Tom and Dom Travel
#9 GB
P&O Iona's Epicurean Has Changed... Is It Still Worth It?
Funchal PortPortugal CountryUnited Kingdom CountryLanzarote PortLas Palmas de Gran Canaria PortLisbon PortSouthampton PortTenerife PortIona Cruise Ship
Join us for day 11 aboard P&O Iona on our Christmas and New Year cruise as we dock in Funchal, Madeira, before experiencing the brand-new menu at P&O Cruises' flagship fine dining venue, The Epicurean. In this video, we share essential cruise tips for visiting Madeira on foot, including how to bypass paid port shuttles using a quick walking shortcut past the CR7 Museum, and why you must plan your morning carefully if you want to experience the iconic Funchal cable cars and Monte toboggans without waiting in three-hour queues. We also uncover quiet onboard secrets, such as using the elevator star button for quick gangway access and enjoying a peaceful lunch in the Main Dining Room on port days. Then, we head to The Epicurean for an elevated evening meal. P&O has completely revamped the Epicurean menu, changing the signature bread service, removing the famous Marmite butter, and introducing brand-new starters, mains, and desserts. We test the full dining experience, including Iberian ham, roasted duck with cherry compote, pork loin, and Eton mess, to answer whether this £75 specialty dining experience is still worth the cover charge. To round off the night, we head to the SkyDome to review the revamped 45-minute production of 'SHH', catch Britain's Got Talent star Magical Bones in the Headliners Theatre, and soak up the atmosphere in The Club House. We're Tom & Dom Travel, a British cruise and travel channel sharing honest experiences, independent port guides, ship reviews and practical cruise advice to help you travel smarter. P&O Iona Inside Cabin 15436 - https://youtu.be/WTDU8DRozLs P&O Iona Review - https://youtu.be/lxfA8720QMA P&O Iona Ship Tour - https://youtu.be/rKyLLDiC2Uc P&O Iona is one of the most innovative cruise ships sailing from the UK and remains the flagship of the P&O Cruises fleet. Built by Meyer Werft and launched in 2021, Iona was the first LNG-powered cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises and was designed specifically for British holidaymakers. At over 184,000 gross tons and carrying around 5,200 guests, she is the largest cruise ship ever built for the UK market. Stretching 345 metres in length, Iona offers a modern cruising experience with stylish interiors, expansive outdoor spaces, and a huge range of dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities. One of Iona's standout features is the impressive SkyDome, a glass-roofed entertainment venue that transforms throughout the day from a relaxing pool area into a vibrant space for aerial performances, live music, and spectacular evening shows. Guests can enjoy more than 30 places to eat and drink, including popular venues such as The Quays street food market, The Olive Grove, The Keel & Cow, and Sindhu by Atul Kochhar. There are also four main dining rooms, numerous bars and lounges, a luxurious spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and four swimming pools. This festive Christmas and New Year cruise departed Southampton on 20 December 2025 for a 14-night voyage to Portugal, the Canary Islands, and Madeira. After crossing the Bay of Biscay, Iona called at Lisbon, Portugal's historic capital, before heading south to the sunshine of the Canary Islands. Ports of call included Lanzarote with its dramatic volcanic landscapes, Fuerteventura's stunning beaches, Tenerife and the iconic Mount Teide, and Gran Canaria with its vibrant capital, Las Palmas. The voyage also visited the beautiful island of Madeira, famous for its spectacular scenery, botanical gardens, and New Year celebrations. With Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve celebrated onboard, this cruise combined winter sunshine, festive entertainment, sea days, and unforgettable destinations for the perfect holiday escape. We are Tom and Dom Travel, a UK-based cruise and travel couple with years of first-hand experience across multiple cruise lines, ships and destinations, sharing trusted reviews, insights and advice to help travellers make informed cruise choices. We cover every part of the cruise experience, from cruise ship food, drinks and dining to entertainment, cabins, destinations and shore excursions. We share first-hand cruise reviews, menus and insights from main dining rooms, buffets, room service and speciality restaurants, as well as theatre shows, live music, quizzes and onboard activities. Our port guides and destination content combine our own experiences with practical information to help you make the most of every cruise. Join our CRUISE CHAT Facebook group 👉 https://m.facebook.com/groups/728759168363809/?ref=share Support us and receive exclusive benefits! 👉 https://www.patreon.com/tomanddomtravel/membership You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! You can find our Socials on https://linktr.ee/tomanddomtravel #POIona #POCruises #CruiseVlog #CruiseTips #GranCanaria #CanaryIslandsCruise #CruiseShip #Cruising #TomAndDomTravel