P&O orders largest-ever UK ship
P&O Cruises will take delivery of the largest passenger liner ever built for the UK market in 2008.
The 3,100-capacity ship, to be named Ventura, is being built by Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri at a cost of almost £300 million.
P&O cruises managing director David Dingle said the ship will take cruising into a new age.
“This new order acknowledges the unprecedented demand for the P&O Cruises brand and its increasingly wide appeal,” he said. “Over the past 10 years, we have introduced a progression of new ships purpose-built for the Britain which have created new levels of demand.
“Ventura, through her innovation, scale and contemporary appeal marks the next major step forward for P&O.”
Its maiden voyage is expected to take place in April 2008 although it is unclear where the liner will be based.
The 116,000 tonne Ventura will feature eight restaurants, six shops, five swimming pools and three show lounges including the largest theatre on a British ship. It will also include a spa and a family zone with four activity areas for children of various age groups.
Of the 1,550 cabins, 900 will have a private balconies.
Report by Steve Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025