Iona

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS Iona cruise ship is the P&O UK fleet’s first Excellence-class ship (delivered in October 2020 and inaugurated in August 2021), with sistership Arvia (2022). Iona and Arvia are currently the newest and largest passenger liners designed and built for the UK source market.

Other Helios/Excellence-class vessels (Iona’s sister ships across Carnival brands) include Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023), Carnival Festivale (2027), Carnival Tropicale (2028), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), AIDAnova (2018), and AIDAcosma (2021).

The vessel (IMO number 9826548) is UK-flagged (MMSI 232025845) and registered in Southampton.

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation with two brands—P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P&O is the world’s oldest cruise company, having started passenger shipping operations in 1822 on routes linking England with Iberia.

Iona and Arvia are from Carnival Corporation’s Excellence class (also known as “Helios” or “Carnival XL”). The vessel design was developed with renowned maritime and interior design firms, including Meyer Werft (German shipbuilder), Jestico+Whiles (London-based hospitality design studio), Richmond International (London-based hotel architecture firm), and Partner Ship Design (Hamburg-based maritime architecture specialist with multiple Carnival Corporation projects—AIDA, Costa, P&O, and CCL/Carnival).

For the liner’s hotel facilities and amenities, partners included Richmond International (London, UK), The Four Seasons Moscow, The Langham (London), and Sandy Lane Hotel (Barbados). Passenger cabins were designed by Partner Ship Design (Hamburg, Germany). The ship also introduces the fleet’s first “Conservatory Mini-Suite” category. This stateroom features a separate conservatory-style area as a cabin extension. Offering flexibility, the lounge—furnished with an L-shaped sofa—can be left open or closed off. The conservatory opens fully and leads directly onto the suite’s balcony. It can also be used for private parties and celebrations with in-cabin beverage service by a dedicated butler.

Decks and Cabins

MS Iona has 18 decks (16 passenger-accessible, 11 with cabins), a total of 2614 staterooms for 5204 passengers (lower berths; max capacity 6264), served by 1762 staff and crew; 17 dining venues (11 restaurants plus 6 food bars, including 9 serving breakfast, 7 serving coffee, 5 offering Afternoon Tea, 8 specialty restaurants, and 4 main dining rooms), 12 bars and lounges, 4 swimming pools (1 indoor plus 3 outdoor/2 infinity), 18 outdoor Jacuzzis (large whirlpool hot tubs), 13 entertainment venues (including adults-only), kids-dedicated zones (indoor–outdoor facilities and sundecks/playgrounds), and 22 elevators (passenger lifts located forward, midship, and aft).

The ship has 8 laundrettes (self-service laundry rooms for passengers). The largest accommodations are the 2-Room Sky Suites (400 ft² / 37 m² plus 110 ft² / 11 m² terrace/step-out balcony). Staterooms include 121 Suites, 1496 Balcony cabins, 174 Oceanview/Seaview cabins, and 819 Interior cabins. Iona also has 32 studios (single-occupancy) and 55 wheelchair-accessible cabins for disabled passengers.

Most cabins measure 135–170 ft² (13–16 m²). Except for the Suites, all balconies are small—about 20 ft² (2 m²).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

With a choice of 30 venues—many open from early morning until late at night—guests enjoy the widest selection of places to eat and drink on a ship built exclusively for the British market. New venues join P&O favorites such as The Glass House, Epicurean, Sindhu, and Brodie’s, alongside a long list of cafés, bars, self-service choices, and restaurants. Unlike traditional P&O dining, Iona offers exclusively “Freedom Dining” (aka “Flexible Dining”) in all main restaurants, allowing passengers to choose where, when, and with whom they dine.

On Iona, P&O debuted the “food market” concept. “The Quays” piazza (Deck 8) features numerous takeaway and self-service food bars offering international choices, including American diner classics, Asian street food, Mediterranean sharing platters, fish & chips, and Italian gelato, plus new outlets “The Olive Grove,” “Hook, Line & Vinegar,” “Boardwalk Diner,” and “Fusion.”

• “The Olive Grove” is an intimate venue for lunch and dinner, focusing on traditional Mediterranean dishes and sharing platters.
• “Hook, Line & Vinegar” is an all-day, self-service venue for traditional British seafood—battered fish, fish burgers, scampi, calamari, crab cakes.
• “Boardwalk Diner” is an all-day, self-service spot for classic American fare—burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, eggs over easy.
• “Fusion” is a takeaway, all-day Asian food bar.
• The ship has four Main Dining Rooms (MDRs)—Aqua, Coral, Opal, and Pearl. Located on Decks 6–7, all MDRs offer Freedom Dining for breakfast, lunch, Afternoon Tea, and dinner. Gala Nights (formal evenings) are also hosted here, with special menus by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. The largest MDRs (Pearl and Coral) are aft on Decks 6–7 and can interconnect to form a single, two-level venue.
• “Horizon Restaurant” (Pool Deck 16) is the Lido Buffet with all-day self-service. Casual in dress code, it offers flexible dining and a wide range of dishes—from traditional British to world cuisines—and caters to dietary needs including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and healthier options.
• “The Beach House” is an informal Select Dining venue that, in the evenings, occupies Horizon Buffet’s forward section. The menu is inspired by British, American, and Caribbean cuisines, offering steaks, grills, ribs, hanging kebabs, burgers, shareable sides, and gourmet desserts.
• “The Limelight Club” (Deck 6) pairs gourmet food with top-quality entertainment for adults only—live performances by guest entertainers and resident talent with the ship’s band. Daytime brings dance classes and music events. The lounge has its own full-service bar and transforms into a late-night nightclub after the show.
• Deck 6 (Grand Atrium) houses “Vistas Café Bar” (patisserie with a menu by Eric Lanlard) and “Emerald Bar” (a living-room-style premium cocktail bar), along with pop-up entertainment in mid-morning and early-evening aerial acrobatics.
• “The Glass House” (Deck 7, Atrium) is in partnership with Olly Smith, serving premium wines by the glass. The Cellar Door offers tastings, wine talks, and pairing dinners. Guests can also watch aerial and circus performances in the unique three-deck space.
• “The Keel & Cow” (P&O’s first gastropub) is on Deck 8 overlooking the Atrium and the ocean, offering traditional favorites, sharing platters, and aged steaks.
• “Andersons” (gin bar lounge on Deck 6) doubles as a library/relaxation lounge. In the evening it serves nearby MDRs with alcoholic beverages. Its focal point is the Marabelle Gin distillery (in partnership with Salcombe Distilling Co.), with tastings and masterclasses.
• “Brodie’s & Casino” (Deck 7) is a classic British pub with one of the ship’s largest selections of UK and international bottled beers, ales, and ciders, plus draught beers, an extensive wine list, and traditional pub snacks. Daytime brings live sports, bingo, and quizzes; evenings feature live entertainment, game shows, and karaoke. The adjacent Casino offers modern gaming and a variety of table and electronic games.
• “The Sunset Bar” (Deck 8, aft on the Promenade) provides shaded seating with easy access to The Club House and sea views.
• “The Gelateria” (Atrium’s top level on Deck 8, at The Quays entrance) offers scoops of Italian gelato, premium teas, and coffees, with access to the Promenade Deck.
• “Sundaes” (Deck 16, in the SkyDome) offers complimentary ice cream.
• “Eric Lanlard’s Afternoon Tea” (Deck 17) is the classic British tea experience.
• “Beachcomber Bar” (Deck 18) serves beverages to the Beachcomber pool deck, with ample sunbathing space and shaded seating.
• “Crystal Bar” and “Laguna Bar” (Deck 16, SkyDome) are outdoor poolside bars with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, also hosting traditional sail-away parties.
• “Sindhu” (Deck 8) offers authentic Indian cuisine.
• “SkyDome Pizzeria & Grill” (Deck 16) serves complimentary oven-baked pizza by the slice, grilled favorites (premium burgers, classic fish & chips), and global street foods.
• “The Crow’s Nest” (Deck 17) is an observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable seating; by night it becomes a cocktail lounge with live grand-piano performances.
• “The Epicurean” (Deck 17, adjacent to the Crow’s Nest) is a Select Dining fine-dining venue with impeccable service, gourmet cuisine, and a premium wine list. A private dining area and Chef’s Table (capacity 8) are available for special occasions.

Through the partnership with Salcombe Distilling, guests can purchase—and even create—their own Marabelle Gin (42% ABV). This exclusive recipe, produced onboard Iona, uses 18 botanicals, including Iona Island heather (Calluna vulgaris), mint, citrus, blackberry, green apple, rose petals, and kelp (seaweed). Since Iona’s inauguration, Marabelle Gin (a trademarked brand) has also been served fleetwide across P&O UK. Bottled and labeled onboard, it is available for purchase.

Via partnerships with three celebrity chefs (Marte Marie Forsberg, José Pizarro, Kjartan Skjelde), P&O elevated Iona’s culinary program to the fleet’s most diverse. Chef Forsberg designed the “Taste 360” street-food concept and Norwegian-inspired MDR dishes. On Iberia (Portugal, Spain) and Canary Islands itineraries, tapas-style menus by Chef Pizarro are featured at “The Glass House” and “Taste 360.” On Norwegian Fjords cruises, menus are enhanced by Chefs Skjelde and Forsberg; Skjelde also created a special six-course Norwegian tasting menu for “The Epicurean.”

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

SkyDome is one of the ship’s signature attractions and the largest onboard entertainment hub. This pool deck, covered by a retractable glass roof, features a large swimming pool (with a retractable stage) and Jacuzzis (whirlpool hot tubs). SkyDome hosts a unique live-entertainment program with performances and DJ-led deck parties, regardless of the weather. By day, it offers resort-style leisure and casual dining; by night, entertainment includes roof-top media projections, laser shows, aerial acrobatics, DJ parties, theatrical productions, and movies on a large LED screen.

Note: SkyDome spans two decks—Deck 16 (midship resort-style pool with food and beverage options; aft infinity/resistance pool with stern views and an Infinity Bar) and Deck 17 (a mezzanine with a bar and outdoor seating). A second infinity pool is aft on Deck 18.

On March 6, 2020, P&O announced three aerial acrobatic shows designed specifically for Iona—Rise (bird-themed), Triboo (a battle between the Moon and Sun tribes), and Dream (magic-themed). Rise and Triboo are performed in the SkyDome; Dream is staged in the Atrium. Two new aerial shows (Virtuosi, Spark) were scheduled for Iona’s inaugural 2021 season.

The three-deck-high Grand Atrium is midship with an open-floor design. All levels receive natural light and offer floor-to-ceiling sea views. Created by Jestico+Whiles (the team behind The Yas Hotel, W London, and Aqua Shard), the Grand Atrium is a new concept for P&O and serves as a key social space—morning coffee through evening drinks.

• Headliners Theatre (Decks 6–7) is the main show lounge for large-scale music and dance productions. The two-deck auditorium doubles as a complimentary cinema by day and offers matinees, Q&As, port talks, and lectures. Evenings feature West End-style productions (including “Festival”), stand-up comedy, and cabaret.
• The 710 Club features a stylish cocktail bar and live acoustic sets by top-quality artists.
• Ocean Studios is a boutique cinema with comfortable seating and four screens showing classics and recent blockbusters with the latest surround sound.
• The Club House (Deck 8) is a versatile indoor/outdoor space—family entertainment and games by day; a late-night music hall with performances by Iona’s band “Pulse” by night.
• The Ivory Suite (Deck 17, near the Crow’s Nest and Epicurean) is the ship’s chapel for weddings and vow renewals at sea.
• Kids’ Clubs are on Deck 17. “The Reef,” P&O’s complimentary program, is run by qualified Reef rangers and divided into Nursery (6 months–2 years), Splashers (2–4), Surfers (5–8), and Scubas (9–12). A secure outdoor playground and splash park are available. Parents can also use the complimentary Night Nursery (6 months–4 years, 6:00 pm–2:00 am).
• Scene (Deck 6) is the teens’ club for ages 13–17, separate from the kids’ club. It operates during peak seasons and functions as an adults-only venue during low season.
• Oasis Spa & Health Club (two decks forward on Decks 5–6) features a Thalassotherapy Pool, Cool Therapy Room, Salt Sauna, Steam Rooms, Treatment Rooms, Beauty Salon, Spa Shop, Oasis Villa (spa lounge), and two Thermal Suites for couples (each with a Steam Room and Hammam/Turkish bath). New (Arvia-exclusive) treatments include the Kneipp Walk (pebble foot massage with hot-and-cold water therapy).
• Sports Arena is a full-size, multi-sports court for football, basketball, tennis, cricket, and other group games.

The Beachcomber complex (forward on Deck 18) has an indoor pool (beneath a round SkyDome glass roof) and a spacious outdoor sundeck with shaded seating, two outdoor Jacuzzis, padded loungers, deckchairs, and showers. Daytime brings poolside activities; evenings transform the area into an entertainment venue with aerial performances, live music, and deck parties under the stars.

Adjacent to the Beachcomber (at the bow on Deck 18) is The Retreat—an adults-only VIP sundeck with two outdoor Jacuzzis. This “spa terrace” features shaded private cabanas (for rent). Access (via prepaid day- or voyage-long passes) includes alfresco dining, spa massages, and dedicated staff service (chilled drinks, cold flannels, light snacks).

Iona also has a 0.5-mi (800-m) outdoor Promenade Deck (the “Lanai Deck”) wrapping around Deck 8. It is wider than the industry standard and lined with open-air bars and alfresco dining venues. In the forward section, six Infinity Whirlpools with glass fronts face the ocean (three port and three starboard).

Itineraries

Iona’s original program focused on 7-day Baltic/Northern Europe and Norwegian Fjords cruises roundtrip from Southampton (England), calling at Stavanger, Olden, Hellesylt (or Alesund), Geiranger, and Bergen. P&O’s Norway shore excursions include sea kayaking, river rafting, zip-lining, crayfishing, RIB tours, helicopter, and seaplane flights.

MS Iona’s inaugural season was planned to start on May 14, 2020 (Maiden Voyage), with no-fly cruises from the UK (Southampton). Bookings opened on September 7, 2018. Due to COVID-related travel restrictions, in mid-September 2020 P&O UK canceled all scheduled voyages fleetwide through early February 2021 (Caribbean fly-cruises) and through mid-March 2021 (ex-UK cruises). The canceled 2020–2021 winter season (October–March) was rescheduled for 2021 with Southampton roundtrips to Iberia (Spain–Portugal), the Canary Islands, and Northern Europe.

In February 2021, P&O UK canceled additional summer departures. In early March, major program changes were announced—limited to UK coastal mini-cruises and 7-day roundtrips from Southampton. Iona’s Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for September 25 (14-day Iberia/“Spain and Portugal”). The entire 2021 Norwegian Fjords program was canceled.

Iona’s Maiden Voyage was ultimately rescheduled for August 7, 2021 (7-night “British Isles”/Cruise to Nowhere roundtrip from Southampton, booking code G126N), priced from GBP 950 per person (~EUR 1100 pp / ~USD 1320 pp). The port-less itinerary featured scenic cruising along Cornwall; anchoring off the Isle of Iona for a fireworks display; and three days of Scottish coastal cruising—the islands of Colonsay, Mull (Lochbuie, Duart Castle, Tobermory), Bac Mòr, Staffa (Fingal’s Cave), Jura, Islay (Claggain Bay), Kintyre Peninsula (Mull of Kintyre), and Sanda Island.

Iona’s itineraries are 7 and 14 nights, with extended port stays (late departures) that allow guests to sample local nightlife. Visited countries and ports include Portugal (Lisbon, Funchal–Madeira), Spain (Cádiz, Alicante, Barcelona, Málaga, Valencia, Vigo), Gibraltar, the Canaries (Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote), Holland (Rotterdam–Amsterdam), Belgium (Zeebrugge), and Germany (Hamburg).

On April 25, 2018, Meyer Werft’s Papenburg Shipyard hosted the steel-cutting ceremony (hull S-715), officially marking the start of MS Iona’s construction (Meyer Werft’s 50th cruise liner). On February 22, 2021, construction began on her sistership Arvia (2022).

In January 2018, shipbuilder Meyer Werft contracted ALMACO Group (1998-founded, Finland-based) to provide catering solutions for the newbuild. The deal included turnkey delivery and installation of cold and freezer rooms (total area ~1900 m² / 20,450 ft²).

Arvia and Iona are the largest vessels ever built for P&O UK, each with 180,000 GT and a maximum passenger capacity of 6600, plus 1800 crew. They are also the biggest UK-based passenger ships (permanently homeported in Southampton, England) and the UK cruise market’s first LNG-powered newbuilds. Both are fitted with Wärtsilä LNG engines that generate electricity for the propulsion system both in port and at sea.

Like most large modern newbuilds, P&O Iona is LNG-powered, with 4 engines producing a combined output of 61.7 MW. The propulsion system is based on two azimuthing thrusters delivering 74 MW. The ship has 3 cryogenic steel LNG tanks with a total capacity of ~3200 m³. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m / 115 ft, diameter 8 m / 26 ft, capacity 1525 m³ each), while the third measures 28 m (92 ft) in length, 5 m (16 ft) in diameter, and holds 520 m³.

P&O Cruises revealed the ship’s name on May 24, 2018—“Iona,” after Iona Island (Inner Hebrides, Scotland). The choice continued the P&O UK tradition of names ending with “A” and was selected via an online contest that received over 30,000 submissions.

The keel-laying ceremony was held on June 14, 2019. As part of the tradition, a bronze coin from Iona Abbey and a slice of green marble (also from the island) were placed under the first hull block, which housed the bow thrusters. A 600-ton gantry crane lowered the steel block (#18), weighing 461 tons, measuring 21.5 m long, 19.4 m wide, and 9.8 m high. Attendees included Paul Ludlow (P&O Cruises UK President), Stephan Schmees (Meyer Werft Executive Board Member/Project Management), and Jürgen Storz (Meyer Werft Project Leader). Like all modern cruise ships, Iona was built from prefabricated blocks (hull and superstructure), floated into the shipyard for assembly.

On August 2, 2019, the vessel received her iconic SkyDome. The 970 m² (10,440 ft²) glass roof consists of 340 panels, weighs 105 tons, and was installed using a 750-ton mobile crane (Liebherr LTM1750-9.1).

Iona was launched (floated out from drydock) on February 14, 2020. Her Ems River conveyance (from Papenburg Shipyard to Eemshaven, Holland) took place on March 18-19, followed by sea trials in the North Sea and Baltic Sea to test machinery and navigation systems.

MS Iona was officially delivered to P&O UK on October 9, 2020, in Papenburg. The handover documents were signed by Paul Ludlow (P&O President) and Jan Meyer (Meyer Werft Managing Director).

P&O Iona (Papenburg shipyard/hull number 710) is powered by MAK-Caterpillar LNG marine engines producing a total output of 61.7 MW.

Below is P&O UK’s timelapse video of the ship’s construction.

In late April 2021, P&O UK announced Iona’s godmother as Dame Irene Lucas-Hays (1954-born British businesswoman). The title “Dame” reflects her DBE honor (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Irene Lucas is Owner and Chairwoman of Hays Travel Ltd (founded 1980 by John Hays, based in Sunderland), the UK’s largest independent travel agency with ~1500 employees and ~GBP 1 billion in annual sales.

• In October 2019, Hays Travel acquired all Thomas Cook Group stores in the UK after the company’s collapse, taking over 550 retail shops, nearly tripling its network and doubling its workforce.
• In September 2020, Hays Travel purchased Tailor Made Travel (a Wales-based travel agency chain).

Iona’s christening ceremony took place on May 16 in Southampton. Hosted pier-side by Jo Whiley (1965-born DJ and TV presenter), the event was broadcast live and featured a performance by Gary Barlow (English singer, songwriter, and TV personality). As tradition dictates, Dame Irene Hays christened the ship by breaking a bottle of Alex James Blur (cask-strength apple and pear cider spirit) against the hull.

For the Maiden Voyage (August 7, 2021), P&O planned special events, including a fireworks display off Iona Island and onboard entertainment with live performances by Tony Hadley, aerial shows by Creativiva Inc (Canada), cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Olly Smith (who also designed a Chef’s Table menu), and special dining featuring smoked salmon, regional cheeses, and Cranachan (a Scottish whisky dessert).

Ship christening cruise "Ionafest 2020" (CANCELED)

The naming ceremony was originally scheduled for July 4, 2020 (Southampton), as part of the themed “Ionafest cruise” (July 4–11). Fares started at GBP 1300 per person (double-occupancy Inside cabin). However, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the voyage was canceled.

• Ionafest was planned as a festival-style experience, with numerous events across multiple venues, including live music, entertainment, and street-festival celebrations on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The canceled roundtrip Southampton itinerary (Norwegian Fjords) included Olden, scenic cruising through Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord, Hellesylt, Geiranger, scenic cruising through Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjorden, and Storfjorden, and Bergen.
• Confirmed British performers included Clean Bandit (electronic band), Trevor Nelson MBE (DJ), Jo Whiley (radio DJ and presenter), Chris Ramsey (comedian), Sara Cox (DJ and broadcaster), and Alex James (DJ, musician, songwriter).

In February 2021, P&O canceled additional summer departures. In early March 2021, the line announced major itinerary changes, limiting operations to UK coastal mini-cruises and 7-day roundtrips from Southampton. Iona’s Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for September 25 (14-day Iberia/"Spain and Portugal").

The entire 2021 Norwegian Fjords program was canceled.

7-day "Norwegian Fjords" itinerary 1

7-day "Norwegian Fjords" itinerary 2

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2020-2021 (CANCELED)

Iona’s inaugural season was planned to begin on May 14, 2020 (maiden voyage), featuring no-fly itineraries roundtrip from the UK. Bookings opened on September 7, 2018.

However, due to COVID-related travel restrictions, in September 2020 P&O UK canceled all scheduled voyages fleetwide through February 2021 (Caribbean fly-cruises) and mid-March 2021 (ex-UK cruises). The 2020-2021 winter season (October–March) was rescheduled for 2021 with Southampton roundtrips to Iberia (Spain-Portugal), Canary Islands, and Northern Europe.

Iona’s maiden voyage was rescheduled multiple times: first for October 24, 2020 (7-night Western Europe), then March 6, 2021 (14-night Spain and Portugal), April 24 (7-night Norwegian Fjords), and finally August 7, 2021 (7-night British Isles/Cruise to Nowhere).

The tables below show the ship’s inaugural voyages by destination. All itineraries were roundtrips from Southampton, England.

(CANCELED MAIDEN VOYAGE 2020) – 7-day "Inaugural Cruise" (Western Europe itinerary)

(CANCELED MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021) 7-night "Norwegian Fjords" itinerary (booking code G111) - from GBP 700 pp

Godspeed!