Fireworks and festivities celebrate Iona’s maiden voyage

A spectacular kaleidoscopic firework display, from the ship’s namesake island, is to be the pinnacle of a host of dazzling entertainment celebrating the maiden voyage of P&O Cruises new Excel-class ship Iona, which leaves Southampton on August 7, 2021.

Entertainment on board the seven night cruise will include Tony Hadley, known for numerous chart-topping singles and successful albums the world over, including international number one ‘True’ as well as ‘Gold’ and ‘Through the Barricades’.

Spectacular aerial shows have also been especially devised for Iona, the brainchild of Canadian entertainment company Creativiva. The ship’s stunning design, featuring a two-deck glass SkyDome, has been the inspiration for one of the shows, Rise, created to reflect its performance environment.

P&O Cruises Food Heroes Marco Pierre White and Olly Smith will be hosting masterclass talks on board sharing their gastronomic and drinks expertise. They have also collaborated to create The Chef’s Table, with menus designed by Marco complemented with wine recommendations by Olly, a new concept specially developed for Iona’s celebration nights.

Food served will be celebrating the flavours of Scotland with Highland smoked salmon, single malt whisky Cranachan Verrine, a regional cheese selection and Iona whisky fudge petit fours just some of the food that guests can experience.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said:

“Iona’s maiden voyage is a momentous milestone for travel. The ship sets a precedent for a new type of holiday packed full of firsts – we have Gary Barlow as music director of The 710 Club, Iona is Britain’s most environmentally-friendly cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas, and we have the first gin distillery at sea.

“It is apt that Iona’s maiden voyage is to the ship’s namesake island which has been the inspiration for many elements on board – the sense of space in the SkyDome through to the heather in our Marabelle gin distilled on board.

“Booking demand is strong so we know how eager our guests are to holiday on Iona. We are immensely proud of this ship and are excited for guests to experience it for themselves.”

Iona’s maiden voyage August 7 – 14, 2021 will depart Southampton, cruise past Cornwall before anchoring at the ship’s namesake island for the spectacular kaleidoscopic firework display.

This will be followed by three days of Scottish scenic cruising encompassing the Isle of Colonsay, Lochbuie, Duart Castle, Tobermoay, Bac Mòr, Fingal’s Cave, Sound of Jura, Claggain Bay, Mull of Kintyre and Sanda Island.

After an inaugural season of UK coastal cruises Iona will offer holidays to Spain and the Canary Islands from September 2021. Fourteen night Iona holidays to Spain and the Canary Islands are available from £1,299 per person.

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