P&O Iona Cabins To Avoid (And The Best Cabins To Book Instead)
Here’s my guide to the best and worst cabins on P&O’s cruise ship Iona.
Entering service in 2021, Iona is one of P&O’s newest and largest ships, with a total capacity of 5,200 guests and 1800 crew.
I sailed on Iona for a Norwegian Fjords voyage in 2022 and had a wonderful time. Not only is the ship gorgeous, but the itinerary was amazing and had me completely hooked on cruising. Yes - this was my first ever cruise!
Something I didn’t know at the time was that all cabins are not created equal, and it’s important to do some research prior to booking. We were lucky and stayed in a great inside cabin on deck 4, which was stable in the rough North Sea and quiet throughout the night.
I didn’t even miss having a window as we didn’t spend much time in the cabin, and the total darkness was helpful when trying to sleep through Norway’s midnight sun.
This blog post explains the different cabin categories that are available on Iona, and the characteristics that you will want to look out for before booking.
Which Cabins Should You Avoid on Iona?
Iona is an enormous cruise ship, and there are certain cabins that you may want to avoid. Here is a quick summary of the problematic cabins she has onboard:
Cabins located under the pool deck (potential noise)
Cabins above the theatre (potential noise)
Obstructed view balconies
Connecting cabins if you’re a light sleeper (potential noise)
Forward cabins in rough seas (seasickness)
Cabins near lifts and stairwells (potential noise)
Promenade-facing cabins (lacking privacy)
Keep reading to learn exactly when and why these cabins should be avoided, depending on what’s most important to you.
Understanding the Cabin Categories on Iona
As with all of P&O’s ships, Iona has a number of cabin categories to suit different tastes and budgets.
Inside cabins, (standard or large)
Measurements: 135 - 190 Sq ft, inside cabins are located on all cabin decks
As the cheapest cabin type on Iona, inside cabins come in two sizes and do not feature any windows or portholes. While some people might find this claustrophobic, if you’re not planning on spending much time in your room then this can be a great way of making a financial saving.
Inside cabins are also particularly good for summer Norwegian Fjords sailings, when sunlight is still visible at 12 o’clock in the morning!
Sea view cabins (Standard Only)
Measurements: 210 sq ft, located on decks 4 and 5
The next category up, sea view cabins are described as being similar in size to the inside cabins with the addition of a window or porthole. Looking at the photos of both on the P&O website, some of the sea view cabins look slightly bigger, with more living space that will benefit family groups.
Balcony cabins (Smaller, Standard or Deluxe)
Measurements: 150 - 210 sq ft, located across most cabin decks
Above: This was my balcony cabin on Iona’s sister ship, Arvia, which is almost identical.
Making up the largest accommodation category on Iona, the balcony cabins provide guests with their own private outside space to use as you wish. It’s a great place to take in the views, catch some sunshine, and enjoy a pre-dinner drink while getting ready for the evening.
The balcony cabins are often much larger than the inside cabins, with a separate living area located next to the bed.
Conservatory mini suites
Measurements: 255 sq ft, located on decks 8 and 9
If you want something a bit more luxurious but don’t want to go for a full suite, then the conservatory mini suites are a great option. These cabins are exclusive to Iona and Arvia, featuring an additional lounging area next to the balcony.
This is perfect if you want a relaxing space to watch the world go by, or for families who require a bit more room.
Suites (Including the Family Sea view Suite)
Measurements: 330 - 400 Sq ft, located on decks 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15
Finally, if you want to experience the best of what Iona has to offer, you should book one of her suites. These luxurious cabins feature extra amenities, such as champagne and chocolates on arrival, included room service, breakfast in a premium restaurant and access to main dining room menus in your suite.
Other perks include priority boarding, welcome reception and a butler, as well as lots of extra space. Note that all of the suites on Iona have balconies apart from the Family Sea View Suite.
Single cabins are also available in both balcony and inside categories.
Cabins to Avoid (and Which Ones to Book Instead)
Cabins Under the Pool Deck
Iona has four pools across two decks, with the cabins underneath those being at risk of additional noise.
This can include scraping noises from loungers on the deck, as well as early morning cleaning in and around the pool. As the Skydome on deck 16 often features lively evening entertainment, the sound of late-night footsteps and music in your cabin is a possibility.
Cabins Near the SkyDome
One of Iona’s main entertainment venues, the Skydome is located on deck 16 and features a range of shows and musical performances that can go on late into the night. This is actually one of my favourite places to relax in the evening while listening to live music with a drink in my hand.
While it’s a fun area of the ship, the noise might be problematic for light sleepers, meaning you may want to book a cabin a few decks away, where it’s likely to be more quiet. Personally, I would recommend booking a cabin on decks 11, 12, 13 or 14, which are all cabin only decks away from any entertaiment venues.
Obstructed View Cabins
An obstructed cabin simply means that the view from the cabin’s balcony or window will have something in front of it. This could be a full or partial obstruction, and can be caused by a variety of things.
One of the perks of the obstructed view cabins is the price saving, making them a good way of getting a higher class of cabin for a cheaper price. Whether it’s worth it is totally up to you! Many of the cabins on deck 8 will have an obstructed view due to the promenade deck, while a number of cabins on deck 5 will have less desirable sheltered balconies.
These balconies on deck 5 are slightly smaller, and tend to be shaded due as they are cut into the hull of the ship. This might be handy if you’re sailing through the Norwegian Fjords, but less so if you’re hoping to enjoy some Mediterranean sun. If you want to see more, Emma Online reviewed her deck 5 balcony cabin here and included lots of images.
Promenade Deck Cabins
Located on deck 8, these promenade deck cabins are a must-avoid for me. That’s because they lead directly out onto the promenade deck, making them less private as other guests can walk right by. You will also have an obstructed view, with the ship’s promenade coming between you and the sea.
While some people may enjoy the reduced rate of these cabins, the lack of privacy is a dealbreaker for me. To avoid these cabins, do not book any of the balcony cabins or conservatory mini suites on deck 8.
Cabins Near Lifts and Stairwells
Another potential problem area for noise, you may wish to avoid these parts of the ship if you are a light sleeper. This is because the lifts and stairwells are generally high traffic areas, with guests moving around here late at night.
Some people actually prefer the convenient location of these cabins, which makes it quick and easy to get around the ship. This is particularly handy with a large ship like Iona, which does take a while to navigate!
Forward Cabins in Rough Seas
If you’re expecting rough sees or tend to suffer from seasickness, then you will want to avoid the forward cabins - particularly those on higher decks. This is because these cabins tend to experience more sway, and can result in passengers feeling unwell.
Instead, the best cabins on Iona for avoiding seasickness are those in the midship and on the lower decks, such as 4 and 5. Here you will feel much less movement and feel better in rough seas. Bear in mind that some forward balconies will also be inaccessible during high winds.
The forward cabins won’t be a problem for everyone, and as they can offer the best views they will be favoured by some guests.
Should I Avoid Connecting Cabins?
These cabins feature a connecting door that can be used to move easily between the two. This is really helpful for families who want a larger space, but still want to have their children within easy reach.
If you’re not planning on using the connecting doors then you’ll want to avoid these cabins, as they have reduced soundproofing and less privacy. This means that you may end up hearing additional noise from your nextdoor neighbours.
Cabins With Overlooked Balconies
The balcony cabins and mini suites on deck 8 are all overlooked by the Promenade deck, so I would recommend not booking any of these if you want privacy.
Otherwise, the higher cabins are generally less likely to be overlooked. I would recommend Googling your exact cabin number before booking to see what previous guests have said about it.
Which are the best cabins on Iona?
Best Quiet Cabins on Iona
If you’re looking for the quietest cabins on Iona, then I recommend booking a deck that is sandwiched by other passenger decks.
The best decks on Iona for this are 11, 12, 13, and 14. These not only place you in a quiet area of the ship, but you are only moments away from the pools, restaurants and entertainment options offered on the upper decks of the ship.
Quiet cabins can be found on other decks if you stay away from the lifts, bars and other busy areas.
Accessible Cabins on Iona
I was pleased to find that Iona offers a number of fully adapted cabins for guests who require them. People who use a wheelchair or other mobility device can book an accessible room, which is much larger than a standard room and includes additional features like a shower chair and grab rails.
Partially adapted cabins are also available for guests who don’t need to use a mobility device inside their cabin, and there are a limited number of profile beds onboard too.
If you want to see inside one of Iona’s accessible cabins, take a look at this blog post from Paul and Carole Love to Travel who have shared lots of photos on their website. You can see the ramp that leads to the large balcony, as well as the size adaptations that have been made to the main part of the cabin and bathroom.
Best Cabins for Families on Iona
Families will want to do a bit of extra research to find something that fits their needs. If you have older children, then you may want to opt for two cabins with a connecting internal door, or a conservatory mini suite which has a bit of extra lounging room.
If you have children who enjoy attending the kids club, then you may want to opt for a cabin on decks 14 or 15, which are closest the the main kids club, the Reef, on deck 17.
Best Cabins for Couples on Iona
I would recommend that couples opt for quieter locations, with private balconies. This means staying away from the mini suites and balcony cabins on deck 8, and opting for room that is higher up on the ship and less likely to be overlooked.
It’s also a good idea to stay away from cabins with connecting doors, as these can be less private.
Iona Cabin Frequently Asked Questions
Are obstructed view cabins worth it?
They can be - it all depends on your preferences. Obstructed view cabins can be a great opportunity to snag a higher class of cabin for a reduced price, if you don’t mind having an imperfect view.
Which cabins have the largest balconies?
The largest balconies belong to the suites, which are the most luxurious cabins onboard the ship.
Are conservatory mini suites worth it?
They can be worth it, if you intend on using the additional space. One of the big perks of a conservatory mini suite is that you have an additional lounging area next to the balcony. This is really handy for families who want a bit of extra space.
Which cabins should light sleepers avoid?
Light sleepers should avoid booking any cabins that are underneath entertainment venues or pools, as well as high traffic areas near elevators and stairwells.
Final Verdict: Which Cabins Are the Best on Iona?
The answer to this of course depends on your personal preferences. While the suites are objectively the most luxurious and inclusive cabins onboard, other cruisers may find the inside cabins to be the best due to the financial saving.
If you’re still trying to decide which cabin to book, here is my quick guide.
If you want a quiet cabin, then choose one on deck 11,12,13 or 14, as these are all sandwiched by cabin only decks and won’t be impacted by noise from entertainment venues. For the best value, choose either an inside or obstructed view cabin, which will give you a significant financial saving.
For the best balconies, choose one that is higher up on the ship. Families should consider booking rooms that are near to the main kids club, which is located on deck 17. This will also position you close to the buffet restaurant, Horizon, which is on deck 16, along with two pools.
Make sure you check the deck plan when booking your cruise, to ensure that your cabin is located within a desirable area. Iona is an enormous ship, so it’s important to make sure you pick a cabin that best suits your needs. If you’re ever unsure, you can Google specific cabin numbers to see if any previous cruisers have uploaded photos or written reviews.
You can also telephone the P&O booking team, who will be able to advise you on the cabins that will suit you best.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful time on Iona!
Read More About P&O Cruises
P&O Iona Review: 10 Things I Loved
Arvia (Iona’s Sister Ship)
Arvia Cruise Ship Honest Review