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P&O’s Iona to sail to Norwegian fjords in first season

P&O Cruises giant new ship Iona will run seven-day sailings from Southampton to the Norwegian fjords in its inaugural season.

The 180,000-ton ship is due to start operating the no-fly itinerary from its UK home port from May 2020.

Cruises on the 5,200-passenger Iona go on sale in September.

Iona has been designed to maximise views from three storey high glass walls of its grand atrium as well as new mini suites with conservatories.

Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Iona’s ports of call in Norway include Olden, Bergen, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Geirangerfjord, Stavanger, Alesund and Hardanderfjord.

The line has developed excursions ranging from river rafting, kayaking and high speed RIB rides, to a glacier tour by helicopter, ziplining, a light aircraft flight along Norway’s second largest fjord and fishing for crayfish.

P&O Cruises senior vice president, Paul Ludlow, said: “From the initial stages of her build we knew that Iona would be sailing to the fjords and as such, every single detail has been designed to maximise the views, the ever changing vistas and remarkable landscape.

“SkyDome, with its glass roof and temperature control will ensure that guests have an unrivalled viewpoint as the ship sails through the breathtaking vertical expanses of narrow gorges and blue sky and past mountains, glaciers and wildlife.

“Iona has been designed to make the sea the star. With incredible views guaranteed from all over the ship, the whole season of fjords itineraries will enable guests to have the choice of when they want to travel to this spectacular area.”

He added: “P&O Cruises is the expert in delivering holidays to the fjords and this expertise brings with it the most diverse range of excursion experiences; from action packed adventures to culturally vibrant towns and charming villages offering spectacular discoveries and delicious, traditional foods.

“Whether it is skiing or swimming, fishing or foraging, walking or whale-watching, a week on Iona will offer it all.”

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