P&O Cruises’ flagship Iona has entered the Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam for her first scheduled drydock since entering service in 2021. The maintenance period, which began this month, has resulted in the cancellation of two planned cruises.

Originally, Iona’s drydock was planned for March 2025, but due to limited shipyard availability, the date was moved forward to October. According to P&O Cruises, the ship will return to service on October 23, 2025, following essential maintenance and technical upgrades.

Cancelled Sailings and Passenger Compensation

The affected voyages include a 14-night Canary Islands cruise that was due to depart Southampton on October 4, and a 7-night Northern Europe itinerary originally scheduled for October 18. Guests booked on these sailings have been notified and offered a full refund plus £100 per person in onboard credit as compensation for the disruption.

P&O Cruises stated that they are working closely with guests to make the rebooking process as smooth as possible. Passengers may either rebook another sailing or keep the onboard credit for future use.

Iona’s Return to Service

After completing her first-ever drydock, Iona will resume operations on October 23 with a short two-night cruise, followed by a 7-night itinerary to Spain and France departing October 25 from Southampton.

This is an important maintenance milestone for the 2021-built vessel, ensuring that Iona continues to deliver the high standards of comfort and reliability that P&O Cruises guests have come to expect.