Just a year after launching their Britannia flagship, the largest cruise ship targeted at the UK market, P&O Cruises are at it again, announcing plans for a new vessel which will dwarf their current largest liner.
The as-yet-unnamed cruise ship is planned for a 2020 launch, and will join her sister in servicing the UK cruise market. Comfortably eclipsing the Britannia, P&O Cruises’ newest ship will be capable of transporting up to 5,200 passengers. Compared to Britannia’s 3,647-passenger capacity, the upcoming ship represents a new chapter in P&O Cruises’ history, and the UK cruise market as a whole.
However, the cruise line has been quick to reassure P&O Cruises fans that the new mega liner will not lose any of the charm or personality that sets the line apart.
Talking to Cruise Critic, P&O Cruises’ senior vice president Paul Ludlow revealed:
“I can confirm that there will be some stand-out features in terms of design. And given the scale of the ship it does give us the chance to come up with features which will be brand new for the brand. We are P&O Cruises and we know the tastes of our guests, so we will evolve rather than change.”
The decision to launch a new cruise ship targeted at the UK market so soon after the Britannia took to the seas is representative of a growing interest among UK holidaymakers to book their yearly trips on the seas. Ludlow continued:
“We believe the U.K. market can grow even further and as well as our current guests there is a large proportion of people yet to cruise.”
The P&O Cruises team have revealed that the search for a name for the new mega liner is underway, and that the line are accepting suggestions and help from cruise fans and the general public. At Cruise1st UK, we wouldn’t be surprised if P&O Cruises dipped into their history books and used a name of one of their past vessels – we like the sound of Canberra or Artemis, both names used by the line in the past.
More information will be revealed about the upcoming P&O Cruises ship on 26 October at a press conference.
If you can’t wait another four years to enjoy the luxuries and British charm of P&O Cruises flagship, book a trip aboard the Britannia. Check out our dedicated Britannia page, or call our friendly sales team on 0808 2746 777 for a full range of deals.
Images Courtesy of P&O Cruises Press Pictures
