part of the inside of the ship. That works well for Norway, Northern Europe and winter sailings, because you know the space will be usable whatever the weather is doing. People can still swim, sit around the pool, watch entertainment, or use it as one of the main places to spend time during the day.
On Arvia, the SkyDome can feel similar when the roof is closed. But when the weather is warm and the roof is open, it feels much more like an outdoor pool deck. That suits Mediterranean and Caribbean cruises, where people are more likely to want sunshine, fresh air and a more open feel around the pool.
So the difference is not that one SkyDome works and the other does not.
It is that Iona’s SkyDome feels more like an indoor part of the ship, while Arvia’s gives you the option of a more open, resort-style feel in warm weather.The biggest difference between Iona and Arvia is what they were designed to do.
Iona vs Arvia Cabins
Cabins are one of the areas where Iona and Arvia are most similar.
The layouts are almost the same, the bathrooms feel very similar, and the storage works in much the same way. If you have stayed in a balcony cabin on Iona, a balcony cabin on Arvia will feel familiar. The same applies to inside cabins and many of the other standard cabin types.
This means cabins are unlikely to be the deciding factor for most people choosing between Iona and Arvia.
Since Iona’s refit, the gap between the two ships feels even smaller. Arvia may still have the advantage of being the newer ship overall, but in cabin terms, there is not enough difference to make this the main reason to book one over the other.
Iona vs Arvia Dining
Dining is one of the biggest differences between Iona and Arvia, and it is one of the areas where the onboard experience starts to feel noticeably different.
On Iona, the main dining setup is spread across four main dining rooms. These are Pearl, Coral, Aqua and Opal. There is also The Olive Grove, which is a separate Mediterranean restaurant on Deck 8 rather than being part of the main dining room system. That gives Iona a lot of dining capacity across several venues.
On Arvia, the layout changes. Instead of four main dining rooms, Arvia has two main dining rooms, Meridian and Zenith. The spaces that are used for Aqua and Opal on Iona have been reworked into other dining venues, including Sixth Street Diner and The Olive Grove. That gives Arvia more variety, but it also changes how dining demand is managed.
Arvia feels as though it has more choice because it does. You have venues such as Sixth Street Diner and Green & Co which you pay for, and there are differences in The Quays as well. On Iona, The Quays has venues such as the Boardwalk Diner, while Arvia has the Roast Carvery station instead.
For passengers who like having more dining variety, Arvia has a clear advantage. But variety is not the only thing that matters.
What matters just as much is how dining works when the ship is full. This is where Iona can feel easier to use in practice.
Because Iona has four main dining rooms, demand is spread across more core dining spaces. Even when the ship is full, that helps the dining system feel more manageable. There may still be waits at peak times, especially on celebration nights or when everyone wants to eat early, but the pressure is shared across more venues.
On Arvia, there are fewer main dining rooms, so more passengers are trying to use the same core spaces at similar times. Even with The Olive Grove helping to take some of the pressure off the main dining setup, the dining experience can still feel busier.
It is not that you cannot get a table on Arvia. You can. But it can involve more waiting, more planning, and more awareness of when you are trying to eat.
This is where the difference between the two ships becomes important. Arvia wins on dining variety. Iona often wins on dining flow.
If you like trying different venues and want a wider range of included and speciality options, Arvia may appeal more. If you want dining to feel simpler and a little easier when the ship is busy, Iona has the edge.
Which Ship Feels Easier When It’s Busy?
This is one of the most important parts of the Iona vs Arvia comparison, because both ships are large and both can carry a lot of passengers.
When you see passenger numbers of over five thousand or even over six thousand, it is natural to wonder whether the ship will feel crowded all the time. But large ships do not all handle crowds in the same way.
Iona feels slightly easier to use day to day.
Part of that comes from the layout. It feels a little more open and straightforward. There are large spaces where people naturally spread out, and the ship does not always feel as though everyone is being pulled towards the same few areas.
This was especially noticeable on my full Iona sailing. With over six thousand four hundred passengers onboard, including around nine hundred children during the school holidays, it could easily have felt overwhelming. But most of the time, it did not.
There were busy moments, especially around embarkation, the SkyDome, popular dining times and some of the bars. But the ship handled the numbers better than expected.
Arvia has a livelier feel. There are more destination-style venues and more activity areas, which gives the ship a busier resort atmosphere. That can be a positive if you want more going on, but it can also make the ship feel more pressured in certain areas.
The top decks are a good example.
On Arvia, spaces such as the Altitude Skywalk and mini golf add more things to do, but they also take up space that on Iona is used more for open deck areas and sunbeds. That means Arvia feels more activity-led, while Iona feels more open.
If you like a busy, resort-style atmosphere with more to do around you, Arvia may feel more exciting. If you prefer a ship that feels easier to move around and slightly less intense when it is full, Iona may suit you better.
Iona vs Arvia on Sea Days
Sea days are where the difference between Iona and Arvia becomes much more noticeable.
On a port-heavy itinerary, you may not rely on the ship as much during the day. You might be off exploring most mornings and afternoons, using the ship mainly for breakfast, dinner and evening entertainment.
But on an itinerary with several sea days, the ship itself becomes a much bigger part of the holiday.
That is where deck space, sunbeds, pools, indoor areas and activity spaces really matter.
On both Iona and Arvia, sea days follow a fairly predictable pattern. Early in the morning, the ship can feel quiet. But by mid-morning, the popular deck areas begin to fill up quickly. On warm-weather cruises, especially during school holidays, people will often get up early to secure sunbeds.
On Arvia, finding a sunbed becomes more of a challeng because some of the most popular spaces are very appealing in warm weather. The infinity pool, swim-up bar and open SkyDome area are big draws. Once those areas are full, it can become harder to find a good spot without walking around and checking different decks.
That can make the experience feel a bit more effort than it should.
Iona feels different. It does not have the same swim-up bar or the same open-air resort feel, but it has more open deck space in some areas and a simpler layout. That can make it easier for people to spread out.
My Iona cruises have been in cooler weather, so it is difficult to compare the Caribbean sunbed experience directly. But based on the layout and how the ship handled a full sailing, Iona does seem to have an advantage when it comes to spreading passengers across the ship.
For sea days, the choice depends on what matters more to you.
If you want the livelier sunshine atmosphere, Arvia is likely to feel more exciting. If you want a ship that may feel easier to manage across a long sea day, Iona is the calmer option.
Entertainment and Activities on Iona and Arvia
The core entertainment on Iona and Arvia is very similar.
Both ships have the Headliners Theatre, the SkyDome, Brodie’s, Ocean Studios, The Club House, live music, quizzes, silent discos, deck parties, films, casino areas and a wide range of daytime and evening activities.
The theatre shows are similar across both ships, and the overall entertainment style is recognisably P&O Cruises. If you enjoy the entertainment on Iona, you are likely to enjoy it on Arvia as well.
Both ships also have children’s and teen facilities, including The Reef and Scene, which makes them strong family ships.
The difference is that Arvia has more additional activities.
Arvia has Mission Control, the high ropes course and mini golf. These add more variety, especially for families and passengers who like having more to do during the day. Mini golf is included, while activities such as Mission Control and the high ropes are extra cost, so it is worth remembering that not everything onboard is included in your fare.
This gives Arvia a clear advantage if activities are important to you.
It feels like there is more going on, particularly during sea days. Families with older children or teenagers may find that Arvia gives them more options, especially if they want active things to do beyond the pool, clubs and entertainment programme.
Iona still has plenty happening, but it feels less activity-led.
That is not necessarily a weakness. Some passengers will prefer that. Iona still offers shows, live music, films, quizzes and entertainment throughout the day, but the ship feels a little more straightforward.
So when it comes to entertainment, the quality is not dramatically different. The difference is the amount of extra activity.
Arvia is better if you want more to do. Iona is better if you are happy with the standard entertainment and prefer a slightly calmer feel.
Is Iona Better Than Arvia?
Iona is better than Arvia for some passengers, but not for everyone.
The biggest strength of Iona is that it feels easier to use. The layout is simpler, the main dining setup spreads passengers across more venues, and the ship feels slightly more open in day-to-day use.
That matters a lot when the ship is full.
On my full Iona sailing, I was expecting the ship to feel much more crowded than it actually did. There were definitely busy moments, but the ship handled the number of passengers well. Dining worked better than expected, entertainment was accessible, and there were still quieter spaces if you knew where to look.
It is also a good choice for passengers who want a modern ship but do not necessarily want the busiest resort feel. Iona is still a large family-friendly ship, but it can feel slightly calmer than Arvia.
Is Arvia Better Than Iona?
Arvia is better than Iona if you want more variety, more activities and a warmer-weather resort feel.
The ship feels livelier. There is more going on around the decks, more dining variety, and more to do during sea days. The retractable SkyDome is a big advantage in the Mediterranean and Caribbean because it allows the space to become more open and outdoor-focused when the weather is good.
Arvia also has the advantage when it comes to extra activities.
Mission Control, mini golf and the high ropes course give the ship more of a resort atmosphere, especially for families. If you are travelling with children or teenagers who want more things to do, Arvia may be the stronger option.
The dining variety is also a major part of Arvia’s appeal. Sixth Street Diner, Green & Co and the different use of dining spaces make the ship feel a little more varied than Iona.
But the trade-off is that Arvia can feel busier in practice.
Because some of the spaces are so popular, and because the main dining setup is more concentrated, it can feel like you need to plan a little more. On a full sailing, that can make a difference.
So Arvia is not automatically better because it has more. It is better if those extra features matter to you.
Final Verdict: Should You Book Iona or Arvia?
So, should you book Iona or Arvia?
The answer depends on what you want from the cruise.
If you want a ship that feels easier to use, slightly calmer, and more straightforward when it is busy, Iona is the better choice. It has a strong layout, a more practical dining flow, and an enclosed SkyDome that works especially well for cooler-weather cruises. It is still a big, modern family-friendly ship, but it often feels more manageable than you might expect.
If you want a ship with more going on, more dining variety, more activities and a livelier resort-style atmosphere, Arvia is the better choice. It suits warm-weather cruising very well and has features that make sense in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, especially if you want to spend more time outside around the pools and activity areas.
Neither ship is objectively better.
Iona and Arvia are both strong ships, but they suit slightly different types of passengers and slightly different types of cruise.
For Norway, Northern Europe, winter sailings and anyone who wants an easier ship to use day to day, Iona would be my choice.
For the Caribbean, Mediterranean, families who want more activities, and passengers who like a busier resort-style feel, Arvia has the edge.
The most important thing is not choosing the newest ship or the ship with the longest list of features. It is choosing the ship that matches the way you actually want to spend your holiday.
FAQs About Iona vs Arvia
Is Iona or Arvia better?
Neither Iona nor Arvia is better for everyone. Iona feels slightly easier to use, with better dining flow and a more straightforward layout. Arvia has more activities, more dining variety and a livelier warm-weather resort feel. The better ship depends on the type of cruise you want.
What is the main difference between Iona and Arvia?
The main difference between Iona and Arvia is how the ships feel onboard. Iona has an enclosed SkyDome and feels more suited to cooler-weather cruising. Arvia has a retractable SkyDome, a swim-up bar, more activities and a warmer-weather design that works well in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Are the cabins the same on Iona and Arvia?
Cabins on Iona and Arvia are very similar. The layouts, bathrooms and storage are almost the same, so cabins are unlikely to be the main reason to choose one ship over the other.
Is Arvia better for families than Iona?
Arvia may be better for families who want more activities, because it has features such as Mission Control, mini golf and the high ropes course. Iona is still very good for families, especially if you want flexible dining, good entertainment and a ship that feels easier to use when busy.
Is Iona better than Arvia for Norway?
Iona is usually the better fit for Norway and cooler-weather cruises because the SkyDome is fully enclosed. This gives passengers a reliable indoor pool and entertainment space even when the weather is cold or wet.
Is Arvia better than Iona for the Caribbean?
Arvia is very well suited to the Caribbean because it was designed with warm-weather cruising in mind. The retractable SkyDome, swim-up bar, infinity pool and extra outdoor activities all work well in the Caribbean. However, Iona may appeal to passengers who want a slightly calmer and more straightforward ship experience.
Which ship has better dining, Iona or Arvia?
Arvia has more dining variety, but Iona often has better dining flow because it has four main dining rooms. On Arvia, the main dining setup is more concentrated, which can make it feel busier at peak times.
Is Iona less crowded than Arvia?
Both ships can feel busy when full, especially during school holidays and sea days. Iona can feel easier to manage because of its layout and dining setup, while Arvia can feel busier around popular outdoor areas and activity spaces.
Useful P&O Cruise Guides
If you are still deciding whether Iona or Arvia is the right ship for you, these guides will help you go deeper into the areas that matter most before you book.
My Is P&O Iona Worth Booking? guide gives you a full honest look at what Iona is like on a very busy sailing, including dining, entertainment, cabins, winter cruising and whether the ship feels too crowded.
For a full walkthrough of the ship itself, my What’s Onboard P&O Iona guide. shows how the main venues, decks and spaces work in practice. This is useful if you want to understand where you will spend most of your time onboard.
Dining is one of the biggest differences between Iona and Arvia, so my P&O Iona Dining Optionsis useful if you want a clearer breakdown of what is included, what costs extra, and which venues are worth planning ahead for.
If you want to understand the ship before you travel, my What I Wish I’d Known Before a P&O Arvia Cruise guide is a good place to start. It covers the practical details that can make your cruise easier, including booking shows, dining, layout and what to prioritise once you are onboard.
If you are also considering Arvia, my Arvia Dining Options Guide will help you understand how the dining setup works on that ship, including the restaurants that make Arvia feel different from Iona.
For onboard spending, my P&O Drinks Prices and Menus guide gives you a practical look at drinks costs, menus and whether a drinks package is likely to make sense for your cruise.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia 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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