G234

[towny44]

So far we are very impressed with Iona, yes she is big with lots of passengers but there are plenty of spaces to absorb everybody, especially the outdoor decks. Sometimes the atrium area can become crowded, but no more so than most other ships, in fact it is rare not to be able to find at least 2 seats together, which compares favourably with Aurora where we struggled to even find one free seat indoors.
We have not tried the Olive Grove as yet, but have used the Quays on a couple of occasions, this area certainly seems to take the stress out of the buffet, which on other ships does get very crowded at lunch time as the ships tours return.
We have only used the theatre and the Skydome for evening entertainment so far, but might try the Club House tonight for an Eric Clapton tribute. I doubt we will bother with the Limelight club, and probably not the 710 club.
The Cabin/ Stateroom is excellent, the only issue I have so far is the poor water pressure in the shower, but the rest is top notch. The dining app is not working quite as well as it did on Britannia, but it's no real problem, although we are finding the service in the 2 smaller MDRs is much slower than the 2 big ones, so if we have a theatre reservation we are booking the bigger MDRs
Overall everything seems to be heading back to the new normal, not heard much coughing yet, and no tales of enforced quarantine over dinner, and the captain has not asked us to wear masks as yet, and only the few oddballs seem to be bothering with them.

[david63]

Are the crew still wearing masks?

[Whynd1]

That's good to hear as I'm on the Christmas markets cruise in December.

Do you find it cold in the restaurants etc.

Lindsey

[Mervyn and Trish]

Curiously we found the service issue the other way round, faster in the smaller MDRs. Maybe they've tweaked and over corrected.

[screwy]

John, we were on the cruise before you.
We never booked dining, we just turned up and said we were happy to share.! Got straight in. We dined in ‘ Pearl ‘.
No problem with pressure in the shower.

The problem we found in the club house was that you needed to turn up an hour before the show to get a decent seat,it got so busy.Also the DJ played the music far too loud ( for us )
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed Iona. The fish in the Quays was excellent. Enjoy .

If your having a drink in the glasshouse on an evening,say hello to Myra the bar waitress, tell her the ‘ Lovebirds ‘ say Hi.

[screwy]

Are the crew still wearing masks?

They were last week David.

[towny44]

Are the crew still wearing masks?

They were last week David.

Yes they are still wearing masks.

[kaymar]

So far we are very impressed with Iona, yes she is big with lots of passengers but there are plenty of spaces to absorb everybody, especially the outdoor decks. Sometimes the atrium area can become crowded, but no more so than most other ships, in fact it is rare not to be able to find at least 2 seats together, which compares favourably with Aurora where we struggled to even find one free seat indoors.
We have not tried the Olive Grove as yet, but have used the Quays on a couple of occasions, this area certainly seems to take the stress out of the buffet, which on other ships does get very crowded at lunch time as the ships tours return.
We have only used the theatre and the Skydome for evening entertainment so far, but might try the Club House tonight for an Eric Clapton tribute. I doubt we will bother with the Limelight club, and probably not the 710 club.
The Cabin/ Stateroom is excellent, the only issue I have so far is the poor water pressure in the shower, but the rest is top notch. The dining app is not working quite as well as it did on Britannia, but it's no real problem, although we are finding the service in the 2 smaller MDRs is much slower than the 2 big ones, so if we have a theatre reservation we are booking the bigger MDRs
Overall everything seems to be heading back to the new normal, not heard much coughing yet, and no tales of enforced quarantine over dinner, and the captain has not asked us to wear masks as yet, and only the few oddballs seem to be bothering with them.

"only the few oddballs seem to be bothering with them."

[towny44]

The Captain announced yesterday, while we were at dinner, that Carnival UK were now changing the requirement for crew mask wearing from compulsary to optional, which he indicated was a further step along the road back to normality.
This seemed to get approval from the majority in the dining room.

[david63]

Carnival UK were now changing the requirement for crew mask wearing from compulsary to optional

That seems to be in line with Princess - it appears that where Princess leads P&O follow. Probably a Carnival Corp decision.

[Stephen]

The Captain announced yesterday, while we were at dinner, that Carnival UK were now changing the requirement for crew mask wearing from compulsary to optional, which he indicated was a further step along the road back to normality.
This seemed to get approval from the majority in the dining room.

…and no doubt the crew.