P&O Cruises reveals details of ‘innovative’ new ship

At a glitzy event at London’s Sky Garden on Wednesday evening, P&O Cruises revealed details of its new ship, which will be the largest ever built for the British market. 

A new entertainment hub called The Dome will be among the star attractions on the as-yet-unnamed, 180,000-tonne ship, which will eclipse Britannia as the line’s biggest.

The ship, which will launch in 2020, will be named by guests in a competition.

Featuring a clear sky dome, a pool with a retractable stage, water feature and whirlpools, The Dome will act as an all-weather venue for all-day entertainment and informal dining.

READ: P&O to build its biggest ever ship for 2020

The company also announced plans for an uninterrupted half-mile promenade around the 5,200-guest ship on Deck 8.

The ship will be the first in P&O Cruises‘ history to use liquefied natural gas (LNG), which promises to significantly reduce exhaust emissions.

The ship will also feature:  

• 17 places to eat
• seven speciality restaurants
• 12 places to enjoy a drink and see the sea
• 13 entertainment venues from the theatre to adult only venues
• three pop-up entertainment spaces/venues
• 16 whirlpools
• four swimming pools (three outside, one inside)

Built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, cruises on the new ship will go on sale in autumn 2018.

P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow said: “Choice, flexibility and the ability to create individual holiday experiences on board will be at the heart of the new ship which, thanks to an innovative use of space, will offer an extensive range of dining, entertainment and relaxing areas.

“Understanding the psychographic — the mindset — of our current and future guests is the key — acknowledging and realising what they want from a holiday and then providing it for them.

“Our vision is to offer the next generation of British guests the holiday of a lifetime on the next generation of P&O Cruises ships. This new ship will bring an array of new cruising experiences to guests and attract newcomers to our brand, while instantly resonating with forward-thinking guests, encapsulating the ‘P&O-ness’ they recognise and love.”

At the event, which was hosted by presenter Stephen Mulhern, and featured appearances from chefs Eric Lanlard and Marco Pierre-White, P&O Cruises also announced two new shows.

Ruthie Henshall and Paul Schofield of Three Pin Productions Ltd are producing a new production for Arcadia called Money Makes The World Go Round, while Jonathan Wilkes is launching “Mad Max meets Avatar” show Evolution on Azura.