UPDATE: She will be built at Fincanteri in Italy. Her hull will be based on the new Princess newbuild. People have commented that she looks like the Solstice class, but there is nothing similar other than the twin funnels. She’ll closely resemble the Royal Princess

In a surprising announcement, Carnival Corp. have released the details of British line P&O’s latest megaship. The as of yet unnamed vessel[please call it Canberra!] will come in at 141,000 grt. Making her the largest P&O vessel, and Britain’s largest. Being abel to carry 3,611 passengers holiday-makers and has an eta into service of March 2015.

Presser after the break:

To be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard, the all-in cost is approximately €155,000 per lower berth. Ushering in an exciting era for P&O Cruises, the ship will offer a stylish and innovative new design and an unprecedented number of passenger facilities, along with many of the brand’s classic and iconic features. Specifications and new product innovations will be announced at a later date.

Commented Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc’s chairman and CEO, “P&O Cruises is Britain’s number one cruise operator, and is synonymous with high quality holidays that celebrate its rich British heritage. The UK continues to be a key growth market and innovative vessels such as this new P&O Cruises ship – targeted specifically to British clientele – underscore our commitment to leading the expansion of this important cruise region. With a progression of highly successful new ships introduced over the last 15 years, P&O Cruises is uniquely experienced in designing vessels to meet the specific needs and aspirations of British passengers. This newly ordered ship will underline P&O Cruises’ position as Britain’s favourite cruise line.”

P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow said, “This next-generation ship will deliver the ultimate P&O Cruises experience, with ‘sophisticated wows’ and new features to attract thousands of newcomers to our brand, and equally to resonate with existing P&O Cruises passengers by giving them the ‘P&O-ness’ they recognise and love. She will offer ‘the best of the best,’ combining the favourite classic features of Oriana and Aurora, the choice and variety of Azura and Ventura, and a host of new ideas and concepts which together will deliver to our passengers the holiday of a lifetime, every time they travel with us.”

About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises can trace its roots back to 1837 when the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company was awarded the lucrative Admiralty contract to carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond. Today, as trusted cruise experts, P&O Cruises has a fleet of seven ships offering holidays tailored to British tastes combining genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time they travel with us. Azura was launched in April 2010 – officially named by Godmother Darcey Bussell CBE and small ship Adonia was added to the fleet on May 21, 2011 with global singing star Dame Shirley Bassey DBE as Godmother.

And thats how you remove the “shopping cart handle” from a cruise ship. Although for some reason i always found it to be attractive.
And below is what she looks like sailing now.

Royal Princess is the new name of Princess’ newbuild due out in May 2013. Princess unveiled that and some additional details at Cruise Shipping Miami today.

The 141,000 grt ship will feature some new venues including SeaWalk. Think a combination of Royal Caribbeans cantilevered hot tubs and Disney’s Aqua Duck. Opposite the starboard side SeaWalk will be the port side SeaView bar. Princess announced also that the 3,600 pax vessel will sport an adults-only pool with seven cabanas which can be hired by the hour or by the day. The other two pools will be normal tropical themes pools by day, but as dar sets in they will become outdoor night clubs.

Princess’ signature Sanctuary, the adults-only retreat, will be enlarged, Movies Under the Stars will also receive additional space. The interiors are said to be more centered around the Piazza atrium.

All outside staterooms will feature a private balcony.

Anyways, for those not familiar, the two pictures below show the difference. Pods eliminate the need for a rudder and stern thrusters. They can spin 360-degrees and increase maneuverability greatly. They are powered by an electric motor just behind the propeller. BUT, because it is still new technology, there are still some vulnerabilities, thrust bearing being the main culprit, that can break down and force a ship to drydock.

Pods

vs

Traditional shaft and rudder

The nightclub is suspended two decks above highest deck on the ship and offers panoramic views from it. It is controversial in its design. Many find it esthetically unpleasing and say it ruins the ships profile. Can this be a reason for dismantling it?
It could be. It goes by the nick-name “shopping cart handle.” Other reasons could be that is casts a shadow on the aft decks, or that the lounge is too small and goes unused for a ship that size.

This is what I anticipate her looking like after the refit:

click for larger

Princess Cruises Island Princess was the first ship to hook up to shore side power while docked in San Francisco. The ship literally plugs into power cables from the dock. Several of Princess Cruises ships are equipped with the ability to plug into ports that offer this.

By integrating the ship into the cities power grid, they can reduce emissions produced by the ship’s power generators.

San Francisco is the fourth port where ships can integrate into the local power grid. Juneau Vancouver and Seattle are the others.

Odd fact: this process is known as “cold ironing.”

Editors note: While this is a step in the right direction the power has to come from somewhere. So if its coming from a coal plant somewhere else, is it really that much better?