Gary Barlow performs live quayside at naming ceremony of P&O Cruises' new ship Iona
In a star-studded ceremony broadcast live from her home port of Southampton to a ‘virtual’ audience, the majestic vessel was christened in style by her godmother Dame Irene Hays, of Hays Travel, who smashed a specially produced bottle of Blur legend Alex James’s Britpop cider against the ship’s hull to bring her future good fortune.
P&O Cruises’ president, Paul Ludlow, said: “It is a landmark day for both P&O Cruises and for the travel industry as a whole. We are on the cusp of a bright new beginning and Iona’s arrival into Southampton is very visible evidence of this much-anticipated future.
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Hide Ad"Our guests are longing to get back to sea and Iona’s summer season of UK coastal cruises, including her maiden voyage on August 7, up to her namesake island of Iona, have seen overwhelming demand.”
As thousands eagerly watched the live link from home due to Covid restrictions, DJ and TV presenter Jo Whiley hosted the glittering ceremony, before Barlow, music director of The 710 Club onboard, entertained with a feel-good quayside set.