MV Britannia (2014)
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Britannia |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Operator | P&O Cruises |
| Ordered | 2011 |
| Builder | Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy |
| Yard number | 6231 |
| Laid down | 15 May 2013 |
| Launched | 14 February 2014 |
| Maiden voyage | 14 March 2015 (planned) |
| Identification | IMO number: 9614036 |
| Status | Fitting out |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 142,000 GT[2] |
| Length | 330 m (1,083 ft) |
| Decks | 15 passenger decks |
| Capacity | 3,647 passengers[3] |
| Crew | 1,350[1] |
MV Britannia is a cruise ship under construction for P&O Cruises, planned to enter service in 2015.[4] Britannia's first captain will be Captain Paul Brown, who is now the captain of Azura, the sister ship to P&O's current largest vessel, Ventura.
Britannia will feature a 94 metre Union Jack flag on her bow, the largest of its kind in the world.[5]
Naming & Construction
Britannia was ordered in 2011 and was laid down on 15 May 2013.[6] She is being built at the Fincantieri yard in Monfalcone, Italy.[7] The ceremonial float out took place on the afternoon of 14 February 2014, with the traditional champagne bottle smashed against the vessel's hull.[8]
The name Britannia was announced on 24 September 2013 and has historical importance for P&O, as two of their previous ships have been named this.
Facilities
On board, Britannia will feature 13 bars as well as 13 restaurants and cafés.[9]
It has been announced that TV chef James Martin will develop The Cookery Club on board Britannia, Eric Lanlard will have his own patisserie in the ship's atrium, Atul Kocchar will feature his own restaurant Sindhu (as also seen on fleetmates Ventura and Azura) and Marco Pierre White will also have a restaurant aboard.[10] The ship will also feature a 936-seat theatre.[11]
Britannia will have a total of 1,837 cabins on board with 27 of those being Single cabins (Inside and Balcony), in addition to conventional Inside and Balcony as well as 64 Suites. For the first time on a P&O Cruises ship, all outside staterooms will have balconies.
Britannia will have four pools with a dedicated pool for teenagers and the Oasis Spa.
Maiden Voyage & Itineraries
Britannia's Maiden voyage is planned to take place 14-28 March 2015, and will take in Spain, Italy and France.
During her summer season, Britannia will sail to the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, Baltic, Canary Islands and Atlantic Islands. In Winter, she will sail 14 night Caribbean itineraries.
Similar ships
In 2013 Princess Cruises began operating the lead vessel in its Royal Class, Royal Princess.[12] Britannia is planned to be very similar but with a few of her own touches. The second ship of the Royal Class, Regal Princess was delivered 11 May 2014 to Princess Cruises.
References
- ^ http://cdn.images.pocruises.com/Global/deckplans/Britannia/Britannia_deckplans_2015-16.pdf
- ^ "Britannia". Fincantieri. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ http://cdn.images.pocruises.com/Global/deckplans/Britannia/Britannia_deckplans_2015-16.pdf
- ^ "Britannia Cruise Ship | P&O Cruises". P&O Cruises. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ "P&O Cruises Unveils New Look". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "P&O Cruises New Ship, 2015". P&O Cruises. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
- ^ "Italy: Keel Laid for P&O Cruises' 141,000-Ton Cruise Ship". World Maritime News. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
- ^ "Britannia rules the waves! - P&O's Britannia". On Board Boats. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ "P&O Britannia: Britain's newest and biggest cruise ship". Telegraph Travel. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/captain-greybeard/2014/02/whats-cooking-brigade-of-food-.html
- ^ "P&O Cruises Reveals New Ship Interiors, Maiden Voyages, Celebrity Chefs". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "UK: Duchess of Cambridge Christens New Ship 'Royal Princess'". World Maritime News. Retrieved 30 January 2014.