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Iona by p&o cruises: a complete guide & review, plus things to do onboard.

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It’s not often you get a chance to be on a Maiden Voyage . Especially not one as huge as the launch of the new P&O flagship Iona . It was made even more special because I’ve been involved with the launch of this ship for nearly 3 years. From my first trip to Norway , to promote the excursions Iona will be doing there, to watching Gary Barlow live at a London launch.

But this article isn’t about me, that was just me highlighting my connection with Iona. This article is about you, and everything you can do onboard Iona . In this article I will cover everything this ship has to offer. And I mean everything .

Our Maiden Voyage was a cruise around the UK, meaning it didn’t stop anywhere due to Covid restrictions. That had one major benefit, it gave me a whole week on board to see and do as much onboard as possible. I still didn’t cover everything. I think it’s been designed that way, so you come back for more. That’s a smart strategy.

I don’t plan to specifically focus on the Covid rules in this article, however to stay up to date with safety protocols, vaccination requirements and FAQs, please see the P&O Cruises Cruise with Confidence .

Facts about Iona

Before I get into a few facts and figures. The real show-stopping fact for Iona is it’s powered by Liquified Natural Gas . This makes Iona one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world. She has zero sulphur and nitrogen emissions and produces 20 per cent less carbon than ships running on marine diesel.

That’s impressive. It’s so important to see a huge player in the cruise industry setting the standard. So, onto the facts:

• Iona is the largest ever cruise ship to fly the UK flag
• She can hold 5,200 guests and 1800 crew
• There are more than 30 places to eat and drink onboard
• There are 4 swimming pools (2 infinity pools) and 18 hot tubs
• Iona has the world’s first gin distillery at sea (more on that later)

Dining on Iona

As you’ll see from my video above. P&O Cruises has really set the bar high with dining onboard Iona. This isn’t just some of the best food I’ve eaten at sea, it’s some of the best I’ve ever experienced. Quite frankly, I don’t know where to start when it comes to the cuisine.

Well firstly, there is freedom dining throughout the ship included in the price. There are four main dining areas and a few other casual places included in this. This food is of fantastic quality. Some restaurants have a traditional buffet selection; albeit no longer self-served due to CoronaVirus protocols. And having no self-service is no bad thing in my opinion.

Personally, I love a buffet when I want an informal setting and I’m short on time. However, my favourite of the ‘included’ or ‘free’ selection was The Quays . Three restaurants in a small piazza offering Asian cuisine at Fusion, fish and chips at The Hook or American dining at Boardwalk Diner.

Moving onto the speciality restaurants, which you must try. These incur an extra charge, but for good reason. Usually, the charge isn’t that much and believe me when I say it’s worth it. I suggest you budget for that pre-trip. Here’s a couple of my highlights (keep in mind I did not have time to try every restaurant).

• The Glass House : a light tapas style menu in the Grand Atrium with wines selected by Olly Smith (who happened to say hello when I was there for lunch!)
• The Olive Grove : Mediterranean style food with a small surcharge. Probably my top tip, it wasn’t busy and the value for money is amazing. I recommend the Tagine.
• The Keel and Cow : if you like your steaks and burgers then look no further. The Prime-minister burger is known as the “best burger at sea”, and I love the fact that the blue cheese comes from the Isle of Wight.
• Epicurean : fine dining with British / Norwegian inspired dishes at £28 a head. This is one of many destination-inspired restaurants onboard, a lovely touch.
• The Limelight Club : a three-course meal combined with entertainment. Brilliant. An elegant venue with a cabaret show, we saw the singing plus comedy drag-queen La Voix .
• Sindhu : Authentic Indian food with a British twist.

When it comes to the bars, I’ve included these under things to do below.

Things to do on Iona

I should probably just have a separate article focusing on this alone! And if you’ve not watched the video above, please check that out. My main line in the video is “ you won’t get bored onboard” . That couldn’t ring truer, especially when cruising returns to normal and you’ll be getting off most days.

You’ll most likely find you haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to exploring Iona.

I’ll break it down into day and night, starting with daytime. Firstly, relaxing. Try 4 swimming pools (two of which are infinity pools) with sunlounges, indoor and out plus 18 hot tubs, enough choice? There’s usually live acoustics around and always a waiter on hand for drinks.

Daytime entertainment

For a tranquil setting, there’s the adults-only Retreat . It offers some of the best views onboard. For even more relaxation book yourself into the Oasis Spa , complete with jacuzzis, sauna, salt room, steam room and hydrotherapy pool. I had the hot stone massage which was incredible. Please book early as this was mostly fully-booked on my trip.

I was also impressed with the size of the gym onboard, which has daily fitness classes and yoga.

For Children

For the children you have “ The Reef ”, which is organised into age-specific clubs with outdoor play areas, and entertainment such as puppet shows and treasure hunts.

Evening entertainment

In the evening your first option is aerial displays and laser shows in the SkyDome . It blew me away how an indoor swimming pool by day was transformed into at acrobatics entertainment area by night.

Your second option on Iona is the two-story auditorium the Headliners Theatre . They host live music, stand-up comedy, and theatre performances such as the new “ Festival ” show which was a fantastic spectacle.

Bars and Drinking

Personally, when cruising I love to spend my evenings in a smaller bar with some live music.

There was no better live music venue than the 710 club (if you can get in). The cosy and very intimate venue has partnered with no other than Gary Barlow as the musical director. But get there early or book in advance, as (rather frustratingly) these were the hottest seats onboard.

There’s also the Crow’s Nest cocktail bar, which has lovely views but wasn’t my favourite atmosphere. Instead, I preferred the Emerald Bar in the Atrium, where I had an exquisite cocktail called ‘ The Smoke that Rocked’ ; a smokey cherry bourbon Old Fashioned. I also found the live music at the Club House , and the informal setting at Brodie’s more my style.

Brodie’s is also conveniently next door to the casino too. However, I was a little disappointed with the Casino, there’s a limited selection of games and just a small number of tables. When the ship is full, I doubt you’ll get much chance to play.

Finally, movie lovers will enjoy Ocean Studios , four cinema screens running throughout the day with the latest surround sound and a mix of classic flicks and recent blockbusters.

Rooms and Suites on Iona

I have always said that once you have a balcony on a cruise, you can never go back. Clearly the inside cabins are friendlier on the wallet. But once you step out of bed and onto your private balcony, with a coffee and the crisp sea air, you won’t go back.

I had a Balcony Suite , which is far more spacious than any previous cruise with P&O Cruises. With a small working and sitting area, a big screen TV and plenty of wardrobe space it’s hard to know what more you need. Oh wait, brand-new for Iona is P&O Cruises very first Conservatory Mini-Suite . These suites have a stunning conservatory style roof over a casual seating area, bringing in loads of natural light and perfect for entertaining or relaxing.

You can also choose from sea-view cabins, inside cabins and solo cabins. I found the inside cabins surprisingly bright and spacious considering there is no natural light, and they also have a small seating area.

The World’s first Gin Distillery at Sea

That’s right, Salcombe Distilling Co. have curated the sea inspired Marabelle Gin which will be distilled onboard, right there for the guests to see. I met Angus from Salcombe Gins to learn about Marabelle. He took inspiration from the Isle of Iona itself, foraging botanicals around the island.

The sea inspiration doesn’t stop there. The label has similarities to the sunset logo from P&O Cruises and star constellations on the inside. But importantly, it’s a stunning gin. I know as I’ve already had a bottle at home, and a few more G&Ts on board. It’s a fresh gin with a distinctive flavour, which coupled with citrus and apple gives you the perfect G&T after a long day exploring the Norwegian Fjords or Canary Islands.

The Gin Distillery is found at Anderson’s Bar and Library , a classy venue to sip a G&T and watch the distilling process in action. All Marabelle bottles with a gold top have been distilled at sea.

Other Unique Features on Iona

All around the ship you can see that every effort has been made to design a ship that feels bright and spacious. It’s a sense of space that you don’t expect on a ship, where space is a premium.

This starts in the stunning 3-story Grand Atrium , the first place you see when you embark. It has floor to ceiling windows (yes spanning all 3 floors), making it the perfect spot for watching the world pass by. It also houses several bars and restaurants, not least the Glasshouse mentioned above.

Next, we have the SkyDome . A huge dome roof gives you the comfort of an indoor pool and somewhere to relax whatever the weather. But the impressive part is how it’s transformed into an entertainment zone in the evenings. With a retractable stage over the pool, we saw aerialists and laser shows late into the night. I can see this having the party atmosphere when the ship is full, especially with DJ sets produced by Blur’s Alex James .

Iona Destinations

Iona will sail to the Norwegian Fjords in the summer, starting in 2022. To me you can’t find a more perfect partnership. As I’ve mentioned above, she is designed to let the outside in, and what more perfect place to marvel from the comfort of the Atrium than the majestic Norwegian Fjords? I even wrote about all the fantastic Norwegian Fjords Excursions you can do, in advance of Iona’s launch.

During the winter Iona will sail to the Canary Islands , another fantastic destination to compliment the ship. We spent our week on the coast of Scotland in summer, a temperate climate and sunny most days. But being around 20-22 degrees meant it could get a little chilly. Well Iona has that covered. Hot tubs dotted all round and the cover pool of the SkyDome mean you can still enjoy some bathing, whether inside or out.

Final thoughts on Iona

On a personal note, I have been excited for the Maiden Voyage of Iona by P&O Cruises for some time. It was a privilege to be onboard and presenting a tour of the ship. Iona has been designed to be different, and to appeal to a younger generation of cruisers. The original launch was due to showcase that with a weeklong festival, one of many plans scuppered by Covid.

Nonetheless Iona will get there, back where she belongs exploring the world. She’s a bold eco-friendly cruise ship with a vibrant atmosphere, targeted at a younger audience. And when she is sailing through the awe-inspiring Norwegian Fjords, I can’t think of a better place to be to witness it.

This article was supported by P&O Cruises but as always, the opinions and photos in the article are all my own, and I think it’s clear to see I loved every minute of my time onboard!

Founder & Editor of Intrepid Escape, a huge lover of adventure, adrenaline, sport & fitness. After travelling extensively for the last 12 years, Scott started to document his travels before fulfilling an important lifelong goal by starting Intrepid Escape. He has since become a full-time Travel Writer, Videographer, Presenter and Producer.

0 thoughts on “ Iona by P&O Cruises: A complete Guide & Review, plus Things to do Onboard ”

I really want to know when Gary Barlow is on the Iona surprise present for my daughter treating her to a cruise.

Just reading your comments it says book early for Gary Barlow how can we do that we don’t know when he is on

I went on Iona 7 May to 14 May Norway and Fjords had different cruises booked for 3 years this was first one we went on. Ship was great food good. We went to see Fjords but Iona couldn’t sail through them as high winds so had another day at sea. I have been ill for eleven days since coming off ship. Also paid extra to pick cabin on 11th deck but moved to one 14th deck. Complained but fell on deaf ears. Dissapointing.

I have booked Iona for October, have been trying to contact ROL cruises for over a month, no reply

Hi, sailing on Iona December, to celebrate my partners 70th would like to surprise him with a birthday cake, would they be able to organise one for me at a cost, or should I take one with me. Many thanks

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Iona Deck Plans & Reviews

Activities & entertainment

• Crows Nest _ Observation Lounge
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Dance Classes
• Splash Zone
• Whirlpools (18)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Oasis Spa *
• Thermal Suite *
• Late_Night Activities
• Fitness Classes
• Jogging Track
• Organized Activities and Games
• Sports Court
• The Retreat *
• Art Gallery *
• The Avenue Shopping *
• The Photo Hub *
• Ivory Suite
• The Reef _ Kids Club
• Scene _ Teens Club
• Shore Experiences *
• Loyalty and Cruise Sales *
• Self_Service Laundry *
• Medical Center
• Headliners Theatre
• Nightly Live Music
• Ocean Studios
• The Club House
• The Limelight Club
• The 710 Club
• Enrichment Lectures
• Aqua Restaurant - Main
• Coral Restaurant - Main
• Opal Restaurant - Main
• Pearl Restaurant - Main
• Vistas Cafe Bar - Coffee Bar *
• Emerald Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Brodies - Pub *
• Sindhu - British-Indian *
• Sindhu Bar - British-Indian Bar *
• Horizon Restaurant - Buffet
• The Beach House - Steakhouse *
• Andersons Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Epicurean - Gourmet *
• The Olive Grove - Mediterranean *
• Crystal Bar - Pool Bar *
• Beachcomber Bar - Pool Bar *
• Infinity Bar - Pool Bar *
• Laguna Bar and Sundaes - Pool Bar *
• Sky Bar - Pool Bar *
• Sunset Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Keel and Cow - Gastropub *
• Panorama Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Glass House - Wine Bar *
• The Quays - Worldwide Snacks *
• Ripples - Ice Cream *
• Grab and Go - Snacks
• Taste 360 - Street Food
• Room Service *

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

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Upcoming itineraries

Ship Overview

P&O Cruises' biggest and most innovative ship ever built for the UK market is the first Excellence-Helios Class in the fleet.  Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is considered one of the cleanest-burning fuels reducing sulfur emissions and nitrogen oxide, Iona is one of the greenest ships in the world. With a capacity for 5,200 passengers Iona boats a number of new-to-the-line facilities including a multi-functional glass-roofed "Skydome", the first gin distillery at sea, and 30 different dining venues to choose from. Designed to let the outdoors in and create an atmosphere of light, calm, and relaxation in the public areas Iona’s facilities are nothing short of impressive. The ship’s sensational Grand Atrium which offers panoramic ocean views, contemporary architecture and a seductive space will present aerialists and pop-up performances with spectacular shows. This family-friendly vessel has many interesting facilities to keep kids and adults entertained. The ship features Kids Club, Ocean Studios, and a four-screen cinema with screenings throughout the day with complimentary ice cream, popcorn, and snacks. With 12 bars, 13 entertainment venues, four swimming pools (three outside and one Indore), and many daily activities the ships guarantees a lot of fun.

Ship Specifications

City Southampton

Iona itineraries, 7 night norwegian fjords, 14 night canary islands, 14 night spain and portugal, 7 night northern europe, 7 night western europe, p&o cruises fleet.

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3 couples cruising on Iona 18 May. Booked to include parking.

Friend who booked it said she was told by P&O that she should book parking when we could check in and knew our boarding time.

Does anyone have any tips on parking for a cruise in Southampton that doesn’t cost a fortune. Not sure if we will get any money back.

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/travel-transport/find-and-plan/find-parking/cruise-parking/

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P&O Cruises' Britannia sets sail after extensive refurbishment

P&O Cruises UK 's flagship Britannia left from Southampton on April 21st following an extensive multimillion drydock refurbishment .

The company recently announced that Britannia will be featured in its travel agent ship visit schedule, offering 3 opportunities for visits.

Completed earlier this month, the refurb prepares the vessel for its upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration cruise on June 6, 2025.

The upgrades encompass various areas of the ship, including public spaces, all staterooms, as well as an extension of the loyalty desk and cruise sales area. Additionally, enhancements have been made to the Market Cafe, and a substantial investment has been allocated for crew areas. The children's splash area has been revamped with interactive water features. Furthermore, the capacity of the Sunset Bar has been increased with extra seating, incorporating design elements from P&O UK's newest ships ( Iona and Arvia ).

Paul Ludlow (the company's President and CEO) said Britannia was their flagship, and with her 10th anniversary celebration cruise next summer they knew the importance of ensuring the vessel looked "its absolute best to deliver an elevated experience" for their new and loyal guests.

The best adults-only cruises to try if you can’t stand being around kids on vacation

What are the best adults-only cruises — the ones that not only ban kids but cater to grown-up tastes and interests?

You may be asking because you just spent time on a megaship where the kids took over the pools and hot tubs (not to mention the elevators), much to your chagrin. Or, you might be looking for a vacation with more lectures and less limbo, or perhaps a cruise that skews more R-rated than G.

The list of cruises for adults only is, alas, very short. Only a handful of cruise lines ban children from their ships and promise cruises for grown-ups — perhaps the most notable being cruise newcomer Virgin Voyages and fast-growing Viking .

The trend in recent years in cruising is, in fact, more family-focused, with more kids appearing on ships of all types. Indeed, some of the biggest, best-known cruise brands have gone full-bore after the family market , to the extent that the sun-soaked top decks of their ships sometimes can feel more like a scene out of "Daddy Day Care" than a blissful vacation retreat.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Don't despair, though. Even as many lines double down on the family market, a small group of cruise operators remains all-in on the idea of adult-only cruises.

Here are our picks for the best adults-only cruise lines, with a grown-up vibe to boot.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Virgin Voyages

The much-ballyhooed new line from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group has banned children under the age of 18 from its ships. It's part of an effort to create a hipper, more-sophisticated, adult-focused vibe that company leaders think is sorely lacking in the cruise world.

"We have done a ton of research really trying to create a sophisticated experience," Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin said in the days before the line's 2021 debut . "I've done some personal research. We found that when you put kids in the pool, they scream, and we don't want that."

Related: I've been on more than 150 cruise ships. Here's what I thought of Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages' first three adults-only cruise ships, the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady and sister vessels Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady , cater to grown-ups looking for a decidedly adult sort of fun with such offerings as interactive dance parties and a drag queen performance. It also offers a karaoke lounge with pink-and-purple karaoke rooms and a tattoo parlor (read about how one of our staffers was among the first to get inked on board ).

What you won't find on the three ships (a fourth is due later this year) are waterslides, watery splash zones, teen lounges and all the other family-friendly features that are becoming so common on bigger ships.

To create an adults-only cruise experience, Virgin Voyages took a page from fast-growing Viking 's playbook. Viking's 12-ship ocean cruise division has banned children under the age of 18 since it debuted in 2015. In addition, its 80-ship river cruise division has had a minimum age limit for more than two decades. (Initially, the cut-off was age 12; as of 2019, that jumped to 18, too.)

Not that Virgin and Viking are anything alike. Virgin is designed to appeal to millennials and older travelers who want to party like they are millennials. Viking, by contrast, is the anti-millennial line.

Viking's target market is squarely in the 55-plus bracket. It zeroes in on that demographic with an upscale, destination-focused experience that is heavy on what the industry likes to call "enrichment" — onboard lectures and other learning opportunities. It also emphasizes tours focused on history and culture (with at least one free excursion in each port) and entertainment offerings that veer more toward string quartets than dancers in string bikinis.

"What we're looking to do is try not to be everything for everyone," Viking's executive vice president of marketing, Richard Marnell, told TPG. "We do not have a kids' program. What we have is . . . [an] immersive experience that is best suited for people that are intellectually curious."

P&O Cruises

This storied British line clearly sees the demand for adults-only cruise ships, but it isn't giving up on the family market, either. The line splits the difference between the two segments. Five of its seven vessels (Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura) are marketed as "family-friendly" and open to passengers of all ages. The other two (Arcadia and Aurora) are reserved exclusively for adults.

Given that more than 95% of the Southampton, England-based cruise line's passengers are British, you'll probably want to be either British yourself or a major Anglophile to consider booking one of the latter two vessels. Sailing with P&O Cruises is a very British experience, something that becomes clear the moment you see its vessels. They feature hulls painted with massive Union Jacks.

In addition, you'll find quintessentially British offerings on board P&O Cruises ships, such as elaborate afternoon teas, quoits on the top deck and restaurant menus designed by chefs big in the United Kingdom, such as Marco Pierre White.

That said, if you're a Princess Cruises fan, you might feel right at home on a P&O Cruises ship. Nestled under the same corporate umbrella, the two brands are longtime sisters that have swapped ships back and forth (though Holland America fans might be interested to know that Arcadia actually shares a ship design with that line's Vista class).

For booking purposes, P&O Cruises considers anyone who will be 18 or older when sailing an adult.

Saga Cruises

Like P&O Cruises, Saga Cruises is a British line that has honed in on the business of offering voyages just for adults. But it goes way beyond what P&O Cruises or any other line does in shunning younger travelers. The minimum age at Saga Cruises isn't 18 or even 21 — it's 50.

That's right — you won't find a single millennial or even that many Generation Xers on board a Saga Cruises ship (at 58, even the oldest members of Generation X only make the cut-off by eight years). You will find a heck of a lot of baby boomers, many of them retired.

Saga Cruises operates just two ocean vessels, sailing exclusively out of the U.K., plus several river ships. Like P&O Cruises, it's a product that is probably best for British travelers or big-time Anglophiles.

Other adult-focused cruises

In addition to lines that ban passengers under the age of 18 outright, a number of cruise operators allow young children but get relatively few of them.

Examples include such upscale lines as Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Silversea Cruises and Seabourn , which cater heavily to an older crowd. Small-ship specialist Windstar Cruises allows tweens and teenagers on its six ships, but it doesn't allow any children under the age of 8.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, which sells both ocean and river cruises, traditionally discourages customers from bringing passengers under the age of 12 on vessels except during Christmas holiday sailings.

Also, the longer the cruise, the fewer children you will find. Book a two-plus-week sailing to a more exotic location, like Asia or South America, during the school year on a line like Holland America or Princess, and you'll share the ship predominantly with adults.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point