Solo on P&O Iona New Year's Eve

This is my unique experience of travelling alone after widowhood. Join me aboard for a glimpse into my adventure – my personal experience of this beautiful ship as I set sail solo. 

‍

I'm packed again, it's December 30th 2023. I’m ready to go to the port of Southampton for a 14 day cruise on P and O, Iona. The weather in the UK is not good, and it's expected to be rough at sea. The dreaded Bay of Biscay. The ship is expected to go to Vigo, Gibraltar, Alicante, Barcelona, Valencia, Cadiz and Lisbon. It’s a very large ship, so hopefully the stability is good.  I get seasick if I look at a puddle, so I'm not sure why I love cruising, seeing as I suffer so much. Well tablets are packed, and let's hope it's calm seas.

Have I done the right thing

I’m about to find out if it's the right thing for me.  I've always wanted to be on board New Years Eve, but preferably not alone.

Delayed at Southampton

Evidently the weather is so bad that we can’t sail until Monday morning. So that means New Years Eve celebrations are in Southampton on board ship. The Captain advised the waves out at sea are 7.5 metres high. 

My cabin on P and O Iona,  Balcony 14614

I have a balcony cabin, 14614. Port side, mid, aft. All the usuals here, very comfortable. Kettle, tea and coffee, and a daily delivery of biscuits. 

‍

Nice bathroom, with The White Company, shower gel, and shampoo, but no conditioner. You can ask your room steward, and they will bring you some small bottles if needed. UK plug sockets, phone USB socket under the bed lamp. No flannels, again they will bring one if required, and I bribed the room steward to bring me a bathrobe. 

What do you think of the view from my balcony? 

How do you connect with other solos on board ship? 

If you wish to contact other solo cruisers, to find out if it's for you, or to check if there are any other solos on board. Go to Facebook and type your cruise code in the search. I`m sure a lot of you know this, but for those who don’t, try it, you should get some good matches.

‍

People the same as you will be there with queries about the cruise. Those who are thinking of booking and those who are already booked. From there, either yourself or any other enterprising persons can start up a WhatsApp group. This is what happened to me for this New Years Eve Cruise. 

Celebration Dinner on P and O Iona New Year’s Eve

So all was going well. Our WhatsApp group of mainly solos are on board. The organiser, a super lady, organised our table for the evening celebrations in the restaurant. Prior to the cruise we were given a code and asked to phone P and O. Confirmed, we would be seated together. All done. I really wanted to have company on New Year's Eve.

So what happened? Bit of a slip up by P and O, as they couldn't get me into the same restaurant as the group. Some of my new buddies very kindly offered to swap. But no, it was one of those things. So feeling like Billy no mates, off I went to the other restaurant, but it was ok. In fact, more than ok, I met some great people. 

‍

We had a good celebration meal and interesting conversations. P and O supplied complimentary wine. 

New Year Celebration menu on P and O Iona

‍

I caught up with my group later in the Clubhouse. and I danced away until midnight. It was a wonderful evening. 

Dancing until midnight, and singing “Old Man’s Eye!”

‍

We all sang “Auld Lang syne.” Linked arms, kisses and hugs, streamers. It was a great evening. I have a secret to tell. Don’t Tell. Auld Lang syne. Up until the age of 30 I sang, For the sake of “Old man’s eye.” Because that’s what as a child, I thought everyone was singing. When I was older I still used to sing away,  slightly tipsy and heartily until my husband pointed my error out to me one New Year’s Eve. On this cruise I have had the tradition explained to me by a very lovely Scotsman. He said it was about friendship and old times. That’ll do. 

Happy New Year everyone

‍

There were many celebrations around the ship for New Year’s Eve, and the celebrations continued until late. If you are thinking of doing a New Year cruise it's great fun, you are guaranteed a party on board. 

Solo meet ups on board P and O Iona

I attended the solo meet up at the Crows nest at 10.00 a.m. As listed in the Horizon paper. The Crows nest is a large venue, with mixed groups. No indication where the solos were to meet. I was lucky and saw a few of my shipmates and I joined them for coffee. But I saw people meandering alone, wondering where the solo meet up was being held.  It would be so easy to put up a sign in the corner of the venue, to assist guests. These solo meetups form a platform for some, for the rest of the cruise. It allows an opportunity to never feel alone, to go ashore together, to meet up for drinks, dinner, if you want. A dip in or out, up to you. Anyway there's no helpful sign, so just approach someone, and ask. Everyone is extremely friendly. 

‍

Our lovely lady (also known as the mothership) who organised the WhatsApp group would ask everyone to meet, if they wanted, in the Grand Atrium for coffee at 12.00 and drinks at 5.30. An opportunity to organise your day, and evening.

Restaurants on P and O Iona

This is a big ship, there are many restaurants on board. 

I won't detail every restaurant, but you can look on the P and O web site here. 

Or even ask me a question. 

My favourite, The Quays. Everything is freshly cooked. There are three different counters. Casual dining. Fish and chips, Asian foods, i.e Katsu curry, burgers and fried chicken. There are also desserts and salads. The food I found was excellent in all venues. The Horizon buffet is very varied.  Its menu is pleasing to mainly British guests, even serving hot chocolate and Horlicks late at night. Some of my cruise buddies would add a double brandy. 

I have a cunning plan

Captain Wesley Dunlop has announced he has a cunning plan. We are going to be at sea until Thursday. In the style of Eric Morecambe he said we are going to visit all the right ports, but not necessarily in the right order. 

Do you have the right cruise insurance cover?

Note: Adding this information after the cruise. 

We were delayed in Southampton for 32 hours, and the ship couldn't dock in Alicante due to high winds. At the end of the cruise we were given a letter detailing the delays. I contacted my insurer. I have an annual insurance with nationwide flex plus I gave them a call. They authorised payment over the phone and said the money will be in my bank in 4-7 days. Excellent service. I originally wasn’t going to bother claiming. Certainly it's enough to cover my bar bill!

As a solo, will I be comfortable attending the entertainment venues?

Absolutely. Iona is a wonderful ship, with so much to do. There’s the Headliners theatre, with different shows every night. All details are in your daily Horizon magazine, or download the My Holiday app. 

The Clubhouse, which hosts the resident band Pulse also has great singers. Sometimes there is a comedian, or a tribute show. There’s plenty of room to dance. The Skydome hosts acrobatic performances, bands, and regular silent discos. 

There are other venues around the ship. Brodies, which has a pub-like atmosphere, which hosts quizzes and groups. The 710 Club is very popular. It has a resident band, playing a vintage vibe.

‍

The Limelight Club

‍

The Limelight Club, which you have to book. It’s in the theme of a nightclub with a meal. Our group saw Tom Lister, he was excellent, and interacted with the guests between songs. There are various bars around the ship with background live music, mainly played by pianists. The atrium is a very popular meeting point during the day and the evening. There are several bars here and Vistas cafe serving Costa coffee. 

A nice way to chill is, go and see a film. Iona has an excellent comfortable cinema, with four screens. I saw a couple of the latest. Ocean Studios Deck 6.

In addition to the extensive inside facilities Iona has great outside space. 

Infinity pool on P and O Iona. Look how foggy it is.

There are four swimming pools, three outside, including an infinity pool, one indoor. 16 whirlpools. A full size multi use sports court. Golf net, gym, a running track. Table tennis, shuffleboard. 

Are there any other events you could attend as a solo on board P and O Iona?

Well you don’t have to be a solo, but there were things I did which I was quite happy to do on my own. They had daily art classes, line dancing. Go along to listen to the guest speaker. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I listened to the aircraft crash investigator, discussing pilot error.  Art discussions by the onboard art team. A cooking show. Gym and the spa. The casino. Many shops. The library, and a daily newspaper with quizzes. On the front of the Horizon paper there was often a spa special offer. 

Ship Bound for 5 days on P and O Iona

It was good that there was an extensive programme of things to do as we were ship bound until Thursday. 

I couldn't  wait to get off and explore some ports. The weather has certainly disrupted the itinerary. Read my next article about what I did when going ashore from P and O Iona.

I've had an absolutely amazing time! Being solo on P&O Iona for New Year's Eve was truly spectacular. I not only had the chance to make new friends but also felt safe and well taken care of by the charming staff. The food was a real treat!

Many of my wonderful travel companions were from more northern parts of England. They kept me chuckling for two whole weeks, and I'm tellin' thee, by the time I got back 'ome, it felt like I'd picked up a bit of a northern accent. Sorry about that. Love ‘em loads, and hope to meet them again. 

For those who might be hesitant about solo travel, especially if you're recently widowed, I can't recommend it enough. It's been my therapy, and it has made a significant positive impact to my well being. Cruising is easy, safe and stress free. If you're considering it, go for it! Let me know how you get on. 

I booked this cruise direct with P and O Cruises

‍

P and O Iona

Capacity 5,200

Crew 1,800

17 decks