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In this guide, I’ll take you on a tour of the different pools available on one of P&O cruises newest ships. P&O Cruises’ Iona offers a range of swimming pools for all tastes and activities. Whether you’re after somewhere to chill out, have fun with family, soak up some live music and interactive entertainment, or just relax with amazing panoramic views, there’s a pool to suit you on board.
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How many pools are there on P&O Cruises Iona ?
Iona has 4 main swimming pools but there are a whole range of other pools to choose from on board:
- 4 Swimming Pools (Skydome Pool, Infinity Pool, Panorama Pool, Beachcomber Pool)
- 20 Whirlpools (see below)
- 1 Splash Zone
- 1 Splash Pool
- 1 Hydrotherapy Pool (The Hydrotherapy Pool in the Oasis Spa)
Main Swimming Pools on P&O Cruises Iona – a quick review
The Skydome Pool on Iona
The Skydome Pool is a key feature of this entertainment hub on board P&O Cruises Iona. The Pool is located right under a huge glass dome. The pool is heated, and as it’s covered, you can enjoy the pool regardless of the weather outside. The Skydome pool is the only free to use indoor pool on Iona.
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There are plenty of sun loungers and reclining chairs next to the pool or near the pool. Tables and chairs are also plentiful and are in the more shaded areas. There are also a range of food venues (Taste 360, Horizon Restaurant, Sundaes) and bars nearby (Laguna Bar, Crystal Bar, Sky Bar). Pool towel stations are also readily available.
As the Skydome is one of the main entertainment hubs on ship, this is a lively pool throughout the day with lots of music and entertainment on offer. In the evening the pool transforms into a stage with live music, tribute acts and aerial performances (‘Triboo’, ‘Rise’ and ‘Spark’). The Skydome is also the venue for Nicola’s Scherzinger’s immersive, multisensory entertainment experience ‘Schhh ’ on selected evenings.
The Skydome also the biggest pool on ship so you’ll often find this is the best place to get the laps in if you’re partial to a morning swim. There are also two whirlpools next to the Skydome pool for relaxing.
Skydome Pool on Iona - Plus points:
❤️The heated indoor pool means this is a great pool for families all year-round.
❤️Great for getting your laps in on an early morning swim.
❤️Lots of entertainment throughout the day
❤️Plenty of facilities located within easy reach – water refill stations, food, bars, ice cream, toilets and showers.
Skydome Pool on Iona - Minus points:
⬇️This pool can get really busy on sea days – especially when the weather isn’t too good outside
⬇️The glass Skydome roof can sometimes make this a noisy/echoey environment.
The Infinity Pool on Iona
Located right at the aft on Deck 16, the Infinity pool overlooks the back on the ship. If you swim right to the ed you will get interrupted views of the ship’s aft and beyond. You may have seen plenty of photos of this pool’s views on Instagram and P&O cruises publicity images. It certainly is the best place to get an iconic holiday shot.
A medium sized pool, it’s not the best one to head to if you want a good swim but it is perfect if you want to get a couple of strokes in and cool down a bit. This pool is my best pick for watching the sunrise or sunset on board.
There are a good range for facilities nearby – such as the Infinity bar, and the Horizon Restaurant. It’s also located very near the aft lifts so it’s a highly accessible pool. There is occasional pop-up entertainment here during the day (check the daily ‘Horizon’ magazine for more details).
Around the pool you’ll find a combination of tables and chairs, sun loungers and reclining chairs. Pool towel stations are also readily available.
Next to the infinity pool is a small ‘splash’ pool perfect for young kids, and I understand kids with swim nappies can use this pool. There are also toilets and showers nearby and there are also some great shaded areas too.
Around the pool you’ll find a combination of tables and chairs, sun loungers and reclining chairs. Pool towel stations are also readily available. There are also toilets and showers nearby and there are also some great shaded areas too.
Infinity Pool on Iona - Plus points:
❤️A pool with great views
❤️A good selection of places to sit with equal amounts of sun and shade
❤️A good range of facilities nearby (Horizon Restaurant, Infinity Bar bar, showers, toilets)
❤️Great for an iconic holiday shot
❤️A slightly quiet pool with occasional entertainment
Infinity Pool on Iona - Minus points:
⬇️Less sheltered on cold/windy days
⬇️Can get busy on sunny sea days.
⬇️The nearest hot tubs are up one deck
The Panorama Pool on Iona
This is one of the the highest pools on Iona and offers stunning vistas and sea views. Located right at the aft it overlooks the infinity pool.
As the Pool is located near to the Splash zone it’s a great pool to locate near for families with younger kids. However, it is located a little further from food venues. The nearest food venues are the Horizon buffet (located on Deck 16) or the Taste 360 in the Skydome.
The pool can be accessed either via steps at the back of the ship or the midship lifts, which makes it the least accessible free to use pool on board.
This outdoor pool can get busy on sea days with good weather. There are a reasonable amount of sun loungers located around the pool, but these are quickly occupied on days with the best weather. This pool is also quite exposed so there are few shaded areas during the midday sun.
Panorama Pool on Iona - Plus points:
❤️The pool with the best views on Iona
❤️Great for families - the splash area and sports court are nearby.
❤️A range of facilities nearby: Panorama bar, toilets and showers
Panorama Pool on Iona - Minus points:
⬇️This pool is next to one of the smoking areas on board (aft, portside, Deck 18)
⬇️Far from food venues.
⬇️Least accessible pool.
⬇️Limited shaded seating areas nearby during the midday sun
⬇️More exposed on cold/windy days
The Beachcomber Pool on Iona
Located right at the front of the ship on deck 18, next to the retreat, The beachcomber pool is one of the quietest pools on board. You’ll rarely find any entertainment up here.
The pool is located near to the forward smoking area on Deck 18, Forward. While this smoking area isn’t right next to the pool (like that found at the Panorama Pool) if the wind blos in a certain direction. You might catch the smell of smoke if you sit on the port side of the pool.
There are plenty of seating options around the pool. There are 6 sunken circular wooden seating areas right next to the pool, sun loungers and tables with comfy padded chairs nearby on shaded sections. The pool is a reasonable size and good for getting a few stokes in.
The facilities near this pool are quite limited. There are toilets and a bar, but little else. The nearest food venue will be Taste 360 in the Skydome on Deck 16.
Beachcomber Pool on Iona - Plus points:
❤️A good combination of exposed and shaded areas
❤️A quiet pool perfect for chilling out next to, with a good range of seating options.
❤️Some good facilities nearby – toilets, and the Beachcomber bar.
Beachcomber Pool on Iona - Minus points:
⬇️Can get very windy and be more susceptible to movement of the ship on rough sea days.
⬇️Near to the forward smoking area on Deck 18, forward portside.
⬇️Limited food facilities.
Whirlpools/ Hot Tubs on P&O Cruises Iona
Iona has an impressive number of whirlpools (or hot tubs) dotted around the ship. 18 in total! These are located on Decks, 8, 16, 17, & 18:
Whirlpools on Iona :
➡️Deck 8 Whirlpools on Iona :
6 Outdoor Infinity Whirlpools located in front of cabins between Midship and Mid Forward (3 on either side of the ship).
2 Large outdoor Whirlpools located right at the aft either side of the Sunset bar.
➡️Deck 16 Whirlpools on Iona :
2 Indoor Whirlpools one at each end of the Skydome Pool, Midship
➡️Deck 17 Whirlpools on Iona :
2 Outdoor Whirlpools located at the aft (1 each side of the ship)
2 Outdoor Whirlpools located at the Midship on the sundeck outside the upper level of the Skydome (1 each side of the ship)
➡️Deck 18 Whirlpools on Iona :
2 Outdoor Whirlpools located Mid-Forward on the sunbathing area between the Skydome and Beachcomber Pool (1 each side of the ship)
2 Outdoor Adult-only Whirlpools located at front of the ship in the Retreat (1 each side of the ship) these Whirlpools are the only two whirlpools on ship which are not complimentary and require a paid access pass to the Retreat.
Outdoor Infinity Whirlpools
Large Whirlpools
Retreat Whirlpools
Indoor Whirlpools
Pools with bars on Iona
All pools on Iona have bar nearby, but the Skydome has the best range of poolside bars.
| Pool | Nearest Bar(s) |
| Skydome Pool | Laguna Bar Crystal Bar Sky Bar |
| Infinity Pool | Infinity Bar |
| Panorama Pool | Panorama Bar |
| Beachcomber Pool | Beachcomber Bar |
Nearest food to Pools on Iona
| Pool | Food Venue(s) |
| Skydome Pool (Deck 16 Midship) | Taste 360 (Deck 16 Midship) Sundaes Ice Cream (Deck 16 Midship) Horizon Buffet (Deck 16 Midship) |
| Infinity Pool (Deck 16, Aft) | Horizon Buffet (Deck 16 Midship) |
| Panorama Pool (Deck 17, Aft) | Horizon Buffet (Deck 16 Midship) |
| Beachcomber Pool (Deck 18, Forward) | Taste 360 (Deck 16 Midship) |
Indoor pools on Iona
There are two indoor pools on Iona: the Skydome which is free to use and the Hydrotherapy Pool located in the Oasis spa which there is a charge to access.
Frequently asked questions: pools on Iona
When are the pools open on Iona ?
Opening hours for all pools and whirlpool spas are listed in the daily on board ‘Horizon’ Magazine but this is usually 8am – 8pm. Sometimes pools and whirlpools are temporarily closed for maintenance and some pools may be closed in bad weather.
How warm are the pools on Iona ?
The temperature of each pool is monitored and maintained at an average of 29°C however, on colder weather cruises the water can sometimes feel colder!
Are the Pools on Iona saltwater or freshwater?
All the pools on Iona are fresh water, and usually have less chlorine than you’d find in a swimming pool ashore.
Is there a lifeguard on duty on the pools on Iona ?
The pools on board are unsupervised and children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Although P&O website doesn’t mention it explicitly, during peak periods in School Holidays, we have noticed a couple of lifeguards on duty in Iona’s Skydome pool.
Are pool hoists available on Iona ?
While on first glance it doesn’t seem that any of the pools on Iona has a pool hoist, a pool hoist with chair (weight limit 136kg) is available for all pools on board. However, this may need to be booked in advance at Reception with 24 hours’ notice. It’s worth noting that crew are trained to assist guests to operate the pool hoist only and cannot help guests in and out of the hoist.
Can Children in Swim Nappies use the pools on Iona ?
Children can use the family-friendly pools on Iona but children in nappies, swim nappies or pull ups, or those who aren’t completely toilet trained should only use designated pool areas. These are the splash pool at the aft on Deck 16 and the Splash zone on Deck 18.
Best Pools on P&O Cruises Iona?
So after all of the above, what’s my pick pf the best pools on Iona?
Best pools for families on Iona ?
Splash Zone on Deck 17, Splash Pool next to the infinity pool on Deck 16, the Skydome Pool, Infinity Pool, and Panorama Pool
Best Adult only Pools on Iona ?
While there isn’t a specific free to use Adults only pool on Iona, as it’s a family-friendly ship, The Beachcomber Pool tends to be the quietest. The two Whirlpools near the Sunset Bar at the aft on Deck 8 also tend to be predominately child-free. Failing that, I’d head to the paid option such as the Hydrotherapy pool in the Oasis Spa or the two Whirlpools in the Retreat.
Best pools to chill out in on Iona ?
My first pick would be The Beachcomber Pool, but head to any pool or whirlpool first thing while everyone is getting ready for or at breakfast for a great quiet swim or dip. Alternatively head to the large Whirlpools at the back of the ship on Deck 8, it’s quite a trek to get to these two whirlpools, so a lot of people give them a miss for the more accessible midship infinity ones on the promenade deck.
Find out more about my Inside Cabin must-haves
Pools with the best views Iona ?
Panorama and Infinity pools
Summary
P&O Cruises’ Iona offers some great pools options for everyone and all ages, whether it’s family fun to chilled out spaces come rain or shine. I hope you’ve found this post useful in helping you to plan and get the most out of your time on board. Why not join my friendly Facebook group where you can continue the conversation, ask a question and share your experiences.
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