5 FAQ About P&O Iona Naming Ceremony
Iona is on her way! Ship Image P&O Cruises
The long awaited arrival of P&O Cruises’ new flagship, Iona is imminent. Here are 5 things you need to know about her naming ceremony.
1. When is P&O Iona’s Naming Ceremony?
Originally Iona was to be named in 2020 but then the pandemic hit and, along with the whole industry, everything cruise-related came to a halt, including Iona’s much anticipated maiden season.
Well now the wait is over and P&O Iona will finally have her moment in the limelight when she is named on Sunday May 16, 2021 at 9.00 pm GMT.
2. Where is P&O Iona’s Naming Ceremony Being Held?
P&O Iona will arrive in Southampton on May 16th 2021 Image: P&O Cruises
Many of you will be aware that in a previous existence, which is so very hard to remember now, P&O Iona was to host IONAFEST - a week-long summer extravaganza including her naming ceremony. Sadly, this wasn’t to be (although some aspects of the event have been retained - keep reading).
However, P&O flagship Iona will sail majestically into her home port of Southampton on the morning of 16th May 2021 where she will be named that very evening at what promises to be a glittering (virtual) event. A VIP audience have been invited to view the event online, including press and selected loyal guests. I have my invitation at the ready so I’m very excited and will update this post after the event.
3. Who is P&O Iona’s Godmother?
Every ship has a Godmother, and Iona is of course no exception. P&O recently announced that Iona’s godmother is to be none other than Dame Irene Hays, DBE, DL, owner and chair of Hays Travel Group.
Hays Travel is a travel company that has grown to become the UK’s largest independent travel agency group. Together with her late husband John, who founded Hays Travel in 1980, Dame Irene was instrumental in expanding Hays Travel, acquiring both Bath Travel in 2013 and Thomas Cook’s retail travel agencies in 2019.
Irene Hays was awarded a CBE in 2008 and she was made a Dame in the 2021 New Year’s Honours for her services to training, education and young people. Always supportive of cruising, Dame Irene has been a true ambassador for the travel industry, and as such it was felt that there was no one more appropriate to name Iona at this prestigious event. On a personal note my first ever cruises were always booked through Hays Travel, and our first one was on another P&O Ship, Aurora.
Dame Irene has also been a powerful advocate of Hays Travel community and charitable activities – where Hays Travel colleagues contribute to their local communities. Hays Travel now funds a community partnership in every branch across the country and five years ago John and Irene created the Hays Travel Charitable Foundation which has so far donated over £1.5 million to the charity which encourages young people to be the very best they can be across education, sport and the arts. .P&O have announced that they will also be supporting the Hays Travel Charitable Foundation.
4. Who is Performing at P&O Iona’s Naming Ceremony?
The host for P&O Iona’s naming ceremony is the wonderful broadcaster, radio DJ and television presenter Jo Wiley.
Headlining the event, however, as announced in a previous post is the icon that is Gary Barlow. Gary was unveiled last year as Iona’s Brand Ambassador and Musical Director and was all set to perform at Ionafest. Many of his fans were left disappointed when the event had to be cancelled due to the unprecedented events of 2020, and had their hopes dashed of sailing with him.
Happily, Gary Barlow will perform a short set at the contemporary ceremony featuring a special one-off performance to be broadcast to a virtual audience. I for one cannot wait - I will need a little ‘patience’, but its set to be the ‘greatest day’ as we watch Iona ‘Shine’ (something for the Take That fans there)!
5. Will there be a bottle smash?
At the launch of a ship it is customary to make a ceremonial gesture to bring good luck and safe travel to the vessel. Traditionally a ceremonial bottle of champagne is smashed against a ship’s hull at its christening to ward off evil spirits and bless the ship, bringing it good fortune in its travels. This custom was adopted following the launch of HMS Royal Arthur by Queen Victoria. However, ceremonial launches go back much further than Victorian times with the Babylonians choosing to sacrifice oxen when launching a ship, and the Vikings offering slaves to their sea god.
Alex James’ Britpop Cider will be used for Iona Bottle Smash Image: P&O Cruises
In modern times, however, alcohol has been the offering of choice - but, maybe somewhat surprisingly, not always bubbles! Queen Elizabeth II used a bottle of Scotch Whiskey to launch a Royal Navy’s vessel, her namesake HMS Queen Elizabeth; and Cider has often been used throughout history for ship launches, most notably during Prohibition.
As fitting for such an innovative and contemporary ship as Iona, it will not be champagne sending her on her way. The glittering ceremony will culminate in the smashing of a Nebuchadnezzar of Britpop, specially made for the event, against the side of Iona’s hull. The bottle being used on the occasion of Iona’s naming will be Alex James’ (of Blur fame) Britpop cider which is made from English apples grown in ancient soil.
I can’t wait to sample some hopefully in the future!