Due to a needed shift within the dry dock schedule for P&O Cruises’ Iona, the cruise line has been in a position to create two new sailings for the ship to fill within the preliminary dates of the dry dock.
Visitors onboard have a terrific alternative to e book these new sailings, which can provide new alternatives for vacationers to get pleasure from wonderful ports of name.
New Cruises Fill in Former Dry Dock Dates
Simply days after two cruises have been cancelled for Iona as a result of a shift within the dry dock schedule, P&O Cruises has launched two new sailings for the ship to fill in what was to have been her initially scheduled trip of service for upkeep and upgrades.
Visitors presently onboard the 184,089-gross-ton, Excel-class ship have the primary alternative to e book the brand new sailings with particular onboard reserving advantages and onboard credit score presents, however the sailings will likely be out there for all to buy within the coming days.
Up first is a 5-night crusing departing Southampton on March 13, 2025, visiting Rotterdam for an in a single day name and with a port go to to Zeebrugge as nicely. This makes for a terrific lengthy weekend getaway and an opportunity to get pleasure from one of many latest ships in P&O Cruises’ fleet.
The second new crusing is a spectacular 14-night exploration to the Canary Islands, with extra stops in each Spain and Portugal. First, the ship will go to La Coruna earlier than heading for the tropical islands, the place she is going to go to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario/Fuerteventura, and Arrecife de Lanzarote.
Funchal Madeira and Cadiz will likely be additional visits because the ship heads again to Southampton. The itinerary additionally contains 5 days at sea, giving vacationers ample time to get pleasure from all that Iona – one of many largest ships crusing for P&O Cruises – has to supply.
Relying on which crusing company e book and what kind of stateroom they choose, they could be eligible for onboard credit score or different bonuses as nicely.
Dry Dock Rescheduled
These new sailings are being made out there as a result of Iona was initially scheduled for a “guarantee refit” – a kind of standard dry dock upkeep frequent with newer ships – for March 13 by means of April 1, 2025.
The unique dates, nonetheless, have turn out to be “now not doable” based on notices despatched out by the cruise line, as a result of shipyard delays. The character of these delays has not been disclosed, however might relate to provide chain points, labor shortages, tools points, berth availability, or different elements.
As an alternative, the deliberate dry dock has been moved to October and two cruises have been cancelled to accommodate the brand new upkeep schedule. Visitors booked on these now-cancelled cruises will likely be receiving full refunds, in addition to an onboard credit score incentive for rebooking on a special crusing on any P&O Cruises ship.
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Whereas Iona has solely been in service since August 2021 – her preliminary sailings have been delayed because of the pandemic-related industry-wide shutdown – it isn’t unusual for a ship to have a dry dock replace each few years. This is a chance to refresh flooring, replace fixtures, substitute worn upholstery, repaint, and do minor technical updates to maintain the ship at peak effectivity.
As a result of this specific dry dock is listed as a “guarantee refit” it’s seemingly scheduled inside a timeframe the place the workmanship on the vessel remains to be coated by both the shipyard or the supplies producer, and these updates might then be at a decrease value.
Iona debuted because the largest ship ever constructed for the UK market, and alongside along with her sister ship Arvia, is the most important within the P&O Cruises fleet. She will welcome 5,206 passengers aboard at double occupancy, and can be dwelling to greater than 1,700 worldwide crew members.
