When Britannia launched in 2015, she became the largest vessel to be ever be built specifically for the British cruising market – sending out a clear indication of the high demand from UK holidaymakers. Blending contemporary with tradition, the ship was well received and even received a fitting christening ceremony by Her Majesty the Queen in Southampton.
Three years have passed since this iconic vessel graced the seas for the first time and the line has already started looking towards the future. Following a competition launched last year, members of the public were invited to name the new ship with the winning selection being announced last week.
The newly named Iona, named after a Scottish island in the Inner Hebrides, will be the fleet’s largest ship to date and offer capacity for more than 5,000 passengers. At the same time, she will eclipse Britannia in becoming the largest vessel to cater specifically for a British market and offer a range of features that cater with this in mind.
She will come equipped with a range of features including more than 15 dining venues including eight speciality restaurants, more than 10 places to enjoy a drink or two, three outdoor pools and one indoor pool, a total of 18 whirlpools, and a number of entertainment venues.
But there is much more to Iona than just what she will be offering on board. The ship marks the vision of the future for P&O Cruises and the line already has plans in place for Iona’s sister to launch in 2022. First of all, the ship will be the first P&O Cruises ship in 20 years to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Many renowned ships that have launched in recent years have been built here including Celebrity Eclipse, Norwegian Breakaway, Disney Dream and Anthem of the Seas.
Furthermore, Iona will also become the first P&O Cruises vessel to be powered in the sea and at port by liquefied natural gas This will significantly reduce the exhaust emissions compared to her sister ships already in operation, therefore having much less of an impact on the environment.
Although she will be different in many ways, Iona will also stay true to her roots. The world’s leading design and guest experience teams will be working together to ensure the contemporary and traditional blend hand-in-hand. Guests will be able to enjoy the new surroundings and features, while also feeling a sense of familiarity shining through.
The demand for cruise holidays continues to grow and with this in mind there has never been a better time to be a part of it all. By owning a franchise with GoCruise, you can earn competitive rates of commission while sharing your passion for travel with your clients.
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