{{short description|P&O Cruise ship}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = P&O Iona, Cadiz Spain (52534525715).jpg | image_caption = ''Iona'' in Cádiz, 2022 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = Bermuda | flag = {{shipboxflag|Bermuda|civil}} | name = ''Iona'' | owner = border|20px Carnival Corporation & plc | operator = border|20px P&O Cruises | registry = *{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Southampton, U.K. (2020-2025) *{{flagicon|Bermuda|civil}} Hamilton, Bermuda (2025-present) | route = | ordered = 6 September 2016 | original_cost = £730 million | builder = *Meyer Werft *Papenburg, Germany | yard_number = S. 710<ref name="laiddown"/> | way_number = | laid_down = 29 May 2019 | launched = 18 February 2020 | completed = 9 October 2020<ref name=POIonaRINA>{{csr|register=RINA|id=9826548|shipname=MS Iona|accessdate=2020-12-12}}</ref> | christened = 16 May 2021 | sponsor = Dame Irene Hays | acquired = 9 October 2020 | maiden_voyage = 7 August 2021 | out_of_service = | identification = *Call sign: ZCHG9 *{{IMO|9826548}} *{{MMSI|310857000}} | fate = | status = In service | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = ''Excellence''-class cruise ship | tonnage = {{GT|184,089}}<ref name=POIonaRINA /> | displacement = {{cvt|87306|MT}}<ref name=POIonaRINA /> | length = {{cvt|344.08|m|ftin}}<ref>https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV41778</ref> | beam = {{cvt|42|m|ftin}}<ref name=POIonaRINA /> | height = 69.3 m (227 ft 4 in) | draft = {{cvt|8.8|m|ftin}}<ref>https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV41778/details</ref> | decks = 19 <ref name=POIonaRINA /> | power = *Total Installed Power: {{convert|61.7|MW|HP|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ionaspecs" /> | propulsion = 2&nbsp;×&nbsp;{{convert|18.5|MW|HP|abbr=on}}<ref name="Ionaspecs" /><ref name=POIonaRINA /> | speed = *Service speed: {{convert|20|kn}}<ref name="Ionaspecs" /> | capacity = 6,685 Max passengers<ref name="scheepvaartwest.be">https://scheepvaartwest.be/CMS/index.php/passengers-cruise/11147-iona-iimo-9826548</ref> | crew = 1,762 Crew <ref name="scheepvaartwest.be">https://scheepvaartwest.be/CMS/index.php/passengers-cruise/11147-iona-iimo-9826548</ref> | notes = }} }} '''MS ''Iona''''' is an ''Excellence''-class cruise ship in service for P&O Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc. Built by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg,<ref name="steelcutting">{{cite web|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/medien/presseticker/pressemitteilung_detail_28673.jsp|title=P&O Cruises marks first construction milestone for newest ship with steel cutting ceremony in Papenburg|date=21 May 2018|publisher=Meyer Werft|accessdate=25 May 2018}}</ref> she was delivered in October 2020 at a cost of £730 million. At {{GT|184,089}},<ref name=POIonaRINA /> ''Iona'' became the largest cruise ship commissioned for P&O and the British market upon delivery until sister ship ''Arvia'' (measuring {{GT|185,581}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arvia Cruise Ship |url=https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/arvia/overview |website=P&O Cruises}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arvia Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review |url=https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Arvia-2158 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=CruiseMapper |language=en-EN}}</ref>) was delivered in 2022. ''Iona'' was floated out on 18 February 2020 and delivered eight months later on 9 October amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed her debut by more than a year until 7 August 2021, when she sailed her maiden voyage from Southampton.

==Design == ''Iona'' has 17 different eateries, including eight restaurants designated as 'select dining', and 12 different bars.<ref name="dining">{{Cite web |last=Coulter |first=Adam |date=27 October 2016 |title=P&O Cruises Reveals More Details of its New Megaship |url=http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=7303 |access-date=27 October 2016 |publisher=Cruise Critic}}</ref> She also has 16 whirlpools and 4 swimming pools, one of which is housed under SkyDome, an entertainment venue topped by a 105-ton, 340-pane, 970-square-metre glass dome with a retractable stage for shows.<ref name="skydome">{{cite web|last=Kemble|first=Harry|date=24 August 2018|title=Pictures of P&O Cruises' SkyDome on Iona released|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/310246/pictures-of-po-cruises-skydome-on-iona-released|accessdate=26 August 2018|publisher=Travel Weekly}}</ref> The ship's centre also includes a three-deck atrium flanked by triple-deck glass panels projecting outwards.<ref name="dining" />

''Iona'' has 19 total decks, a length of {{convert|344.5|m|ft|abbr=}}, and a beam of {{convert|42|m|ft|abbr=}}.<ref name="Ionaspecs" /> Maximum power is rated at {{convert|61.7|MW|hp|abbr=}}.<ref name="Ionaspecs" /> Total propulsion power is rated at {{convert|37|MW|hp|abbr=}}.<ref name="Ionaspecs" /> Together, the power system gives the vessel a service speed of {{convert|17|kn|km/h mph|abbr=}}.<ref name="Ionaspecs" /> ''Iona'' has a passenger capacity of 5,206 guests and 1,762 crew.<ref name="Ionaspecs" /> Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), ''Iona'' is designed to not emit sulphur dioxide emissions and soot particles.<ref name="Ionaspecs" />

==Construction== On 6 September 2016, Carnival Corporation announced that it had signed an agreement with Meyer Werft for a 5,200-passenger vessel for P&O, scheduled for a 2020 debut.<ref name="biggestever">{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Phil|date=6 September 2016|title=P&O Cruises announces order for biggest ever ship|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/62985/po-cruises-announces-order-for-biggest-ever-ship|publisher=Travel Weekly|accessdate=25 May 2018}}</ref> The vessel, planned to be the largest in P&O's history, at approximately {{GT|180,000}}, would also be powered by LNG, making her the first LNG-powered ship dedicated for the British market.<ref name="biggestever" /> It was later reported that the engine room unit for the LNG tanks for ''Iona'' was constructed separately at Meyer Werft's sister yard, Neptun Werft, in Rostock.<ref name="Ionaspecs">{{Cite web |title=Iona |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/ships/iona.jsp |access-date=2020-02-16 |website=Meyer Werft}}</ref> On 27 October 2016, P&O announced that the public would be invited to name the new ship.<ref>{{cite web|title=The return of Boaty McBoatface? P&O asks public to name new ship|last=Morris|first=Hugh|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/articles/the-return-of-boaty-mcboatface-po-cruises-asks-public-to-name-new-ship/|publisher=The Telegraph|date=27 October 2016|accessdate=27 October 2016}}</ref> On 24 May 2018, it was announced that the name ''Iona'', after the Scottish island of Iona, had been chosen from 30,000 submissions.<ref name="namereveal">{{cite web|last=Coulter|first=Adam|date=24 May 2018|title=P&O Cruises Reveals Name of New Ship: Iona|url=https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=8659|publisher=Cruise Critic|accessdate=25 May 2018}}</ref>

On 25 April 2018, construction for the ship began with the steel-cutting ceremony in Papenburg.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Gary |date=24 May 2018 |title=P&O Cruises' new ship to be called Iona |url=https://www.cruisetradenews.com/po-cruises-new-ship-to-be-called-iona/ |access-date=25 May 2018 |publisher=Cruise Trade News}}</ref> On 29 May 2019, the ship's keel was laid to mark the official assembly of the hull.<ref name="laiddown">{{cite web|date=14 June 2019|title=Laying the keel for the new cruise ship Iona|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/medien/presseticker/pressemitteilung_detail_32962.jsp|publisher=Meyer Werft|accessdate=28 September 2019}}</ref> At the ceremony, a bronze coin from Iona Abbey and a piece of green marble from Iona was laid under a keel block<ref name="keellaying" /> that measured {{convert|21.5|m|ft|abbr=}} long, {{convert|19.4|m|ft|abbr=}} wide, and {{convert|9.8|m|ft|abbr=}} high, and weighed {{convert|461|t|lbs|abbr=}}.<ref name="laiddown" /> The block was then lowered into the building dock.<ref name="keellaying">{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Rebecca |date=2019-06-14 |title=Meyer Werft lays keel for P&O Cruises' Iona |work=CruiseandFerry.net |url=https://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/meyer-werft-lays-keel-for-po-cruises-iona |access-date=2020-02-16}}</ref> In August 2019, the 105-ton, 340-pane glass dome set to become the "Skydome" was raised onto the ship.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ebelthite|first=Shaun|url=https://cruisearabiaonline.com/2019/08/05/pos-new-ship-iona-gets-her-massive-970-square-meter-skydome/|title=P&O's new ship Iona gets her massive 970-square-meter SkyDome|date=2019-08-05|work=Cruise Arabia Online|access-date=2020-02-16}}</ref> By the end of the month, the bow and midsections were joined.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ebelthite|first=Shaun|url=https://cruisearabiaonline.com/2019/08/26/pos-new-ship-iona-takes-another-leap-toward-completion-with-complex-joining-procedure/|title=P&O's new ship Iona takes another leap toward completion with complex joining procedure|date=2019-08-26|work=Cruise Arabia Online|access-date=2020-02-16}}</ref>

''Iona'' was floated out of the dry dock on 14 February 2020.<ref name="floatout">{{cite web|title=P&O Cruises' New Ship Iona Floats Out For First Time|url=https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5099/|last=Coulter|first=Adam|publisher=Cruise Critic|date=14 February 2020|accessdate=15 February 2020|archive-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910154105/https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5099/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She went through final outfitting in wet dock before her River Ems conveyance to Eemshaven on 18 March 2020 and her sea trials in the North Sea were set to follow shortly after.<ref name="floatout" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-03-19 |title=P&O Cruises' New LNG-Fueled Vessel Leaves Shipyard in Germany |work=World Maritime News |url=https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/292871/po-cruises-new-lng-fueled-vessel-leaves-shipyard-in-germany/#.XnN7FpSGUIU.twitter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319181128/https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/292871/po-cruises-new-lng-fueled-vessel-leaves-shipyard-in-germany/#.XnN7FpSGUIU.twitter |url-status=usurped |archive-date=19 March 2020 |access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=18 March 2020|title=New P&O Iona Set to Leave Meyer Werft|work=Cruise Industry News|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22622-new-p-o-iona-set-to-leave-meyer-werft.html}}</ref> However, on 20 March 2020, Meyer Werft announced that the ship had been moored in Bremerhaven and all interior work and trials would be halted, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 March 2020|title=Cruise ship Iona: work on board pauses|work=Meyer Werft|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/press_detail_2816.jsp}}</ref> Later, on 26 March 2020, following discussions with Bremerhaven port and medical authorities, Meyer Werft explained that work would resume, but at a reduced pace, given the reduction in crew and resources.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 March 2020|title=Cruise ship Iona: Work can continue in reduced form|work=Meyer Werft|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/press_detail_2944.jsp}}</ref> On 30 May 2020, ''Iona'' departed from Bremerhaven for Rotterdam for a sea trial and entered dry dock at Damen's Rotterdam shipyard on 2 June for continued inspection work.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 May 2020|title=Iona comes to Rotterdam|work=Meyer Werft|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/iona_comes_to_rotterdam.jsp}}</ref><ref name="2020dry">{{Cite news |date=28 May 2020 |title=New P&O Iona to Drydock Before Delivery |work=Cruise Industry News |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23009-new-p-o-iona-to-drydock-before-delivery.html |access-date=9 June 2020}}</ref> A second round of sea trials was later performed along the Norwegian coast following the dry dock.<ref name="2ndseatrials">{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Jordan |date=30 June 2020 |title=Delivery of P&O Cruises Iona Postponed |url=https://www.cruisecapital.co.uk/iona-delivery-postponed/ |access-date=30 June 2020 |website=Cruise Capital}}</ref> Originally scheduled for spring 2020, the delivery date was further postponed to June 2020<ref name="2020dry" /><ref name="deliveryjune">{{Cite web|date=28 May 2020|title=Iona Nears Delivery as First Cruise Ship Completed After COVID-19|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/iona-nears-delivery-as-first-cruise-ship-completed-after-covid-19|website=The Maritime Executive}}</ref> and August 2020<ref name="2ndseatrials" /> before ''Iona'' was ultimately delivered on 9 October 2020.<ref name="ionahandover">{{cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=MEYER WERFT hands over Iona to P&O Cruises|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/meyer_werft_hands_over_iona_to_p_o_cruises.jsp|accessdate=2020-10-12}}</ref>

== Service history == ''Iona'' was originally scheduled to perform her maiden voyage on 14 May 2020.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Hughes|first=Chris|url=https://beyondcruise.com/news/po-iona-norwegian-fjord-itineraries-detail|title=P&O Iona Norwegian Fjord Itineraries in Detail|date=2018-09-09|work=BeyondCruise.com|access-date=2020-02-16}}</ref> The nine-night round-trip voyage from Southampton was to sail to the Norwegian fjords, calling in Stavanger, Olden, Hellesylt, Geiranger, and Bergen.<ref name=":3" /> The ship was scheduled to be christened on 4 July 2020 in Southampton before inaugurating a week-long celebration on the ship.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Williamson|first=Jeannine|date=2020-02-11|title=P&O Cruises Announces The Script and Pixie Lott Will Join "Ionafest" Line-up|work=Cruise Critic|url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5084/|access-date=2020-02-16}}</ref> However, on 23 April 2020, P&O announced that the pandemic forced the suspension of its operations and postponed the ship's debut and inaugural festivities.<ref name="maidendelayed">{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Kerry|date=30 March 2020|title=P&O Cruises Reveals Maiden Voyage of New Ship Iona Will be Delayed|url=https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5232/|publisher=Cruise Critic|accessdate=31 March 2020|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116183614/https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5232/|url-status=dead}}</ref> A year later, ''Iona'' was christened by Dame Irene Hays on 16 May 2021 in Southampton at a ceremony led by Gary Barlow and Jo Whiley.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Payne|first=Holly|date=17 May 2021|title=P&O Cruises' Iona 'heralds new beginning,' says Paul Ludlow at ship's naming ceremony|work=Seatrade Cruise News|url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/po-cruises-iona-heralds-new-beginning-says-paul-ludlow-ships-naming-ceremony|access-date=17 May 2021}}</ref>

''Iona'' was originally scheduled to sail cruises to the Norwegian fjords from Southampton for her maiden season.<ref name="inauguralseason">{{cite web|title=Iona to sail to Norwegian Fjords for inaugural season|last=Peters|first=Gary|url=https://www.cruisetradenews.com/iona-to-sail-to-norwegian-fjords-for-inaugural-season/|publisher=Cruise Trade News|date=10 August 2018|accessdate=26 August 2018}}</ref> In March 2021, P&O announced that the ship's maiden voyage would be 7 August 2021 along the Inner Hebrides before operating week-long voyages through September.<ref name="maiden1">{{Cite news |last=Bond |first=Mary |date=16 May 2021 |title=P&O Cruises and Southampton welcome Iona ahead of naming ceremony |work=Seatrade Cruise News |url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/po-cruises-and-southampton-welcome-iona-ahead-naming-ceremony |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref><ref name="maiden2">{{Cite news |last=Payne |first=Holly |date=17 March 2021 |title=P&O Cruises announces UK summer sailings |work=Seatrade Cruise News |url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/po-cruises-announces-uk-summer-sailings |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref> Due to the United Kingdom's pandemic travel restrictions, all voyages during the inaugural season were exclusive to UK residents.<ref name="maiden2" /> ''Iona'' later spent her maiden winter months in the Canary Islands and Northern Europe before transitioning to the Norwegian fjords during the following summer and subsequent summers.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=P&O Cruises celebrates full return to service |date=25 March 2022 |publisher=Carnival Corporation & plc |url=https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/po-cruises-celebrates-full-return-service |access-date=3 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=P&O Cruises launches summer '24 programme with "instagram" holidays to Ibiza, and Mykonos and Amsterdam short breaks |date=23 March 2022 |publisher=Carnival Corporation & plc |url=https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/po-cruises-launches-summer-24-programme-instagram-holidays-ibiza |access-date=3 March 2023 }}</ref>

In October 2023, following the Heligoland ship collision, P&O confirmed that ''Iona'' had been in the area and was involved in the subsequent search.

In January 2025, ''Iona'' made her inaugural visit to the Caribbean from Southampton, in between her regular winter deployment to the Canary Islands and Northern Europe.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=P&O Cruises announces winter 2024 / 2025 holidays with Arvia's first ever short break itinerary and 35-night Caribbean cruise on Iona |date=24 October 2022 |publisher=Carnival Corporation & plc |url=https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/po-cruises-announces-winter-2024-2025-holidays-arvias-first-ever |access-date=3 March 2023 }}</ref>

In February 2025, ''Iona'' suffered a norovirus outbreak off the coast of Belgium that led to a staff shortage and the cancellation of some onboard entertainment, with P&O offering full refunds to those unable to partake in scheduled offshore excursions due to the illness.<ref>https://news.sky.com/story/passengers-dropping-like-flies-after-suspected-norovirus-outbreak-on-pando-cruise-ship-13314024</ref>

In October 2025, ''Iona'' had a refurb on drydock at Rotterdam. The ship departed from Rotterdam on October 21 and arrived at Southampton the next day.<ref>https://cruiseradio.net/po-cruises-iona-undergoes-rescheduled-drydock/</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/press_detail_2752.jsp Pictures of the ship leaving the shipyard] * [https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/iona/overview ''MS Iona'' Ship page]

{{P&O Cruises Ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iona}} Category:Ships of P&O Cruises Category:Ships built in Papenburg Category:2020 ships