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DESTINATIONS IONA | CRUISE


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Iona’s SkyDome, Grand Atrium and Ocean Studios cinema, and 710 Club creator Gary Barlow PICTURES: P&O Cruises


Another new venue that’s almost a victim of its own success is the 710 Club, a dark, cosy little nightclub masterminded by Gary Barlow, who is due to join several sailings in 2022. Word quickly spread about how good the bands were – the group I saw did moody acoustic covers of rock anthems. Even with three sets a night, there were queues of 30 minutes to get in.


DRINKS AND DINING During the day, there’s plenty to do. The kids’ clubs, split into five age groups from six months to late teens, are superbly equipped. Other activities include deck games, a gym and four pools, including two gorgeous infinity pools on the cascading aft decks. As well as pub quizzes in Brodie’s and talks in the


theatre, a new boutique four-screen cinema offers a daily changing programme. Iona even has its own gin distillery, in association with Salcombe Distilling Co, making the ship’s signature Marabelle gin on board. All dining is open seating, with several of the 30 venues bookable by the My Holiday app, which was suffering considerable teething problems on my cruise. Of the four main dining rooms, Coral and Pearl – with sweeping views of the ship’s wake – are the nicest. Elsewhere, Olly Smith’s Glass House wine bar occupies a prime position overlooking the atrium and offers a menu of tasty small plates which, on the winter Canary Islands cruises, will feature tapas created by Spanish superstar chef José Pizarro.


travelweekly.co.uk Of the other speciality restaurants, Epicurean, high up on deck 17, was my favourite for its


serene atmosphere and fine dining – wild Atlantic halibut with poached fennel, and a fluffy cheese soufflé, well worth the £28 cover charge. The Limelight Club is great value too, at £25 for an excellent three-course set menu with cabaret entertainment, which included brilliant drag artiste La Voix on my cruise. Not so good, though, was the posh Indian, Sindhu, which wasn’t as impressive as when I last experienced it on Britannia. Two hits among the new dining options were Hook, Line & Vinegar, producing top-notch fish and chips, at no charge, and the Keel & Cow, a gastropub serving dry-aged steaks and a whopping burger called The Prime Minister, a feast in itself, for £8.50.


SELLING POINTS My top advice for clients is to book everything you want to do at the beginning of the cruise.


Midway through my seven days, all the speciality restaurants were fully booked, and that with Iona only half full because of Covid restrictions. Speaking of which, there are a few changes P&O Cruises regulars will notice. Everybody is tested for Covid at Southampton. For now, mask-wearing is required for walking around the ship. Evening turndown service has also gone, which according to our cabin steward was “because of the protocols”. Essentially, though, Iona is offering something completely new for P&O Cruises’ British customer base. Traditions haven’t been forgotten, such as kettles in the cabins, beers on tap and weekly formal nights. But this is certainly a ship for the younger market: fun, lively, family-friendly and, above all, packed with choice.


TW BOOK IT


A 14-night Canary Islands sailing on Iona, round-trip from Southampton departing November 13, 2021, starts from £899 based on two sharing an inside cabin, including full-board dining. pocruises.com


9 SEPTEMBER 2021 37


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