Visit 6 fascinating Mediterranean ports aboard the luxurious P&O Iona ship, departing from Southampton. Our team of professional carers will be there to support you at every stage, enabling you to cruise with confidence. All aboard for a holiday you'll never forget.
Barcelona
Holiday Overview
Set sail for the sun-soaked sights of the Mediterranean this winter. From eye-opening cultural experiences to mouth-watering tapas and wine, this unique accessible cruise holiday has something for all to enjoy.
Cruising aboard the Iona you can enjoy all the luxuries of this state-of-the-art ship, built in 2020. It boasts 14 restaurants including The Quays, The Olive Grove and Sindhu, many hoist-equipped swimming pools, and five star entertainment venues including full scale theatre productions.
Along with all the five-star experiences on board, you'll be exploring the very best of the Mediterranean as you cruise effortlessly along the golden coastlines. Tuck into tapas in Vigo, tour Porto’s up-and-coming city centre, and explore the atmospheric streets of Lisbon.
Your holiday starts from your front door with our home pickup service transferring you directly to Southampton Cruise Terminal, or alternatively we can arrange free car parking for you at Southampton. You will then meet up with the rest of the group and the Limitless Care team, before setting sail for sunny horizons, and an unforgettable cruise experience. All aboard!
What's Included?
7 Reasons To Set Sail With Limitless
Door to door accessible transfer to Southampton (up to 125 miles, £3.25 per mile after) or free parking at Southampton Port
Accessible itinerary with world-renowned destinations with visits to 6 Mediterranean ports including the bustling city of Vigo, the iconic sights of Porto, and the romantic streets of Lisbon*
5-star entertainment onboard with a cinema, an art gallery, a library, a swimming pool, a steam room and sauna, and a 2-tier theatre which plays a host of west-end style shows, comedians and live music
Full-board cruising including breakfast in the cabin, pool-side snacks & 3-course dinners
Exclusive Care Packages available so you can cruise with confidence, from group support to one-on-one care
Cruise with a friendly group of like-minded travellers, the perfect opportunity to meet new people, sharing the holiday experience together
Expert travel advice free of charge from the very first moment you speak to our friendly travel advisors, right up until your departure
*Limitless Travel carefully pick out cruise itineraries to ensure minimal anchor ports (where a small boat or ‘tender’ transports guests to shore). We will always try to keep you informed of these anchor port locations and where accessibility may be restricted. Unfortunately, port changes can happen due to a number of reasons while at sea, in which case Limitless Travel cannot be held accountable.
Today marks the start of an extraordinary festive adventure, in fact, it starts on your doorstep! With our free of charge (up to 125 miles of Southampton) accessible transfer service we'll pick you up from your home and make our way to Southampton Cruise Terminal. Or if you would prefer to meet us there, you're more than welcome to do so with free car-parking included. With the support of our team, we'll get you checked in without hassle and settled into your accessible cabin. Then it's time to explore the ship - let the adventure begin!
As we cruise effortlessly towards the Mediterranean, today is the perfect chance to get familiar with your surroundings and the incredible range of things to do. While such choice may be overwhelming at first, you'll quickly realise that the beauty of cruise holiday is that it can be anything you want it to be, and our team is here to support you at every stage. Enjoy the ocean views from your cabin, listen to live music in the many lounges, or perhaps try your hand at bingo. The possibilities are Limitless.
There is entertainment galore on board your ship, Iona. 13 entertainment venues - including West End-style shows, live music and classic cabaret. There is often live music to be found around the ship with up-beat bands playing poolside - to classical musicians in the atrium. Throughout the sea-days, the Iona's entertainment team will be running around and keeping the ship smiling!
Now that you're settled in, today is the perfect chance to truly enjoy some luxury at sea. Why not head to the spa to indulge in some long overdue R&R. Or take it easy by the pool where you'll often find live bands providing a soothing soundtrack to your day. In evening, kickback in the many bars and lounges with your travel companions, looking ahead to exciting horizons. Or perhaps head to the theatre for a spectacular show!
Bienvenidos a España! The fascinating town of Vigo is your next port of call. A historic maritime settlement that boasts some beautiful neoclassical architecture, Vigo is also home to Europe’s largest fishing fleet. It’s a cool and atmospheric town, where brilliant tapas bars, charming cafes and fantastic restaurants abound.
Your cruise ship will dock only a few minutes from the palm-lined streets of Vigo’s town centre and our carers will assist you when you disembark the ship and head out to experience your first taste of Spain. We recommend sampling some of the local seafood - it doesn’t get any fresher!
Another day to relax and explore the ship. With 14 restaurants onboard, you won't be short of choice. We recommend tasting the tapas at The Glass House Restaurant, created by renowned Spanish chef, José Pizarro.
After a hearty breakfast on ship, we head to the British Territory of Gibraltar, famous for being dominated by the Gibraltar Rock that is home to the Barbary Apes. You will feel right at home with their British Pubs and shops. Why not enjoy an A la Carte lunch and then with the terminal being only 1km away from the towns square, there’s plenty to see and do into the early evening.
Built around a natural harbour, the main city and cruise port on Spain's Costa Blanca, Alicante, is also a top beach resort in its own right. It has a sophisticated Mediterranean feel with its restored old town adding to its charm and the attraction of its sandy beaches.
Today we stop in the Catalan capital, Barcelona. One of the most iconic cities in Europe and an essential destination for architecture, art and food-lovers, there’s nothing quite like strolling through the Barri Gòtic and stopping at one of the many outstanding bars for a spot of tapas or a cooling sangria.
If you’re a bit of a culture vulture, there are plenty of opportunities to check out work by Dalí, Gaudí Miró and Picasso.
Today we will be taking you on a guided tour of the city and will endeavour to see as many sights as possible during the time, we can not guarantee however what landmarks this will be due to varying conditions in the city and within the group.
The beautiful city of Valencia is your next port of call! A fascinating city that offers a heady blend of the old and the new, Valencia is one of the most exciting destinations in Spain. Home of paella and brilliant cultural and artistic spaces (make sure you check out the futuristic science and art museums), it’s a wonderful city to explore and offers some of the best dining experiences in the country.
The city centre is quite a distance from the port, so if you're interested in a day tour, speak to a Limitless advisor. Group care support will be available during the day to assist with disembarking the ship and getting around the harbour or city.
After all that city hopping a day at sea is a great chance to rest and recuperate. How you wish to spend your day is entirely up to you. Travelling as a small group you'll get to share experiences so that you're never alone. Make friends for life and fond memories. It's such friendships and connections that make Limitless holidays so special. Our tip for the day - head to the Sky Dome for a unique show to round off the day!
What other holiday could you wake up in a new destination each morning? Today, you'll draw your cabin curtains to discover the charming city of Cadiz. While our stay is short, the ship docks right into the front of the popular city centre. Enjoy breakfast in the sunshine or a gentle potter around the port, discovering why Cadiz is loved by all who visit.
Cádiz is an ancient port city and the home of the Spanish Navy, the port boomed in the16th-century as a base for exploration and trade. It has more than 100 watchtowers, including the iconic Torre Tavira.
Today we arrive into Lisbon, and what an arrival! Cruise past the Belem Tower, once a significant embarkation and disembarkation point for legendary Portuguese explorers like Vasco de Gama. We'll also sail under the city’s impressive suspension bridge, an engineering marvel. Enjoy a potter around the port with the support of the Limitless team. We recommend trying the scrumptious pastéis de nata. These delectable custard tarts are a true delight. A visit to Lisbon is incomplete without relishing this mouthwatering delicacy, representing a delectable part of the city's culinary heritage.
What will today bring? Perhaps start the morning with a delicious breakfast at one of the ship's diverse dining venues. Next, soak up the sun on the expansive deck, taking in panoramic views of the sea. In the afternoon, join fun-filled activities such as dance classes, trivia games, or even a cooking demonstration. As evening falls, indulge in a sumptuous dinner and catch a spectacular show at the theatre or enjoy live music at the various onboard bars and lounges. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or entertainment, a day aboard P&O Iona guarantees an unforgettable experience at sea.
Today is our last full day out at sea, a chance to rest up and reminisce on your wonderful week out at sea visiting many cities. Plenty of activities left to explore on ship and shops for those last minute gifts for home.
And there's still time for one more night at the theatre of course!
After your last breakfast, we’ll help you check-out. Your bags will be taken down by the Iona crew and our care team will be on-hand to assist you. From here you will join the transfers back to the pick-up points, relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for your next Limitless adventure. We can’t wait to see you again!
With its state-of-the-art design and unrivalled style, the Iona is rightly regarded as one of the world’s most advanced cruise ships.
At the heart of the ship stands the jaw-dropping SkyDome, a glass-roofed social area that boasts incredible views and connects you with the sea, sky and shoreline. By day, it’s a relaxed poolside area with casual dining and drinking options. By night, it’s a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue where you can enjoy stand-out shows beneath a star-studded sky.
30 bars and restaurants
10 entertainment venues
Four-screen cinema
Live music, theatre and shows
360° public viewing platforms
Spa and wellness facilities
Four swimming pools with hoists
Shops, boutiques and an art gallery
Iona Accessibility
Accessibility on the Iona is exceptional, with step-free access, wheelchair-friendly cabins, wide corridors, and accessible entertainment spaces. Limitless travellers benefit from priority embarkation.
Learn more about the Iona’s accessible cabins in our FAQs.
Transport
Door-to-Door Transfer Service
Enjoy a stress-free journey to your cruise with our door-to-door accessible pick-up service. We provide taxis with ramped access for easy boarding and ample space for luggage and equipment. Our team will safely transport you to the cruise port and bring you back home at the end of your trip.
The service is free for journeys within 125 miles of the port. For trips over 125 miles, a charge of £3.25 per mile applies (up to 250 miles). Additional fees may apply for travelers in Yorkshire, North East England, or Wales.
FAQ's
How far is Gibraltar Centre from the cruise port?
The cruise port's close location to Gibraltar's centre, just 1km away, is an inviting aspect for tourists. This proximity means that within a short walk, visitors can find themselves in the heart of Gibraltar, ready to explore its many attractions.
The ease of access is a significant advantage, allowing for a seamless transition from ship to shore, where one can enjoy the local cuisine, visit historical sites, and perhaps even interact with the famous Barbary macaques, Europe's only wild monkey population. This ease of exploration makes Gibraltar an attractive destination for those looking to experience a mix of cultural and natural attractions without the need for extensive travel upon docking.
Where do cruise ships dock in Valencia?
Cruise ships dock at the main Valencia Cruise Port. This port is known for its modern facilities and is situated a few kilometres away from the city centre. Valencia itself is a city that beautifully marries the old with the new; its historic Gothic and Baroque monuments stand in contrast to futuristic architectural marvels like the City of Arts and Sciences.
For cruise passengers interested in exploring Valencia's rich tapestry of culture, architecture, and gastronomy, arranging a day tour through the cruise's advisory services is recommended.
Is Valencia worth seeing?
Absolutely! This city is a treasure trove of experiences, from its culinary delights, including the world-renowned paella, to its bustling markets and serene beaches.
Valencia's old town, with its winding alleyways and historic buildings, tells the story of centuries, while the futuristic designs of the City of Arts and Sciences point to a forward-thinking spirit. The blend of historical heritage and modern innovation, coupled with the city's warm climate and welcoming atmosphere, makes Valencia a compelling destination for any traveller.
Whether one is drawn to the arts, science, history, or simply the joy of exploring new culinary landscapes, Valencia offers a rich and varied palette of experiences that are sure to enrich any visitor's journey.
