Iona or Arvia: let the journey decide.

Prepared and verified 19 September 2026 · Marky · Independent.

These P&O ships share several headline facility counts, but counts cannot tell you which holiday you will enjoy more. We have not sailed on either ship for this assessment and do not assign a score.

Begin with the departure and itinerary

The operator lists Southampton for Iona and both Southampton and Caribbean home ports for Arvia. The practical distinction is your selected departure: compare the flight, transfer and nights away alongside the cruise. An attractive fare can lead to a very different total journey.

Compare the spaces you will use

Arvia’s retractable SkyDome roof is worth investigating if poolside time matters. For both ships, inspect the current activity and dining information, including what costs extra. Do not interpret a shared pool count as equal space, atmosphere or availability.

Choose the cabin before judging the price

Obtain the exact category and view information. A balcony may matter more if you intend to spend time privately watching scenery. A less expensive category may suit a trip built around public spaces and shore time. Neither is a universal winner.

Our decision framework

Shortlist the sailing that fits your route and dates, confirm the facilities essential to your party, then compare the complete cost. Inspect the side-by-side fact table and the individual Iona and Arvia references.

Next review: 19 December 2026. No substantive corrections recorded. Report a correction.