A spectacular fireworks display, from the vessel’s namesake island (Isle of Iona Scotland), is to be the pinnacle of the entertainment celebrating the maiden voyage of P&O new Excel-class ship Iona, which is scheduled to leave Southampton (England UK) on August 7.
Entertainment onboard the 7-night cruise will feature Tony Hadley, popular for successful albums and chart-topping singles, including international number one ‘True’, along with ‘Gold’ and ‘Through the Barricades’.
Aerial shows have also been created for Iona by Canadian entertainment company Creativiva. The design of the ship, boasting a 2-deck glass SkyDome, has become the inspiration for one of the shows, Rise.
P&O Cruises Food Heroes Marco Pierre White and Olly Smith are expected to host masterclass talks onboard sharing gastronomic and drinks expertise. They've collaborated to create The Chef’s Table, with special menus designed by Marco and complemented with wine recommendations by Olly.
Food served is to be celebrating the flavours of Scotland via single malt whisky Cranachan Verrine, Highland smoked salmon, a regional cheese selection and whisky fudge petit fours.
Iona’s Maiden Voyage (August 7-14, 2021) will depart from Southampton. The portless itinerary features scenic cruising along Cornwall's coast, anchoring off Isle of Iona (for a fireworks show on the island), three days of Scottish coastal cruising - the islands Colonsay, Mull (Lochbuie, Duart Castle, Tobermory), Bac Mor, Staffa (Fingal’s Cave), Jura, Islay (Claggain Bay), Kintyre Peninsula (Mull of Kintyre), Sanda Island.
After her inaugural season of UK coastal sailings, Iona will offer vacations to Spain and the Canaries from September 2021. 14-night Iona cruises to Spain and the Canary Islands are offered from GBP 1,299 per person.