Cruise & Cruise Line

Watch Mega Cruise Ship Get Constructed in Seconds

Image: P&O Cruises' Iona. (photo via P&O Cruises Press)
Image: P&O Cruises' Iona. (photo via P&O Cruises Press)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 3:55 PM ET, Fri November 6, 2020

P&O Cruises recently took ownership of the largest cruise ship ever built for the U.K. market.

But to fully appreciate just how impressive the 5,200-passenger Iona truly is, it helps to see how it came together. To do just that, P&O Cruises has published a time-lapse video behind the scenes of the ship's construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

Iona, which took two years to build, features eight specialty restaurants including some yet to be unveiled concepts in addition to more than a dozen entertainment venues, four swimming pools including an infinity pool at the aft of the ship and as many as 16 whirlpools.

Iona's maiden season will take her to Northern Europe, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands from her homeport of Southampton, England.

"Whilst our operations are currently paused until early 2021 Iona will not be sailing for the moment but we look forward to our guests experiencing this game-changing ship as we will continue to offer unparalleled holidays at sea whilst also upholding the latest approved travel protocols," Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises president, said at the official handover ceremony last month.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Who is Exoticca and bucket list destinationsFriday, October 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover the world of Exoticca and see why extraordinary travel doesn’t have to come with an...
Upcoming Webinar
How Risk-Free Groups with Collette Skyrocket GrowthMonday, October 5, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Group travel is your Ticket to business growth. Looking to grow your travel business? Join Matt...
Upcoming Webinar
Social Media Made Simple for UTuesday, October 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Social media doesn't have to be complicated. Join Millie Britt, our Digital Marketing Coordinator, for...
Upcoming Webinar
Who is Exoticca and bucket list destinationsFriday, October 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover the world of Exoticca and see why extraordinary travel doesn’t have to come with an...
Upcoming Webinar
How Risk-Free Groups with Collette Skyrocket GrowthMonday, October 5, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Group travel is your Ticket to business growth. Looking to grow your travel business? Join Matt...
Upcoming Webinar
Social Media Made Simple for UTuesday, October 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Social media doesn't have to be complicated. Join Millie Britt, our Digital Marketing Coordinator, for...