P&O orders second new ship

P&O Cruises has ordered a second new cruise ship, the biggest ever built for the British market.

The new vessel will launch in 2022, joining P&O’s expanding fleet. The company had already announced a new ship that is due to launch in 2020.

Both new ships will be registered in the UK.

Josh Weinstein, Carnival UK president, 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 on board 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.”

The new ship, which will be built by Meyer Werft, will be able to accommodate 5,200 guests and weigh in at 180,000 gross tons.

Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises senior vice president, 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 begins this spring and it will offer all generations of British guests the holiday of a lifetime on the next generation of P&O Cruises ships.

“In four years’ time when her sister ship is launched, adding an additional 22% capacity, we will see an even greater rise in the popularity of cruising across all demographics and all age ranges including both Millennials and Generation Xers. Many of them have already learned to appreciate cruising by going on cruises with their families while growing up. Additionally, there are millions more we will attract in the future by retaining the amazing on board and on shore experiences and itinerary choices P&O Cruises is known for while reflecting forward-thinking trends and tastes of British holidaymakers.

“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.

“The first of our new ships will go on sale in September and we will be announcing key elements of the design and build this year. Our P&O Cruises signature features in dining and entertainment will be across all our ships but the space and build of the two new ships allows us to have innovative new experiences to create the most memorable holidays.”