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Work starts on biggest ever P&O Cruises ship

Work has begun on the largest ship ever built for P&O Cruises and for the British cruise market, described as a "modern classic".

A ceremony marking the steel-cutting for the 141,000 ton vessel took place on October 8 at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy.

Carol Marlow, the P&O Cruises managing director, said afterwards: “The cutting of the steel marks the moment the ship goes into production so for us it is a very exciting time as we go from the drawing board to reality.”

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow at the steel cutting ceremony

The 3,611 passenger ship, to be launched in spring 2015 and costing an estimated £350m, is described as a “modern classic” offering 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.

For the first time a British design company, Richmond, is overseeing the whole ship’s interiors to incorporate the classic and iconic history of P&O Cruises with modern design and features to appeal to both existing and a new generation of passengers.

Richmond, leading designers in the hospitality industry, have a remarkable portfolio of iconic British hotels, notably The Langham London (flagship of the Hong Kong based Langham Hotels); Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park; The Intercontinental London and Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel and Spa and international resort hotels including the Four Seasons Mauritius; Sandy Lane Barbados; Boca Beach Club at Boca Raton, Miami; the Fairmont Montreux Palace, Switzerland as well as many award winning hotels including the Four Seasons Budapest and the Waldorf Trianon Palace Hotel and Spa, Versailles.

Marlow continued: “Richmond’s design will make a stunning statement across the entire ship’s interiors. Through their ideas they will imbue the ship with a cohesive personality which works across all the public areas including the cabins, cafes, bars, restaurants and lounges. Richmond’s designs will add an elegant and timeless Britishness to appeal to everyone who steps on board and will facilitate an excellent evolution of the P&Oness our passengers know and love.”

The keel-laying, which involves the placement in the dry dock of one large section of the ship’s hull and the beginning of the actual ship build, will take place in May 2013.

The ship, yet to be named, will take to the water for the first time at her float out in summer 2014, before her delivery to P&O Cruises in spring 2015.