Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo
Trip Bacon

My Last Minute Iona Cruise Review - Bumped Twice, Saved by P&O

Tom Cruisetube
Tom Cruisetube
🥈Expert
👁️ 2K views📅 8 months ago⏱️ 25:08
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsFull Ship Review🥈Expert Creator
🧍 Best for SoloOther · 2 nightsFrom SouthamptonVeteran Cruiser

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

Creator's Key Takeaways

Princess didn't want me. MSC didn't want me. PO agreed to take me in, but only if I agreed to board my least favorite of all their ships.

It turned out to be way better than I feared. There were children, but non feral and unsupervised.

Less than 48 hours on Iona was not my first choice for this month's trip or my second or third come to that.

I've since booked a week on board in February so I'll give it the full cruise tube and decide for sure.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Book a taster cruise as a taster cruise, not expecting a booze cruise.
If you're on a short cruise, be prepared for a ship full of people trying to beat the drinks package.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Fear of a 'booze cruise' with stag and hen partiesThe ship was full of normal-looking people, not the expected drunken losers.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat actually happens on a tiny 'taster' cruise?
QIs Iona a bad ship after all?

Topics Covered

Ship Condition1 Happy BaconCrowd Capacity2 Happy BaconOverall Impression1½ Happy BaconBooking Process2½ Happy BaconValue Pricing3 Happy BaconEmbarkation1 Sad BaconDining Buffet½ Happy BaconDining Main1 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Southampton1 Happy Bacon
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

Princess bumped me. MSC bumped me. P&O said “fine — but it’s Iona.” So I did the only sensible thing a man with zero options does: I boarded a last-minute 48-hour emergency cruise and went to find out what actually happens on a tiny “taster”, expecting 90% booze and 10% cruise. This isn’t a usual full-fat Cruisetube review — it’s a blow-by-blow of a hastily booked two-nighter: embarkation chaos, queue drama, buffet politics, bizarre entertainment, dining shenanigans, prom-deck laps, gym time, and a few genuinely weird moments that only happen at sea. I also walk the ship, chat to crew, and try very hard not to lose my mind. No spoilers here — watch for the laughs, the gripes, and the bits you’d only see on a rushed, nowhere-going little cruise. If you’ve ever been bumped, rebooked, or ended up on a trip you didn’t want — this one’s for you. If you enjoyed the video then like, subscribe and ring the bell. If you hate my stuff, recommend the channel to someone you don't like. Ever been bumped last minute? What happened to you? Here, ladies and gentlemen… WE GO! 00:00 - Intro 02:30 - LADS LADS LADS 03:00 - The guests in the queue 04:13 - The bully at embarkation 05:20 - Walk With Me Tim 05:53 - Cabin Tour... 06:30 - Check in with a shoppee 07:48 - Embarkation buffet 08:47 - Iona Refit 09:25 - Decks 6,7,8 Atrium 10:24 - Pearl MDR 11:22 - 'The Show' - Sons Of Pitches 12:13 - The worst singer ever? 12:37 - Brodies Karaoke 13:15 - Prom laps and confrontation at late night snacks 14:41 - The ghost 15:30 - Gym 16:05 - Breakfast in Aqua 16:53 - Ocean Studios 17:13 - Decks 17,18, 19 17:50 - Skydome and Taste 360 18:19 - Limelight Club art lecture 19:08 - The Olive Grove lunch 19:55 - Formal Night & Chefs Table 21:30 - 'The Show' - Festival 22:17 - Wandering the ship 22:40 - Breakfast at The Quays 23:30 - Ships, ducks and swingers 23:48 - The costs #CruiseTube #Iona #EmergencyCruise #CruiseVlog