A second next generation cruise ship capable of carrying 5,200 guests has been confirmed for P&O Cruises, for delivery in 2022.
Similar to sister ship Iona currently under construction and due to arrive in 2020, this new-build will be the largest cruise ship to be built specifically for the British market. Both will be registered in the UK.
P&O Cruises’ new cruise ships will be the largest to be built specifically for the British market
The contract was signed by P&O Cruises parent Carnival Corporation, with leading German and Finnish shipbuilders Meyer Werft GmbH.
The 180,000-ton ship will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and feature the company’s exclusive “green cruising” design as one of the first generation of cruise ships to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, shipping’s most advanced fuel technology.
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.
“The build for our 2020 ship will offer all generations of British guests the holiday of a lifetime on the next generation of P&O Cruises ships.”
He added: “This evolution of the guest experience will be evident over the next few years but will be underpinned throughout with in-depth market insight and feedback we receive from the best source: our current, past and prospective guests.
Iona goes on sale in September.