Iona staycation Scottish islands

[silversurf]

Does anyone know the route that the ship will take? I presume we go up the west coast to the islands, but then do we come back the same way or circumnavigate the the U.K. and come back down the east coast?
Thank you.

[davecttr]

I imagine it will come back the same way it went via the Irish Sea which is about 550 nautical miles, Coming back via the east coast is 650 nautical miles from Orkney which would not give us the 4 days in the islands as written in the booking confirmation.

 

Of course the weather may interfere as well.

[haggis]

I understand that the captain has free range to follow the weather and it will depend on how the weather is behaving in the North or Irish seas will determine which route he takes 

Jimmy 

[silversurf]

Looking at the itinerary it seems as if we are only spending one afternoon, on the third day of the cruise, around the Scottish islands. Are we just bobbing around on the sea for the remainder of the time?
Not complaining, just happy to be back at sea.

[davecttr]

Fingal's Cave on Staffa, Isle of Arran, Sound of Jura and Isle of Mull are all mentioned on the itinerary and you can't visit them all in one afternoon so I reckon about 3 days cruising around the islands or maybe even anchoring with 1 1/2 days out and the same back to Southampton. The Captain will have some discretion and a lot depends on the weather.

[P&O SUE]

I’ve had a couple of emails recently from P&O trying to get me on this cruise! If only I didn’t have to work I would be tempted!

[Thejuggler]

9, 10, 11, 12 August the ship will be go up the coast and back down again, obviously close enough to see land, but take binoculars!  Huge cruise ships don't get too close to shore.

As I will be on the west coast of Scotland at that time I will be looking out for the ship.  Might even time my day trip to Coll for the day the ship looks like it will be passing.

 

Edited July 25, 2021 by Thejuggler

[Thejuggler]

Timings didn't work for my trip to Coll, but this morning whilst having breakfast I did see Iona as it went towards Oban on its way to Tobermory.

 

5 minutes later the sighting paled into insignificance when 2 white tailed sea eagles flew over the loch!

[davecttr]

It seems Iona has given up on Scotland as marine traffic has it heading south with destination Weymouth. It did a circuit of Arran this morning but weather radar has shown atrocious conditions

[P&O SUE]

1 hour ago, davecttr said:

It seems Iona has given up on Scotland as marine traffic has it heading south with destination Weymouth. It did a circuit of Arran this morning but weather radar has shown atrocious conditions

 
Posts I’ve seen on the ‘other site’ have shown lovely weather in Scotland, they’ve been past Iona obviously and Staffa. Half way through the cruise so perhaps it was due to head back now?

[bobstheboy]

Latest posts say they are in the middle of a storm, sick bags are out !

[lynn2002]

I am on the Iona to Scotland on 21 August.  How rough does the sea get?  Similar to crossing from Southampton to Gibraltar?

 

[davecttr]

1 hour ago, P&O SUE said:

 
Posts I’ve seen on the ‘other site’ have shown lovely weather in Scotland, they’ve been past Iona obviously and Staffa. Half way through the cruise so perhaps it was due to head back now?

They still have 2 days left so perhaps they are chasing the sun and calmer seas. She arrived off Iona on Monday afternoon and anchored until mid evening. I think that was Celebration night whatever that is. then they made a mad dash out of territorial waters to maybe allow the casino to open. Tuesday was a circuit of Mull followed by another dash westwards. According to marine traffic I think they were due to anchor at Arran today but circled the island and then set off south. Currently entering the Irish Sea

[Son of Anarchy]

18 hours ago, lynn2002 said:

I am on the Iona to Scotland on 21 August.  How rough does the sea get?  Similar to crossing from Southampton to Gibraltar?

 

I've sailed yachts in Scotland that time of year several times.  One year, 35 kts wind gusting to 40 with 3m waves, another year we chugged for 6 days, no wind, flat sea, needed lots of sun cream!  No guarantees on Scottish weather!  

[Thejuggler]

I was on the Mull of Kintyre as Iona did its trip around Arran. It was a foul day and I never actually saw Arran (and its only a 3-4 miles off the east coast of Mull of Kintyre!) so I doubt the passengers saw much more.

 

The day before we were on the beach all day in 22 degree sun.

Edited August 14, 2021 by Thejuggler

[Eglesbrech]

On 8/12/2021 at 11:10 AM, Son of Anarchy said:

No guarantees on Scottish weather! 

Oh there are guarantees. You can guarantee that no 2 days will ever be quite the same be it summer, autumn, winter or spring! 
 

If  you don’t like the current weather then just wait a while and it will change! 4 seasons in 1 day is not unusual.

[shopaholic6]

On 8/11/2021 at 4:46 PM, bobstheboy said:

Latest posts say they are in the middle of a storm, sick bags are out !

Wow - I must have been on a different ship lol! 😂😂😂 my sunburn will tell you that 😂😂😂

Edited August 14, 2021 by shopaholic6

[shopaholic6]

 

[shopaholic6]

[shopaholic6]

21 minutes ago, shopaholic6 said:

 

 

Sorry for the upside down pic! Must do better!!!

 

Edited August 14, 2021 by shopaholic6
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