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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,' states the operator.

Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc’s chairman and ceo said, '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. 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.'

Marlow added the shop will combine the favourite 'classic' features of Oriana and Aurora, the 'choice and variety' of Azura and Ventura, and 'a host of new ideas and concepts'.

Commenting on the announcement of the new order, Fincantieri ceo, Giuseppe Bono, said: 'This order shows that the company, even in a difficult moment as today, is resolutely continuing its commitment in a particularly depressed market in order to gain whatever orders there might be, thus holding on to its position as world leader.'

Since 1990 Fincantieri has built 59 cruise ships, including 52 for different brands in Carnival Group. This latest order will bring the P&O Cruise fleet to eight ships.

[ 06-01-2011: Message edited by: KenC ]

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Originally posted by KenC:
Fresh from the P&O web site the first image, 2 funnels !!!! ..... what price a 20 year old Oriana leaving the fleet after 2015?????

[ 06-01-2011: Message edited by: KenC ]

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Hmm, a QE2-inspired radar mast and an overall likeness to the Celebrity Solstice-class, but still, not bad for such a large ship.

I think Oriana is still very popular and will stay around for a while.

Just about anything is an improvement over the Grand Class in appearance (especially the P&O versions). I'm not sure which version of the newbuilds I prefer (two or one funnel), and I don't think I'll know for certain until I see the ships in person. The way the two funnels are designed and placed I'm reminded of Celebrity's Solstice Class.

I wonder if Carnival and Costa will get one? I would laugh if Cunard ordered one. Carnival states their next new ship will be a completely different design than the Destiny/Conquest/Dream Class, and I suppose this Princess design would qualify?

It's amazing how similar the NCL and Princess/P&O newbuilds look to one another. They are about the same size and passenger capacity as well. Royal Caribbean's 'Sunshine Class' is also similar in size and capacity, but so far not a single rendering is to be found.

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Originally posted by Noordam:
Sadly there is no Crow's Nest, which I feel P&O should have added to the Ventura/Azura, and now this ship.

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I was just thinking the same thing. No forward facing observation lounge or any observation lounge for that matter. This is something the Solstice Class offers and it's quite beautiful with double height glass walls to the sea.

On these new Princess/P&O ships the space is dedicated to revenue producing cabins, which comes as no surprise on a Carnival design.

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Originally posted by Noordam:
I have to imagine that Carnival needs a larger ship then this class to compete against RCI. They really do need to up their game.

As for this class, I am going to assume that Holland America is the next to adapt, and I bet it will be very similar to P&O, two stacks and all.

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I was thinking the same thing about HAL getting one of these ships. HAL has already indicated that their next newbuild will be larger, and Celebrity has proven they can still compete in the 'Premium' market with a larger ship. Funny, there is not really a lot that differentiates the mass-market from premium market these days. Certainly not price. It's usually cheaper to sail on HAL and Celebrity than Royal Caribbean.

Regarding Carnival Cruise Lines, believe it or not there has been some speculation that the next newbuild will be smaller than the current Dream Class. Who knows if there is any truth to that. It would not surprise me if they got one of these Royal Princess designs, along with Costa as well. The only holdout might be Cunard. Wouldn't that be something, the same platform ship crossing over five brands? Maybe the Vista Class isn't looking so bad after all! LOL

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Originally posted by Thad:
Of course this is what I would really like to see from P&O. 60,000gt, around the world cruiser..

Or paint her in Cunard colors..

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
The mast and stack give this ship a very stiff look IMHO. The Princess ships seem to hide the stack very well.
Frosty 4

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I agree Frosty. In this case I actually prefer the Princess single birdcage funnel over the P&O version which is surprising to me. I almost always prefer two stack ships with a few exceptions (HAL's Vista Class being one).

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Originally posted by Thad:
HAL Version!?!?!? What shall we name her? Spaarndam?

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Thad,
Perhaps you should forward to HAL for their next press release! How about putting HAL Vista Class style funnels on her?

I also say a nod to the ship's fleetmates in Carnival Corp is overdue:

Princessdam
Vistadam
Carnivaldam

Honestly, they should use an old name from the fleet:

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Originally posted by Thad:
Altered to be a little more "HAL"-ish

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Perfect! I think it's only a matter of time.