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Trying P&O for the First Time! Boarding IONA, the UK’s BIGGEST Cruise Ship – Will We Like It?

Travels with David and Mark
Travels with David and Mark
🥉Knowledgeable
👁️ 19K views📅 1 years ago⏱️ 46:01
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsCruise Vlog🥉Knowledgeable Creator
❤️ Best for CoupleNorthern_europe · 5 nightsFrom SouthamptonFirst-Time Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

Never been on PO before. We haven't.

We've got a drinks package on this one. We have. Aren't you lucky?

First impressions of this ship is yes, it's big and the sort of the embarcationy bits we've been to so far have been busy, but the decor is very calming again.

Overall was very impressed. I was very impressed, too.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Stick to your boarding time, but if it's quiet, you might get on early.
Don't bother with online check-in photo upload; they take a new one anyway.
For a good sail away spot, go to the pavilion or infinity pool deck.
If doing a full muster drill, please stay seated until instructed.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Nervous about the ship being too big and busy like MSC VirtuosaFirst impressions are positive; decor is calming despite the size.
How to make the most of the drinks packageAim for 15 drinks a day but drink responsibly; note the 15-minute wait between orders.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat is it like to board P&O's Iona for the first time?
QWhat are the first impressions of the ship's decor and size?
QHow is the food at The Quays and the main dining room?
QWhat is the experience of the enhanced muster drill?
QWhat is the best spot for sail away?

Topics Covered

Ship Condition2 Happy BaconCrowd Capacity1 Happy BaconEmbarkation3 Happy BaconService Crew2½ Happy BaconItinerary Route1½ Happy BaconDrink Package1 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Rotterdam
Southampton1½ Happy Bacon
Zeebrugge
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

We’re trying P&O Cruises for the first time—and kicking things off aboard Iona, the UK’s biggest cruise ship! Join us as we embark in Southampton for a 5-night cruise to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, complete with a deluxe drinks package 🍸 In this episode, it’s embarkation day! We explore the ship, grab some food at The Quays, sip wine at The Glass House, check out the Crows Nest, enjoy dinner in the main dining room (Aqua), and end the night with a high-energy Pink tribute act. And yep… we even do a proper muster drill (turns out those still happen sometimes!). 👀 If you’re new here, we’re cruise lovers who usually sail with Virgin Voyages—so this is a whole new experience for us! Will we enjoy this very British cruise on P&O Iona? Come aboard and find out. Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the bell for more travel tips and adventures with us. #POCruises #Iona #CruiseVlog #EmbarkationDay #CruiseLife 👉 Subscribe for more travel adventures: https://youtube.com/@travelswithdavidandmark?si=-ccD87wc6VEsf2ES 👉Why not check out our Instagram to see more of what we get up to in life: https://www.instagram.com/travelswithdavidandmark/ 👉Send your appreciation: https://buymeacoffee.com/travelswithdavidandmark 👉Music from: https://www.epidemicsound.com/