MS Iona

MS Iona is a large cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises, the British cruise brand within Carnival Corporation & plc. Constructed by Meyer Werft at its Papenburg shipyard in Germany, Iona was commissioned as the largest vessel in P&O Cruises' fleet and as the first liquefied-natural-gas-powered ship dedicated to the British market. The vessel has a gross tonnage of 184,089, measures 344.5 metres in length, and contains 19 decks. Its design accommodates up to 5,206 passengers and approximately 1,762 crew members. The ship's development was announced by Carnival Corporation in September 2016 as part of a plan for a roughly 5,200-passenger P&O Cruises vessel targeting a 2020 debut. P&O later invited the public to submit names, receiving about 30,000 proposals. In May 2018, the company selected Iona, referencing the Scottish island of the same name. Construction began with steel cutting in April 2018, followed by keel laying in May 2019. The ship incorporated symbolic materials associated with Iona, including a coin from Iona Abbey and a piece of green marble placed beneath a keel block. Iona was designed as a resort-style ship with a broad range of dining, hospitality, entertainment, and leisure facilities. It has 17 eateries, including eight select-dining venues, 12 bars, four swimming pools, and 16 whirlpools. Its most distinctive architectural feature is SkyDome, a large glass-roofed entertainment and leisure space containing a retractable stage. The vessel also features a three-deck central atrium framed by projecting glass panels. Its LNG propulsion system was intended to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions and soot particles compared with conventional marine fuels. The construction and commissioning schedule was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Iona was floated out in February 2020, but interior work, outfitting, and trials were interrupted or slowed after the pandemic affected shipyard operations and maritime travel. Delivery dates moved several times before Meyer Werft handed the ship over on 9 October 2020. P&O Cruises postponed the originally planned inaugural voyage and christening as the company suspended operations during the pandemic. Iona was formally christened in Southampton on 16 May 2021 by Dame Irene Hays, with a ceremony involving broadcaster Jo Whiley and musician Gary Barlow. Her first passenger voyage eventually departed Southampton on 7 August 2021. Because of UK travel restrictions, the initial operating programme was aimed at UK residents and included domestic or nearby itineraries. The ship subsequently developed a regular deployment pattern involving the Norwegian fjords, Northern Europe, and the Canary Islands. In early 2025, Iona made an inaugural visit to the Caribbean from Southampton. The vessel remains an active part of P&O Cruises' contemporary fleet and is positioned around large-scale onboard facilities, varied dining, entertainment, and itineraries marketed primarily to British holidaymakers.

Carnival Corporation announced in September 2016 that it had agreed with Meyer Werft to build a new approximately 5,200-passenger ship for P&O Cruises. The project was intended to create the largest vessel in P&O's history and was planned around liquefied natural gas propulsion, making the ship a significant technical and environmental step for the British cruise brand. The propulsion concept was also associated with an effort to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions and soot particles compared with conventional fuel systems. P&O Cruises opened the naming process to the public in October 2016. Following approximately 30,000 submissions, the company announced in May 2018 that the name Iona had been selected, referring to the Scottish island. Physical construction began at Meyer Werft's Papenburg yard with steel cutting on 25 April 2018. The keel-laying ceremony took place on 29 May 2019. A bronze coin from Iona Abbey and a piece of green marble from the island were placed beneath a large keel block, linking the ship's identity to its namesake. The vessel's assembly included several notable structural elements. In August 2019, the 105-tonne glass dome intended for the SkyDome venue was lifted into position, and the bow and midship sections were joined later that month. Iona was floated out of the building dock in February 2020 and moved through further outfitting before its planned river conveyance and sea trials. The COVID-19 pandemic then interrupted the programme. Meyer Werft paused interior work and trials while the ship was moored in Bremerhaven, later resuming activity at a reduced pace after discussions with port and medical authorities. Iona subsequently travelled to Rotterdam for sea trials and inspection work, including time in dry dock, and underwent additional trials along the Norwegian coast. Its delivery date shifted several times before final handover on 9 October 2020. Iona was initially scheduled to begin service in May 2020 with a nine-night round trip from Southampton to Norwegian fjords destinations including Stavanger, Olden, Hellesylt, Geiranger, and Bergen. A Southampton christening was also planned for July 2020. Both events were postponed when P&O Cruises suspended operations during the pandemic. The ship was eventually christened in Southampton on 16 May 2021 by Dame Irene Hays, with a ceremony featuring Jo Whiley and Gary Barlow. Its first passenger voyage departed on 7 August 2021, more than a year after the original debut plan. The first operating season was shaped by UK travel restrictions and was limited to UK residents, with early voyages around the Inner Hebrides and other British or nearby destinations. After the initial restricted programme, Iona entered a broader seasonal deployment pattern. Norwegian fjord itineraries became an important part of its summer operation, while winter schedules included the Canary Islands and Northern Europe. In 2023, P&O Cruises confirmed that Iona had been in the vicinity of a collision near Heligoland and had taken part in the subsequent search. In January 2025, the ship made its first visit to the Caribbean from Southampton. A norovirus outbreak reported in February 2025 affected staffing and some entertainment during a voyage off Belgium; passengers unable to participate in scheduled shore excursions because of the illness were offered full refunds. Later in 2025, Iona underwent a Rotterdam dry-dock refurbishment before returning to Southampton. The ship continues to operate as one of P&O Cruises' largest vessels.

• 2025

  First Caribbean deployment

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  Iona made its inaugural Caribbean visit from Southampton.

• 2021

  Southampton christening

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  Iona was christened in Southampton on 16 May 2021 by Dame Irene Hays.

• 2021

  Passenger service begins

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  The ship departed on its delayed maiden voyage from Southampton on 7 August 2021.

• 2020

  Ship floated out

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  Iona was floated out of Meyer Werft's building dock and proceeded to final outfitting and trials.

• 2020

  Delivered to P&O Cruises

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  Meyer Werft delivered Iona on 9 October after pandemic-related delays.

• 2019

  Keel laid

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  The keel-laying ceremony marked the formal assembly of the hull, with materials connected to Iona Abbey placed beneath a keel block.

• 2018

  Name Iona selected

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  P&O Cruises selected Iona as the ship's name after a public naming exercise that attracted approximately 30,000 submissions.

• 2018

  Steel cutting begins

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  Construction began at Meyer Werft's Papenburg shipyard with a steel-cutting ceremony.

• 2016

  New P&O Cruises ship announced

  [1]MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org

  Carnival Corporation announced an agreement with Meyer Werft for a roughly 5,200-passenger P&O Cruises ship planned for delivery in 2020.

A large, contemporary P&O Cruises resort ship designed for the British cruise market, combining LNG propulsion with extensive dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities.

• Cruise ship · 2020

  MS Iona

  MS Iona is an Excellence-class cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises. The 184,089-gross-ton vessel is 344.5 metres long, has 19 decks, and can accommodate up to 5,206 guests supported by approximately 1,762 crew. Its facilities include 17 eateries, 12 bars, four swimming pools, 16 whirlpools, and the SkyDome entertainment venue. The ship is powered by liquefied natural gas and was developed for large-scale British-market cruising.

• 2025

  Rotterdam dry-dock refurbishmentOther

  Background

  The ship was scheduled for maintenance and refurbishment during an October 2025 dry-dock period.

  Action taken

  Iona entered dry dock in Rotterdam and departed the facility on 21 October, returning to Southampton the next day.

  Aftermath

  The vessel resumed its P&O Cruises operating programme after the refurbishment period.

  Source

• 2021

  Launch of passenger serviceProduct launch

  Background

  After the original 2020 launch plan was cancelled, P&O Cruises revised Iona's introduction around the UK's changing pandemic travel restrictions.

  Action taken

  The company began passenger service with a Southampton departure on 7 August 2021 and initially focused on voyages available to UK residents.

  Aftermath

  Iona subsequently moved into recurring Norwegian fjord, Northern European, Canary Islands, and Caribbean deployments.

  Source

• 2020

  Pandemic postponement of inaugural operationsStrategy

  Background

  COVID-19 disrupted shipyard work, maritime trials, cruise operations, and international travel shortly before Iona's planned debut.

  Action taken

  P&O Cruises suspended operations and postponed the planned maiden voyage, christening, and inaugural celebrations.

  Aftermath

  The ship was delivered in October 2020 but did not begin carrying passengers until August 2021, with its first season subject to UK resident-only travel rules.

  Source

• 2016

  Commissioning of an LNG-powered flagship-scale shipStrategy

  Background

  Carnival Corporation and P&O Cruises planned a roughly 5,200-passenger ship that would become the largest vessel in P&O's history and the first LNG-powered ship dedicated to the British market.

  Action taken

  The group contracted Meyer Werft to design and build the ship, incorporating LNG propulsion and extensive resort-style passenger facilities.

  Aftermath

  Iona entered service as P&O Cruises' largest commissioned ship at the time and established a major new capacity and product platform for the brand.

  Source

1. 1MS Ionaen.wikipedia.org