Our Amazing Family Cruise on P&O Iona to the Norwegian Fjords

There are some holidays that stay with you forever, and our seven-night cruise aboard P&O Iona to the Norwegian Fjords was definitely one of them. Travelling as a family of four, we wanted a holiday that offered adventure, breathtaking scenery and plenty of quality time together. Looking back, this cruise exceeded every expectation.

From stunning mountain landscapes and unforgettable excursions to surprise wildlife, fantastic food and even the Northern Lights, this was a holiday full of memories we'll treasure forever.

Embarkation Day – The Adventure Begins

The excitement started as soon as we arrived in Southampton. Embarkation was quick and well organised, and before long we were stepping onboard the beautiful Iona.

For our cruise, we stayed in a Mini Conservatory Suite, which was the perfect choice for our family of four. The extra space made a huge difference, especially after busy days exploring ashore. The conservatory area quickly became one of our favourite places to relax, whether we were enjoying a morning coffee, reading a book or simply watching the scenery glide by. It really felt like a home away from home for the week.

Sail Away Party – The Perfect Start

One of our favourite memories from the very first day was the sail away party as Iona departed Southampton.

My daughter and I joined the silent disco, and it turned out to be one of the funniest moments of the entire holiday. Watching everyone dancing to completely different songs through their headphones while singing at the top of their voices was hilarious. Before long we were dancing together, laughing and soaking up the amazing atmosphere as the ship sailed towards our Norwegian adventure.

It was the perfect way to begin our family holiday.

Sea Day – Settling Into Cruise Life

Our first sea day gave us the opportunity to explore everything Iona had to offer.

Whether it was enjoying breakfast with an ocean view, relaxing around the ship, watching live entertainment or simply taking in the sea views, there was always something happening. We loved that everyone could spend time doing what they enjoyed before meeting back together for meals or evening entertainment.

The choice of food onboard was fantastic, with something to suit every taste.

Our First Adventure – Olden and the Loen Skylift

Our first port of call was the beautiful village of Olden, surrounded by towering mountains and crystal-clear waters.

From there, we travelled to the incredible Loen Skylift, one of the steepest cable cars in the world, taking us almost 1,000 metres above the fjord in just a few minutes.

The views became more spectacular with every second of the journey, but reaching the top brought an unexpected surprise—snow! Even though it was summer, we found ourselves walking through fresh snow while taking in panoramic views across the fjords.

One of the highlights at the summit was walking through an ice tunnel, which the whole family loved exploring.

As if that wasn't enough, we were also lucky enough to witness something completely unexpected. A group of American wingsuit jumpers were preparing to leap from the mountainside. We stayed to watch as they launched themselves from the cliff edge before gliding gracefully through the valley below. It was both exhilarating and slightly nerve-racking to watch, and definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments we'll never forget.

Olden set the bar incredibly high for the rest of the cruise.

Cruising Through the Norwegian Fjords

Nothing can truly prepare you for sailing through the Norwegian Fjords.

Towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and tiny villages surrounded us as Iona quietly glided through some of the most beautiful scenery we've ever seen. Every turn revealed another incredible view, making it almost impossible to put the camera down.

Watching the scenery from our Mini Conservatory Suite was one of the highlights of the entire holiday. Sitting together in the conservatory or on our balcony while surrounded by dramatic landscapes was an experience we'll never forget.

Discovering Norway

Every port offered something different.

Whether we were wandering through picturesque towns, stopping for coffee, admiring waterfalls or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, Norway completely captured our hearts. Everywhere was beautifully clean, welcoming and surrounded by incredible natural scenery.

One of Our Favourite Meals

With so many fantastic dining options onboard, choosing a favourite wasn't easy.

However, one meal stood out above all the others—our evening at The Beach House.

We all chose the steak, and it was honestly one of the best meals we had during the entire cruise. Cooked exactly how we liked it and full of flavour, it was a brilliant family meal in a relaxed atmosphere. We'd happily book The Beach House again on a future cruise.

An Unexpected Extra Sea Day

Like any holiday, sometimes things don't go exactly to plan.

Unfortunately, due to Storm Force 9 conditions, the Captain made the decision to cancel our final port of call on the journey home. While we were naturally disappointed to miss it, we completely understood that the safety of everyone onboard had to come first.

Ironically, despite the rough weather outside, it turned out to be one of the best nights' sleep we'd had all week! The gentle movement of the ship actually helped us sleep, and we barely noticed the storm overnight.

The unexpected itinerary change gave us an extra sea day, and rather than being disappointed, we made the most of it. We spent some quality time together exploring more of the ship and playing bingo. It turned out to be one of the highlights for our 13-year-old son, who absolutely loved joining in. It was another reminder that there is always something fun to do onboard, whatever the weather.

A Magical Ending – The Northern Lights

Just when we thought our holiday couldn't get any better, nature had one final surprise waiting for us.

As we sailed back through the English Channel on our final evening, we were incredibly lucky to witness a spectacular display of the Northern Lights. Watching the green glow dance across the night sky from the deck of Iona was a truly magical experience and something none of us expected to see.

Passengers gathered outside in amazement, sharing the moment together. It was the perfect ending to an already unforgettable cruise and one we'll be talking about for years to come.

Final Thoughts

This cruise reminded us that the journey is just as important as the destinations.

Travelling as a family of four gave us the opportunity to create memories we'll treasure forever—from dancing together at the sail away silent disco, standing in the snow at the top of the Loen Skylift, watching wingsuit jumpers soar through the Norwegian mountains, enjoying one of the best steaks we've ever had at The Beach House, making the most of an unexpected sea day with family bingo, and ending our holiday beneath the magical Northern Lights.

P&O Iona provided everything we could have hoped for: beautiful accommodation, fantastic food, brilliant entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere that made family time easy and enjoyable.

If you're thinking about cruising to the Norwegian Fjords, we can't recommend it highly enough. The scenery is unlike anywhere else we've ever visited, and sailing there aboard Iona made the experience even more special.

Would we do it all again?

Without a second thought—absolutely.