P&O Cruises' new green vessel Iona to be officially named in Hampshire ceremony tomorrow
and live on Freeview channel 276
On Sunday, May 16, P&O Cruises will be unveiled in a glitzy naming ceremony, after sailing into her home port of Southampton.
Iona, powered by liquefied natural gas, ground-breaking for the UK cruise industry and one of the cleanest fuels in the world, will arrive for the first time tomorrow morning.
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Hide AdThe ship will be officially named by Dame Irene Hays, chair of Hays Travel, with a specially produced Nebuchadnezzar of Alex James’s Britpop cider to smash against the hull to bring Iona good fortune in the future.
At 185,000 tonnes and 345m long, Iona is practically a floating city, with a capacity for 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew members.
There are more than 30 places to eat and drink on board, with four swimming pools and even a gin distillery.
The liquefied natural gas, there are no no sulphur or nitrogen emissions.
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Hide AdThe event, to be held at sunset, will be hosted by Jo Whiley and broadcast to a ‘virtual’ audience of an expected 25,000 guests.
The highlight of the show will be a performance from Iona’s music director Gary Barlow, set against the backdrop of a spectacular laser display.
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
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