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P&O Cruises' Iona to sail inaugural season in the Norwegian Fjords

PHOTOS: Chris Ison
L-R clockwise: bergen, Iona, Stavanger and Olden
P&O Cruises’ LNG-powered Iona, launching in 2020, will sail exclusively to the Norwegian Fjords during the inaugural season.

P&O Cruises svp, Paul Ludlow said: ‘From the initial stages of her build we knew that Iona would be sailing to the Fjords and as such, every single detail has been designed to maximize the views, the ever changing vistas and remarkable landscape.

‘SkyDome, with its glass roof and temperature control will ensure that guests have an unrivalled viewpoint as the ship sails through the breathtaking vertical expanses of narrow gorges and blue sky and past mountains, glaciers and wildlife,’ he commented.

In all Iona’s Norwegian ports of call, P&O Cruises has developed a diverse range of excursions and activities for guests including active and cultural experiences.

Leon Skylift for Fjord landscape views

In OldenLoen, for spectacular views over the Fjord landscape guests can take a trip on the Loen Skylift that carries them up to the summit of Mount Hoven as well as visit the Briksdal glacier – part of the Jostedal ice field, the largest in continental Europe.

Norway's fastest zipline

In Bergen, adrenaline junkies can see the sights on one of Norway’s fastest ziplines, which soars 300mtr from Mt Ulriken 643mtr high to Mt Floyen.

For a different viewpoint of Bergen a flight-seeing helicopter ride is available, whilst a helicopter ride to Pulpit Rock (a 604mtr-high flat-topped cliff rising out of the Lysefjord is offered at Stavanger.

Staying on the flight theme in Hardanderfjord guests can enjoy the beauty of Norway’s second longest Fjord by light aircraft.

Kayaking either fast or slow

In Hellesylt, there is a chance for a rafting adventure along 8km of fast flowing river followed by lunch around a bonfire.

A kayaking experience and a 17km bike ride are two of the active offerings on Geiranger stops.

In Alesund visitors can view some of the best preserved examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe.

Iona has been designed to maximise views from three storey high glass walls in the Grand Atrium, to the innovative Conservatory Mini-suites.

Iona based out of Southampton

Iona will offer seven day holidays to the Norwegian Fjords from May 2020, each leaving from and returning to Southampton.

Iona is currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg and will be launched in May 2020. Holidays on Iona go on sale in September 2018.