P&O Cruises has ordered a superliner for 3,611 passengers to enter service in March 2015.
Parent Carnival Corporation has contracted with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct the 141,000-ton cruise ship, which will be the largest cruise ship built specifically for the British market.
Micky Arison, Carnival chairman and CEO, said: "The UK continues to be a key growth market for Carnival and innovative vessels such as this new P&O Cruises ship – targeted specifically to British clientele – underscore our commitment to expanding this important cruise region."
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 said the ship will offer the favourite classic features of Oriana and Aurora, the choice and variety of Azura and Ventura, and a host of new ideas and concepts.
Carnival currently has seven additional ships on order – one ship scheduled for delivery for the remainder of 2011, three for 2012, two for 2013 and one for 2014.
By Bev Fearis
