Cruising the Norwegian Fjords with a Baby on P&O Iona
- littleandmetravel
- May 31
- 6 min read
As a travel consultant and mum, I am often asked whether a cruise holiday is a good option with a baby. After spending a week sailing through the breath taking Norwegian Fjords on P&O Iona with my 10-month-old son, I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation.
When people imagine travelling with a baby, they often picture endless packing, disrupted routines and plenty of stress. Thankfully, our Norwegian Fjords cruise with a baby was the complete opposite. From the moment we left home to the day we returned, the holiday felt surprisingly easy, family-friendly and genuinely relaxing.
If you're considering a Norwegian Fjords cruise with a baby, here's my honest experience, along with some practical tips that made all the difference.
Travelling to Southampton with Cruise Connect
Our holiday began in Blackpool, where we boarded the Cruise Connect coach service to Southampton. Travelling with a baby can often feel like the hardest part of any holiday. This journey was refreshingly straightforward.
Once our suitcases were loaded onto the coach, we didn't see them again until they appeared outside our cabin onboard Iona. That alone removed a huge amount of stress.
For the journey, we packed a cabin bag containing:
• Nappies and wipes
• A spare outfit for everyone
• Snacks and milk
• Swimwear
• Baby essentials for the first few hours onboard
This proved invaluable and meant we had everything we needed while waiting for luggage delivery.
Embarkation Day Was Surprisingly Stress-Free
Embarkation day was one of my biggest concerns before travelling.
Would there be long queues?
Would our little one become restless?
Would it feel chaotic?
The reality couldn't have been more different.
The process was smooth, organised and efficient from start to finish. We seemed to receive priority during check-in and were quickly directed through the terminal. Whether this was because we were travelling with a baby or simply good timing, I couldn't say for certain.
Before we knew it, we were stepping onboard P&O Iona and beginning our adventure.
It set the tone for the entire holiday.
Getting Around P&O Iona with a Baby
One thing that immediately stood out was how spacious the ship felt.
We travelled with a Bugaboo Butterfly pushchair, which was lightweight, compact and ideal for cruising. The corridors throughout the ship were wide enough to navigate comfortably, even during busier periods. We never felt restricted when moving between venues, restaurants or entertainment areas.
The only challenge came with the lifts.
There are plenty of them, but during peak periods they could become busy, particularly around embarkation, disembarkation and meal times.
My biggest tip would be to allow extra time when heading to activities, dining reservations or shore excursions.
Setting off ten minutes earlier made a huge difference.
The Crew Made Our Son Feel Like Royalty
Of everything we experienced during the cruise, this is what stands out most.
The crew were exceptional.
Everywhere we went, staff smiled, waved and interacted with our son. They remembered him, chatted to him and constantly made him feel welcome.
As parents, watching him light up every time a crew member greeted him was incredibly special.
Their kindness wasn't limited to guest interaction either.
Before we arrived, P&O had arranged:
• A travel cot
• A baby bath
• A bed rail
• The option of a bottle warmer and steriliser if required
These thoughtful touches helped us settle into family life onboard immediately.
Dining with a Baby on P&O Iona
One question I receive regularly is whether dining works well with babies onboard.
The answer is yes.
Highchairs were readily available throughout the ship, making meal times straightforward.
There were children's dining options available and family-friendly meal times if you preferred to eat earlier with younger children.
We also spotted themed children's tea events featuring characters such as Wallace and Gromit, which looked incredibly popular with families.
For us, flexibility was key.
Some evenings we enjoyed family meals together, while on others our parents stepped in and gave us the chance to enjoy a meal as a couple.
Those moments of adult conversation and incredible food were greatly appreciated.
I will be covering the food and drink onboard Iona in a separate blog because it deserves an article of its own.
Activities for Babies on P&O Iona
One area where P&O really impressed me was children's entertainment.
Each evening, the Horizon newsletter was delivered to our cabin. This outlined activities for all age groups across the ship.
I particularly loved how inclusive the programme felt.
Rather than simply focusing on older children, there were dedicated activities for babies and toddlers aged 0-2 years.
Song and rhyme sessions quickly became a favourite.
The entertainment team had clearly thought carefully about timings too. Activities often fitted neatly around naps and meal times, making them far easier for parents to attend.
The Reef Nursery and Soft Play Were Absolute Lifesavers
If you're travelling with a very active baby, this section is important.
Our son was ten months old and already crawling everywhere while practising standing at every opportunity.
After spending time in a pushchair, carrier or highchair, he needed somewhere to move.
The Reef nursery became one of our favourite places onboard.
The facilities were spacious, clean and thoughtfully designed. Different rooms catered for different age groups, ensuring toys and activities were appropriate for each stage of development.
Inside we found:
• Books
• Toys
• Sensory activities
• A ball pit
• A play tunnel
• Quiet areas
Parents stay with children of this age during daytime sessions, which suited us perfectly.
The soft play area was another standout feature.
For an energetic pre-walker, it provided the perfect environment to crawl, climb and explore safely.
P&O also offers a night nursery service. Parents can leave little ones in the care of trained staff while enjoying a show, meal or evening entertainment. A pager system ensures you're contacted if needed.
For many families, this could be a fantastic opportunity for some well-earned parent time.
Pools and Water Play
Despite travelling through Norway, we still managed some swimming time.
The outdoor pools looked fantastic, but the Norwegian temperatures encouraged us indoors instead.
The SkyDome pool was warm, welcoming and suitable for family use.
It became a lovely place to spend part of a sea day without worrying about the weather.
Baby Facilities Throughout the Ship
Another thing worth mentioning is how well-equipped P&O Iona is for families.
Baby changing facilities were available throughout both indoor and outdoor areas.
This might sound like a small detail, but it made a huge difference when spending long days exploring the ship.
The practical side of travelling with a baby had clearly been considered.
A Brief Look at the Norwegian Fjords
While this article focuses on cruising with a baby, it would be impossible not to mention the scenery.
The Norwegian Fjords are simply stunning.
Towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, peaceful villages and snow-capped peaks surrounded us throughout the journey.
Even our son seemed fascinated by the ever-changing views from the ship.
I will be sharing separate destination guides covering each port in much more detail.
Would I Recommend a Norwegian Fjords Cruise with a Baby?
Absolutely.
No holiday with a baby is completely effortless. There are still naps to work around, bottles to prepare and occasional meltdowns to manage.
Yet cruising removed many of the usual stresses.
There was no constant unpacking.
No changing hotels.
No searching for restaurants.
No long transfer days.
Everything we needed was within easy reach.
Most importantly, our son was genuinely welcomed.
The facilities were excellent, the crew were outstanding and there was plenty to keep even an active ten-month-old entertained.
Aside from one slightly grumpy passenger who appeared less than impressed by our son's excitement at spotting a giant avocado teddy, everyone we encountered was warm, friendly and supportive.
After all, this wasn't an adults-only cruise.
It was a family holiday.
And for our family, it was a wonderful one.
Thinking About Your Own Norwegian Fjords Cruise?
Whether you're travelling with a baby, toddlers, older children or multiple generations, a Norwegian Fjords cruise can be a wonderful family adventure.
I'd be delighted to help you find the right sailing for your family.
Little and Me Travel Company
WhatsApp: 07504 644715
The brand is an Independent Travel Consultant with Jamie Wake Travel (membership number 1105) and so benefits from membership of Protected Trust Services and Jamie Wake Travel's ATOL Licence. The brand offers a personal travel service and has access to a wide range of suppliers and tour operators. They also tailor-make holidays to suit individual needs. All tailor-made holidays include Supplier Failure Insurance and Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance.
Comments