P&O Cruises’ Iona Enters Drydock for First Major Overhaul

P&O Cruises’ flagship Iona has entered drydock at Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam for her first scheduled maintenance since joining the fleet in 2021. The drydocking began this month and has led to the cancellation of two previously planned cruises.

The drydock was originally slated for March 2025, but due to limited availability at the shipyard, the timeline was brought forward to October. P&O Cruises confirmed that Iona will return to service on October 23, 2025, following essential maintenance and technical upgrades.

The affected cruises include a 14-night voyage to the Canary Islands, which was scheduled to depart Southampton on October 4, and a 7-night Northern Europe sailing originally planned for October 18. Guests impacted by these cancellations have been notified and will receive a full refund plus £100 per person in onboard credit as compensation.

P&O Cruises said it is assisting passengers with rebooking options to make the process as seamless as possible. Guests can either transfer to another voyage or retain their onboard credit for future use.

Once drydock work is complete, Iona will resume sailing on October 23 with a short two-night cruise, followed by a seven-night itinerary to Spain and France departing October 25 from Southampton.

This drydock marks an important milestone for the LNG-powered ship, ensuring she remains in peak condition while continuing to uphold the high standards of service and comfort associated with P&O Cruises.