Small Fire Leads To Restaurant Closures On P&O Cruises’ Iona

Holidaymakers aboard P&O Cruises’ flagship, Iona, faced a moment of concern on 29th August 2025 when a minor fire in one of the ship’s galleys led to the closure of several restaurants.

The incident happened as the vessel was making her way back to Southampton, concluding a seven-night itinerary through the Norwegian Fjords.

According to guests, an initial announcement called for medical staff to attend a “fat fryer oil fire” on Deck 5.

Soon after, more crew were summoned and some were directed to muster points as part of safety procedures.

Passengers themselves, however, were never asked to evacuate their cabins or leave public areas.

Within about 15 minutes the all-clear was given.

Even so, a number of dining venues – including the Pearl and Coral restaurants on Deck 6 – remained closed while the affected area was secured.

Travellers nearby described the corridors as filled with the odour of burnt oil, with fire teams seen hurrying through the passageways.

Although the episode was unsettling, no injuries were reported.

The image shows the P&O Iona cruise ship docked at a port. The ship features a sleek and modern design with multiple decks and large balconies, bearing the P&O Cruises branding and a patriotic red, white, and blue motif at the stern. The backdrop includes clear skies and a coastal town, adding to the scenic view.

Guests later praised the crew for acting quickly and professionally, while clean-up teams moved in immediately to ensure disruption was kept to a minimum.

Fires are among the most serious emergencies a ship can face, but cruise lines train their firefighting teams extensively.

Other crew are also prepared to assist with passenger safety if required, and precautionary closures are standard until the area is safe and ventilated.

Iona, which carries over 5,200 passengers and around 1,800 crew, was able to reach Southampton on schedule and prepare for her next sailing.

Cruise Fires Rare but Swiftly Handled

While incidents like this naturally attract attention, fires at sea are uncommon and generally contained quickly.

Earlier in the summer, MSC Cruises’ MSC Orchestra experienced an electrical fire in a switchboard, temporarily knocking out power for a few hours, though passengers were never in danger.

In July 2025, Island Princess also had a small fire that was dealt with rapidly.

Nevertheless, the situation sparked a flurry of exaggerated claims on social media, with false reports of an explosion and passengers “fearing for their lives.”

Such examples highlight why it’s important to be cautious with online reports and to check details against trusted cruise news outlets before sharing.