Having only cruised as a couple before, I was a little unsure how it might suit us as a family of four, but P&O Cruises’ Iona certainly didn’t disappoint. Our trip was incredible from start to finish.
Following an easy check-in process at Southampton, we swiftly made our way through security and we were onboard exploring within fifteen minutes. As I have two children aged twelve and four, I felt a little apprehensive that there would be enough for both kids to enjoy considering the age gap - but I really needn’t have worried.
Iona offers an incredible children’s club that caters to kids and teens aged two to seventeen, providing a fun and engaging experience for every age group. The facilities and activities were just fantastic! From Lego® and arts and crafts to cosy movie nights for my four-year-old son - who actually told me off for collecting him too early on one occasion, as he missed the end of the film! Meanwhile, my twelve-year-old daughter enjoyed discos, playing on game consoles, outdoor sports and TikTok dance groups. On some days, we didn’t see her until dinner time!
As well as the exceptional children’s facilities, Iona has four swimming pools where we spent lots of time together. The fine weather in Norway in June meant that we were able to make the most of the fun water splash park too.
Children’s Tea onboard Iona is an early dinner option for young cruisers. This family-friendly option allows children to eat earlier before heading off to the kid's clubs. However, most evenings we chose to eat together as all restaurants offered a children’s menu or they could order from the main menu.
We enjoyed several of the evening shows together as a family and the Silent Disco in the beautiful atrium was an absolute hit with us all!
Visiting Norway and sailing through the breathtaking Fjords was an incredible experience. P&O offers many family-friendly activities and adventures, including paddleboarding, kayaking, and breathtaking waterfall boat excursions, plus much more. We spent time ashore exploring some of the wonderful ports and admiring the amazing scenery. In Olden, we took one of the world’s steepest cable cars Loen Skylift which the children absolutely loved!
Would I recommend P&O Cruises for a family holiday experience? Definitely. I can’t recommend it enough, there’s truly something for every age group and plenty to do together as a family. It’s great value for money and allows families to experience a completely different type of holiday. Unlike land-based trips, you will get to explore a range of incredible destinations while enjoying the comfort and incredible onboard amenities of the ship. 
