P&O's new ship, which will join the fleet in May 2020, is to be named Iona.

The company ran a competition inviting members of the public to name the new 180,000-ton ship, which led to 30,000 responses.

Paul Ludlow, senior vice-president of P&O Cruises, part of the Southampton-based Carnival group, said: “We are an island nation and as Britain’s favourite cruise line it seems very fitting to highlight one of our most notable islands and celebrate the geographic diversity of the UK, especially as we can trace back our roots to the Scottish Isles.

“Iona played a significant part in shaping the history of our nation and we hope that with this very special name our new ship will shape the future of holidays at sea for generations.”

The name was unveiled by BAFTA award-winning TV presenter Stephen Mulhern in a magic reveal set on the Scottish isle, where he was joined by several of the islanders.

The 5,200-passenger ship will be the largest ever dedicated to the British market and the first powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

On Monday work began on cutting steel for the ship, which is being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.