P&O Cruises today unveiled the look of its new ship, set to debut in 2015, as the keel was laid in the Fincantieri shipyard near Trieste in Italy. But, despite the excitement, is the new drawing (directly above) much different from the original artist’s impression released in 2011 (top)?
There are still no waterslides peeking over the deck or round the funnels, so the mystery of the ‘sophisticated wows’, which managing director Carol Marlow promises, remains. Will the 141,000-tonne newcomer compete with the likes of Norwegian Breakaway and MSC Preziosa or retain its British aloofness with more discreet attractions?
It will be good to have a British-themed (if American-owned, Italian-built) ship based in Southampton. But quite what it will offer in an increasingly crowded market still remains to be seen.
Shipmonk has been shortlisted as best blog in the 2015 Cruise International awards. To vote, please click here (last category)