I just wanted to share with you some exerts from a recent Interview with Iona’s Captain , Wesley Dunlop… and his exciting new upcoming position to be captain of this exciting new ship next year…

 Iona Senior Management Team Q&As

A. I received a call from P&O Cruises last April asking me if I’d like to take command of our new ship in 2020, and for someone who is rarely lost for words, I don’t mind admitting that I was utterly flabbergasted and did in fact ask if they’d dialled the wrong number! Joking aside, it was without a doubt the proudest moment of my career to date and I’m still on cloud nine. To be at the helm of the largest, most innovative, most environmentally friendly, most stunningly beautiful cruise ship ever built for the British market is the ultimate honour for any captain.

A. Iona is the result of the ‘best of the best’, from the naval architects to the designers to the team at the shipyard, and 180 years of heritage will go into making her the most exciting addition ever to the British cruise industry and holiday market.

A. Iona will no doubt bring its challenges. The introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a new step for us all, but I’m relishing those challenges. In the lead-up to her launch, my staff and I will undergo a whole new set of training programmes and will spend many months in the shipyard gaining the knowledge and experience needed to operate our new ship.

A. I absolutely adore my job. From a very young age I always knew I wanted a job where I could travel the world, and I’ve been so lucky to have visited the four corners and pretty much everywhere in between. Combine this with working with the finest crews afloat, on the most beautiful and innovative ships, and I genuinely wake up every morning and pinch myself. I can’t believe how fortunate I am.

A. I can’t wait to see the expressions on our guests’ faces when they step on board Iona. With her stunning design, beautiful vistas and all the facilities she’ll offer, I just know they’ll be saying ‘Wow, this is the life!’