Largest UK cruise ship welcomed by Port of Southampton
The largest cruise ship built for UK holidaymakers has arrived in Southampton
P&O Cruises’ Iona has been welcomed by the Port of Southampton with a water salute. The ship has arrived in the south coast port ahead of a naming ceremony and will be used by the operator for its summer season of domestic sailings.
Iona was built to accommodate 5,000 passengers, has 17 passenger decks, is 345 metres long and displaces 185,000 tonnes. She is believed to be the UK most environmentally-friendly cruise ship.
P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Today is a momentous day for P&O Cruises, it heralds the start of a new beginning for the domestic cruise industry.”
The ban on UK domestic cruises will be lifted tomorrow, but ships will only be permitted to carry up to 1,000 passengers, or 50% of their capacity until all limits on social distancing are removed.
