P&O vs Marella, if you follow any cruise influencers online, this is a question that’s being asked a lot. Having recently returned from a cruise on P&O Iona, after previously sailing twice on Marella Discovery 2, I thought it would be helpful to share my experiences.

Ship Size & Layout

Iona is an awe-inspiring sight, carrying around 5,850 passengers. Seeing her docked in Southampton really gives you that “wow” moment before you even step aboard. With her size comes an incredible variety of options — there’s always something happening somewhere on the ship.

Iona docked in Southampton, us driving past to park the car.

Marella Discovery 2, by contrast, is much smaller, with under 2,000 passengers. This gives it a cosier, more intimate feel, where you quickly get to know your way around.

Cabins

Iona, our cabin was thoughtfully designed for families, with bunk beds for the children and an extremely comfortable queen-size bed for us. While the rooms are a little smaller than those on Discovery 2 and the balcony is more compact, the space still felt inviting and well laid out. One lovely touch was the in-room movies — perfect for winding down together in the evening. It gave the cabin a real “home away from home” feel, cosy and comfortable after a busy day exploring the ship.

Marella Discovery 2 offered larger rooms and balconies. The balcony accommodates two tables and two sun loungers, with ample space to walk around. The kids had a pull-out sofa bed to share, and we had twin singles. Each day we found towel animals on our beds, which was a lovely personal touch. There were no in-room movies, which led us to stay out later in the evening.

One of the many towel animals on Marella Discovery 2

Food & Dining

Iona, We tried The Quays but didn’t love it, and our one restaurant experience in Pearl felt rushed. Most of our meals came from the buffet or Taste on the Lido Deck. We were surprised at how tasty the buffet food was.

Discovery 2, the buffet left a lot to be desired; the cooked breakfast was below average in my opinion. We opted for the restaurants each night. The food was consistently good, but portions were small. The staff were exceptional — attentive, friendly, and personable.

Isla enjoying her all-inclusive alcohol-free cocktails on Marella Discovery 2

Entertainment

Iona, the entertainment was spectacular. The acrobatics on the Lido deck were fantastic, The Animal Guyz show was a hit with both kids and adults, and Mark Williams’ Mind Games show was mind-blowing. Overall, Iona’s entertainment far outshone what was on offer on Discovery 2.

One of the incredible acrobatic shows on P&O Iona

Pools & Outdoor Areas

Iona has four pools and 1 adults-only pool. Of the 4 family-friendly pools, two are infinity pools, which are warm and shallow. The poolside area is a relaxing space with calm music and stunning views — perfect for unwinding.

Discovery 2 has two pools, 1 of which is adults only in the afternoon. both are deep and filled with seawater. Which isn’t ideal with younger children. The outdoor pool area is the hub of the ship, with upbeat music, quizzes, and a bar. This area was always busy, lively, and buzzing with activity.

Activities

Iona offers a huge variety of activities, from pools and splash zones to basketball courts and a cinema. There’s always something to do for everyone.

Discovery 2 has fewer onboard activities, but the focus is on social spaces and engagement, particularly around the pool deck during the day, making it a lively and fun environment.

Watching P&O Iona depart Stavanger in one of the Infinity Pools

Service & Friendliness

Iona was a mixed bag. Housekeeping staff were always friendly, greeting us with a “good morning” and making conversation. However, poolside and hospitality staff often seemed unhappy, and we noticed several standing around talking in groups with their colleagues.

Discovery 2 service was exceptional. Despite being busy, staff were always approachable, went above and beyond, shared personal stories, and genuinely seemed invested in making our cruise experience memorable. They felt like shipmates rather than crew.

Overall Atmosphere & Experience

Iona felt less personable. The atmosphere is casual — I didn’t even participate in black-tie night. Despite carrying nearly 6,000 guests, it only felt overwhelming on embarkation and disembarkation days.

Marella Discovery 2, feels more personal. The aim seems to be getting guests to socialise on the pool deck during the day and dress up for evening meals. There’s a stronger sense of connection with both staff and fellow passengers.

Value

Iona was around £2,000 cheaper than Marella, but Iona didn’t include flights or all-inclusive drinks. Iona departs from Southampton, which is much more convenient when travelling with children. That said, flying out to board Marella does add to the overall excitement and build-up of the holiday, making the start of the adventure feel extra special.

Enjoying the pool deck on Marella Discovery 2

P&O vs Marella, what’s the verdict?

Best for Families

Iona wins here thanks to its spacious family cabins with bunk beds, splash zones, infinity pools, cinema, and a huge choice of activities.

Best for Food & Service

Marella Discovery 2 wins here with the all-inclusive drinks, exceptional staff throughout the ship and excellent restaurant meals.

Best for Entertainment

Iona wins no comparison here.

Best for Atmosphere

Discovery 2 just takes the lead on this one offering a sociable, intimate feel where staff and fellow passengers become part of your holiday experience.

Best for Convenience & Value

Iona, departing from Southampton, is ideal for families who want to skip the hassle of flights. It was also around £2,000 cheaper than Marella, making it unbeatable for value.

Final Thoughts

For me, P&O wins. Purely for the value for money and the convenience of sailing from Southampton. Perhaps one of P&O’s smaller ships would offer the intimate feel that Marella had to offer. Have you sailed on any of P&O’s Cruise Ships? What was your favourite?

7am, ready to head to the airport. Final Goodbye to an exceptional holiday. Thank you Marella.

Speak soon, Lisa 🙂