More family fun onboard P&O's Iona

P&O Cruises have just released details of new options onboard the soon to be launched Iona that will ensure the ultimate holiday for families. These include a new dining concept called The Quays which will be a lively multi-venue dining piazza offering an impressive line-up of eateries and restaurants. There will be plenty of buzz adding to the beachfront promenade vibe.

At the Boardwalk Diner, American classics meet Southern soul food with an all-day menu. Offering take-away dishes all day, Fusion is a hot spot for lovers of authentic Asian flavours. Traditional British fish and chips will be on offer at Hook Line and Vinegar. The Olive Grove celebrates the flavours of the southern and eastern Mediterranean with authentic dishes and sharing platters. And for more exciting global cuisines all the family will enjoy, there’s Taste 360, a new signature concept offering a street-food-style dining experience on deck so guests can try exciting flavours with a side of dramatic sea views. There’s also Ripples - an informal and family-friendly venue serving scoops of luxury Italian-style gelato courtesy of Snowflake.

The 5,200-passenger Iona will also offer a full programme of entertainment and programmes to appeal to all youngsters, from toddlers to teens. The Reef onboard activity programme keeps children aged six months to 12 years happy and entertained throughout the day and evening; Scene gives teens aged 13 to 17 their own cool place to hang out and test their skills with the latest gaming technology; while the Night Nursery allows parents the chance to enjoy Iona’s extensive array of dining and entertainment options without little ones in tow.

If parents can tear their kids away from the clubs, the whole family will enjoy Ocean Studios - a four-screen cinema complex offering comfortable seating and a premium cinema experience. With screenings throughout the day, there’s always an option to see an age-appropriate blockbuster or family classic – complete with popcorn, ice cream and snacks. There’s also the Club House where families can play games and enjoy entertainment and game shows; a range of swimming pools, family-friendly shows in the Headliners Theatre and extraordinary pop-up performances, including aerial and circus performances, in the Grand Atrium and SkyDome.

There’s just as much fun to be had ashore thanks to some exciting new shore excursions aimed specifically at families. These include: ‘Explore the Atlantic’ in Ålesund, where the Atlantic Sea-Park - one of Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums – has 11 large landscape aquariums filled with north Atlantic sea life from various ocean depths. Other family-focused excursions range from ‘Float through a Fjord’ in Norway; ‘Zip through the treetops’ in Cádiz; and ‘Have a ball’ at Barcelona’s legendary Camp Nou stadium.