P&O Cruises confirms another new ship

A second next generation cruise liner has been confirmed for P&O Cruises and is due to be delivered in 2022.

Similar to a sister vessel expected for delivery in 2020, this second new-build will reportedly be the largest cruise ship to be built specifically for the British market. Both ships will be registered in the UK.

The vessel will accommodate approximately 5,200 guests (lower berths) and be in excess of 180,000 gross tons.

The first of the cruises onboard the new ship will go on sale this September. P&O Cruises’ signature features in dining and entertainment will be across both the new ships, with the space and build set to be ‘more innovative’. More details on design and build will be announced later this year.

The newest member of the fleet will be built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. It will feature the company’s “green cruising” design as one of the first generation of cruise ships to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, said to be shipping’s most advanced fuel technology, which will ‘significantly reduce air emissions’.

The shipbuilding contract has been signed by P&O Cruises’ parent Carnival Corporation & plc.

Carnival UK president, Josh Weinstein, said: “We are seeing the momentum in awareness of cruising both across the media and in our national psyche as ever-increasing numbers of people see first-hand the value for money, unrivalled service and extraordinary onboard experience. These two next generation ships for delivery in the next four years are real and tangible evidence of our absolute optimism for future growth.”

P&O Cruises senior vice president, Paul Ludlow, added: “We have a bold and ambitious vision for P&O Cruises to become Britain’s number one holiday choice and we can only do that by increasing our fleet.”

For further information visit www.pocruises.com.