​Meyer Werft prepare to join two mega sections of P&O Cruises Iona

The Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany is preparing to join two mega sections of the new P&O Cruises flagship, Iona, which is expected to enter service in May 2020.
 
The 183,900 gross tonne ship is currently in two, with a large mid-ship section of the vessel outside of the main building at the shipyard, Hall 6, whilst inside is the bow section.

​Hall 6 is so large than two cruise ships are built simultaneously. The building currently houses another large cruise ship, which shares the dry dock with the bow section of Iona.
 
The Norwegian Encore is due to float out from Hall 6 into the basin at the shipyard on 17 August 2019. The mid-ship section of Iona will then be carefully manoeuvred by tug boats into Hall 6 and then welded to the bow section. Over the coming months the shipyard will add the aft section of the vessel.
 
The 5,200-passenger ship will be the largest ever built specifically for the British cruise market. Iona will be followed by a sister ship, which is expected to join the P&O Cruises fleet in 2022.

Featured Image: © Björn Haß - Cruise Ship Photography