P&O Cruises has taken possession of Iona, the latest addition to its fleet and the major cruise ship ever built for the United kingdom market, at an formal handover ceremony with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.
At 185,000 tonnes, 345 metres in length and with 17 guest decks, the vessel is also the initially British cruise ship to be powered by liquefied normal gas.
P&O had in the beginning hoped to choose shipping of the ship around the summertime.
P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow, who was present at the occasion in Papenburg and signed the protocol for shipping and acceptance, said: “Iona’s shipping is a incredibly beneficial sign for the foreseeable future of cruising.
“She is now officially portion of the P&O Cruises fleet and we are centered on readying her to welcome guests in the course of her new maiden season to northern Europe, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands from our household port of Southampton.
“Already eagerly predicted by our guests, crew and the communities we go to, gatherings this year have amplified the feeling of anticipation even additional.”
He additional: “While our operations are at the moment paused until eventually early 2021 Iona will not be sailing for the second but we look forward to our guests enduring this recreation-altering ship as we will proceed to supply unparalleled vacations at sea although also upholding the latest permitted journey protocols.”
Iona will also herald a new era in cruise vacations with quite a few initially of their type characteristics which includes the exceptional two-deck SkyDome.
Its glass dome roof and roomy format flooded with normal light-weight provides calming and unrivalled views of the surrounding sky and sea.
Iona will have eight speciality eating places which includes but to be unveiled ideas, as properly as thirteen entertainment venues, four swimming pools which includes a impressive infinity pool at the aft of the ship and sixteen whirlpools.
Take a look the new ship below: