I am an American and was on P&O end of January to the Canary Islands. I was the only American on board and I traveled as a solo. I had a great time. Some of the shows I didn’t get. My friends on board from the UK had to explain to me. To book I just changed my vpn to the UK and booked with no issues. It was a more reserved experience but I really enjoyed it and will sail on P&O again. Great video!
Re the casino being open but empty, it’s nothing to do with lack of deals it’s the fact that culturally casinos typically appeal to far fewer Brits compared to other nationalities. US, Australian and especially South East Asian cruise ships typically have huge casinos always rammed to the rafters with gamblers day and night (that is not the case on British ships hence the casinos are typically much smaller and the space is taken up by more bars). The difference in layout is even more striking on Chinese ships because drinking (for the sake of it) is an alien concept to them as is sunbathing ( you will find almost no bars and sunbathing areas on these ships but what you will find in huge numbers is shops).
This ship looks AMAZING. I love the decor = it seems a lot more open and spacious - even the halls. I can't wait for the different videos so I can get your take on the food/entertainment. Thanks Jay!
Hi, I’ve sailed with P&O a few times and always really enjoyed. I’m actually on the Iona for Christmas this year cruising the Canary Islands. I hope you enjoy your cruise…. It’s lovely for me to see you on a British cruise for a change as I’m English. Xx
this will be an interesting one since british cruising is a very different experience from american, its more laid back and relaxing vibe altho am really curious to hear your overall thoughts on it especially as your a solo/black cruiser.
Hey J. P & O. Cool. Will enjoy this Vlog. Beautiful ship. Nice spacious accessible room. And I enjoyed the shows. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to this series. You’re joining Emma cruises, Gary Bembridge Tips for Travelers. Can’t remember if Ben & David or Don have sailed P & O. Will appreciate your view as well.
It's great to see our ships stairing with international cruisers. I was told that wasn't allowed. you've made my day.🤗 I'm doing a 7 day fjords on Iona in 2025. My first cruise.
6 pools! Food was good. Free in 4 restaurants Horizon, Pearl, Coral and Aqua with silver service and Quays with a range if food, burgers, noodles, fish and chips; ice cream bars all over, cocktails good price! Horizon is actually on deck 16 and is self service buffet great range of food and detailing if vegan, veg., gluten free plus all dairy substitutes provided! A cover charge for other restaurants about 8. others. Waiters serve your drinks! Great meals.
Jay, they do the same thing with apts. My daughter wanted an apt in this complex, and the only available was handicap accessible and they gave it to her. I asked what if a handicap person needs the room. She said, 1st come 1st serve, Lol!! They actually ran out of 1 bedroom apts. She has been in the apt for a year now and is getting ready to renew her lease. And yes, her bathroom is huge. The bedroom is also a nice size. Enjoy your cruise.
Thank you, J for the whirlwind tour of one of P&O's newest ships. It was interesting to have the view of an informed newcomer to take in the overall impression of design and function. While this would be one of the lines I would consider for cruising, I would't want to be on such a large ship, and I can see that the mainstream ents. are not meant for an old-timer like me. So if P&O come calling, as they often do upon someone who has sailed with them previously, I'll be looking for their smaller ships where I don't feel like I'm on some great transit concourse when I enter the public spaces. Many cabins are offered as twin-bedded unless you stipulate otherwise; indeed some cabins are shoe-horned in so tightly that it's twin or nothing, except maybe a drop-down bunk unit.
My husband and I were on this cruise last week and would point out all the information and booking procedures are contained on the My booking app. Great ship and wonderful cruise.
Hi there. This is Lori and I saw your vlog yesterday that you video in cabin when I see that room I said to myself wow nice disability accessibility room …. I was on Disney cruise and NCL cuz of my disability…. It is a very nice room ….. I absolutely loved it….. I’d love to go on the cruise again …… thank you for share!
Loved this video!! You did a great job introducing this ship and so much of what is available. I really liked being able to see some of the entertainment. Looking forward to more! 👍😀
Just a little FYI from a handicapped traveler. The cabins cost the same regardless. Usually they are booked very quickly and early by handicapped passengers. You were just fortunate no one needed the cabin which happens occassionally. I am booked into 2025 so the handicapped cabins dont sell out. People will get the idea to try for one just cause they see the space. Cruise lines will move people in a minute if they are not really handicapped.
with P&O you can look at all your details and bookings on the website before you sail and then when onboard read the booklets in your room which tell you how to use the MY Cruise website that only works on the ship through the ship wifi, you don't need to have a wifi package for that to work, this will let you book shows and dinning places.
I like this ship from what I can see. The decor is mostly subtle and understated. Cabin looks nice and spacious. Wonder how easy it would be to book if you’re not in the UK/EU?
I had an accessible room on Disney. Same thing....they assigned it. It was HUGE! Please talk about which airline you flew to get to UK. I'm about to book a flight and they are EXPENSIVE 💲💲💲💲.
@@jamesbellew1752 LAX -> London is $581 on Norse or $631 on Iberia (aug 23-30) LAX -> FCO is $670 on Turkish (most days in sept oct and Nov) Ewr -> LIS is frequently sub $600 on TAP. NYC -> PMI is $550 on United and Lufthansa Group airlines (SWISS, Lufthansa, Eurowings…) I think you just suck at finding flights…
Great to see you were in my hometown of Southampton. Yes, the Titanic did sail from Southampton. A lot of the crew were locals. My son’s paternal great great grandfather was a ship steward who lost his life on there. I do enjoy your vlogs, good to get an honest opinion.
Joel! Good work man! Wow Jay, P&O looks awesome! Beautiful ship, entertainment has talent, you should have a fun week ahead. Go find giblets and nuggets!
We were on the Iona for that exact cruise, in April! So glad you are experiencing it! I’m American and my husband is British. We live in the U.K. definitely not the same as an American ship but really enjoyed it! I thought the same about hook, line and vinegar - DONT MISS IT! Oh my gosh I was so wrong - that is the BEST fish and chips I’ve had in my 13 years here. I also recommend the Glass House - lovely experience! Keep and Cow was good but your typical steakhouse, which in U.K..well it’s not the same. I’m literally wearing my Ålesund shirt today - that itinerary is absolutely stunning. I’ve fallen in love with Norway. Stavanger and Ålesund are my faves, but Olden is amazingly beautiful! Enjoy the cruise down that fjord! Our cabin was on deck 16 and we spent most of our time in the sky dome just lounging and looking out the window. The website is easy to use once you sign in - I hope you got the hang of it. The extra cost items are really well priced - don’t shy away. And the MDRs are great for breakfast but nothing called to me for lunch or dinner - there was much better offerings elsewhere - even the buffet. Enjoy! Gosh I’d love to do that cruise again! The Iona is BEAUTIFUL
I've travelled on that ship, I have to say the takeaway concept is great there. Fish and Chips, Asian food and burgers all streamlined. I definitely think other cruise lines could learn from that. I think he picked a cruise that skewed to the more senior clientele which I think gave him a limited impression of British cruising. As for booking everything online it's common on most ships I travel on now, I had to book dinner slots on NCL just a few weeks ago and that's American I think he should have been a bit more prepared in that regard. I do agree that P&O does need an app.
wow! The Digital show as eclectic indeed! It seemed like it was about 10 different shows in one. Maybe they wanted to show off a lot of different talents within the first show.
Excellent overview! Especially for the first day! Everything looks great! Guess once you figure out the processes that differ from the USA, you should have an awesome time! Thanks for another great presentation! 😎😎😎😎
Your meant to click queen or twins on your account to get a normal size bed 😂. Im going on iona first cruise ever in 4 weeks doing the norweigan fjords. Cannot wait for this holiday. Me my fella and three kids...got excursions booked to. Good video x
This was great to watch to see what you thought about Iona, P&O really isn't for everyone and somethings are really odd like no sailaway partys but they do offer fantastic value for money and get people into cruising. Love your videos
Jay, 13:20 that theater looks absolutely identical to the Mardis Gras and Carnival Celebration. Well it actually is the same exact ship also… I’m assuming you already knew that though.
That Sindu restaurant menu looks so good!!! I would try several of those dishes as well! Thank you for giving us a walkthrough and the cabin is beautiful. I tried to get an assessable cabin on upcoming cruise, until I realized they are held for special needs guests, unless they are not sold; then hopefully my cruise director is notified and we are able to obtain the cabin! Oh, if you find out, what does the cruise ship name mean; or ship history? Thanks for sharing
Most accessible cabins sell out years in advance, their in very high demand. Hopefully those who are disabled and need the extra space are able to get one
Great video! I’m anxious to follow your trip on this British line. I’ve wanted to try them, but website is run by another company. I would like to see how it differs from American cruise lines. I will be following!
Hi J. Great to see this video, we are joining the ship on Saturday, for the same cruise so it’s nice to get so tips before boarding. Do you really need to book all the shows are there actually plenty of space to just turn up? Sorry to have miss you, would have loved s chat.
Ive no idea why his cruise cost that much. On the P&O website that exact cruise can be had this summer for prices starting at around £695. The only explanation can be he had to pay double the price as a single cruiser. P&O is amazing value and the drinks are way cheaper than most major cruise lines AND there’s no hidden service charge either (Brits hate hidden charges)
Haha I had no idea about the Celebrity Video! Thanks! And no didn’t technically pay and extra fee but did pay the supplemental fee for the passenger that isn’t sailing with me 😢
I've just got off Iona and was saddened at no more sailaway parties. I think P&O have come away from them after covid, and Iona is 'different' to the other ships in the fleet e.g. only one formal/celebration/dress your best night in a week. I've been on Anthem post-covid and they had sailaway, but neither hit the party atmosphere on P&O's Azura, but maybe those days have gone now :(
Thanks for the review Jay. Your room looks great. I would enjoy the ship and itinerary but would skip the entertainment. I prefer more intimate shows w less dopamine 😅
The most important thing on a cruise is the food, I want to know how is the food on this cruise??? Second I didn't see to many pools or not even 1 waterslide which is a must on my cruises is my favorite place to hang out during the day, I like the new NCL and Royal Caribbean cruises the best because I been on alot of them since I was kid with my parents, the cruise looks OK by the views but I seen better views, please make other videos of this cruise in the near future, I don't seem impressed so far but I could change my mine if you make more videos of this cruise
How did you manage to book a P&O Cruise in the first place, being American? It a British only cruise line so must be difficult for non-Britis to book. Still intresting to hear what it feels like from an American perspective. P&O Britannia was my first cruise but to date the only time I've been on P&O.
Looks beautiful! Were the shoes longer than average? It felt like the clips went on forever! That’s not a bad thing but I feel like most cruise entertainment is about 45 minutes.
