Pop icon Gary Barlow will give a special one-off performance to celebrate the official naming of P&O Cruises’ new ship Iona in Southampton on 16 May.
The Take That star, left, will perform a short set as part of the event in his role as music director. His involvement includes overseeing the ship’s 710 Club music venue and curating new talent to perform on board.
Dame Irene Hays, right, owner of Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent travel agency group, will name the ship at the contemporary ceremony which will be broadcast to a virtual VIP audience.
P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said today: “We are absolutely delighted that Dame Irene Hays will be Iona’s godmother, taking centre stage alongside Gary Barlow in a landmark naming ceremony which will be the first stepping stone on the path to the return of the UK cruise industry.
“Since the inception of Hays Travel there is no one who has been more supportive of cruising or more of an ambassador for the travel industry. As such there is no one more appropriate to name Iona in this prestigious event than Dame Irene as we celebrate her achievements.”
Ludlow added: “With domestic cruising opening up from May 17 and with our series of UK coastal cruises proving very popular this summer, recovery is certainly on the horizon and Iona’s arrival into the UK and naming ceremony will be the ray of hope the cruise sector has needed for such a long time.
Iona will sail her seven-night maiden voyage around the coast of the island of Iona and the Scottish Isles from Southampton on 7 August.