CRUISENSNOOZE Posted January 19, 2022 #1 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Hello, We have just booked a Med cruise on Iona for March. Can anyone tell me if the gym will be open and the launderette on this ship? Maybe there is someone on CruiseCritic that has just got off this ship and knows.... TIA Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrierjohn Posted January 19, 2022 #2 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Gyms had been closed due to omicron, but may now be able to open again, if P&O consider that the likelihood of infection is now lower. Most of the launderettes seem to be inside quarantine areas so may still be closed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOHNLS Posted January 19, 2022 #3 Share Posted January 19, 2022 On our Xmas/New Year cruise, the laundrette on our deck (11) was within the quarantine area, but the laundrette on deck 12 was available, and we used it. Hope this helps 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising.mark.uk Posted January 19, 2022 #4 Share Posted January 19, 2022 The P&O Covid 19 Hub, updated 7 Jan, says that gyms are operating. I hope they are and also that the laundrettes are open. We're on Iona in mid-February, so will know for sure then and will report back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISENSNOOZE Posted January 19, 2022 Author #5 Share Posted January 19, 2022 4 hours ago, cruising.mark.uk said: The P&O Covid 19 Hub, updated 7 Jan, says that gyms are operating. I hope they are and also that the laundrettes are open. We're on Iona in mid-February, so will know for sure then and will report back. Hi Mark, Would love to know, as don't want to lug gym gear if not needed....I feel an excuse coming on to be very lazy!!...mind you better keep the baggy clothes for the end of the cruise!! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodia Posted January 19, 2022 #6 Share Posted January 19, 2022 No gym means I cancel. No way would I do without the gym. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the wandering two Posted January 19, 2022 #7 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Just off Iona on Saturday, launderettes open but not sure about gyms. I know for sure that they were shut on embarkation (Jan 3rd) and don't recall reading anything to the contrary during the sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising.mark.uk Posted January 19, 2022 #8 Share Posted January 19, 2022 I think the gym is always closed for use on embarkation day while they do tours of the spa / gym. Doubtless someone who has been on since the 7 Jan website update will be able to give us a definitive answer soon.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GremlinOfTheSea Posted January 20, 2022 #9 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Hi! I'm on Iona now and the gyms and launderettes are open 🤩 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISENSNOOZE Posted January 20, 2022 Author #10 Share Posted January 20, 2022 26 minutes ago, GremlinOfTheSea said: Hi! I'm on Iona now and the gyms and launderettes are open 🤩 Thank you Gremlin for that good news. Does it feel more or less back to normal on board? Buffets open now? Do you still need to use App to go to a show? Testing etc? Thanks, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GremlinOfTheSea Posted January 20, 2022 #11 Share Posted January 20, 2022 2 hours ago, CRUISENSNOOZE said: Thank you Gremlin for that good news. Does it feel more or less back to normal on board? Buffets open now? Do you still need to use App to go to a show? Testing etc? Thanks, Chris Hi Chris, it is largely back to normal apart from obvious quarantine zones meaning that on some cabin floors you need to go down or up to get across- not really an issue though once you suss it out. The My holiday webpage is being used but in all honesty I love it- shows so easy to book (not all require booking such as those in SkyDome) and also both times I've used the queue system for restaurants it's taken 5 mins despite saying 8 people in the queue etc, so it's really just a case of joining the queue just before you head to the restaurant. Even then, if you forgot to do this you won't be waiting long. I think Covid has changed the face of holidays for a long while yet, and I came on this one knowing the risks. We are 5 days in and I could weep with joy at being here. There are about 12+ laundrettes on the ship that I could count at a glance, and the gym is busy (so says my sister). I think only big change is kids clubs, but the measures are well explained to parents in advance of the holiday itself. Get excited, you are going to have a great time ☺️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GremlinOfTheSea Posted January 20, 2022 #12 Share Posted January 20, 2022 @CRUISENSNOOZE also- forgot to say, for.the current route I'm on only testing being requested in Lisbon, not Madeira, canaries or Cadiz. Same for PLF (aside for UK arrival PLF) Grem 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foody Posted January 20, 2022 #13 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Please can you tell me if you are allowed to get off the ship in ports and wander yourself or do you have to be on an organised tour? We went on an MSC ship last July and had to be in an organised tour, not ideal at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrierjohn Posted January 20, 2022 #14 Share Posted January 20, 2022 41 minutes ago, Foody said: Please can you tell me if you are allowed to get off the ship in ports and wander yourself or do you have to be on an organised tour? We went on an MSC ship last July and had to be in an organised tour, not ideal at all. Depends where you are cruising, some Caribbean Islands only allow organised tours, others you can make your own arrangements Most of Europe allows you to do your own thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindypops Posted January 21, 2022 #15 Share Posted January 21, 2022 11 hours ago, GremlinOfTheSea said: Nice to hear things are returning to some sort of normality😊 please can I ask a couple of questions are you still allowed to take a bottle of spirits on board at embarkation? please can you post a photo of the onboard, drink in yourcabin , prices for bottles of spirits and mixers? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowzz Posted January 21, 2022 #16 Share Posted January 21, 2022 7 hours ago, Lindypops said: are you still allowed to take a bottle of spirits on board at embarkation? Yes, one litre of alcohol per person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISENSNOOZE Posted January 21, 2022 Author #17 Share Posted January 21, 2022 20 hours ago, GremlinOfTheSea said: @CRUISENSNOOZE also- forgot to say, for.the current route I'm on only testing being requested in Lisbon, not Madeira, canaries or Cadiz. Same for PLF (aside for UK arrival PLF) Grem Thanks Grem for coming back with a detailed report. We are on a Med cruise in March visiting Spain and Lisbon. Our November cruise is around the Canaries and overnight in Lisbon. Hopefully by then Covid will of faded away or at least be more manageable. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GremlinOfTheSea Posted January 26, 2022 #18 Share Posted January 26, 2022 On 1/21/2022 at 1:54 AM, Lindypops said: Nice to hear things are returning to some sort of normality😊 please can I ask a couple of questions are you still allowed to take a bottle of spirits on board at embarkation? please can you post a photo of the onboard, drink in yourcabin , prices for bottles of spirits and mixers? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GremlinOfTheSea Posted January 26, 2022 #19 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Also, I bought a bottle of cherry liquor in Portugal and brought it on board without issue. I think if the scanners are port side it's easier; if it's ship side they might challenge loads of booze being brought back on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowzz Posted January 26, 2022 #20 Share Posted January 26, 2022 36 minutes ago, GremlinOfTheSea said: Also, I bought a bottle of cherry liquor in Portugal and brought it on board without issue. I think if the scanners are port side it's easier; if it's ship side they might challenge loads of booze being brought back on. That is certainly our experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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