Carol Marlow
Well, I was up before the larks this morning, full of anticipation for another historic day in the life of P&O Cruises.
Off down to Gatwick with the wind howling outside, ready to meet our intrepid, hand-picked team of journalists, bloggers, photographers, filmers... and David Dingle, our CEO. All ready for a day trip to Italy to make history, laying the keel of the largest and best ship ever built specifically for the growing number of British cruise holidaymakers.
On the plane, I read again the facts and figures of this great ship - 330 metres in length; that's 40 metres longer than Azura. 141,250 GRT (gross register tonnage); that's 25 GRT more than Azura. But this ship isn't so big that she won't be beautiful. Our partners, British designers Richmond International are seeing to that.
We have been working with Richmond for a year now, designing the interior and deck spaces on this great vessel, just how our British passengers will want them. The new ship will provide a fresh take on the best and most popular areas from our current fleet (giving her a classic P&O'ness), along with some exciting new concepts in dining, entertainment, daytime activities and party spaces - setting the bar for the future of modern cruising. And with her two funnels, she will certainly stand out from the rest!
As the day evolved, we arrived in sunny Venice. Wonderful! Just an hour's journey from airport to the ship yard, and then refreshments before our ceremony. A colourful affair, with a welcome from the ship yard followed by a speech from Mr Carlo De Marco; the Director of the Fincantieri Ship Yard here in Trieste. He spells out what an important project this is for Fincantieri and cruising.
Next, David Dingle (CEO of Carnival UK) talked about the importance of this ship for British cruisers and those holidaymakers who haven't yet cruised, but also about the future of P&O Cruises. The keel was blessed by the yard Chaplain and then I gave the command - in Italian and English - to lay the keel for this historic ship; the first in the next generation for P&O Cruises and the biggest and best ever built for the British cruise market.
We were then lucky enough to go down into the dock - the first time David Dingle and I had done that at a keel laying, and saw the ship up close...
We then all adjourned for lunch, in true Italian style !
All has been filmed and pictures taken, so keep an eye on our YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to be the first to take a glimpse.
Best regards,
Carol Marlow
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Managing Director, P&O Cruises
Well, I was up before the larks this morning, full of anticipation for another historic day in the life of P&O Cruises.
Off down to Gatwick with the wind howling outside, ready to meet our intrepid, hand-picked team of journalists, bloggers, photographers, filmers... and David Dingle, our CEO. All ready for a day trip to Italy to make history, laying the keel of the largest and best ship ever built specifically for the growing number of British cruise holidaymakers.
On the plane, I read again the facts and figures of this great ship - 330 metres in length; that's 40 metres longer than Azura. 141,250 GRT (gross register tonnage); that's 25 GRT more than Azura. But this ship isn't so big that she won't be beautiful. Our partners, British designers Richmond International are seeing to that.
 |
| Terry McGillicuddy, Director at Richmond International witnesses the keel laying |
We have been working with Richmond for a year now, designing the interior and deck spaces on this great vessel, just how our British passengers will want them. The new ship will provide a fresh take on the best and most popular areas from our current fleet (giving her a classic P&O'ness), along with some exciting new concepts in dining, entertainment, daytime activities and party spaces - setting the bar for the future of modern cruising. And with her two funnels, she will certainly stand out from the rest!
 |
| The Fincantieri shipyard where the new ship will be created |
As the day evolved, we arrived in sunny Venice. Wonderful! Just an hour's journey from airport to the ship yard, and then refreshments before our ceremony. A colourful affair, with a welcome from the ship yard followed by a speech from Mr Carlo De Marco; the Director of the Fincantieri Ship Yard here in Trieste. He spells out what an important project this is for Fincantieri and cruising.
 |
| Carol Marlow and David Dingle celebrate the start of the new ship build |
Next, David Dingle (CEO of Carnival UK) talked about the importance of this ship for British cruisers and those holidaymakers who haven't yet cruised, but also about the future of P&O Cruises. The keel was blessed by the yard Chaplain and then I gave the command - in Italian and English - to lay the keel for this historic ship; the first in the next generation for P&O Cruises and the biggest and best ever built for the British cruise market.
 |
| Carol gives the order to lay the keel! |
We were then lucky enough to go down into the dock - the first time David Dingle and I had done that at a keel laying, and saw the ship up close...
 |
| A closer look at the largest ship ever created for the British market |
We then all adjourned for lunch, in true Italian style !
All has been filmed and pictures taken, so keep an eye on our YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to be the first to take a glimpse.
Best regards,
Carol Marlow
Stay up-to-date with P&O Cruises on...
YouTube