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P&O starts construction of largest ever ship
A ceremony to mark the keel-laying for P&O Cruises Ventura was held today at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy.
The Ventura, the largest ship ever built for P&O Cruises and for the British cruise market, will enter service in April 2008.
The keel-laying involved the placement in the dry dock of one section of the ship’s hull. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 650 tons and is ready-fitted with piping and other internal structure.
P&O Cruises managing director, David Dingle, said: ”Ventura will be the largest cruise ship built for Britain. Her scale will allow us to make this the most varied and exciting cruising experience of any British ship.”
He said its spa, Oasis, will the largest and best equipped in any British ship while families will benefit from play and adventure areas and dedicated pools.
Dingle also revealed details of the ship’s atrium, with its four imposing pillars, clad in black granite and two panoramic lifts.
Ventura’s 3,100 passengers will enjoy 14 public decks, eight restaurants, six boutiques, five pools and three show lounges, including the largest theatre on a British ship. There will also be nearly 900 private balconies.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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