Accessible Cabins Re Classed on Iona.

MaisieMoo123 · February 22, 2022

Cpt Pugwash I am sure there will be more inside cabins reclassified but these are the only ones I have heard about so far

molecrochip · February 28, 2022

On 2/21/2022 at 7:26 PM, MaisieMoo123 said:

9228, 10331, 16326, 16327 and 16331 have been reclassified as PARTIALLY ACCESSIBLE. This is due to the turning circle not being big enough for certain mobility aids. To say Iona only has 55 accessible cabins to start with this is terrible especially when you also take into account all those that are currently in the isolation zones. Let's hope that they take all this into consideration when they build Arvia!

I believe the following cabins are now all listed as partially accessible.

8327, 8331

9222, 9223, 9228, 9229, 9326, 9327, 9330, 9331

10327, 10331

15322, 15323, 15326, 15327

16326, 16327, 16330, 16331

If you look at the deck plans, the inside accessible cabins are generally all in exactly the same position Speaking with someone on Iona over the weekend, they are all similar.

In the US, you have a concept of fully accessible - one side approach. We don't have that in the UK. Essentially, it means you can't get the wheelchair past the bed. This is the best way of describing the problem.

Selbourne · February 28, 2022

19 minutes ago, molecrochip said:

I believe the following cabins are now all listed as partially accessible.

8327, 8331

9222, 9223, 9228, 9229, 9326, 9327, 9330, 9331

10327, 10331

15322, 15323, 15326, 15327

16326, 16327, 16330, 16331

If you look at the deck plans, the inside accessible cabins are generally all in exactly the same position Speaking with someone on Iona over the weekend, they are all similar.

In the US, you have a concept of fully accessible - one side approach. We don't have that in the UK. Essentially, it means you can't get the wheelchair past the bed. This is the best way of describing the problem.

Well that’s a relief that our accessible cabin isn’t affected, but it still remains one of the large number currently assigned as quarantine cabins. I am hoping that this won’t be the case next year as, if it remains as one, we will regrettably have to cancel all three bookings.

Edited February 28, 2022 by Selbourne

Britboys · February 28, 2022

On 2/18/2022 at 9:11 AM, davecttr said:

I don't think you can say it is an atrium as the Glass House and Keel & Cow occupy a lot of what used to be open space. If captains officer intros etc even return the only suitable place would be the Skydome...

I'm always open to being proved wrong but somehow I don't think the 'traditional-style' Captain's Welcome will happen on Iona and Arvia. Apart from the logistical problems of holding it for 5200+ pax, I think they are going for a different style of cruise altogether.

Britboys · February 28, 2022

On 2/18/2022 at 9:11 AM, davecttr said:

I don't think you can say it is an atrium as the Glass House and Keel & Cow occupy a lot of what used to be open space. If captains officer intros etc even return the only suitable place would be the Skydome.

Deleted duplicate post. Didn't automatically go to post after submitting...🙄

Edited February 28, 2022 by Britboys

Beezes80 · June 17, 2023

On 2/28/2022 at 2:06 PM, molecrochip said:

I believe the following cabins are now all listed as partially accessible.

8327, 8331

9222, 9223, 9228, 9229, 9326, 9327, 9330, 9331

10327, 10331

15322, 15323, 15326, 15327

16326, 16327, 16330, 16331

If you look at the deck plans, the inside accessible cabins are generally all in exactly the same position Speaking with someone on Iona over the weekend, they are all similar.

In the US, you have a concept of fully accessible - one side approach. We don't have that in the UK. Essentially, it means you can't get the wheelchair past the bed. This is the best way of describing the problem.

Hello, sorry for posting on an old thread, can't find anything more recent on this atm. Mods, if I need to post elsewhere, please let me know. TIA.

Part-time wheelchair user here, with a Kuschall K series chair - rigid frame with folding back rest - and a walking stick for short distances.

I'm hoping to book my first ever cruise, which will be on Iona, and I'm having a heck of a job getting any info at all from P&O re cabin suitability, size and layout.

As a first timer, my budget is small and I'm only able to consider the inside PF grade cabins, which are on the list of those reclassified as partially accessible - I'm specifically looking at cabins 9222, 9223, 9228 and 9229. I tried chatting to a disability travel agent but they didn't have any extra info and said I would need one of the fully accessible cabins - but without size/layout info it's impossible for me to be sure and to make an informed decision. Does anybody know where I can find this information? Or a cabin plan specifically for the partially accessible cabins?

Also, re booking, is it correct that you cannot book an accessible cabin at the early saver rate? It's tricky to know prices in advance because they're not bookable online, all I can do is look at the standard inside cabin prices but the same disability travel agent said it was only possible to book a disabled cabin on the select price.

As well as needing the wheelchair, I also struggle to use the phone so moving the access bookings exclusively onto the phones is quite an issue already so I really want to have all the info I need to hand before I even attempt talking to them.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer and apologies for the long post.

Selbourne · June 18, 2023

8 hours ago, Beezes80 said:

Hello, sorry for posting on an old thread, can't find anything more recent on this atm. Mods, if I need to post elsewhere, please let me know. TIA.

Part-time wheelchair user here, with a Kuschall K series chair - rigid frame with folding back rest - and a walking stick for short distances.

I'm hoping to book my first ever cruise, which will be on Iona, and I'm having a heck of a job getting any info at all from P&O re cabin suitability, size and layout.

As a first timer, my budget is small and I'm only able to consider the inside PF grade cabins, which are on the list of those reclassified as partially accessible - I'm specifically looking at cabins 9222, 9223, 9228 and 9229. I tried chatting to a disability travel agent but they didn't have any extra info and said I would need one of the fully accessible cabins - but without size/layout info it's impossible for me to be sure and to make an informed decision. Does anybody know where I can find this information? Or a cabin plan specifically for the partially accessible cabins?

Also, re booking, is it correct that you cannot book an accessible cabin at the early saver rate? It's tricky to know prices in advance because they're not bookable online, all I can do is look at the standard inside cabin prices but the same disability travel agent said it was only possible to book a disabled cabin on the select price.

As well as needing the wheelchair, I also struggle to use the phone so moving the access bookings exclusively onto the phones is quite an issue already so I really want to have all the info I need to hand before I even attempt talking to them.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer and apologies for the long post.

I can’t answer your questions about specific cabins, but the agent is incorrect in telling you that you can only book an accessible cabin on a Select basis.

You can book an accessible cabin on a Saver basis BUT (and it’s an important but) this means that you cannot specify which particular cabin that you want, just a grade. You will still end up with an accessible cabin, but it may be in a poor location (above or below a source of late night noise etc).

I would suggest that you don’t book through the agent that you have spoken to. Many of us use an excellent specialist cruise travel agent, but forum rules prevent us from naming them. Unfortunately some other specialist cruise travel agents aren’t very good, so if this is your first cruise you might be wise to book directly with P&O. You won’t get any discount (although travel agent discounts these days are very small), but they are very helpful and are less likely to give you duff information.

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

56 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

You can book an accessible cabin on a Saver basis BUT (and it’s an important but) this means that you cannot specify which particular cabin that you want, just a grade. You will still end up with an accessible cabin, but it may be in a poor location (above or below a source of late night noise etc).

That's great news, thank you. It did feel a bit off when they said that. For this time I'm be looking at the lowest grade and there are only 4 of them on Iona so at least that lessens the surprise factor!

Selbourne · June 18, 2023

1 minute ago, Beezes80 said:

That's great news, thank you. It did feel a bit off when they said that. For this time I'm be looking at the lowest grade and there are only 4 of them on Iona so at least that lessens the surprise factor!

Well it sort of does, but with a Saver you can be moved to a higher grade without you having to agree to it (and you can’t back out of it). That might sound good, but a higher grade may mean the same type of cabin but more midships and it could be subject to noise disturbance. Probably worth the risk though in your case as most will be OK.

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

7 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Well it sort of does, but with a Saver you can be moved to a higher grade without you having to agree to it (and you can’t back out of it). That might sound good, but a higher grade may mean the same type of cabin but more midships and it could be subject to noise disturbance. Probably worth the risk though in your case as most will be OK.

That's good to know, thank you, I'll bear it in mind on my pros and cons list.

Gettingwarmer · June 18, 2023

10 hours ago, Beezes80 said:

Hello, sorry for posting on an old thread, can't find anything more recent on this atm. Mods, if I need to post elsewhere, please let me know. TIA.

Part-time wheelchair user here, with a Kuschall K series chair - rigid frame with folding back rest - and a walking stick for short distances.

I'm hoping to book my first ever cruise, which will be on Iona, and I'm having a heck of a job getting any info at all from P&O re cabin suitability, size and layout.

As a first timer, my budget is small and I'm only able to consider the inside PF grade cabins, which are on the list of those reclassified as partially accessible - I'm specifically looking at cabins 9222, 9223, 9228 and 9229. I tried chatting to a disability travel agent but they didn't have any extra info and said I would need one of the fully accessible cabins - but without size/layout info it's impossible for me to be sure and to make an informed decision. Does anybody know where I can find this information? Or a cabin plan specifically for the partially accessible cabins?

Also, re booking, is it correct that you cannot book an accessible cabin at the early saver rate? It's tricky to know prices in advance because they're not bookable online, all I can do is look at the standard inside cabin prices but the same disability travel agent said it was only possible to book a disabled cabin on the select price.

As well as needing the wheelchair, I also struggle to use the phone so moving the access bookings exclusively onto the phones is quite an issue already so I really want to have all the info I need to hand before I even attempt talking to them.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer and apologies for the long post.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2929569-pricing-question/#comment-65168879

see post 18

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

11 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2929569-pricing-question/#comment-65168879

see post 18

SUPERSTAR! Thank you. That's exactly what I was hoping for and that's one of the PF cabins I'm looking at so very reassuring.

TigerB · June 18, 2023

28 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2929569-pricing-question/#comment-65168879

see post 18

16 minutes ago, Beezes80 said:

SUPERSTAR! Thank you. That's exactly what I was hoping for and that's one of the PF cabins I'm looking at so very reassuring.

Beezes80, I've just come across your posts on this thread, and was about to search for my old post where I include dimensions for 9229, one of the cabins you are looking at. So, many thanks to Gettingwarmer for beating me to it.

We were only in 9229 for one night, as we were upgraded to a balcony; it was absolutely fine, though.

More recently, we spent two weeks in 15322, a PC grade on Arvia; it was exactly the same same size as 9229.

To give you even more reassurance, the accessible bathrooms are the same same in all the cabins, be it an inside, outside or balcony.

Incidentally, what are the dimensions of your wheelchair?

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

27 minutes ago, TigerB said:

Beezes80, I've just come across your posts on this thread, and was about to search for my old post where I include dimensions for 9229, one of the cabins you are looking at. So, many thanks to Gettingwarmer for beating me to it.

We were only in 9229 for one night, as we were upgraded to a balcony; it was absolutely fine, though.

More recently, we spent two weeks in 15322, a PC grade on Arvia; it was exactly the same same size as 9229.

To give you even more reassurance, the accessible bathrooms are the same same in all the cabins, be it an inside, outside or balcony.

Incidentally, what are the dimensions of your wheelchair?

That really is reassuring, thank you.

Wheelchair is 62cm wide and about 90cm long. Excuse the cat, although in his defence, he IS missing a leg.

TigerB · June 18, 2023

20 minutes ago, Beezes80 said:

That really is reassuring, thank you.

Wheelchair is 62cm wide and about 90cm long. Excuse the cat, although in his defence, he IS missing a leg.

Lovely kitty! 🥰

To be clear, is it Iona you are looking at?

We've only had physical experience of the accessible inside cabins on Arvia; however, they are exactly the same apart from a couple of differences between the ships on a couple of decks.

Please confirm and I'll respond shortly

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

12 minutes ago, TigerB said:

Lovely kitty! 🥰

To be clear, is it Iona you are looking at?

We've only had physical experience of the accessible inside cabins on Arvia; however, they are exactly the same apart from a couple of differences between the ships on a couple of decks.

Please confirm and I'll respond shortly

It's Iona for now, just because of the route and duration I'm looking at. Looking at deck plans, Iona 9229 and Arvia 9229 appear the same re size and location (ditto the other three partially accessible PF cabins) but that's all I can tell from seeing it on paper.

TigerB · June 18, 2023

@Beezes80 One more thing, are you travelling alone or with a companion, and if so, are they able bodied?

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

@TigerB Yes, travelling with an able bodied companion.

TigerB · June 18, 2023

20 minutes ago, Beezes80 said:

It's Iona for now, just because of the route and duration I'm looking at. Looking at deck plans, Iona 9229 and Arvia 9229 appear the same re size and location (ditto the other three partially accessible PF cabins) but that's all I can tell from seeing it on paper.

Don't go by the deck plans, they are not to scale.

The kids have just descended, so I'll post later

Gettingwarmer · June 18, 2023

19 minutes ago, Beezes80 said:

@TigerB Yes, travelling with an able bodied companion.

I would think that would make a positive difference in booking the partially accessible cabins.

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

@Gettingwarmer definitely, she's usually on door and step duty just in case I get stuck

TigerB · June 18, 2023

@Beezes80

It sounds like you have been doing a fair bit of research already, so I may be repeating information you already have; hopefully, the below will be of some help for you.

Iona Inside Accessible Cabins:

There are three grades across twenty cabins: PB, PC, and PF, and they are about the same, square footage wise, but perhaps differently shaped.

PB grades:

10327 and 10331; these are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts, and a little bit farther the other way to the launderette.

PC grades:

16326, 16327, 16330, and 16331; these are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts, and the same distance again to the launderette at the front on the starboard side.

I thought these would suffer with noise from the Sky Dome; however, when I spoke to an occupant of one of them on our last Arvia cruise, she told me they don't. In the cabin corridors of deck 16 though, you do suffer a little bit with the slight smell of cigarettes, migrating from deck 18.

16330 is adjacent to the back area of Taste 360, and 16331 is adjacent to the back area of the Laguna bar; however, I don't think they will be impacted much by noise from those crew areas.

15322, 15323, 15326, and 15327; these are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts. The ones on the starboard side have a straight run to the laundrette, but for the ones on the port side it is a little more convoluted. That said, the launderette on deck 15 is small; two washers, two driers, and one ironing board, and that is to serve a full accommodation deck. I would bob up the nearby stairs to deck 16 and use that launderette; it has four of each of the washers and driers, and two ironing boards. That may be one for your travelling companion; you would have to use the lifts which, at that end of the ship are sometimes busy with smokers going to and from deck 18 or folk going to or from the buffet; some of them may be able to, but don't know how to use the stairs to go up or down just three or four decks.

9326, 9327, 9330, and 9331; these cabins are only on Iona and are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts. Just like the ones on deck 15, the ones on the starboard side have a straight run to the laundrette, but for the ones on the port side it is a little more convoluted. That launderette though is bigger than the one on deck 15.

8327 and 8331; these cabins are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts. One reason to avoid these cabins is that there is no launderette on deck 8. Another reason, and the most significant, is that they are directly above Brodies; consequently they will suffer badly with noise all night and into the wee small hours.

PF grades:

9222, 9223, 9228, and 9229; these cabins are in a forward location and close to the forward lifts, but a fair distance from the launderette.

Arvia Inside Accessible Cabins:

There are five grades across twenty cabins: PB, PC, PD, PE and PF, and they are about the same, square footage wise, but perhaps differently shaped.

PB grades:

10327 and 10331; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

PC grades:

16326, 16327, 16330, and 16331; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

15322, 15323, 15326, and 15327; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

8327 and 8331; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

PD grades:

11743, 11744, and 12742; these are unique to Arvia and are in an aft location, and close to the forward lifts, but a fair distance from the launderette.

PE grades:

9743 and 9748; these are unique to Arvia and are in an aft location, and close to the forward lifts, but a fair distance from the launderette.

PF grades:

9222, 9223, 9228, and 9229; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

--------------------------

To give you some perspective as to how we managed:

My wife is a full time wheelchair user, but can, if necessary, and dependent on whether she is having a good or poor day, walk up to about twenty feet with sticks, and furniture walk a short distance. Ordinarily, she can transfer independently from her chair to a bed, but the beds in the Arvia and Iona accessible cabins are 60cm high, so she needs my assistance for that.

Her travelling power chair is 62cm wide and, with the footrest down, 82cm long. It has lithium batteries and folds easily in one operation, but it remains upright in the cabin.

In both the inside cabins we have been in on Arvia, she has no problem whatsoever using it in the bedroom area or the bathroom.

As I have already written, the inside cabins are all pretty much the same size, and the bathrooms are the same, regardless of the cabin type. In the bathrooms, the sink and safety bar next to the tpoilet are height adjustable.

I will post more photos of 9229 shortly; I won't do so for 15322 as I haven't yet transferred them to my laptop, and the cabin is almost identical to 9229 anyway.

One thing of note for those photos; the bed is a queen. If you have the twin bed configuration, the space at the side of the beds will be different; that could mean that the space on the side of the bed that you usually transfer to may not be sufficient for you. Don't let that put you off though; if you are not happy, your cabin steward can adjust them to suit.

If you don't already know, the main doors and bathroom doors are automatic, and the toggle controls for them easy to use. You just need to make sure you have nothing obstructing the sensors. When leaving your cabin, there is a pause of about five seconds before your door closes; you need to make sure you are near to the corridor wall opposite, so as not to interfere with the sensor, which will prevent it from closing.

As I've previously written, on Arvia in January, we stayed in 9229 for just one night. Had we not been upgraded to a balcony cabin, it would have been ideal for my wife.

In April on Arvia, we spent two weeks in 15322; again, it was absolutely perfect. It was very dark and quiet of a night time, and we both slept soundly. The best thing about that cabin, and it is the same for 15323, was that we only had a neighbour on one side; both cabins are in a corner location, where there is a dog-leg to the corridor. Another benefit of that is that you have much more space to manoeuvre when you approach the cabin door. A possible downside is that your cabin steward may park their cart against the wall nearest to your door; this will interfere with the door sensor and prevent it from closing if it is opened. A quick word to our cabin steward and it never happened again.

In an earlier post, Selbourne mentioned about the potential pitfalls of being upgraded. On that matter I will say this:

Almost all the accessible inside cabins on Iona or Arvia would be fine for us, including the ones on deck 16. The deal breaker would be the two on deck 8, above Brodies.

If you book a saver rate in the PF grade on both ships, or PE and PD grades on Arvia, you run the risk of getting one of those two deck 8 cabins, regardless of whether or not you put in an upgrade request.

Similarly, if you book a saver rate in a PC grade on either ship, you also run the risk of getting either of those cabins.

The only way to guarantee not getting either of those cabins, is to book a PB grade.

That said, if you are upgraded to a higher grade, it may not necessarily be to the same cabin type and of a higher grade; you could be lucky and get an outside or balcony.

As they say, you pay your money, you take your chance.

One thing you must be clear of, and it is something that Selbourne has already written, is that the advice you have been given by your TA is incorrect.

You can have an partially-accessible inside cabin on a saver rate.

From what you have already written about your situation, depending on your bed configuration, the partially accessible cabins will be fine for you.

Finally; if, when speaking on the phone to a travel agent or somebody from P&O, make sure you tell them that a partially accessible inside cabin will be fine for you. If they tell you otherwise, tell them that TigerB says they are talking out of their backside.😉

Beezes80 · June 18, 2023

6 minutes ago, TigerB said:

@Beezes80

It sounds like you have been doing a fair bit of research already, so I may be repeating information you already have; hopefully, the below will be of some help for you.

Iona Inside Accessible Cabins:

There are three grades across twenty cabins: PB, PC, and PF, and they are about the same, square footage wise, but perhaps differently shaped.

PB grades:

10327 and 10331; these are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts, and a little bit farther the other way to the launderette.

PC grades:

16326, 16327, 16330, and 16331; these are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts, and the same distance again to the launderette at the front on the starboard side.

I thought these would suffer with noise from the Sky Dome; however, when I spoke to an occupant of one of them on our last Arvia cruise, she told me they don't. In the cabin corridors of deck 16 though, you do suffer a little bit with the slight smell of cigarettes, migrating from deck 18.

16330 is adjacent to the back area of Taste 360, and 16331 is adjacent to the back area of the Laguna bar; however, I don't think they will be impacted much by noise from those crew areas.

15322, 15323, 15326, and 15327; these are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts. The ones on the starboard side have a straight run to the laundrette, but for the ones on the port side it is a little more convoluted. That said, the launderette on deck 15 is small; two washers, two driers, and one ironing board, and that is to serve a full accommodation deck. I would bob up the nearby stairs to deck 16 and use that launderette; it has four of each of the washers and driers, and two ironing boards. That may be one for your travelling companion; you would have to use the lifts which, at that end of the ship are sometimes busy with smokers going to and from deck 18 or folk going to or from the buffet; some of them may be able to, but don't know how to use the stairs to go up or down just three or four decks.

9326, 9327, 9330, and 9331; these cabins are only on Iona and are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts. Just like the ones on deck 15, the ones on the starboard side have a straight run to the laundrette, but for the ones on the port side it is a little more convoluted. That launderette though is bigger than the one on deck 15.

8327 and 8331; these cabins are in a mid-forward location and close to the forward lifts. One reason to avoid these cabins is that there is no launderette on deck 8. Another reason, and the most significant, is that they are directly above Brodies; consequently they will suffer badly with noise all night and into the wee small hours.

PF grades:

9222, 9223, 9228, and 9229; these cabins are in a forward location and close to the forward lifts, but a fair distance from the launderette.

Arvia Inside Accessible Cabins:

There are five grades across twenty cabins: PB, PC, PD, PE and PF, and they are about the same, square footage wise, but perhaps differently shaped.

PB grades:

10327 and 10331; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

PC grades:

16326, 16327, 16330, and 16331; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

15322, 15323, 15326, and 15327; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

8327 and 8331; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

PD grades:

11743, 11744, and 12742; these are unique to Arvia and are in an aft location, and close to the forward lifts, but a fair distance from the launderette.

PE grades:

9743 and 9748; these are unique to Arvia and are in an aft location, and close to the forward lifts, but a fair distance from the launderette.

PF grades:

9222, 9223, 9228, and 9229; these are exactly the same as those on Iona, with the same benefits, and suffer, where applicable, the same problems.

--------------------------

To give you some perspective as to how we managed:

My wife is a full time wheelchair user, but can, if necessary, and dependent on whether she is having a good or poor day, walk up to about twenty feet with sticks, and furniture walk a short distance. Ordinarily, she can transfer independently from her chair to a bed, but the beds in the Arvia and Iona accessible cabins are 60cm high, so she needs my assistance for that.

Her travelling power chair is 62cm wide and, with the footrest down, 82cm long. It has lithium batteries and folds easily in one operation, but it remains upright in the cabin.

In both the inside cabins we have been in on Arvia, she has no problem whatsoever using it in the bedroom area or the bathroom.

As I have already written, the inside cabins are all pretty much the same size, and the bathrooms are the same, regardless of the cabin type. In the bathrooms, the sink and safety bar next to the tpoilet are height adjustable.

I will post more photos of 9229 shortly; I won't do so for 15322 as I haven't yet transferred them to my laptop, and the cabin is almost identical to 9229 anyway.

One thing of note for those photos; the bed is a queen. If you have the twin bed configuration, the space at the side of the beds will be different; that could mean that the space on the side of the bed that you usually transfer to may not be sufficient for you. Don't let that put you off though; if you are not happy, your cabin steward can adjust them to suit.

If you don't already know, the main doors and bathroom doors are automatic, and the toggle controls for them easy to use. You just need to make sure you have nothing obstructing the sensors. When leaving your cabin, there is a pause of about five seconds before your door closes; you need to make sure you are near to the corridor wall opposite, so as not to interfere with the sensor, which will prevent it from closing.

As I've previously written, on Arvia in January, we stayed in 9229 for just one night. Had we not been upgraded to a balcony cabin, it would have been ideal for my wife.

In April on Arvia, we spent two weeks in 15322; again, it was absolutely perfect. It was very dark and quiet of a night time, and we both slept soundly. The best thing about that cabin, and it is the same for 15323, was that we only had a neighbour on one side; both cabins are in a corner location, where there is a dog-leg to the corridor. Another benefit of that is that you have much more space to manoeuvre when you approach the cabin door. A possible downside is that your cabin steward may park their cart against the wall nearest to your door; this will interfere with the door sensor and prevent it from closing if it is opened. A quick word to our cabin steward and it never happened again.

In an earlier post, Selbourne mentioned about the potential pitfalls of being upgraded. On that matter I will say this:

Almost all the accessible inside cabins on Iona or Arvia would be fine for us, including the ones on deck 16. The deal breaker would be the two on deck 8, above Brodies.

If you book a saver rate in the PF grade on both ships, or PE and PD grades on Arvia, you run the risk of getting one of those two deck 8 cabins, regardless of whether or not you put in an upgrade request.

Similarly, if you book a saver rate in a PC grade on either ship, you also run the risk of getting either of those cabins.

The only way to guarantee not getting either of those cabins, is to book a PB grade.

That said, if you are upgraded to a higher grade, it may not necessarily be to the same cabin type and of a higher grade; you could be lucky and get an outside or balcony.

As they say, you pay your money, you take your chance.

One thing you must be clear of, and it is something that Selbourne has already written, is that the advice you have been given by your TA is incorrect.

You can have an partially-accessible inside cabin on a saver rate.

From what you have already written about your situation, depending on your bed configuration, the partially accessible cabins will be fine for you.

Finally; if, when speaking on the phone to a travel agent or somebody from P&O, make sure you tell them that a partially accessible inside cabin will be fine for you. If they tell you otherwise, tell them that TigerB says they are talking out of their backside.😉

WOW! Thank you for such detailed information, that's absolutely perfect.

Transfer side and space between beds isn't a big issue as once inside the cabin I can use my stick to get about, just as long as there's space for the chair to go in and pop over to one side which it sounds/looks like there is. Dimensions wise it's similar to your wife's so should be fine.

I have another TA today trying to get me on the select rate when 3 of the 4 PF partially accessible Iona cabins are still available, for a trip next spring. Saver rate is still available on the P&O website for standard PF cabins so I'm going to assume this is another one who doesn't know the rules. I have replied to request the saver rate but no response as yet.

Noted re your last point 😆

Thanks again