Britain’s largest and most environmentally-friendly cruise ship, P&O Cruises’ Iona, arrived into her home port of Southampton this morning ahead of tonight’s official naming ceremony.
The ground-breakling ship is powered by liquefied natural gas, one of the cleanest fuels in the world.
P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “It is a landmark day for both P&O Cruises and for the travel industry as a whole.
“We are on the cusp of a bright new beginning and Iona’s arrival into Southampton this morning is very visible evidence of this much anticipated future.”
Iona will be named this evening in a glittering quayside ceremony, hosted by Jo Whiley and broadcast to a “virtual” audience, the highlight of which will be Take That’s Gary Barlow, Iona’s music director, performing a short set.
Dame Irene Hays, chair of Hays Travel, will name the ship and a specially produced Nebuchadnezzar of Alex James’s Britpop cider will smash against the hull of the ship to bring it good fortune.
Iona boasts 30 bars and restaurants with many new speciality dining options including tapas from award-winning Spanish chef José Pizarro paired with wines selected by Olly Smith and a new Chef’s Table menu from Marco Pierre White.