Floating distillery

Closing Time has heard of gin distilleries in unusual places but perhaps the most unusual place of all must be onboard a cruise ship!

 

Closing Time has heard of gin distilleries in unusual places but perhaps the most unusual place of all must be onboard a cruise ship!

But cruise and ferry operator P&O Cruises’ new 180,000-ton vessel ‘Iona’ is to sport an onboard gin distillery to help supply its onboard bar.

In addition, a 30-venue “foodie” market, gastropub and laid-back cocktail lounge will be among new dining and drinking options on board.

The craft is currently being completed at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and it’s expected to hit the high seas in May 2020; the tickets for the cruise ship are now on sale.

P&O commissioned its own gin last year, named Anderson’s, after the cruise ship company’s co-founder Arthur Anderson.

Another unusual feature will be the ‘cheese & music’ list onboard, created by Alex James, Blur’s former bass player.