We have sailed quite a few times with P&O and we liked the itinerary and we were looking forward to a nice Christmas and New Year.

However we were very upset and disappointed with the debacle at the embarkation point in Southampton. It was very badly organised, the facilities and the staff were insufficient to cope with the large number of passengers.

Onboard the Iona there were insufficient facilities for the number of passengers. A lot of the passengers were obviously not used to cruising and left used items I.e. wet pool towels dirty glasses and plates along with other rubbish were left in the lifts and public walkways. On one occasion in the Opal al a Carte restaurant there was a family of four on the next table whose manners were appalling and when they finished eating each course they all licked their plates. Some waiters were not properly trained when they served. One occasion we had breakfast in the Aqua Restaurant after just finishing our breakfast we were chatting with a couple on the next table when the head waiter told us to leave and conduct our conversation elsewhere. Read more