P&O Iona cruise getting cold feet!

Sago -- Ginny is exactly correct in her comments, you can avoid the Main Dining Room by using buffet for evening meal, if it's a 'formal' night (just what we do).

However, your sad comment re "buffet = germfest" is a strong suggestion that you're paranoid, and shouldn't be on a ship at all?! There should be some speciality restaurants too, if you want to do a Garbo?!

And for people wondering about cruises generally, Fred Olsen is a line geared to the more mature British passenger, smaller ships too, not the vast floating cities some lines have!

And also a line with great service, smaller ships that can access less obvious ports, that's AZAMARA (generally a 'smart casual' regime too, suits us). You're paying a little more (still not the '6-star' prices!) but we think excellent value.

You will enjoy it, just do what you are comfortable with.My grumpy husband has been on two cruises with me and some friends and he was pleasantly surprised.We went on a Norway Fjords cruise with Fred Olsen and loved it.We even saw the Northern!ights which was a bonus,and I learned to play better bridge which was great.Iwould thoroughly recommend it.

Thank you Daisy that’s very reassuring.

We did this cruise last year and I had similar concerns to you. Honestly couldn't have enjoyed it more. Norway cruises don't attract families, as a previous poster noted, it'sboring for them - I didn't see a single child on board! We don't enjoy organised entertainment so didn't partake - there as so many bars and restaurants to find a seat in and enjoy the evening. People barely dressed up - those who did "stuck out". Each to their own. There were two evenings that they said restaurants would only admit people in smarter apparel but honestly it was literally what anyone would wear out to lunch or dinner anyway. I wouldn't eat in a buffet either and we ate in restaurants all the time. April - there will be loads of quiet areas on board to sit and watch the scenery, which is stunning. It surpassed all my expectations and totally wasn't at formal, structured etc. You do Freetime dining so can eat on your own, no forced friendships or activities. Lots of people like to engage but for those of us who don't it was fantastic! I'd do it again tomorrow. Hope you have a lovely time.

Just remember you do not have to eat in the buffet.You can use the restaurant for breakfast and lunch. Bypasses the crowds

Sago mayb room service on those evenings ?

I think that you'll enjoy it .
You can be quiet - if you want to be .
I've been on cruises with complete introverts and it's been OK .
I'm happy ,chatty and sociable , but I'm getting quieter.

Have a lovely holiday.

ginny

You’ll be fine.
Join in with what you enjoy. You don’t have to dress up, just use the buffet for dinner. There are always quiet corners that you can sit in.
If you don’t want to meet people, just ignore them. If they think you are antisocial , so what ? You will never meet them again.
Enjoy!

Thanks for your advice but no buffet!
Total germ fest!

You’ll be fine.
Join in with what you enjoy. You don’t have to dress up, just use the buffet for dinner. There are always quiet corners that you can sit in.
If you don’t want to meet people, just ignore them. If they think you are antisocial , so what ? You will never meet them again.
Enjoy!

We are doing the Fjords on Britannia in June. The basic price was a bargain. We will treat it as an all inclusive hotel and spend as much time ashore and watching the view on deck as we can. It's easy to avoid the "Butlins" bits.
Enjoy ⚓

We were on Iona 18 months ago during term time and there were very few children on. I don’t think Norway is a particularly interesting for children! It’s mostly the Canaries that attract families.
Iona is a big ship but the only thing we didn’t like about her was the entertainment. It was very geared to younger folk not old fogeys like us! If you want a traditional cruise ship Aurora is the best! But honestly I’m sure you will enjoy your cruise. Norway is so beautiful