Our First Cruise: Exploring Norway’s Flords with P&O Iona
Norway had always been high on our list, big, wild and expensive. Road trips and trains sounded amazing, but the cost and size of the country put us off a bit. A cruise on the Iona turned out to be a cheaper way to see the fjords we had always wanted to visit. We booked with a mix of nerves and curiosity and somewhere between Stavanger and Olden, being at sea started to feel right.
Embarkation was easier than we expected. Walking across the gangway onto the Iona for the first time, no YouTube video had prepared us for the atrium. The size, the light and the buzz of people exploring made it feel like stepping into a hotel lobby in motion. Our cabin at the aft on deck 9 had a balcony, a little treat we allowed ourselves since this was likely our one and only cruise. Standing there and looking out over the water as the ship got ready to sail, it finally felt real.
P&O Iona in Stavanger
The Iona is one of P&O’s largest ships, carrying over 5,000 passengers and packed with restaurants, bars and entertainment options. Even just walking around, it’s easy to see why people rave about the onboard experience. With spacious public areas, plenty of deck space to enjoy the sea views, and activities to suit all tastes, it felt lively without ever being overwhelming.
Life on board the Iona was part of the fun. We loved trying different restaurants and dishes, doing a pub and bar crawl, joining in pub quizzes, and attending lectures about art. There was always something going on, so even when we weren’t in port, the ship itself felt like an experience.
The Atrium in P&O Iona
Over the week we visited four very different Norwegian ports. Each had its own look and feel. Between stops, the fjords stretched endlessly, calm and wide, making the journey itself just as memorable as the towns.
Stavanger was exactly what I had imagined. Pretty streets, a nice harbour and that classic fjord-town feel. Even a short wander along the cobbled streets made it feel like stepping into the Norway I had pictured.
Gamle Stavanger
Alesund was more of a mystery before we arrived, but it quickly grew on me. Its Art Nouveau buildings, colourful streets and waterfront made the town feel special. Walking around it was a simple pleasure.
View of Alesund and P& O Iona from Mount Aksla
Olden was the adventure highlight. We didn’t walk up to the glacier but getting close enough to see it looming against the mountains was impressive. Just being near it made the scale of the landscape feel huge and reminded us why we had travelled so far.
Olden, Norway
Haugesund surprised me. Docking next to a working port, it reminded me more of Immingham than the fjords and at first it felt a little odd. Even so, there was charm in the quiet streets, the harbour and the sense of everyday Norwegian life. It gave a different but equally real perspective.
Haugesund, Norway
By the end of the week, we’d seen a small slice of Norway, from harbours to colourful towns and the glacier in Olden. The fjords between the ports showed why this part of the world is so special. Our first cruise was full of new experiences, little surprises and moments that made us feel small and alive. Each port deserves its own story, but even in overview, the trip left us with memories we won’t forget. By the time we got off the ship, we knew it wouldn’t be our last cruise.
