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Iona Deck Plans & Reviews

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Iona Deck Plans & Reviews

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P&O Iona Inside Cabin Photo Review – Space, Bathroom, Cleanliness and More

If you’re planning a cruise on P&O’s Iona you may be considering booking an inside cabin.

I’ve recently disembarked a 7-night cruise onboard Iona where I stayed in an inside cabin and in this post we will look at the cabin layout, bathroom, storage, beds, and general comfort of the room.

Which Cabin Did I Stay in?

I booked what is called a guaranteed inside cabin, this means that we picked the cabin’s grade but not the specific location. Not picking a specific location is usually a good way to save money.

Our cabin was assigned to us a little over a week before the cruise.

We were assigned cabin 11,115.

Our cabin was located right at the front of the ship. We were the further inside cabin available on deck 11.

Iona has some inside cabins which are a standard rectangle shape and some which are a square shape. The general style and amenities in both styles are the same. We stayed in a standard rectangular cabin.

Was The Location Okay?

We didn’t have any problems with having our cabin at the far front of the ship.

Many people say that if you get seasick you should avoid booking a cabin at one end as the movement is felt here more, I do get seasick when I cruise but to me, the price saving of not picking the location outweighs any risk of me feeling seasick.

I don’t go on cruises assuming that I will be seasick but if we do get caught in a storm it may happen, to deal with this I’ve learnt many ways to prevent and treat seasickness.

To find out more check out this post: 13 Actionable Tips to Prevent and Treat Seasickness on a Cruise .

I didn’t experience any seasickness on our Iona cruise and we very rarely felt the movement of the ship.

Iona is a big ship so the walk from one end of the ship was quite a long way, Iona is over 300 metres long. That never bothered us though and really I feel as though a few extra steps on a cruise is no bad thing!

What Were Our First Impressions of The Cabin?

When we first found our cabin we were met by our cabin steward who introduced herself to us. She explained that the cabin would only be cleaned once per day as opposed to the usual two per day that P&O used to offer.

This worked well and the cabin was always spotlessly clean.

The footprint of the cabins is pretty standard with two beds at the far end and a bathroom to the left of the cabin. I personally really liked the design of the cabin, but this is a personal preference.

What Was in Our Inside Cabin?

The amenities in the cabin are fairly standard when it comes to inside cabins. The majority of the room is taken up by the beds and desk area with storage cleverly organised around the room.

• Two twin beds (which can be converted to a queen sized bed)
• A desk and chair
• Bedside tables
• A TV with storage underneath
• Further storage

How Big Was Our Inside Cabin?

Our inside cabin on Iona was 135 sq ft. The average inside cabin size is 167 sq ft so Iona’s are a little on the small side. The cabin didn’t feel small though and we had plenty of space for everything we needed.

To learn more about how big cabins usually are, and how they compare to hotel rooms, check out this post: How Do Cruise Ship Cabins Compare to Hotel Rooms?

How Was The Bathroom?

The bathroom was a fair size, I’ve stayed on cruise ships with bigger bathrooms, and with smaller bathrooms too. What I liked about the cabin was the way that it was designed, it felt spacious despite being small and there was lots of storage under the sink and on the shelves on the left.

The light around the mirror made the room feel bright and it was always spotlessly clean.

The only thing that I did find a little annoying was having the towels behind my head when sitting on the toilet, if that is the biggest problem a bathroom has though, that’s great! There isn’t really any other space wall space to hang towels.

When you’re on a cruise if you would like fresh towels you leave your old towels in the bottom of the shower or on the floor, this signifies to the room steward that you’d like clean towels. If the towels are on the rail, it’s assumed that you’re happy to use them again.

The shower was a good size and very powerful. The shower head was quite high so I think the majority of people would be fine height wise in the shower.

There was also a few little storage areas for our toiletries which was nice.

The door to the shower opened both ways and didn’t seem to leak. Woohoo!

Which Toiletries Were in the Bathroom?

In the bathroom, there was a liquid soap on the side of the sink. In the shower, there was a shampoo and a body wash, both of which smelt AMAZING.

P&O uses the brand The White Company for all of their toiletries onboard.

If you’re taking a cruise and are curious about which toiletries a cruise line provides, check out this post which includes a searchable table: Do Cruises Provide Shampoo and Conditioner? – Cruise Line Guide

Were The Beds Comfortable?

The beds in our inside cabin were incredibly comfortable. The photo below was taken 5 days into our 7-night cruise but the pillows were always incredibly fluffy and high.

Personally, the pillows were a bit too fluffy for my liking, but again if that is the type of ‘problem’ you have on a cruise, things are pretty good!

By each bed, there was a USB under the light and a UK plug socket on the side walls.

In the middle, we had a couple of bedside tables (these would be on the other sides if the bed was made up as one bed). This was a great place to keep our chargers/pyjamas and to place a drink.

The beds were made up of a duvet/quilt inside a white cover.

Do P&O Have Kettles in Their Cabins?

P&O Cruises provide kettles in all of their cabins. The kettle is fairly large and is accompanied by at least two mugs. P&O also provide tea bags, milk and sugar as standard.

If you do drink another type of tea, chances are you’ll find what you are looking for in the buffet. I drink peppermint tea and usually bring a couple of teabags back to my cabin from the buffet so that I can make peppermint tea in my room.

Our kettle had a European plug socket which was good as it left the UK sockets available for us to use at all times.

How Many Plug Sockets are There on P&O’s Iona?

All cabins on P&O’s Iona have at least 4 UK plug sockets, 1 European plug socket and 2 USB sockets.

If you ever need to know which sockets are in a cabin, check out our searchable table here: Complete Cruise Ship Plug Socket Guide: Search by Ship

Did The Cabin Have a TV?

All cabins on P&O cruises have a TV, the size and age may vary depending on the age of the ship.

Our TV worked well during our cruise, we used it to watch the safety videos at the start of the cruise and also to watch movies during the cruise.

There were a number of movies available to watch at no extra cost. We did find that sometimes the movie would stick and buffer, but I imagine this was due to the bad weather that we were experiencing at the time.

The TV also had other features such as being able to check our onboard account and to find information about the restaurants onboard.

Most of the features that were available on the TV were also available on P&O’s app, so most of the time we did look at things on our phones instead of the TV.

Having the option to use the TV was appreciated though.

Under the TV was a phone which can be used to phone other areas on the ship. Any cabin can call another cabin, free of charge, by entering their cabin number.

Would I Recommend The Cabin?

I would definitely recommend an inside cabin if cruising on Iona. Infact, I’ve just booked another cruise on Iona and have booked and inside cabin again.

The cabin was clean, spacious and well designed. We were very comfortable in here for the week.

To learn more about my cruise, including my review of the ship, food and entertainment, check out this post next:

P&O Iona Cruise Photo Review – Ship, Food, Entertainment, and More

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Iona Deck Plans & Reviews

Activities & entertainment

• Crows Nest _ Observation Lounge
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Dance Classes
• Splash Zone
• Whirlpools (18)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Oasis Spa *
• Thermal Suite *
• Late_Night Activities
• Fitness Classes
• Jogging Track
• Organized Activities and Games
• Sports Court
• The Retreat *
• Art Gallery *
• The Avenue Shopping *
• The Photo Hub *
• Ivory Suite
• The Reef _ Kids Club
• Scene _ Teens Club
• Shore Experiences *
• Loyalty and Cruise Sales *
• Self_Service Laundry *
• Medical Center
• Headliners Theatre
• Nightly Live Music
• Ocean Studios
• The Club House
• The Limelight Club
• The 710 Club
• Enrichment Lectures
• Aqua Restaurant - Main
• Coral Restaurant - Main
• Opal Restaurant - Main
• Pearl Restaurant - Main
• Vistas Cafe Bar - Coffee Bar *
• Emerald Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Brodies - Pub *
• Sindhu - British-Indian *
• Sindhu Bar - British-Indian Bar *
• Horizon Restaurant - Buffet
• The Beach House - Steakhouse *
• Andersons Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Epicurean - Gourmet *
• The Olive Grove - Mediterranean *
• Crystal Bar - Pool Bar *
• Beachcomber Bar - Pool Bar *
• Infinity Bar - Pool Bar *
• Laguna Bar and Sundaes - Pool Bar *
• Sky Bar - Pool Bar *
• Sunset Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Keel and Cow - Gastropub *
• Panorama Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Glass House - Wine Bar *
• The Quays - Worldwide Snacks *
• Ripples - Ice Cream *
• Grab and Go - Snacks
• Taste 360 - Street Food
• Room Service *

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P&O Iona Review – Full review of Iona

Welcome to our P&O Iona review, where we will review every aspect of the ship from our cabin, the bars, entertainment and of course, the food.

Anyone who follows us know we normally do a ship tour, but we thought we would try this instead. So it may not be a P&O Iona ship tour, but it should be just as useful!

P&O’s newest and most innovative ship, Iona was designed to invite the outdoors in. Gazing out from the stunning Sky Dome, three-tier glass Grand Atrium or the brand-new Conservatory Mini-suite cabins, you’re never far from a spectacular view of the ever-changing horizon on Iona’s cruise holidays.

Iona is the greenest member of the P&O fleet and the first British cruise ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). As an Excel class ship, she has a host of unique features including an on-board craft gin distillery, spectacular aerial shows and an Infinity Pool with breath-taking panoramas.

P&O Iona entered service in 2021, the 184 thousand tonne Iona has a normal operating capacity of 5,200 passengers..

For this cruise, we paid £489pp for a balcony cabin.

Further reading:

Welcome to the P&O fleet, Iona

P&O Drinks Packages Explained – 2021 prices

https://www.pocruises.com/

• P&O Drinks Menu 2021
• Giveaway – Win your very own “Max” the Cruise Monkey

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P&O Cruises Iona – Cabin Review

We had a four-berth cabin on deck 9 (cabin no. 9.403 to be exact) to house our family of two adults and two teenage children for the week. 

I mentioned in another post how I had been reluctant to go on what was my first ever cruise – and the idea of being crammed, all four of us, into a tiny room with zero privacy, all living on top of each other for the week was one of the reasons why. 

It turns out I didn’t need to worry and we were happy with the cabin and the size and space we had. 

It certainly wasn’t large by any means – and we wouldn’t really want to spend a great deal of time in there – but as a space for sleeping and getting ready in the mornings and evenings, it was perfectly fine. 

I’m pretty large – 6ft 2in, and our teenage children are 17 and 14, so we’re not a small family,  and I was worried about things like bed size and headroom in the cabin. 

Turns out the bed was extremely comfortable – one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in – and was a full-sized double bed. 

There was a sofa which converted into a bed and, above it, a hatch in the ceiling from which a bunk bed pulled down – both with perfectly adequate size for two growing teenagers. 

The cabin steward came in every evening when we’d gone out to dinner and set the bunk bed up – and put it away again when we’d left the cabin in the mornings.

We were all comfortable in our beds and all slept very well.

We had a small balcony which gave a bit of extra space and, although we didn’t spend much time on it (it was much nicer being out on the decks) it had comfortable chairs for sitting in and enjoying the views, which never got boring wherever we were. 

If there could be one tiny, tiny complaint with this particular cabin, it was that one of the small hot tubs on the ‘Promenade Deck’ was just outside our window, below our balcony, so there was a little bit of noise from that bubbling away and people sat in it during the day, but not really a problem at all. 

The walls of the cabins are obviously not likely to be thick and it is possible to hear noise in the next-door cabins, or from the corridor outside, but nothing that ever disturbed us. 

Some of the cabins in the ship are above noisier parts of the ship – for instance above the Clubhouse where they have music playing until late, which I understand you can hear in the cabin, but our position – basically mid-ship – on deck 9 seemed ideal.

Nothing that created any noise anywhere near us – and easy access to all parts of the ship, being in the middle position. 

Having never been on a cruise ship before, I didn’t know what to expect from the toilet and shower facilities. Just some kind of chemical toilet? A bucket to be sloshed overboard? 

No – the toilet, sink and shower facilities were pretty much what you’d expect from your own at home. 

A decent sized shower cubicle with steaming hot water at a pressure that you’d expect from a normal home shower – and an ordinary, normal sized toilet and sink. 

And of course the added benefit that it’s all cleaned and tidied for you every day by the cabin stewards.

Of course the cabins are a relatively small space and you probably wouldn’t want to spend the majority of your time in them. 

One tip we found that proved really useful was to buy some magnetic hooks from Amazon, which stick to the metal walls of the cabin and give you some very useful additional hanging space for things like dresses and suits.

But our cabin, middle of the ship on the ninth deck, was fine – and proved all my fears about uncomfortable living and sleeping space to be totally unfounded.

Iona Cabins

There are three basic cabin types on Iona (this is applicable to all cruise ships): Inside, Outside, and Balcony. Everything else is a variation on this, including the suites, of which there are 26 (for a comprehensive list of cabin types, see our article How to Choose a Cruise Ship Cabin ). New for Iona are the Conservatory Mini-suites, a fantastic halfway choice between a balcony cabin and a full-blown suite.

What are Iona's Cabins Like?

Expect everything you would expect in a hotel room, just in a smaller space. All of Iona's cabins have a double bed that can be divided into two (single accommodation aside), interactive TV, wardrobe, fridge, sofa, vanity and stool and numerous charging and USB points, with UK and European sockets. Every cabin has tea and coffee-making facilities.

All standard cabins have a shower room with a shower stand with glass doors and a clothesline for drying. There is a single basin with a fixed soap dispenser and a cupboard with shelves. You'll find generic shampoo and gel in fixed dispensers in the shower, and products from The White Company in the mini-suites and suites.

Iona also has 55 accessible cabins.

A Pick of Our Favourite Cruise Ship Cabins on Iona

Iona's inside cabins are a good budget options.

Forgo ocean views for one of Iona’s inside cabins if you're on a budget. There are 811, each measuring up to 213 square feet. Some accommodate up to four people. These are ideal if you intend to spend most of your time and budget out and about, enjoying the ship.

Try One of the New Conservatory Mini Suites for Extra Outdoor Space

If your budget stretches to it, try to get one of the 95 Conservatory Mini-Suites; they are lovely. The bedroom leads to a glass-enclosed sitting area with a sofa and chair, opening onto a deep balcony. You can open the whole structure to create an oversized balcony or shut off the conservatory area from the main cabin. These suites are 274 square feet.

Tip : Go for a Conservatory Mini-Suite on Deck 9. Some are on Deck 8, but this is the promenade deck and you’ll find the promenade between your balcony and the sea. Not only do you lose the connection with the ocean, but passers-by can peer over your balcony if they so wish.

Fancy a Splurge? Plump for One of Iona's Plush Suites

Iona has 26 suites located in the forward and aft corners of Decks 9 to 15. Suites come with butler service, welcome chocolates and fresh fruit, and nightly canapes. Suite guests can also have breakfast in the smart Epicurean restaurant. Which end of the ship you choose is a matter of personal preference; forward-facing suites will be windy on sea days, for example, but they do connect to the inside cabin next door, creating a space that in theory, could sleep eight.

Iona Cruise Ships Cabins: Best of the Rest

Family : There are two spacious family suites on the Promenade Deck, but these don’t have balconies – and nor do they have a bath, which is odd, given the number of families with very young children that sail with P&O Cruises.

Solos : If you're travelling solo, opt for one of 22 single occupancy cabins, all interiors and a compact 101 square feet.

Find an Iona Cruise from £337

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Iona - deck 4 and 5 Seaview cabins - advice please

By phoenix1975 , November 1, 2021 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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phoenix1975

Looking at booking a seaview cabin on Iona which I can see are on Decks 4 & 5. Anyone got any opinion of these and whether deck 4 or 5 is better? On outside photos it looks like the windows on 5 are larger - is this the case? My only concern with deck 5 is with any noise from above - has anyone experienced this or are they quiet?

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Share on other sites, lisashusband.

We had a seaview cabin on deck 4 for 7 nights in September and to say we were pleased with our choice would be an understatement.

The window was large with an extremely comfortable window seat, the cabin itself was large and well appointed and most importantly there was no noise at all.

Obviously over the course of 7 nights you tend to run into people on the same deck with the same cabins and every single person we spoke to was equally as happy with their choice as us.

shopaholic6

3 hours ago, phoenix1975 said: Hi   Looking at booking a seaview cabin on Iona which I can see are on Decks 4 & 5. Anyone got any opinion of these and whether deck 4 or 5 is better? On outside photos it looks like the windows on 5 are larger - is this the case? My only concern with deck 5 is with any noise from above - has anyone experienced this or are they quiet?   Thanks 🙂

I have to agree with Lisashusband - we stayed in a sea view cabin on deck 4 and were more than happy with it. The cabin was super spacious and there was no noise whatsoever 😊

Bluemanc100

We had a cabin on Deck 4 for a staycation in September… The space was excellent with a window seat, rectangular layout and a very good sized bathroom… I can’t comment on Deck 5 but we are on G138 at the end of the month and opted for Deck 4 again… Midships this time (we were forward but they upgraded us to a different cabin)

The best thing about Deck 4 was being first in the lift on the way up as they had a 4 to a lift policy in place for the last cruise meaning they were hard to get at rush hour.. We had no issues because we were generally first in 

Thanks for all the help. I ended up joining the Facebook Group about Iona cabins, which helped to see photos of the cabins.

When I booked this evening, there weren't cabins available on Deck 4 where I wanted one, so have booked a Deck 5 one mid-forward on the port side.

9 hours ago, phoenix1975 said: Thanks for all the help. I ended up joining the Facebook Group about Iona cabins, which helped to see photos of the cabins.   When I booked this evening, there weren't cabins available on Deck 4 where I wanted one, so have booked a Deck 5 one mid-forward on the port side.

We had an outside cabin on deck 5, was perfect no noise at all.  Room a bit narrow but best bathroom on any ship 

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P&o iona balcony cabin review (deck five).

Planning a cruise on P&O Iona? Discover what a balcony cabin on deck five is like is so you can make an informed choice about what cabin to book.

Booking a cruise ship cabin isn’t always as easy as you think it might be. The choice can be a more than a little overwhelming.

Not all balconies are equal as I found out on a cruise on Iona. So, if you are considering waht to book, read on for my experience of staying in a deck five balcony cabin and what you can expect if you chose this style of cabin.

My Iona Balcony Cabin Review

I took a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords on P&O Cruises Iona and decided to splash out on a balcony cabin as it is such a scenic destination.

Although this was the first cruise I booked on Iona it was actually my second time on the ship after taking advantage of a last-minute solo deal in the spring. 

I had an inside cabin on that trip, which I loved, but I was glad I had booked a balcony for the cruise to Norway . 

It’s all about the views in the Norwegian Fjords right?

If you are anything like me when you think of a cruise ship balcony cabin you generally think of the glass-fronted ones that look out to sea. Like the image below which was taken from a balcony cabin on deck 12.

Well, that’s what I thought I was paying for. It turned out not to be quite what I was expecting as I was allocated a cabin on the infamous deck eight.

It was my fault I guess, but in my defence I booked it way back in 2019 after seeing a good deal for solo occupancy and before Iona was even in service. In the spring of 2021, when it became clear there would be no Norwegian fjords season , I moved it to 2022.

However, at this time I was in the middle of six months chemotherapy so not really paying as much attention as I should have been. It was also my first cruise booking so I had no idea about the different types of balcony cabins or promenade decks.

But it kind of worked out ok in the end as the wonderful onboard team kindly moved me to deck five. While that cabin again wasn’t quite what you picture when you think of a cruise ship balcony it was fine for me. I actually loved it in the end.

So, I thought I’d write an Iona balcony cabin review so you know what to expect if choose this cabin style or maybe to reassure you if you have been allocated one of these cabins on deck five. 

Location of Iona’s balcony cabins

Before I get into what a balcony cabin on deck five is like, here is a quick word about balcony cabins in general on Iona.

Iona has 2,164 cabins in total. 1,366 of them are balcony cabins with 120 of those deluxe balcony cabins. There are also 95 conservatory mini-suites and 24 suites which have balconies too.

Standard balcony cabins with a sofa are located on decks 5,9,10,11,12,14,15 & 17. They are also located on the promenade deck (8) and the lido deck (16)

Deluxe balcony cabins are located on decks 9,10,11,12,14 & 15. They are also some on the promenade deck (8)

Smaller balcony cabins are located on decks 9,10,11,12,14,15 & 17. There are also two of these cabins located on the promenade deck (8)

In addition, there are 22 solo cabins onboard and some of those have balconies too.

You can find out more about where cabins are located on the Iona deck plan .

As you can see there is plenty of choice when it comes to balcony cabins on Iona. So, it is important to do a bit of research before booking so you ensure you have the perfect cabin for you.

Particularly for first time cruisers, as it can be quite confusing when you are not used to all the different options available. As I found out…

Related post | Pick the perfect cabin for your cruise with my guide to cabins to avoid on Iona .

Iona Deck Five Balcony Cabins

After a bit of musical cabins, my home for the week while cruising around the Norwegian Fjords was cabin 5454. This was a balcony cabin on deck five and a nice easy number to remember.

Low down, these cabins are cut out of the hull of ship as you can see in the photo below.

The location was fabulous, being on deck five gives you easy access to all the restaurants and bars on decks six to eight. I think it too me less than five minutes to get to most places on those decks. You can also get to the Headlines theatre and spa quickly.

The gym (if you are that way inclined) is at the end of deck five so there is no excuse to skip gym day either. 

For ease of access to many of the facilities on board, deck five has a shout at being the best deck on Iona.

Cabin 5454 was a short walk from the midship lifts and stairs. This provided easy access to the higher decks or you could be up in the Vista cafe and Grand Atrium in just a few minutes by taking the stairs.

It was also a few cabins down the corridor from the laundrette. Trying to find your cabin down those long corridors can be a challenge sometimes. It is easy to get lost. Especially if you are new to Iona, so it was nice to have a marker to look out for in relation to the cabin.  

The location was pretty quiet too. The odd person was a little noisy walking down the corridor every now and then but nothing too bad. There was no noise that I could hear from the laundrette either. 

Cabin layout

The cabin was a great size and comes with pretty much everything you need.

Walking into the cabin the bathroom is to the right. 

The bathroom is a good size too and well designed. It has plenty of storage space. There are two shelves on the wall next to the sink and more shelving underneath and to the side of the sink.

There is hand soap on the wall by the sink and shower gel and shampoo on the wall in the show cubicle. All the toiletries are provided by The White Company and smell amazing. 

If you plan to do any hand washing there is a small washing line in the shower. 

Once past the bathroom door, you are fully in the room with the wardrobe running along the wall to the right. 

The wardrobe is a good size with one full-length hanging space and one-half length. 

There is a shelf above the rail in the full-length wardrobe which is home to the lifejackets. These take up most of the shelf but there is a small space next to them that could be used for extra storage.

There are 20 hangers. I counted them on this trip after being asked a few times after my last cabin review. However, you can always ask for more should you need them.

Between the two hanging areas, there is a section with six deep shelves. Ideal for placing packing cubes and clothing like hoodies or jumpers.

There was plenty of storage space in the wardrobe. However, I was travelling solo so that is easy for me to say. If you are in a pair or there is a few of you sharing, it might be worth bringing along a few more hangers or making a note to ask the cabin steward for extra ones.

The super comfortable queen-size bed takes up half the room with a sofa bed and dressing table filling the space in the second half of the room. 

In this cabin, the sofa is next to the balcony and the bed is next to the wardrobe. This does mean it can be a tight squeeze to get to the wardrobe, there isn’t much room to manoeuvre around. 

When you open the wardrobe door, it comes right out and almost touches the bed.

Having this layout also means you can’t really use the full-length mirror unless you stand right on top of it. Not a disaster but it does make you wonder why they designed it like that. Surely someone must have noticed it was difficult to use the mirror?

I think it would have been much better to put the mirror on the wall. Or have all these cabins with the bed next to the balcony and the sofa next to the wardrobe.

To the left of the bed and next to the dressing table is a large TV. This can be moved to make the viewing angle more comfortable depending on whether you are on the sofa or bed. 

Underneath the TV there is a unit with some more storage in the form of two very narrow shelves. They are great for holding things like umbrellas or hair straighters.

On top of the unit are tea and coffee making facilities. There are plenty of tea bags (P&O is a British cruise line afterall) and a couple of biscuits that are replenished each day.

Tip: Take a little plastic cup or jug with you and you can bring fresh milk down from the Horzion buffet to keep in your fridge. It makes for a much nicer morning cuppa than using the little cartons of milk provided.

Deck Five Balconies

As I mentioned when I booked this trip, I booked a balcony as the cruise to the Norwegian Fjords is all about the views. 

I had visions of being able to sit on my balcony with a cup of tea (or prosecco!) while enjoying the views. 

Although I didn’t end up quite with the balcony I thought I would, it was fine for being able to sit and look out.

As the balconies are cut into the hull of ship , they are covered and sheltered from the elements. So you have some protection from any bad weather – always a possibility in the fjords – but not so good if you were looking forward to sunbathing in the Mediterranean.

Low down on the ship and close to the water, they are great for looking out for sea life or just watching and listening to the waves.

The downside to this is that in the case of very bad weather or rough seas, a metal storm door will be closed across the balcony door. In effect turning your balcony cabin into a sea view cabin with just one large window.

Thankfully, that wasn’t needed on my trip but something to be aware of if booking one of these cabins.

The door out to the balcony is not the sliding patio door like the higher deck cabins but a rather heavy door that opens outwards. I didn’t find it too bad to open but sometimes it was a bit tough.

It would also be a bit difficult to keep the door open to enjoy some fresh air. You’d have to prop it open somehow. 

The balcony itself is very small. There is just about enough room for two chairs and a small table. So, not enough room to stretch out but it was perfect to sit with a cuppa and enjoy the scenery. 

Again, it might be easy for me to say that as I was travelling solo. However, you could comfortably get two people sitting out there. Three would be very much a squeeze.

One thing to note about these balconies is that you may not have much privacy with your neighbours. You can see into the next-door balcony via little gaps in the partition. I didn’t think it was a huge issue but it might be for some.

One other thing to be aware of is that these balconies can get a little damp. I had great weather and calm seas for the cruise I was on but sometimes when sitting out I noticed it was a little wet in places.

While it may not have been the type of balcony cabin I had dreamed of, I was pretty happy with it. I really liked being that close to the water and it was lovely to sit out there and enjoy the view and sound of the waves.

I did speak to a couple of my cabin neighbours while waiting for the lifts throughout the week and some of them were a little bit disappointed. Again, it just wasn’t the balcony they were expecting when they booked it. 

So if you have your heart set on a balcony, make sure you do some research on the cabins on Iona beforehand. This way you will know exactly what you are booking or what you may be allocated depending on the grade you choose.

Amenities included in Iona’s balcony cabins

All of Iona’s cabins come fully equipped with everything you need.

• Air conditioning
• Complimentary toiletries (The White Company)
• Safe (can hold a laptop, my 15″ MacBook fitted in fine)
• Tea & Coffee making facilities (including biscuits!)
• Two cans of water on arrival

The Last Word

I had a great week cruising the Norwegian Fjords on Iona, it was easily one of the best trips I have done.

Overall the cabin was very comfortable and one I would definitely consider booking in future. 

While it may not be one of the best balcony cabins on Iona, the disappointment wasn’t really a big deal in the end. Like most things, it’s what you make of it. Although it was a lesson learnt for being more careful with future bookings. 

If you prefer to spend your time exploring the ship an inside cabin may be a better (and certainly cheaper) option. 

I don’t think not having a balcony cabin would make this type of cruise any less enjoyable. There are plenty of spots around the ship to get a great view of the scenery. 

So, even on a cruise that is all about the views, you won’t miss out if you don’t have a balcony, you just need to make a bit more effort to get up on deck to enjoy the spectacular scenery.

However, if you would like a balcony, the ones on deck five are well worth considering.

You may also like…

• Iona cabins to avoid
• Cruising the Norwegian Fjords on P&O Cruises Iona
• All you need to know dining on P&O’s Iona
• P&O Iona inside cabin review

30 thoughts on “ P&O Iona balcony cabin review (deck five) ”

A note on the full-length mirror you complain about. I’ve seen it said in a YouTube video that the mirrored door is on a 180 degree hinge, so you’re supposed to open it out fully and stand in the corridor space to use it properly.

Hi, thanks for that tip. I will definitely try that when next on Iona. Thanks for sharing. Emma

Hi Emma. Thanks for all this information as we are just about to do the same trip. All the best. Don

Hi Don, Thanks for your kind comment. Hope you enjoy your cruise. Emma

Thanks for the very informative review. By coincidence, I’ve just booked a cruise for next month on Iona in the exact same cabin (5454).

This will I be our first ever cruise (it will be just me and my 11yo Son), and I was worried about sea sickness, so I was keen to book a balcony cabin near the middle of the ship and on a low deck.

Due to booking so late, deck 5 was the only deck with suitable balcony cabins still available in the middle section, so I went for this one, but I was a little concerned I’d made the wrong choice.

I’m so glad I found your review, as the cabin and balcony look fine, so it’s put my mind at ease. I also like the idea of being close to the water.

Many thanks for sharing this.

Hi Dave, thanks for the kind comments. Enjoy your cruise, it’s a great cabin. Emma

We were on Iona 3weeks ago had a fabulous time ship was amazing as were the Norwegian fjords ,our cabin was lovley with wardrobe an a sofa definitely go again.

Hi, thanks for your comment. Glad you had a great time. Agree, the cabins are lovely. Emma

Which deck were on please ? Thanks

We went on the Iona in March Spain and Portugal this year this being our first cruise really didn’t know what to expect. Had no complaints with anything.Have booked for next year.

Hi Terry, thanks for your comment. Good to hear you had a great time. Enjoy your next cruise. Emma

Hi Emma like to cruise but think as a single don’t know why I should have to pay at least a third more for a single cabin tony

Hi Tony, I know I agree. I think more could be done for solo travellers. Look out for no or low solo supplements, they do pop up time from time. I got a great deal on Iona last spring with no solo supplement. Emma

I went with Iona for our honeymoon. I’m afraid to say I actually found it extremely disappointing, the canned water tasted so bad I actually went on to buy some bottled. Not enough milk left out for a proper lattes, the toilet is one of these new air toilets which makes an appalling noise when flushed! The food choices available at the on board restaurants for vegetarians I found very limiting and what P&O don’t tell you is the cost of the WiFi. You have to pay £100 for a week worth of service which at times was hardly usable and unreliable. I felt totally left down by this cruise company and would certainly not use them again.

Hi Jessica. Congratulations on your wedding. Sorry to hear your honeymoon was disappointing.

Yes, the toilets are loud aren’t they? I took a water bottle and used the refill stations, that didn’t taste too bad. Milk, I used to bring some down from the buffet and kept that in my cabin fridge for a morning cuppa. Wifi, it does feel expensive…I think would be good if it was included like some other cruise line. I ended up just using it for the odd sea day and then just waited till in port. Was good excuse to have a break from the phone.

Maybe it’s worth looking at some other cruise lines? I think there is definitely a cruise line for everyone. You just need to find it. Emma

Ships too big!

I went on my first cruise this year for my anniversary I was not disappointed we booked inside cabin but when got to cabin had sea view, the entertainment was good met Harry rednap ,Alfie boe and Russel Watson and some other great guests. We went on the Ventura would go again

Hi Hazel, wow that sounds great. I’ve not been on Ventura yet. Maybe one day. Emma

Is there a site where you can get the best deals as a single person? I’ve just done a cruise with my son and know that I’d love to be able to cruise more but I’d have to go alone. Thanks.

Hi Eve, thanks for your comment. There are a couple of solo cruise groups on facebook where good deals are often posted. I also keep an eye on the cruise company websites for any low/no solo supplement deals. There are some good deals out there, just got to keep looking. Emma

I have cruised with P and O but never on the Iona. Always had a balcony cabin and never like you described. I don’t like cruising very much as it is and an inside cabin or one as you described, I would never cruise again. Now you want to know why I cruise if I don’t like it. Well here it is, no entertainment that I enjoy. They cut trips to suit themselves. The spend money is your own money over paid in the ticket price which you don’t get back if it isn’t spent. At one time you were forced to pay tips but not now. It’s my partner who loves cruising I just pay for them.

Hi John. What other ships have you cruised on? I’ve only been on Iona and Britannia so far with P&O. I think the entertainment can be a bit hit and miss. Guess it depends on what you like. I tend to stick to live music and avoid the comedians. On Iona you have the SkyDome which has some great aerial shows (mostly, there was one on the first Iona trip I did that seemed to leave most people scratching their heads, still have no idea what is was about) which I think is a bit different from some of their other ships. Emma

We were allocated 5420 on a staycation and in order to avoid the dreaded deck 8, we paid select price to choose this cabin again. It was great! I’m not keen on heights so it’s perfect.

Hi Lynne, thanks for your comment. Deck 5 is a great choice if not keen on heights. Not too high but still able to enjoy the views. I would choose deck 5 again too I think. Emma

Hello, thanks for your review. I am thinking of first cruise with family to Norway on Iona and would need single balcony. How much would be a good price? Thankyou

Hi Beryl, thanks for your your comment.The price can vary quite a lot depending on when you go, how busy it is and if there are any offers on etc. The two things to look out for are no or low solo supplements and always check what a standard cabin at solo occupancy is. I’ve travelled on Iona twice and both times the standard cabin was cheaper than the solo cabin (and much bigger).

To give you an example of Norway prices for solo on P&O, when I first booked it (back in 2019) it was around £1k however, when I moved it to 2022 it had jumped to £1.5k (lots of people were moving cruises then I think). So I’d say my original price was a great deal, what I actually ended up paying not so much. The trip was wonderful though so it was well worth the money. I’d expect to pay something between those prices for a single cabin.

We had an inside cabin 5304, loved it, close to everything, used the gym so just across the landing, can’t fault any part of it!

Thanks for the comment Debbie, deck 5 is great isn’t it? I had an inside cabin on my previous cruise up on deck 9 and loved it. Would book an inside cabin again one day for sure.

We had a balcony cabin on deck 11 and found that alternate cabins had a different bed/dressing area arrangement. Some cabins also accommodated bunk beds. You can bring a fridge magnet and stick it on your door to find your cabin easier. Bring some photos of family, friends to personalise your room. Once the sun was out it was very difficult to find an available jacuzzi. The restaurants were a much better dining experience than the Horizon. When joining a queue, you have to be very diligent to stop people pushing in!

Hi Tony, thanks for those great tips. The fridge magnet is a great idea, I’ll defo do that next time. I know what you mean about the jacuzzi’s and queues, although I guess to be kind of expected on such a large ship. Hope you had a great holiday. Emma

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P&O Iona Accessible Balcony Cabin Review

We spent a week on the brand new cruise ship Iona, this was one of the first UK Seacations and our first cruise back with P&O since our cruise on Oceana pre COVID Pandemic.

We had booked a guarantee balcony cabin and had our cabin changed when we arrived at the port. Embarkation did not run smoothly (watch our vlog series ) but when we eventually got to our cabin we were very surprised to see we had been allocated an accessible cabin on deck 12 – 12514.

In this post we show you all around this type of cabin, including the main room. bathroom, storage, accessibility functions and one of the largest balconies on this ship.

We have also included our video tour and review of this cabin at the end of this post too.

Accessible cabin 12514 is situated mid ship right around the corner from the lifts. This cabin is in an excellent location and even though it is so close to the lift we were never disturbed by any noise.

Access to the cabin is by using your cruise card and once recognised, the door opens automatically. There is space and access all around the bed and no lips or obstructions to be navigated.

The bed in this cabin was so comfortable, and we slept really well. In this post we explain exactly what else this cabin has to offer.

Related Reading – P&O WiFi Packages – How much do they cost?

Storage and facilities in P&O Iona Accessible Balcony Cabin 12514

There is a lot of storage in this cabin including space for cases and fold away equipment under the bed. There are two large wardrobes, one with a rail that can be pulled to a lower level and another 3 door wardrobe with lots of shelves and space.

Near to the vanity desk area there is a safe which can fit a small lap top or iPad and also a fridge which can fit the tin bottles of waters you can get at the bar and fit the two bottles of alcohol that you are allowed to take on board. There is also a kettle in the room with  PG Tips tea bags, milk, sugar and Douwe Egberts coffee provided.

Related reading – P&O Bar Prices and Drinks Packages

There are sensory facilities within the cabin when the doorbell rings or the safety announcements occur. There is a vibrating pad that can be placed under the pillow, a loud alarm that sounds and also a flashing light so that any one with sensory deficiencies can be alerted.

There are English 3 pin plugs by each side of the bed and by the desk so charging equipment, phones and cameras was not an issue at all. There was also a powerful hairdryer provided too. A large TV opposite the bed has plenty of channels, a map of the ship and access to your on board account which you can check any time.

The Horizon daily planner is also delivered to your cabin every day and your cabin steward will visit once a day between 8-12 midday to clean your cabin and replenish anything that you need.

The Balcony of P&O Iona Accessible Balcony Cabin 12514

This balcony is huge! As you can see from the deck plan above it is an L shape which enables you to have views towards the aft of the ship. It is covered and protected and when sat near to the doors of the cabin you have total privacy, however towards the end of the balcony can be seen from the cabins towards the aft.

The balcony doors are automatic and can be opened and closed by just pulling the handle slightly, they can also be locked. There is a ramp onto the balcony which does have ridged sides, this is fine for wheelchairs but can be a hazard when it comes to hitting your toe, as we painfully found out!

This is a fabulous space, with two reclining chairs and a small table, we spent a lot of time out here.

Related Reading –  P&O Laundry Costs

The Bathroom in P&O Iona Accessible Balcony Cabin 12415

The bathroom is open plan, with a shower, toilet and wash basin and a push button panel is used to open the door. The shower has a fold down bench that is really large,  and the toilet has handrails on all sides, with one that can be moved up and down. The sink can also be adjusted to what ever height is needed.

It is an excellent bathroom, very spacious and should suits most needs. A couple of negative points though was that at night the door was quite noisy and made a loud click when it closed, not a huge problem just something to note, and the shelves to the right of the sink are high and wouldn’t be able to be reached if your are in a wheelchair.

This is an well appointed accessible cabin and one of the best that we have seen since travelling with Paul’s Dad. who has limited mobility. We would recommend booking this cabin if you have special needs as it is in a fabulous location, and has a superb sized balcony!

To compliment this post we also have a tour and video review that you can watch below.

Related Videos – For more cabin tours and reviews do check out our Cruise Ship Cabins Playlist on our You Tube Channel.

More information about the P&O Cruise Ship Fleet can also be found on our P&O You Tube Playlist and P&O Page .

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Iona deck 12 plan (Cabins)

Deck layout and review, review of iona deck 12 (cabins).

Laundrette (self-service laundry room for passengers)

Cruise cabins from 12101 to 11744, of which Single Inside (SZ), Standard Inside (PA, PB, PD, PE), Smaller Balcony (CZ), Standard Balcony (GA, GB, GD, GE), Deluxe Balcony (EA, ED, EE) and the rest are 2-Room Sky Suites (categories B4, B5).

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Iona Deck 11 Aft Cabins

By Megabear2 , October 18, 2021 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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Assuming I ever get a satisfactory reply on the insurance issues from P&O, I am thinking of joining my family on Iona on 27th November cruise and moving my January 2022 Cunard Caribbean to something less risky on possible offloading and quarantine.

My brothers/sister have received their cabin notifications as being inside aft cabins on deck 11.  There is no availability in that area for me to book but there are a number of standard balconies showing, including 2 rear facing.

Has anyone who has already travelled on Iona been in any of the aft cabins in that area, please? I think I've read a review about vibrations but for the life of me cannot find it. I would, it appears, have to book select to avoid the promenade deck cabins and it would be just short of £2,000 for me as a single, although I could book a saver single cabin on a Saver for £1,300 or so on a different deck. Any help or advice much appreciated. Thank you.

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The only aft balcony cabins I would be wary of would be definitely deck 9 and maybe deck 10 and 11 because the large white roof over the Sunset bar on deck 8 would interfere with your sea view.

Our cabin on a staycation was on deck 10 just aft of the aft elevator and there was no vibration.

We sat at the back of the ship by Sunset bar several times and never felt any vibration.

I think the comment about vibration said the ship was doing 19knots which I think is the maximum speed. I will find out next year as I have an aft facing balcony on deck 10

Thank you. I've now been offered deck 10 or 14 as an alternative.  Available are 14741, 11745, 11746 or 10742. Appears to have been a couple of cancellations as only 11746 available this morning.

Any opinions on which may be better?  Thanks for your help.

17 minutes ago, Megabear2 said: Thank you. I've now been offered deck 10 or 14 as an alternative.  Available are 14741, 11745, 11746 or 10742. Appears to have been a couple of cancellations as only 11746 available this morning.   Any opinions on which may be better?  Thanks for your help.

Either of the deck 11 cabins.

 14741 is below the overflow from the infinity pool on deck 16 

Thank you very much Graham. Your advice much appreciated and I've taken 11745.

• 8 months later...

elieilleile

I’ve just booked 11.745 for a Norwegian Fjord cruise… how did you find the cabin and the views? I’m feeling nervous after reading comments about the infinity pool over spilling to the cabins below…  😬

• 10 months later...

I have never been on a cruise before but going with people that have,  They have stayed before in Deluxe Mid cabin but we are now looking at the Aft cabins and i am looking to book 11.743 too for the  Norwegian Fjord cruise.  My apologies as was trying to see the responses to elieilleile but cannot see them,  Any help greatly appreciated and also has anyone had first hand experience of the white canopy spoiling their view?

Huge thanks

After recently returned from Iona and stood on deck watching children throwing water over the edge and thinking it was hilarious. Also read many reports on cruise forums and Faceache of balconies on aft of ship being constantly wet and unusable because it felt like it was raining all the time. I have couple of days ago changed my aft cabin on Arvia for September to a different cabin and will be doing the same for my cruise in April next week.

terrierjohn

2 hours ago, majortom10 said: After recently returned from Iona and stood on deck watching children throwing water over the edge and thinking it was hilarious. Also read many reports on cruise forums and Faceache of balconies on aft of ship being constantly wet and unusable because it felt like it was raining all the time. I have couple of days ago changed my aft cabin on Arvia for September to a different cabin and will be doing the same for my cruise in April next week.

It's not children splashing water over the edge of the pool that  causes the problem on the aft balconies, that falls harmlessly into the trough without any problem.

Unfortunately there is a constant flow of water from the gap in the bottom of the perspex/glass see through panel. In normal seas this usually hits the trough towards the bottom without any problem and runs smoothly down and is recycled back to the pool. However when there is any swell the water flows backwards and forwards with varying force and at its strongest it forces the water through the gap in the base of the panel which then hits the sloping trough wall with force which results in the splashing. Unfortunately I doubt that reducing the water level in the pool will have much effect on the splashing because there will still be sufficient force from any waves to have a very similar effect. Possibly a redesigned or higher trough wall might reduce the splashing, but I imagine that could only be done during a dry dock.

10 hours ago, majortom10 said: After recently returned from Iona and stood on deck watching children throwing water over the edge and thinking it was hilarious. Also read many reports on cruise forums and Faceache of balconies on aft of ship being constantly wet and unusable because it felt like it was raining all the time. I have couple of days ago changed my aft cabin on Arvia for September to a different cabin and will be doing the same for my cruise in April next week.

We were on Arvia on the Easter cruise in a super deluxe cabin aft on deck 14 and there were children throwing water over the edge.  That was when we were in port at La Coruna, the worst affected balconys were the centre balconys from deck 11 to down deck 9.  There was an officer on the balcony of deck 10 who got soaked by the water.  Never saw water being thrown over after that.  

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I stayed in a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's 2 newest and largest cruise ships. One was clearly better — and $900 cheaper.

Posted: April 27, 2024 | Last updated: April 27, 2024

• Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are Royal Caribbean's newest and largest cruise ships.
• I stayed in both of their balcony staterooms — a $130-per-person-per-day difference.
• Icon's pricier cabin looked more modern but lacked the functionality and comfort of Wonder's.

Do you know what $900 could buy you? More than three years of Netflix's premium plan, a new Gucci purse, or 2,059 spicy chicken McNuggets.

Or, in the case of Royal Caribbean's two largest and newest cruise ships , the cash could mean the difference between a cheap but functional balcony cabin and, ironically, a more expensive but less comfortable one.

Staterooms with balconies are the most popular cruise cabin category. After all, if you're going on a vacation at sea, wouldn't you want to be able to feel its breeze from your room?

But not all cabins with private outdoor spaces are created equal, even on two new mega-ships owned by the same cruise line.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and its larger successor, Icon of the Seas, in January.

Royal Caribbean assigned me an ocean-view balcony cabin for both complimentary sailings, the longest of which was three nights on Icon.

Both ships are operating seven-night cruises around the Caribbean in 2024.

About 66% of Wonder's cabins fall under the 'balcony' category. On Icon, they make up half of the staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas' balcony cabins start shy of $1,110 per person in 2024.

Even with nearly identical itineraries, the ones on Icon are, at their cheapest, a little more than $2,000 per person this year — or double that for the a New Year's cruise.

Wonder and Icon are the most boisterous, flamboyant, and overwhelming vessels I've ever boarded.

The pool decks were intensely colorful, the crowds were inescapable, and the long lists of activities and dining options were paralyzing.

So imagine my surprise when I unlocked my doors to find surprisingly bland rooms.

The neutral tans, blues, and whites did not scream "we belong on the world's biggest and most colorful cruise ships."

The vessels have an almost two-year age difference, as evidenced by some of their decor (mainly Icon's recessed mood lights and the more chic, darker wood tones).

But besides the light fixtures, rugs, and — frankly negligible — wall art and pillows, both cabins were fairly underwhelming compared to everything outside their front doors .

Aesthetics aside, let’s talk functionality.

Both had furnished 50-square-foot balconies.

Regarding the interior space, my 204-square-foot cabin on Icon of the Seas was 22 square feet larger than mine on Wonder.

In retrospect, I would've thought Icon's was smaller. More on that in a bit.

Both king-sized beds faced a television and some wall storage.

And both were flanked by light fixtures with built-in USB outlets, as is expected on most modern cruise ships.

The cruise line says the ships' balcony cabins use two twin mattresses that have been "converted" to make a king bed. It's a common practice I've never had an issue with — until Icon.

On Wonder, the plush pillows enveloped me the moment I laid down. I slept great. No complaints.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the new ship.

I (my back pain) could feel the hard ridge where the two mattresses met, making for a pretty miserable and uncomfortable sleep.

So much for starfishing — I kept to one side of the bed to avoid rolling over the bony bump.

For the most part, the living “rooms” were the same.

Both had the same furniture I see on almost every mass-market ship: a couch that could convert into a bed and a desk that extended into a dresser.

But storage, a high priority for cruisers, was organized differently.

Two thin wardrobes with drawers, hangars, and shelves surrounded either side of my bed on Wonder .

Icon, on the other hand, had one large wardrobe next to the living room.

Unfortunately, it had noticeably less shelving. And the metal bins let out ear-piercing screeches at every move — a lazy and annoying detail that the designers could've easily fixed with cheap felt pads.

So far, the differences have been small. But not for long.

I had two gripes with my Wonder bathroom: the lack of hair conditioner and the ill-positioned faucet that flooded the counter whenever I washed my hands.

I had the same issues on Icon. But that was the least of my concerns.

My bathroom on the older ship was well-sized for 1 person, but maybe too small for 2.

On Icon — the world's largest cruise ship — my bathroom was too compact for even one body.

Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters in January that 80% of Icon's 2,805 cabins were designed for families, a sharp increase from previous vessels like Wonder.

I'm not sure a family of four could coexist in Icon's balcony cabin — solely because of the bathroom size. There's no way two people could fit in there simultaneously. A fight over who gets priority access to the toilet could ruin a peaceful family vacation! (Which is to say, I'm glad I was traveling alone.)

With the bathroom door closed, I accidentally elbowed the walls more times than I could count.

The spare towels had to be stored on a shelf inside the shower. Because the counter was so small, I had to keep most of my toiletries and products on the shelves or in the drawer.

Surprisingly, that's where Icon excelled. Its bathroom had more storage options than its older counterpart, which didn't even have a drawer.

However, the older ship's shower had a clothesline perfect for drying swimwear. It's a small but crucial amenity, especially on a vessel with so many pools and waterslides.

Unfortunately, both were stocked with two-in-one body wash and shampoo — and no hair conditioner

Let’s go through our checklist.

My balcony cabin on Wonder looked less modern than its successor (the TV on Icon had Chromecast, after all).

But it was significantly more functional and comfortable. The bed was incomparably more pleasant, the closets had more defined storage components, and the bathroom was considerably larger, even if it lacked additional shelving and drawers.

The question is: Which one is more worth its price?

Icon's cheapest balcony cabins are currently $900 more than the most affordable ones on Wonder — an almost $130 per person and day difference.

Based on the quality of the staterooms alone, if you prioritize functionality, comfort, and affordability over modern decor, consider saving money and going with the two-year-old ship .

But let’s not forget that cruise fares include unlimited food, on board activities, and nighttime entertainment.

Both ships have a fairly similar list of amenities. But only the newer one has a waterpark , an adult-only infinity pool club, and a swim-up bar, to name a few unique amenities.

So yes, Icon's balcony cabins are more costly. But the staggering price difference — and tiny bathroom — could be worth it if you think the its surplus of additional amenities is worth paying for.

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My 12-day cruise cost me about $109 a day. See inside my 160-square-foot cabin, the most economical option on the ship.

• I went on a 12-day Holland America Line cruise and paid a little over $1,300 for my interior cabin.
• The cabin was an incredible value and I especially liked the storage and spacious shower.
• I'd book this room again — my cruise was so fun and busy that I barely spent time in it anyway. 

In a time of high inflation and stretched budgets, cruises reign supreme . Since most packages are pretty all-inclusive, you can pay for a week or more on a ship and then not spend another dime until you return.

I definitely had value in mind when I booked my recent 12-day cruise on the Holland America Line Rotterdam from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to the Panama Canal. I selected an interior cabin , the most economical option on the ship.

I booked directly with Holland America Line and paid $849 plus $460 for taxes, fees, and port charges — about $109 a day. The rate came with a $25 onboard credit and didn't include gratuities or add-ons like drink packages , specialty dining, WiFi, or excursions.

Overall, my room was one of the best values of the trip. Here's what it was like.

I booked an interior room on deck seven.

On this ship, interior rooms can range from 143 to 225 square feet. I chose a cabin on deck seven that was 160 square feet.

The location of my stateroom was convenient and quiet. My cabin was a quick two decks up to the areas I frequented most, the spa and its thermal suite, and the fitness center.

My cabin was generously sized.

The stateroom featured a small hallway with a bathroom on the right, and two wardrobes and a cabinet on the left.

The main area of my room contained the bed.

The hallway opened to a small rectangular space with a queen bed on the right flanked by two small nightstands, each with two drawers and a tall bottom shelf.

I had a vanity that could also be used as a desk.

To the right of the bed was a large desk/vanity with an ottoman that doubled as a seat and storage space for the bed's decorative throw pillows.

This area had even more storage: The desk had three spacious drawers.

My bed was across from a mounted TV and bar area.

At the foot of the bed was a wall-mounted interactive television with on-demand movies, programming, and multi-channel music.

Next to it, I had a fully stocked minibar area, including a cabinet with things like red wine, white wine, rocks glasses, a stainless steel ice bucket, and tongs.

There was so much storage space in the room.

The full-height wardrobe had 26 hangers, including 13 pant and 13 skirt hangers, two bottom shelves, and a full-length mirror on one door.

The second half-height wardrobe closet had 12 hangers, including four pant and eight skirt hangers, four bottom shelves, and a tie rack.

One closet contained a mini fridge.

The cabinet featured three compartments: the top where robes, beach towels, and a safe were stowed, the middle with the mini fridge, and the bottom with three deep drawers.

The safe was roomy, accommodating my 13.6-inch MacBook Air plus all of my other valuables and important travel documents.

The bathroom felt spacious and well-designed.

The bathroom layout was thoughtfully designed with three glass shelves for toiletries and a large-size vanity with an underneath storage ledge.

A roomy shower was the highlight of the bathroom.

The walk-in shower was complete with a shaving foot bar, a retractable clothesline, Elemis bath products, and an adjustable handheld shower.

There were also two grab bars for stepping into and out of the shower.

There were plenty of electrical outlets in the room, too.

The room had an abundance of power outlets where I could charge my gear.

On both sides of the bed were a type-B plug, mainly used in the US, Mexico, and Canada, and a USB port. The desk had a USB port, three type-B plugs, and two type-C plugs, mainly used in Europe, South America, and Asia.

The bathroom had one electrical outlet that could accommodate a US or European two-pronged plug.

The room service was impeccable, too.

There were two cabin stewards assigned to my room. They worked together to fully service my stateroom twice daily.

On embarkation day, I was able to request extra pillows and towels plus other preferences like turn-down service, which included a towel animal and Astor Chocolates on most nights.

Overall, I had such a fun experience on my cruise I didn't even spend much time in my stateroom.

There was so much to do on the Rotterdam that I barely spent time in my stateroom.

I spent many of my days relaxing in the expansive multiroom thermal suite, singing along at B.B. King's Blues Club, or sunbathing by the Lido Pool with a retractable roof.

The room was an excellent value, and I was glad I hadn't splurged on a balcony room or one with a window.

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