United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
P&O orders largest-ever UK ship
P&O Cruises will take delivery of the largest passenger liner ever built for the UK market in 2008.
The 3,100-capacity ship, to be named Ventura, is being built by Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri at a cost of almost £300 million.
P&O cruises managing director David Dingle said the ship will take cruising into a new age.
“This new order acknowledges the unprecedented demand for the P&O Cruises brand and its increasingly wide appeal,” he said. “Over the past 10 years, we have introduced a progression of new ships purpose-built for the Britain which have created new levels of demand.
“Ventura, through her innovation, scale and contemporary appeal marks the next major step forward for P&O.”
Its maiden voyage is expected to take place in April 2008 although it is unclear where the liner will be based.
The 116,000 tonne Ventura will feature eight restaurants, six shops, five swimming pools and three show lounges including the largest theatre on a British ship. It will also include a spa and a family zone with four activity areas for children of various age groups.
Of the 1,550 cabins, 900 will have a private balconies.
Report by Steve Jones
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel