Excellence class · P&O Cruises · In service since 2020
Iona
Iona is an Excellence class cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises, in service since 2020. At about 184,000 gross tons, it carries roughly 5,206 guests and ranks #2 by size in the 6-ship P&O Cruises fleet we cover.
- 184,000 gross tons
- 5,206 guests
- 1,130 ft long
Photo: Dickelbers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ship facts
- Cruise line
- P&O Cruises
- Ship class
- Excellence class
- Entered service
- 2020 (6 years ago)
- Gross tonnage
- 184,000
- Guests
- 5,206
- Length
- 1,130 ft (344.5 m)
- Beam (width)
- 177 ft (54 m)
- Speed
- 17 knots
- Builder
- Meyer Werft
- IMO number
- 9826548
About Iona
Iona was the first P&O Cruises ship powered by liquefied natural gas and the largest built for the British market when she arrived in 2020. She is designed for UK holidaymakers, with a pub, a curry house, British comedy, Black Tie evenings and an onboard account in pounds sterling. Her centerpiece is the SkyDome, a glass-roofed pool that becomes an entertainment venue after dark, and she has an onboard gin distillery. With dozens of bars and restaurants, she suits families and groups. Iona has been closely associated with Norwegian fjords cruises from Southampton, a convenient round trip for UK travelers.
Best for: British families and couples who want a big, modern ship and a no-fly cruise from Southampton, especially to Norway.
Iona highlights
- SkyDome, a glass-roofed pool with evening aerial shows
- An onboard gin distillery
- The 710 Club for live music and late nights
- The Limelight Club supper club
- Sindhu modern Indian restaurant
How Iona compares in size
Excellence class sister ships
Sailing with P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is Britain’s best-known cruise line, designed for UK holidaymakers: prices in pounds sterling, British food, pubs, comedians and mostly round-trip sailings from Southampton. It runs big family-friendly ships alongside two adults-only ships, and gratuities are included in the fare. North Americans are welcome, but the line is built around British tastes, school holidays and sailing schedules.
Read our full P&O Cruises guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →
Iona FAQs
How big is Iona?
Iona measures about 184,000 gross tons and is about 1,130 feet (345 m) long. That makes it #2 of 6 P&O Cruises ships we cover by tonnage, and #17 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.
How many passengers does Iona carry?
About 5,206 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.
When was Iona built?
Iona entered service in 2020 and was built by Meyer Werft.
What class of ship is Iona?
Iona belongs to P&O Cruises's Excellence class, alongside Arvia. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.
Is Iona good for families?
The family ships run free kids clubs for children from around 2 to 17, split by age, with a night nursery for younger children on some ships. Expect lots of families during British school holidays, especially in summer and at Easter. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Iona offers for your kids' ages.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, P&O Cruises official site.