LARGEST EVER CRUISE SHIP BUILT FOR BRITAIN WILL BE A “MODERN CLASSIC”
P&O Cruises today announced that it will expand its fleet with a 141,000-tonne cruise ship, built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, scheduled to enter service in March 2015.
The as-yet-unnamed 3,611-passenger vessel will be the largest in the P&O Cruises fleet, as well as the largest cruise ship built specifically for the British market.
To be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard, the all-in cost is approximately €155,000 per lower berth. Ushering in an exciting era for P&O Cruises, the ship will offer a stylish and innovative new design and an unprecedented number of passenger facilities, along with many of the brand’s classic and iconic features. Specifications and new product innovations will be announced at a later date.
Commented Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc’s chairman and CEO, “P&O Cruises is Britain’s number one cruise operator, and is synonymous with high quality holidays that celebrate its rich British heritage. The UK continues to be a key growth market and innovative vessels such as this new P&O Cruises ship – targeted specifically to British clientele – underscore our commitment to leading the expansion of this important cruise region. With a progression of highly successful new ships introduced over the last 15 years, P&O Cruises is uniquely experienced in designing vessels to meet the specific needs and aspirations of British passengers. This newly ordered ship will underline P&O Cruises’ position as Britain’s favourite cruise line.”
P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow said, “This next-generation ship will deliver the ultimate P&O Cruises experience, with ‘sophisticated wows’ and new features to attract thousands of newcomers to our brand, and equally to resonate with existing P&O Cruises passengers by giving them the ‘P&O-ness’ they recognise and love. She will offer ‘the best of the best,’ combining the favourite classic features of Oriana and Aurora, the choice and variety of Azura and Ventura, and a host of new ideas and concepts which together will deliver to our passengers the holiday of a lifetime, every time they travel with us.”
6 Comments
Meg
It looks like another hideous block of flats type ship. These huge ships are SO ugly on the outside
Lisa
Noooo! I’m quite excited for a change! The best of all ships me thinks! Maybe it will have the lovely tiered aft of Aurora and Oriana and all the good bits from the new ships Azura and Ventura ;0)
Gail
Hope you are going cruising again soon Jane – love reading your reports.
Allan Marshall
This is a vessel bult for the U.S. market, not British or we Aussies down-under. Where is the covered wrap-around teak promenade deck, large forward observation lounge and tiered stern decks like those on Oriana and Aurora, plus I can’t see a sliding roof over the Lido. Not designed for world cruises, same as Azure, which is doing one.
Anna
I think this ship will be a disaster for P&0, if the brand aint broken dont fix it!!!!!!!!!this is going away from what p&0 is all about, smallish friendly and classy, you can tell where Carnival took over!!!!!!!
Jane
Anna
I had similar feelings when they built Oriana, then you couldnt get me off it and I had no desire to go back to Canberra. Then of course along came Aurora, and before long Ventura and Azura. I love Azura, and Ventura. I think P&O are very good at doing ‘big’ better than many of the competitors. P&O know what loyal passengers want, so they know they have to provide it – and I have every faith that they will.
We shall see in time
J x