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What a First Time Norwegian Fjords Cruise is ACTUALLY Like! (P&O Iona)

James & Ellie's Adventures
James & Ellie's Adventures
Casual
👁️ 96K views📅 2 years ago⏱️ 1:25:47

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

James and Ellie document the beginning of their first cruise experience aboard the P&O Iona during a voyage to the Norwegian Fjords. The creators detail their pre-cruise preparations, including staying at a budget-friendly hotel near Southampton to avoid high city prices. Upon boarding, they explore the massive scale of the ship, noting its capacity and various amenities such as the gym, cinema, and onboard distillery. The video covers their initial dining experiences, ranging from fish and chips at the Keys to a celebratory dinner at the Beach House. As the ship sails, they navigate the transition to sea days, managing concerns about seasickness and exploring the ship's deck layouts. The first part of the series concludes with their arrival in Stange, where they participate in a RIB tour and explore the local area, including visiting a Starbucks and browsing local shops. They also highlight the scenic beauty of the Norwegian landscape and the logistical aspects of cruising, such as using the onboard app for reservations and managing onboard spending.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Iona
Bacon Bliss
All-time creator consensus for Iona
A Nibble

This review is more positive than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsCruise VlogCasual Creator
❤️ Best for CoupleNorthern_europe · Spring · 7 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

I can't believe we're on a ship because we always said to each other we would never do a cruise here we are 2024 who are we

This is hands down the most beautiful place we've ever been to this is hands down the most beautiful place we've ever been to

Creator's Tips & Advice

Take a photo of the Horizon magazine to refer back to activities later.
Bring a highlighter to mark activities you want to do in the magazine.
If doing the RIB tour, use the provided goggles and thick gloves as it is very cold.
Check your onboard account regularly to ensure you aren't double-charged for drinks.
Book dining reservations early as they book up quickly.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

SeasicknessBring 20 seasickness tablets.
Ship size/overwhelming natureIt takes a day or two to become familiar with the layout.
Dress codesBe aware that some restaurants don't allow tailored shorts; dress up for celebration nights.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat is the embarkation process like at Southampton?
QIs the food good for vegetarians/pescatarians?
QWhat are the shore excursions like in Norway?
QHow do you manage sickness on a cruise ship?

Topics Covered

Itinerary Route4 Happy BaconPort Destination4½ Happy BaconFirst Cruise4½ Happy BaconValue Pricing3½ Happy BaconExcursions4½ Happy BaconEmbarkation4½ Happy BaconCabin Balcony4 Happy BaconDining Buffet4½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Olden5 Happy Bacon
Top: Briksdal Glacier hike
Stavanger3½ Happy Bacon
Top: Lysefjord RIB tour
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

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube