The keel laying will involve the placement in the dry dock of the first section of the ship's hull. This section is made up of 6 pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 408 tons and is fitted with 214 tons of pipes, cables, insulation and other equipment.

The ceremony follows an intensive period of design and development. 74 sections will be used in the construction of the ship.

In a speech, Carnival UK CEO David Dingle said: "Each of our new ships has been exclusively designed for the British market. We have ensured that each anticipates the subtly changing trends in what British passengers expect from their cruise holiday - and is equipped to meet those expectations for many years to come. Our success in adapting to the market's changing needs is why our ships continue to fill and why the whole cruise sector ultimately continues to buck any downward trend. We cannot wait to see this ship finished and underway."

Fincantieri Shipyard Director Carlo De Marco said: "We are proud to be on the world stage together with P&O Cruises in this endeavour, which will undoubtedly be a marvellous opportunity not only for Monfalcone shipyard but for Fincantieri as a whole. Indeed, this is another occasion to further strengthen our relationship with this well-established ship owner. It will be an honour and a pleasure, to celebrate in 2015 the delivery of this ship and together the tenth anniversary of the collaboration between P&O Cruises and Fincantieri, started in 2005 with Arcadia."

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
Is she a P&O's version of the newest Princess ships but with two-funnels?

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Yes.

She looks fine to me with the 2 funnels and like the logo in there. Seems to be lacking a few water slides

Time to dispose of lifeboats on cruise ships I think now. A handful for tendering perhaps and remove the rest.

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
Is she a P&O's version of the newest Princess ships but with two-funnels?

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As Ernst said, yes, but they will need to make the Promenade 'wrap' for the walkers somehow, it can't end as RP does, a door to inside.

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Originally posted by PamM:
Time to dispose of lifeboats on cruise ships I think now. A handful for tendering perhaps and remove the rest.

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We have discussed this before Too many incidents with them.

For the bean counters.. what are the costs of maintenance of lifeboats v liferafts? What, if any, fuel savings are there to be had from not carrying the weight of lifeboats and the wind resistance etc ? Less or more crew training over use required? (the launch and loading instructions appear far simpler to a layman looking at the stickers on them and passengers may well be more versed on what to do and expect, having probably sat through many aircraft safety talks.

Original

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The Royal Princess Promenade deck will have limited access to passengers. In order to transit fore/aft from the forward passenger area, passengers will have to go inside the ship.

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I'm guessing "CANBERRA.

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You're probably right but I never understood Canberra as a ship's name. I assume it was P&O recognising the importance of Australia to its trade in the '60s just as other names represented the importance of the Iberian peninsula earlier on. The thing is Canberra, the city, is the most unnautical of cities. It is 150kms inland, built on an old sheep station with the only water being an artificial lake created by damming the Murrumbidgee River.

I assume it was done to avoid another battle between Melbourne and Sydney, just like the city of Canberra itself.

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When I first saw the original drawing I thought the funnels looked like they were on backwards.

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Originally posted by reeves35:
The thing is Canberra, the city, is the most unnautical of cities.

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I really don't like the idea of the rising sun on the funnels. Another blatant 'translation' of Princess. Are they going to do this with the rest of the fleet? On Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora and Oriana (solid funnels) would look really odd.

I'm not sure if I like the name displayed how it is. I think I do, reminds me of the France.

I'd really like to see them copy someone else's ships, if they're nt going to design their own. An adapted AIDA would be good, and a sister to Arcadia would've been excellent.

Lastly, the name. I'd be really surprised if they don't call it Canberra, as much as I think they shouldn't and that name should be left in case they ever build another world cruiser. A ship as cutting edge and as revolutionary as Canberra should have the name reserved for another Canberra, rather than a Princess clone.

I still think that if they're going to call it Canberra, they'd announce it on June 2nd - the anniversary of Canberra's maiden voyage, however that gives P&O credit for actually knowing anything about their heritage.

In answer to the questions, Canberra was called so because it was to reinforce the importance of Australia - though an inland city, Canberra is reportedly aborigine for 'meeting place'.

[ 05-20-2013: Message edited by: P&OOfficer ]

[ 05-20-2013: Message edited by: P&OOfficer ]