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Top Six Breakfast Spots on P&O Cruises’ Iona, According to a Cruise Expert

08 November 2024

Which P&O Cruises’ Iona Restaurants Are Best for Breakfast?

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day and if you’re embarking on an exciting adventure aboard P&O Cruises’ remarkable Iona anytime soon, you’re going to want to know where the best breakfast is onboard – there are quite a few restaurants on Iona to choose from, after all.

Fear not, though, for we have an answer to this very question, thanks to Iglu Cruises’ Cruise Travel Expert Derek Bartle – someone with a wealth of cruise experience, and over 150 sailings, under his belt!

A selection of cold breakfast foods available on P&O Iona

Recently, Derek enjoyed a week-long cruise aboard P&O Iona and – aside from exploring some sensational destinations and all the excellent amenities onboard – he discovered that there were “an amazing six ways” to enjoy breakfast. In this blog, Derek will take you through all of these fantastic breakfast options alongside other dining highlights that are just too good to miss! And, with a variety of P&O Iona deals available right now, you’ll definitely want to book your next P&O Iona getaway the minute you finish reading!

Contents:

  1. Horizon Restaurant
  2. Coral Restaurant
  3. The Quays
  4. Room Service
  5. The Keel & Cow
  6. The Epicurean
  7. More on P&O Cruises’ Dining Options

Horizon Restaurant

When it comes to grabbing breakfast on Iona, the first choice for many people is the aft-positioned Horizon Restaurant – the main buffet-style dining venue onboard, found on Deck Sixteen. Here, alongside some sensational sea views, you’ll find all the usual fare of both cooked and cold food available on a self-serve basis; in Horizon, you’ll also find stations for tea and filter coffee alongside fruit juices, soft drinks, and water. If you’re after eggs with your breakfast, you’ll be pleased to know there’s also stations where you can order fried, poached, or scrambled eggs alongside cooked-to-order omelettes!

One thing worth keeping in mind, though, is that this venue does tend to get quite busy during popular dining times – for example, around 9 am. However, this restaurant is usually open earlier than other dining venues and closes later; so, it has a much wider window of opportunity for both early and late risers.

Horizon Restaurant

Beyond breakfast, if you decide to dine in Horizon Restaurant again, you can expect to enjoy a fantastic variety of foods – both from back home and all around the world – throughout lunch and into dinner. Elegant yet casual, with cuisines to suit every appetite and a variety of dietary needs, this spacious self-service spot is the perfect place for a relaxed meal during your voyage.

If you want to enhance your experience onboard, find out more about P&O Cruises' drinks packages and what each extra gets you right here!

Coral Restaurant

Your second option, and somewhere where you can enjoy more bespoke breakfasts, would be one of the main dining rooms on Iona – which you’ll find towards the back of the ship on Deck Six. On P&O Cruises’ ships, all of the main dining venues operate on a ‘Freedom Dining’ basis where passengers can join a virtual queue via their smartphone and choose their table size and whether they want to join other diners for breakfast. Usually, by the time you’ve made your way to the restaurant from your stateroom or suite, your table will be ready for you.

Breakfast in one of the main dining rooms with P&O Cruises

The main dining rooms on Iona, though, operate on shorter breakfast hours – which also vary depending on whether the ship is at sea or in port. However, you’ll have the services of a waiter here and can enjoy a selection of refreshments; from teas and coffees to fruit juices and more. The breakfast options here include cold foods – such as cereals, yoghurts, and fruits – alongside the usual selection of cooked breakfast items – sausages, bacon, eggs, grilled tomatoes, black pudding, and more. Your waiter will also bring you some toast of your choice, with a variety of spreads, complimenting the entire experience.

Alongside the remarkable Coral Restaurant, Iona is home to the following other main dining rooms: Opal Restaurant, Aqua Restaurant, and Pearl Restaurant. You’ll find similar menus available in each of these venues throughout your cruise.

P&O Cruises is one of the best cruise lines to book on board with and you can find out more in our ultimate P&O Cruises guide here ahead of your next adventure!

The Quays

The third option for breakfast on this list, and a venue you should really consider frequenting during your cruise, is The Quays – Iona’s food court found in the aft section of Deck Eight. The food on offer here is also complimentary, as are the first two choices, so you won’t find any hidden fees here. Uniquely, while here, you’ll have the option to enjoy warm waffles and fresh pancakes from Hook Line and Vinegar – a dining venue where you would find fish and chips to enjoy during the day.

The Quays

You’ll also be able to get a scaled-down Full English buffet-style breakfast here with all the cooked breakfast classics – bacon, sausages, hash browns, mushrooms, and more. Like the main dining rooms, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy tea, coffee, fruit juice, and more in The Quays; and, just around the corner, on the way to the Olive Grove restaurant, you’ll find a selection of cold foods, meats, cheeses, and fruits. This venue gives you a lot of options to enjoy.

Breakfast is just one part of a cruise the whole family can enjoy, and you can find out more about the best way to book a cruise for families right here.

Room Service

The fourth breakfast option on this list, and the first option that is available at an additional cost, is room service. If you’d like a leisurely breakfast in your suite or stateroom, you can place a breakfast order with room service in two ways; you can either call room service from the phone in your suite or stateroom and place your order, or you can fill out a breakfast card and hang it outside your suite or stateroom’s door the night before – which will make your morning even more relaxing.

A Suite Balcony on Iona

Choices are fairly limited when it comes to room service, though, and don’t include any hot foods. So, cereals, fruits, yoghurts, and pastries are the sorts of things you’ll find here. If you choose to hang a breakfast card outside your door, you’ll be able to choose your preferred delivery time; and, while the food itself here is complimentary, there is an additional tray delivery charge that will be added to your onboard account. It’s not an extravagant amount – only £2.50 per tray as of November 2024 – but it’s still something worth keeping in mind.

Room service is great, but what about location? Here's a guide to the best cabin positions on a cruise ship, if you're not sure whether you should book an aft-facing stateroom, mid-ship, or somewhere more forward.

The Keel & Cow

A fairly recent addition to the onboard offerings on P&O Cruises’ Iona, and previously a dining venue that has only been open for lunch and dinner, the Keel & Cow ‘gastro pub’ – which can be found mid-ship on Deck Eight – is a great casual breakfast venue for your cruise. This has to be booked via the My Holiday app, though, and you may be turned away if you arrive for breakfast without pre-booking.

The Keel & Cow

The Keel & Cow is one of the specialty restaurants onboard and serves a variety of foods throughout the day – although, it’s known primarily for its steaks, which are aged onboard, and their ‘Prime Minister’ burger. That’s why you’ll find breakfast is a scaled-down affair, despite the variety of breakfast foods on offer. There’s a small choice of starters – such as fresh fruits, granola, and yoghurts – bagels – which you can enjoy with things like smoked salmon and poached eggs – and the option to indulge in a Full English breakfast. You’ll also find a bakery basket available with fresh bread and pastries, and some refreshments like tea and coffee are complimentary when dining here.

However, the food here is individually priced and can add up if you’re not careful; that, and things like fruit juices come with an additional charge – although, despite ordering orange juice every time I visited, I was never charged for it.

For more exclusive experiences, find out all about P&O Cruises' Peninsular Club right here.

The Epicurean

The final breakfast option on this list, which is the number one choice in my book, is The Epicurean. This is the most expensive option, with an £8.50 per person additional supplement as of November 2024, but it’s an exclusive dining option that’s subject to availability and the discretion of the venue manager. You’ll find this particular venue in the front section of Deck 17.

Normally exclusive to suite guests, who don’t need to pay the additional charge, there is an option for non-suite guests to get breakfast here throughout your cruise. If you enquire here, and if there’s availability, you’ll have the option to enjoy breakfast from 7 am to 9 am in the Epicurean.

The Epicurean

When dining here, you’ll be seated at a table with linen tablecloths and top-class silverware, with an almost limitless choice of refreshments – from teas and coffees to juices and smoothies – and an exquisite range of breakfast foods.You can choose from a range of cold foods, like cereals and yoghurts, smoked salmon bagels and eggs benedict, cooked-to-order omelettes, and even things like minute steak – which is far from a bad thing to add to your bacon and eggs. Toast is also provided – with the crusts cut off, of course – and you’ll find all the familiar hot breakfast items available to order.

All in all, as a connoisseur of the cruise ship breakfast, this really is the pinnacle for me; it does come at a cost, but it’s worth every penny.

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More on P&O Cruises’ Dining Options

Alongside information on the best places to eat breakfast on P&O Iona, Derek is also sharing some top tips when it comes to the other restaurants onboard and dining experiences you won’t want to miss!

Which restaurants would you recommend onboard?

Having dined in all the restaurants onboard, I found that they’re all excellent. However, my favourite would have to be the Keel & Cow, closely followed by the Olive Grove. The Keel & Cow serves dry-aged steaks and the most amazing burgers, meanwhile the Olive Grove has a fine selection of Mediterranean dishes – including pasta dishes, pizza, and kebabs.

The Olive Grove

Are there any standout meals from the restaurants you enjoyed the most?

I enjoyed the Norwegian six-course tasting menu in the Epicurean, though this is something that’s only available on cruises to the Norwegian Fjords. The aforementioned ‘Prime Minister’ burger, in Keel & Cow, is another highlight.

What’s the atmosphere like in the dining venues onboard?

Every venue on P&O Iona has its own unique atmosphere, from the main dining rooms and The Quays to the exclusive specialty restaurants, with sweeping panoramic views always available as the ship sails to your next destination.

Every mealtime is a delight!

Any other top tips when it comes to dining on Iona?

When it comes to dining, you really should think about planning ahead – and book, book, book! There’s nothing worse than looking forward to eating in a restaurant onboard, trying to book a table on the day, and finding out it’s solidly booked for the rest of your cruise. That’s why I recommend studying the menus available online ahead of time and planning your meals; I know that sounds a little regimental – you are on holiday, after all – but planning will make all the difference and will help you avoid any disappointments when it comes to dining.

Book Your Next Adventure Aboard P&O Iona with Iglu Cruise Today

Whether you’re a big fan of breakfasts onboard or otherwise, P&O Iona is a fantastic ship to sail on and offers a variety of itineraries packed with sensational places to visit. Although, that’s not the only ship embarking on exciting adventures; just take a look at the latest cruise deals and you’ll find a whole host of incredible itineraries – from short breaks and mini cruises to all-inclusive offerings and luxury sailings – to some of the most stunning spots in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Australasia, and more.

For more on cruising in general (and some destination inspiration for your next getaway), check out some of the latest blogs from the Iglu Cruise team below:

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