P&O Cruises Contest Reveals Newest Ship Name (VIDEO)

When P&O Cruises asked their fans to help name their new ship, they had no idea how popular the contest would be. 30,000 submissions later, the latest vessel from the luxury cruise line has its name; P&O Cruises Iona.

The team at P&O Cruises narrowed the list down to only a few, but the submission from Gillian, a resident of Dundee, stuck out the most. Named for the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland, Gillian chose the name because of the island’s beauty and striking views of the sea.

P&O Cruises Ship | Photo: P&O Cruises Website Screenshot

Paul Ludlow, Senior Vice President of P&O Cruises, was smitten with the name from the start.

“We are an island nation and as Britain’s favorite cruise line, it seems very fitting to highlight one of our most notable islands and celebrate the geographic diversity of the UK, especially as we can trace back our roots to the Scottish Isles.” he said.

P&O Cruises Iona: Facts to Know

P&O Cruises Iona, weighing in at a whopping 180,000 tons, can hold more than 5,000 passengers, making it the largest ship P&O operates. The ship’s power source is 100% natural gas, something many cruise lines are exploring for newer vessels in an effort to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. In fact, Iona is set to be the most environmentally conscious ship in P&O’s fleet. That’s an incredible feat for a ship of such magnitude.

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One of the coolest features on board Iona is called The Dome, an entertainment hub complete with a clear sky dome, a pool with a retractable stage, fun water features as well as whirlpools. Billed as an all-weather venue for guests to enjoy, nighttime is when The Dome comes alive with aerial performances and projections onto the dome.

P&O Cruises Iona is set for its inaugural sail in 2020.

-Evan Gove