P&O Cruises Iona Edges Closer To Delivery

New P&O Cruises ship Iona is to leave the Meyer Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven shortly, bound for a final dry dock inspection in Rotterdam ahead of her official delivery to the cruise line. 

Originally scheduled for completion in May, construction of the LNG-powered ship faced delays as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The ship’s launch and inaugural season of cruises from Southampton were both postponed as a result, with updated details yet to be released by P&O Cruises. 

Following final outfitting at Meyer Werft, Iona will make the passage from Germany to the Netherlands, arriving in Rotterdam on 2 June. The ship is the 50th to be built at the German shipyard, which has faced considerable challenges in light of national lockdowns. Following consultations with the Port Medical Service and Bremerhaven Port Authority, the shipyard was eventually able to resume construction earlier this month, working under strict virus protection conditions. 

An official delivery date for Iona is yet to be revealed, with Meyer Werft confirming it is working closely with P&O Cruises to arrange the handover.