Saturday 17th September
We travelled down to Southampton by Eavesway Coaches. Usually we drive and park, but parking was fully booked as the Boat Show was in town. We were travelling with two other couples, Ann and David and Frank and Anne. The coach picked us up at Warwick Services and we were pleasantly surprised at how luxurious it was. Just over two hours later we were in Southampton. Check in is now much slicker as online checking has been introduced, so we breezed through security and onto the ship. Iona is huge, 5200 passenger and 1800 crew. Being a brand new ship it is gorgeous and our balcony cabins did not disappoint. After a walk around the ship to orient ourselves, we of course headed to the bar. Iona has an app for booking entertainment and restaurants, however, it needs work, it is not the most user friendly app and not everything is on it. It took us a while to realise that you could only pre-book very early slots in the main dining rooms, generally you used the app to join a virtual queue and were notified when your table was ready. Our first dinner was in the Opal restaurant, which is one of the four main dining rooms. As always food was amazing with lots of choices. After dinner we went to the theatre and watched a show called Festival by the Headliners Theatre group. It was very good and the theatre was lovely. Night cap and bed to prepare for a sea day.
Sunday 18th September
Today was a sea day so after a hearty breakfast in the Horizon Buffet restaurant, we explored the ship further. Lunch was fish and chips in The Quays. During the afternoon we were entertained by the ship's magicians Cain and Abel whilst we enjoyed a drink. This evening was formal night, so we put our glad rags on. Before dinner we went to the Sky Dome to see the resident band Pulse, doing a show called 'I believe in a thing called rock. It was good, although the acoustics are not brilliant in the sky dome, however the view of the night sky is magical. We booked the chefs table, but were slightly underwhelmed as it was just a table in the Horizon Buffet restaurant and the service was not great, although the food was.
Monday 19th September
First port today, Stavanger. Iona moored right outside the old town, a picture postcard area of old whitewashed wooden houses. We strolled through the old town, taking in the sights and through the city centre, stopping for coffee in a quaint little square. After a walk around the lake we found a lovely pub overlooking the harbour and sat in the sunshine enjoying a drink. Stavanger is a lovely city and well worth a visit. Once back on the ship we visited the club house, where we saw The Voxens rehearsing, they were great, but unfortunately after dinner we couldn't find seats in the Clubhouse to see their main show. We did see a comedian, but he was rather underwhelming.
Tuesday 20th September
Today's port was Olden, a small village at the bottom of the Nordfjorden. We had booked a trip to see the Briksdal Glacier. We started the day with a little walk around Olden, which doesn't take long as its very small. A coach took us a picturesque drive through the valley and to the beginning of the walking trail to the Briksdal glacier. After a brief coffee stop we completed the 2km walk up to the glacier. It wasn't too challenging a hike and we were rewarded on every turn by beautiful mountain scenery. On our return we stopped for drinks in the sunshine at the only pub in Olden, which is right on the quay side. This was Iona's last trip to Olden of the season, so the whole village and the mayor turned up to wave us off. In the evening, after watching the Voxens in the sky dome we saw a ventriloquist and comedian in the theatre who was surprisingly good.
Wednesday 21st September
Alesund today. We hadn't booked a trip, so decided to independently explore the city. The city had been described as an Art Nouveau gem, we were underwhelmed! If we visited Alesund again on a cruise I would definitely book a trip. There is a lookout point which apparently gives great views of the Geirangerfjord, but our legs were too tired after walking up the Glacier the day before. After a stroll we went back on the ship for lunch, I had a lovely Thai curry from The Quays. After dinner in the main dining room, we went to the Sky dome to watch Rise, an acrobatic show, which is probably best described as a bit bizarre! But we still had a great night, fabulous food and wine and great company, with lots of laughs.
Thursday 22nd September
Today should have been our final port of Hausenger, but unfortunately due to a force 10 gale we were unable to dock. It is testament to how the stable Iona is that we had no idea the wind was so strong and the sea so rough. This meant we had an extra sea day. So time to once again enjoy all Iona had to offer. Nik and I went to the glass house to enjoy a wine flight and read our books. A lovely day spent relaxing. In the evening we went to The Limelight Club, this is an optional extra and cost £25 per person. We had a lovely three course meal and were entertained by Jaymi Hensley, who was a member of Union J. He was an excellent singer and entertainer and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Friday 23rd September
Final day onboard the lovely Iona, sailing back to Southampton. Another day enjoying all the facilities. In the morning we went to the cinema to see the new Speilberg version of Westside Story. Iona has four cinema screens and shows a good variety of films, something for everyone. In the evening after enjoying our last meal in the main dining room, we head to the theatre to see Kalon Rae, who had appeared on the voice. He was good, but we had been spoilt the night before by the excellent Jaymi Hensley.
Saturday 24th September
Docked in Southampton. Time for one last breakfast in the Horizon buffet before disembarking and boarding our coach home. Lovely week, amazing food and best of all brilliant company. When can we go again?
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