After 38 years working in travel, you’d think choosing our own holiday would be easy — but with so many places to see and so little time, it never is!

For years, we’d talked about visiting the Norwegian Fjords, and cruising is undoubtedly the best way to experience their magnificence. A minor health issue meant flying was best avoided for a while, so the timing suddenly felt perfect for our first cruise.

We booked just 19 days before departure and chose P & O's Iona. Availability was good, the price offered excellent value, the dates worked perfectly, my friend could look after our cat, and my colleague could cover the business — all the stars aligned!

So, on 18th April, we headed down the A34 to Southampton.We were amazed by how smooth and easy the whole process was. We parked just five minutes from Ocean Terminal and were dropped directly outside the luggage drop-off point. There was a short delay because P&O’s systems temporarily went down, but even then, the queue was far shorter than anything we’ve experienced at an airport.

Before long, we were on board.Walking into the Atrium prompted Mark’s first “wow” moment — what an incredible entrance and introduction to the ship!

When we arrived at our cabin, our luggage was already waiting for us, which was impressive. We had chosen an inside cabin on Deck 12 in a midships location, conveniently close to the lifts. It turned out to be perfect: spacious, cleverly designed, with plenty of storage and everything we needed. We’d wondered whether we’d miss having a window, but it honestly wasn’t an issue. The cabin was wonderfully dark and quiet at night, and the bed was incredibly comfortable.

Iona is a stunning ship — immaculate, modern, and exceptionally well maintained. She features 30 restaurants and bars, 10 entertainment venues, a cinema, and a large theatre. Carrying over 5,000 passengers, she is enormous, yet somehow never felt overwhelmingly crowded. Even on sea days, it was still possible to find peaceful spots away from the busiest areas.

Our itinerary included four ports of call and two full sea days. We were incredibly lucky with the weather, and the North Sea crossing was remarkably smooth. At times, we genuinely forgot we were even on a ship unless we looked out of the windows or stepped onto deck.

Because we booked late, we hadn’t arranged any shore excursions in advance, so we explored independently at each port.

Our first stop was Stavanger, a wonderfully walkable city with a charming Old Town just a few minutes from the ship. We spent the day wandering around the harbour, browsing the market, and exploring the picturesque back streets.

Next came Olden, the destination I had been most excited about. The sail-in through Nordfjord and Innvikfjorden was simply breathtaking. We woke at 5:30am to watch the sunrise over the fjords from the deck, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip — absolutely worth the early start! Olden itself looked like something from a postcard, made even more beautiful by the snow still covering the mountain tops. While there, we took one of the little land trains through the surrounding scenery, stopping frequently for photographs.

Our third stop was Ålesund. Another cruise ship had docked alongside us, so our plans for the land train were thwarted as they were all full, but we still thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the town, admiring its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and soaking up the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, our final scheduled stop at Haugesund had to be cancelled due to high winds. The Captain explained that docking would not be safe, so instead we began our return journey across the North Sea, at a slower pace, back to Southampton. Missed ports are fairly common on Fjords cruises, where conditions can change quickly and passenger safety must always come first. In truth, the extra sea day simply gave us more time to relax, read, and enjoy a few more Pink Gin Spritzes — so we weren’t too disappointed!

No review of Iona would be complete without mentioning the food. The choice was exceptional: four main dining rooms, a huge buffet, casual fast-food options, and several speciality restaurants. Every meal we had was excellent, and there truly was something for everyone at any time of day.

In conclusion, we absolutely loved our first cruise, and the Norwegian Fjords exceeded every expectation we’d built up over the years.

Would we cruise again? Absolutely. However, we think 7–10 nights would probably be our ideal duration, and next time we’d likely choose a smaller ship. Iona is spectacular and packed with facilities, but we realised we didn’t use many of them. A smaller ship with fewer passengers would probably suit us better for future cruises.

What to Pack for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise...

Layers for all seasons: Norwegian weather is famously unpredictable. Pack lightweight jumpers, a warm jacket, and versatile layers. We enjoyed temperatures of 17–18°C, but the following week brought heavy snow!

Comfortable walking shoes: Many ports involve cobbled streets, steep steps, or hiking excursions, so supportive footwear is essential.

Sun protection: We never expected to be sunbathing on deck in the North Sea in April, but sunscreen and sunglasses turned out to be must-haves.

Reusable water bottle: There are water stations throughout the ship, and the tap water in cabins is perfectly safe to drink, so you are able to replenish your water easily.

Basic medical kit: Bring seasickness tablets, plasters, painkillers, and any personal medication. There is a pharmacy on board, but prices can be high.

If you’re considering a cruise — whether it’s your very first or your eleventh — I’d be delighted to help. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your ideas and find the perfect itinerary for you.