Which P&O Iona Speciality Eating places are Price Paying For?

Some posts on this web site include affiliate hyperlinks. For those who e book or purchase one thing by means of these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no further value to you). Check out my privateness coverage for extra data.

A fast evaluate of the speciality eating places onboard the P&O Iona – and which of them are price paying further for.

The Iona is certainly one of P&O’s largest ships, and there’s a large vary of eating choices onboard, from informal and buffet-style by means of to luxurious, high-end eating places.

Most of the eating places are included in your cruise value, so that you by no means have to pay something further for those who don’t wish to. However for those who fancy a deal with, you may e book one of many speciality eating places. These include an extra value, starting from round £10 to £40, relying on the venue. So the query is – which of them are literally price paying for?!

On my latest journey, I attempted all the principle speciality eating venues to see which of them are literally well worth the splurge. Hope this helps…

Disclaimer: I booked and paid for my cruise myself, however I used to be given some onboard credit score by P&O’s PR group. All opinions are 100% my very own and trustworthy.

P&O Iona Speciality Eating places

Under, I’ve listed the speciality eating places so as of value, from the most costly to the least costly, with a brief evaluate of every one.

Please notice: the duvet expenses talked about beneath are what I paid in February 2026. I consider the costs differ barely relying on what route you’re crusing.

Epicurean – Excessive-end eating

Cowl Cost: £40pp, 3 coursesPre-booking: As much as 120 days earlier than your cruise.

Epicurean is the most costly onboard restaurant, providing a high-end eating expertise. Suppose small plates and large flavours! The venue itself is a classy eating room, all pristine white tablecloths and lightweight blue trim, with attractive ocean views. Though it’s a stunning venue, it felt rather less formal and intimate than it must be for the value: a number of the tables are fairly shut collectively, and I might hear my neighbours’ conversations.

The service was impeccable, and the meals was wonderful, with attractive flavours and actually good presentation – particularly my chocolate tea cup dessert. Parts are small, however not too small, and also you additionally get an amuse-bouche and a few petits fours, so there was loads of meals! I paid further to have wine pairings with my three programs, which was positively well worth the splurge if you wish to make an actual deal with of it.

General, I’m unsure Epicurean was fairly price the additional £40 every we spent, particularly compared with the value of the Limelight Membership or Sindhu. It felt like that value ought to incorporate a welcome drink or one thing! 

The decision: Wonderful meals and a sublime setting – however the cowl cost is a tad too excessive for my part!

Limelight Membership – Dinner and a present

Cowl Cost: Costs differ by cruise and relying on the act (often between £30-45, we paid £31pp)Pre-booking: 14 days earlier than your cruise.

The Limelight Membership presents dinner with a present, with performances various by cruise. Areas are restricted, so it’s a really intimate present, they usually organize the tables so that you simply’ll get a great view regardless of the place you’re seated. There have been two West Finish stars performing musical numbers on my go to, which was proper up my road!

The purpose is a high-end eating expertise, they usually principally hit the mark, with good presentation and daring flavours. All our dishes had been very good, besides the dessert, which was simply okay. Parts had been just a little small (particularly the starters), and to be trustworthy, we did pop as much as the buffet afterwards as my accomplice was nonetheless hungry! However general, the meal was good, the present was wonderful (particularly for theatre geeks like me), and it was a enjoyable expertise.

The decision: Good meals however small parts. Discover out what the present is earlier than you e book, as a result of that’s the actual promoting level with this venue.

Sindhu – Indian impressed

Cowl Cost: £22pp, 3 coursesPre-booking: As much as 120 days earlier than your cruise.

Sindhu was my surprising favorite eating expertise on the Iona. A lot in order that I stored attempting to persuade my accomplice that we should always return! It’s a high-end Indian restaurant, and the area is gorgeous – numerous elegant darkish wooden and gold trim. The service was wonderful, I beloved the venue, and this was simply one of the best meal we ate on the ship.

I believed the meals was scrumptious, and actually prime quality contemplating the pretty affordable cowl cost. However please don’t e book it anticipating your traditional takeaway curry, as you’ll be disillusioned! This is a bit more fancy, with Indian-inspired dishes and flavours, all with an elevated twist. Suppose dishes like tandoori lamb cutlets, Keralan-spiced crab, and duck tikka malabari. The meat was cooked to perfection, and the flavours had been all scrumptious, though I’ve to confess the dessert wasn’t my favorite.

The decision: Elegant and calming, with nice service and scrumptious meals. Not a traditional curry home, and it could be too “posh” for some tastes, however it’s excellent for a particular deal with.

Epicurean Afternoon Tea

Cowl Cost: £19.50pp Pre-booking: As much as 120 days earlier than your cruise.

I’ve coated The Epicurean restaurant above, however throughout the day, additionally they supply afternoon tea. This is a little more moderately priced than their night meal choices, and is ideal in order for you a little bit of a deal with – particularly for those who’re celebrating an important day. (The picture on the high of this web page reveals the total afternoon tea).

The whole lot was scrumptious, particularly the chocolate tart and the orange-blossom scones, and the presentation was very fairly. Once more, the service was fab, though I felt the tables had been just a little too shut collectively, making it really feel extra of an off-the-cuff, communal expertise than I’d have favored for the value. General, although, it was a stunning expertise, having fun with afternoon tea with a view of the ocean. 

The decision: Simply the correct mix of fancy and enjoyable – excellent for a deal with for those who don’t thoughts the splurge. E book it for a sea day, and be sure to don’t eat an excessive amount of at lunch beforehand!

Seashore Home – USA, Caribbean, and Latin American

Cowl Cost: £11.50pp, 3 coursesPre-booking: As much as 120 days earlier than your cruise.

Seashore Home is essentially the most inexpensive and informal of the speciality eating places onboard the Iona. The venue is inside the Horizon buffet restaurant, extra like a cordoned-off space than a separate restaurant, so it didn’t have the identical intimate ambiance as a number of the others – assume Nando’s vibes slightly than swanky restaurant. Nevertheless it’s a enjoyable setting, and the meals was superb contemplating the value.

The menu is filled with American, Caribbean, and Latin American dishes: assume fajitas, beer-can rooster, and ceviche. Among the meals have an additional cost, however many of the menu is included within the cowl cost. Once more, the meals high quality was much like a great chain restaurant, however I actually loved the meal. We had the Asado Sharing Platter, chock-full of BBQ meat, and it was completely scrumptious.

The decision: Seashore Home is the best choice in order for you one thing just a little totally different with out spending some huge cash. The duvet cost may be very affordable for the standard, the vibes are enjoyable, and the meals was good.

The Olive Grove – Mediterranean flavours

Cowl Cost: £0 Pre-booking: As soon as onboard.

First off, The Olive Grove isn’t really a speciality restaurant as there’s no cowl cost – and many of the menu is included in your cruise fare. Nonetheless, in contrast to the traditional eating rooms, you may e book it upfront as soon as on board. It’s Mediterranean-inspired, and the decor offers it a little bit of a trattoria really feel, with fake ivy trellises and glowing lamps. The meals is first rate, however I’d say it was the sort of high quality you’d get in a series restaurant; good, however not mind-blowing!

Meals-wise, it’s very Mediterranean: antipasti sharing boards, pasta dishes, pizzas, gyros, and many others. There are just a few dishes on the menu with an additional charge, and these are arguably one of the best ones, for instance, the hanging kebab and the slow-cooked lamb tagine. I attempted each of those, they usually had been nice, however our Mediterranean sharing platter to start out was a little bit of a let-down, with tiny parts (only one tiny slice of chorizo every!). On our go to, service was sluggish and a bit unfriendly, however I’m completely happy to imagine this was a blip – we really spoke to the top waiter after, and he talked about our server was very new.

The decision: Good sufficient provided that there’s no charge to dine right here! A good selection in order for you the texture of a speciality restaurant with out paying further.

Which Eating places are Included on the P&O Iona?

For those who don’t wish to pay further to dine, don’t fear: you will have loads of choices included in your cruise value:

Horizon – The buffet restaurant. Informal, different, and infrequently crowded at mealtimes (particularly breakfast).

Freedom Eating – There are 4 formal eating rooms (Aqua, Coral, Opal and Pearl). The menu is identical throughout all 4 venues, and modifications day-after-day, so it received’t get samey.

The Quays – A mini food-court, with three stay cooking sections. Select from an American Diner (burgers and fried rooster), Fish and Chips, and an Asian-style venue (the katsu curry is superb).

The Olive Grove – As talked about above, the Mediterranean-inspired Olive Grove is usually included, though a few menu objects have an additional charge.

Style 360 – Avenue-food model venue close to the SkyDome pool with a spread of sunshine bites (tapas, pizzas, scorching canines, and many others.).

Ripples – Ice cream parlour with gelato by the news, sundaes, desserts, and an ice cream afternoon tea!

Sundaes – Small ice cream stall within the Skydome (close to the “important” pool).

Room Service – There’s a restricted menu of meal choices accessible to ship to your cabin. Sadly, there’s no cooked breakfast on the room service menu, solely pastries or cereal.

The Glass Home – Tapas and wine bar within the atrium with an à la carte menu (small plates are across the £3 mark). I didn’t have time to eat right here, sadly, however it did look beautiful.

The Keel & Cow – Gastro-pub model eating, with steaks, burgers, and British pub classics. Additionally they do breakfast. Once more, I didn’t have time to eat right here, however the meals seems good. Nonetheless, I didn’t love the venue, because it’s within the Atrium close to the doorways to the Promeade Deck, which is a busy space with numerous folks strolling by.

Have you ever eaten at any of the speciality eating places on the P&O Iona? Share your experiences within the feedback beneath (and be at liberty to ask me any questions).