Southampton-based P&O Cruises, part of Carnival UK, has taken delivery of Britannia, the biggest cruise ship designed for the British holiday market.

The handover ceremony took place with Carnival luminaries including David Dingle, executive chairman, and other P&O executives present.

Captain Paul Brow, master of Britannia, was presented with the first water to touch the hull of the ship. The P&O flag also replaced the flag of Fincantieri, the renowned shipyard.

Also present were the P&O Cruises Food Heroes including Olly Smith, Eric Lanlard and Charlie Turnbull, who will all be on select cruises when Britannia launches.

The vessel is due to leave the Fincantieri shipyard at the end of this week, arriving in Southampton on March 6. The naming ceremony will take place on Tuesday, March 10 before Saturday’s maiden voyage.

Britannia in numbers

•        141,000 tons
•        3,647 passengers (lower berths)
• 
       1,350 crew
•        15 passenger decks
• 
       13 bars
•        13 places to eat
•        Nine entertainment venues (including a 936-seat theatre)
• 
       Four pools
•        Three-tier feature atrium
• 
       £1m+ art collection
• 
       1,837 cabins (all outside cabins have a balcony), 64 suites, 1,313 balcony cabins (including 15 single balcony cabins), 460 inside cabins (including 12 single inside cabins)