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Britain’s largest and most environmentally-friendly cruise ship, P&O Cruises Iona, arrived into her house port of Southampton this morning forward of tonight’s official naming ceremony. 

Iona is powered by liquefied pure fuel, ground-breaking for the UK cruise trade and one of many cleanest fuels on this planet. 

The ship can be named this night in a glittering quayside ceremony at 9pm, hosted by Jo Whiley and broadcast to a “digital” viewers, the spotlight of which can be Iona’s music director Gary Barlow performing a brief set. 

Dame Irene Hays, chair of Hays Journey, Britain’s largest impartial journey company, will identify the ship and a specifically produced Nebuchadnezzar (equal to 20x 750ml bottles) of Alex James’s Britpop cider will smash in opposition to the hull of the ship to carry it success sooner or later.   

Iona could have 30 bars and eating places with many new speciality eating choices together with tapas from award-winning Spanish chef José Pizarro paired with wines chosen by Olly Smith and a brand new Chef’s Desk menu from Marco Pierre White. Leisure venues embody the primary “SkyDome” – a unprecedented glass construction which can be a relaxed poolside atmosphere by day after which remodel at evening right into a spectacular venue with DJs, stage and aerial acrobatic reveals. 

There can even be the primary gin nonetheless on a cruise ship, created in affiliation with Salcombe Gin, distilling tailor made spirit on board. The gin’s maiden manufacturing will happen in Iona’s custom-made nonetheless named “Columba” and can be distilled, bottled and labelled on board. 

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow stated “It’s a landmark day for each P&O Cruises and for the journey trade as a complete. 

“We’re on the cusp of a brilliant new starting and Iona’s arrival into Southampton this morning may be very seen proof of this a lot anticipated future. 

“Our visitors are longing to get again to sea and Iona’s summer season season of UK coastal cruises, together with her maiden voyage on August 7 as much as her namesake island of Iona, have seen overwhelming demand.” 

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