P&O unveils new Union Jack livery
Carnival Corporation’s UK brand P&O Cruises has revealed the new ship adornment which is to be rolled out across its entire fleet from this year – including new flagship vessel, Britannia.
The change will see a nod to the company’s British heritage with Union Jack livery adorning the bow and blue funnels which will carry an illuminated rising sun – a nod to the firm’s Peninsular and Oriental (P&O) name.
Chief executive officer David Dingle said: “In our 177th year we are unveiling a new, contemporarily styled livery which symbolises all that we stand for, pointing to the future and celebrating our British heritage. This bold new look will make our ships yet more distinctive and recognisable across the world.”
This modern new look will exemplify the strengths and virtues of our company long into the future
David Dingle
CEO, Carnival UK
The new paintwork will first liven up P&O’s Aurora, following the ship’s scheduled drydock in late 2014. This will be followed by the launch of Britannia in February 2015, the line’s biggest ship-to-date and the biggest vessel to sail exclusively for the British market.
Britannia will feature the longest version of the British flag anywhere in the world with the Union Jack livery stretching 94 metres.
“Our ships will proudly carry on their bow Britain’s most distinctive symbol, the Union Flag, to all corners of the globe,” continued Dingle. “The P&O Cruises name will be emblazoned along their hulls and the Rising Sun, the enduring symbol of our heritage, will shine from their funnels. This modern new look will exemplify the strengths and virtues of our company long into the future.”
Carnival Corporation’s British firms are both undergoing a change of strategy and an attempt to re-energise the brands. Next year (2015) will see Cunard celebrate its 175th anniversary year with a ‘Three Queens’ event in Liverpool, which will be followed by a recreation of the line’s first transatlantic crossing from Liverpool to Halifax and then on to Boston.