By
Alex Smith |
P&O Cruises’ Iona will feature 30 bars and restaurants and produce its own unique Marabelle Gin when she begins sailing in 2021.
Several new restaurants have been created for the ship, including The Keel and Cow gastropub, Ripples Gelateria and tapas restaurant The Glass House, which will feature a menu by Spanish chef José Pizarro. An exclusive menu called The Chef’s Table will be served for Iona’s gala celebration nights at the Horizon resteraunt, developed by chefs Marco Pierre White and Eric Landlard.
Iona also features the world’s first gin distillery at sea, which will be found in Anderson’s Bar and Library. The distillery will be named Columba after the sixth century founder of the abbey on the ship’s namesake island of Iona. The recipe for Marabelle Gin was also inspired by the island, with heather among the 18 botanicals used to create the recipe. The recipe will be produced, bottled and labelled onboard, with bottles and cocktails available for guests to purchase. P&O’s partners Salcombe Distillery Company will also distil the gin in its still in Salcombe, UK, to be served across the cruise line’s entire fleet.
Iona is the largest ship built to serve the UK market, with capacity for 5,200 guests. She will homeport in Southampton, UK, offering cruises to destinations in northern Europe.