P&O Cruises has named its new next-generation ship Iona at the Clia Conference in Southampton.
TV presenter Stephen Mulhern appeared on a pre-recorded video in front of 650 delegates at the annual two-day conference to make the announcement from the Scottish Island of Iona.
P&O Cruises’ new ship Iona will be delivered in 2020.
Paul Ludlow, senior vice president at P&O Cruises, said that the island located off the west coast of Scotland had inspired the decision.
He said: “Everywhere you stand on the island you can see the sea, which was part of our thinking when we designed our new ship.
“Iona is part of the UK and we could not think of a better place.”
The ship will go on sale in September and Ludlow said the destinations will appeal to the new-to-cruise market.
“They will be places that you really get the most of by sea,” he added. “It is about giving guests more choice than ever before.
“We will continue to challenge the general holiday market. What is more important though is exceeding their expectations every time, so that when they come back they will tell 10 friends about the cruise.”
Ludlow also said the line’s Shine Rewards Club was one “illustration” about how much travel agents meant to the brand.
P&O Cruises has had more than 10,000 sign ups for its loyalty rewards club since it launched last year.