P&O Cruises Iona – Our Norwegian Fjords Adventure

There is something rather special about waking up on a cruise ship and knowing that a new destination awaits just outside your cabin. Our Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard P&O Cruises Iona was a seven-night journey filled with spectacular scenery, beautiful ports and plenty of time to enjoy everything the ship had to offer.

Our cruise departed from Southampton on 13th May 2023, returning on 20th May. We stayed in Cabin 9609 on Deck 9, mid-aft, which became our comfortable base for the week.

Our Cabin – 9609, Deck 9 Mid-Aft

Our cabin, 9609, was situated on Deck 9 towards the mid-aft section of Iona. Having a cabin in this area made it convenient for getting around the ship, with many of Iona‘s restaurants, bars and entertainment venues located on the decks above and below.

After a busy day exploring the Norwegian ports, it was lovely to have our own space to return to, relax and plan the following day‘s adventures.

The cabin was also our starting point each morning as we prepared to discover somewhere new. With such a varied itinerary, there was always something to look forward to.

Having a Conservatory Mini-suite was the perfect option for us. Available exclusively on board Iona and Arvia, these cabins let the great outdoors in via an additional lounging area between your main cabin and balcony, so you can watch the world sail by in complete comfort.

Day 1 – Southampton

Our Norwegian Fjords adventure began in Southampton.

We checked in at the Ocean Cruise Terminal, and although Iona was not scheduled to sail until the early evening, boarding early gave us plenty of time to get settled and start exploring the ship.

Eventually, it was time to leave Southampton, marking the beginning of our Norwegian adventure with the sailaway. The sun was shining, so we took the opportunity to use the outdoor swimming pool at the back of the ship.

Day 2 – At Sea

Our first full day was spent at sea.

This was a great opportunity to explore Iona and discover some of the ship's many facilities. It was also Celebration Night, giving the evening a special atmosphere.

Iona has a huge choice of places to eat and drink. Among the restaurants and venues we were interested in trying during the cruise were Quays, the Main Dining Room, Olive Grove, Sindhu and Keel & Cow.

There are also plenty of places to relax, including Andersons Bar & Library, Glass House Bar, Vistas Café and Brodies.

Day 3 – Stavanger

Our first Norwegian port was Stavanger.

We arrived in the morning and departed in the afternoon, giving us several hours to explore the city.

Rather than taking a major organised excursion, we chose to walk around the city, enjoying the opportunity to explore at our own pace.

Stavanger provided our first real taste of Norway on this cruise and was a lovely introduction to the country's scenery and atmosphere.

Day 4 – Olden

Olden was one of the highlights of the itinerary.

We arrived in the morning and stayed until early evening. The journey was particularly memorable because we cruised by Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord.

This was one of those days when simply being on the ship was part of the experience. The surrounding Norwegian scenery made the journey through the fjords incredibly special.

Watching the landscape change as Iona travelled through the fjords was a wonderful reminder that sometimes the journey itself can be just as memorable as the destination.

Day 5 – Ålesund

The following morning brought us to Ålesund.

We arrived early and departed in the early evening, giving us plenty of time to explore.

For this port,t you decided to take the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, which is a convenient way to see more of the area without having to plan our own route.

After exploring Ålesund, it was time to return to Iona and enjoy another evening onboard.

Day 6 – Haugesund

Our final Norwegian port was Haugesund.

We arrived in the morning and departed in the afternoon.

You can choose to explore using the tourist train.

It was another enjoyable way to see the area before returning to the ship.

By this stage of the cruise, we had experienced several very different Norwegian destinations, each offering something unique.

Day 7 – Another Day at Sea

After our busy days exploring Norway, Day 7 was another opportunity to enjoy Iona.

A sea day gives you the chance to slow down, have a leisurely meal, explore parts of the ship you may have missed and simply enjoy being on a cruise.

There is plenty to discover onboard Iona.

The Skydome is located on Deck 18, while the Skydome Pool is on Deck 16. The Infinity Pool is also on Deck 16 towards the aft.

For families, the Kids Club and Night Nursery are located on Deck 17.

There is also the Headliners Theatre on Deck 7, the Clubhouse on Deck 8 aft, and the cinema on Deck 6.

Dining on Iona

One of the pleasures of a cruise is having so many dining options available.

Iona offers a wide variety of restaurants and food venues.

The Main Dining Room is spread across Decks 6 and 7 at the aft of the ship and offers table service.

For something more casual, Horizon on Deck 16

aft offers a buffet, while Quays on Deck 8 aft is a food court featuring American, Asian Fusion and fish and chips.

We were also keen to try the Olive Grove, offering Mediterranean food, and Sindhu, which serves Indian cuisine.

For something different, Keel & Cow, located in the Atrium on Deck 8, offers a gastropub experience.

And, of course, there are places such as Ripples for ice cream, Grab & Go for sandwiches, and Taste 360 for burgers and pizza.

Getting Around Iona

One thing that quickly becomes apparent on a large cruise ship like Iona is that it helps to know where everything is.

Our cabin on Deck 9 mid-aft gave us a useful reference point when navigating the ship.

Reception is on Deck 7 mid, while the Atrium is on Deck 8 mid. The ship's entertainment, dining and relaxation venues are spread across several decks, so it didn't take long to get used to finding our way around.

We also made a note of an important cruise convention: port is left, and starboard is right.

Final Thoughts

Our Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard P&O Iona combined beautiful scenery, interesting ports and the opportunity to enjoy a huge range of facilities onboard.

The itinerary gave us a good mixture of exploration and relaxing sea days, while our cabin on Deck 9 provided a comfortable base between adventures.

The standout moments were undoubtedly cruising through the Norwegian fjords around Olden, exploring Stavanger on foot, taking the Hop-On Hop-Off bus in Ålesund and discovering Haugesund by tourist train.

Seven nights passed remarkably quickly, but the memories of sailing through the Norwegian Fjords aboard Iona will last much longer.