P&O Cruises has not revealed many details of their newest ship that will soon begin construction in Italy, but the company has promised it would carry more passengers than any of their previous ships.
Due for delivery in 2015, the unnamed cruise ship will be able to hold over 3,600 passengers and will weigh in at 141,000 tons.
The ship’s design is already being called a “modern classic” and its interior is being designed by the British company, Richmond, which has also helped design Langham London, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, The Intercontinental London and Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the first steel-cutting for the ship at the Fincantieri shipyard, managing director Carol Marlow said: “Richmond’s design will make a stunning statement across the entire ship’s interiors.
“Through their ideas they will imbue the ship with a cohesive personality which works across all the public areas including the cabins, cafes, bars, restaurants and lounges.
“Richmond’s designs will add an elegant and timeless Britishness to appeal to everyone who steps on board, and will facilitate an excellent evolution of the ‘P&Oness’ our passengers know and love.”
The keel-laying ceremony should take place in May of 2013. The ship will float out in 2014, and will be delivered the next year in 2015.
P&O Cruises is headquartered in the UK and its parent company is Carnival Corporation. P&O Cruises is the oldest cruise line in the world, having operated the world’s first passenger ships in the early 19th Century.
The cruise line currently has 7 ships and takes up about 5% of the cruise market. P&O Cruises offer sailings around the world including the US and Canada, Africa, Australia, Caribbean, Meditterean, South American and more.
