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

P&O Iona – It Got Better... Then It Got Worse! The REAL Review

Tom Cruisetube
Tom Cruisetube
🥈Expert
👁️ 713 views📅 3 months ago⏱️ 30:17
What This Creator Said
Creator Warns AgainstFull Ship Review🥈Expert Creator
🧍 Best for SoloNorthern_europe · Winter · 7 nightsVeteran Cruiser

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

Creator's Key Takeaways

In 2024, I boarded Iona for the first time. It was around 15 years since my last BNO cruise, and I hated it.

I was a bit surprised slash extremely fished off when he basically argued saying my list says twin beds and more or less told me to get funked.

He grabbed at my special place. He tried to kiss me and as I pushed him away and turned to leave, he called after me, "Please don't tell anyone."

I hated it on my first visit. I was pleasantly surprised on my second. And I've seen enough now to know that I won't be back.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Avoid the buffet due to hygiene issues.
Book shows early as they fill up quickly.
Be cautious with extra charges for items you didn't order.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Crowding and queuesThe ship feels crowded; be prepared for waits.
Food quality variabilityFood has good and bad aspects; check reviews for specifics.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWas the creator wrong the first time about the ship?
QWas the second trip a fluke?
QIs Iona a HERO or a ZERO?

Topics Covered

Service Crew4½ Sad BaconValue Pricing1½ Sad BaconEmbarkation½ Happy BaconCabin Interior3 Sad BaconDining Buffet4 Sad BaconEntertainment Shows1 Happy BaconCrowd Capacity3½ Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Hamburg2½ Sad Bacon
Top: Concentration camp excursion
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

In 2024 I stepped onboard P&O Iona for the first time in 15 years… And I HATED it. Fast forward through cancelled cruises, a reluctant two-nighter, and a surprising change of heart… and I found myself back again for a full seven nights to settle the score once and for all. Was I wrong the first time? Was the second trip a fluke? Is Iona a HERO or a ZERO? This is the full, no-brochure-fluff, paid-for-by-me, say-what-I-actually-think main review. Embarkation chaos. Cabin reality (blink and you’ll miss it). Food highs and pudding lows. Theatre hits and “why is this still running?” moments. Shared tables with cruise superfans and questionable conversationalists. Buffet beasts. Gala nights. Sea days. Hamburg in February. And the full cost breakdown down to the last blinkin’ cake. There was very very good. There was very very bad. There were moments that surprised me. There were moments that shocked. NOW my opinion is set in stone. If you sail from the UK — especially on P&O — this is the one to watch before you book. Make a hot drink. Settle in. Here, ladies and gentlemen… WE GO. 🚢