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P&O Cruises reveals details of ‘most ambitious’ ship

P&O Cruises has revealed its new ship, slated for delivery in 2020, will ‘bring the outside in’ with a glass dome on the top deck, an atrium with a glass wall the full height, and much wider, half-mile promenade deck allowing for al-fresco dining.

The innovations were revealed at an event for trade partners in London last night, where the line’s senior vice president Paul Ludlow, also voiced his “long-term support for agents”, saying they could “trust in P&O Cruises”.

The new vessel, which Ludlow described as the “most ambitious and largest ship ever build for Britain”, will also feature differentiated cabins, created by the design practice behind British Airways’ first-ever lie-flat beds, Air France’s first class cabin and Etihad’s The Residence (three-room suites in the sky).

The dome at the top of the new ship will be an entertainment space, with a pool and retractable stage, water feature and whirlpools, that can act as an all-weather venue for entertainment and dining during the day.

At night, it will host aerial performance and light projections onto the roof and “immersive shows”, according to P&O Cruises.

Features such as the Dome, the glass atrium and the promenade deck are all designed to “connect guests even closer to the sea”, according to Ludlow.

Carnival UK chief executive David Noyes revealed that the name of the new ship would be chosen via a competition with guests past, present and future, invited to submit suggestions.

Ludlow and Noyes addressed guests at the end of an evening where a host of celebrities showcased how they are partnering with P&O Cruises this year.

They included Jonny Wilkes and Ruthie Henshall who are bringing new shows to the fleet, called ‘Evolution’ and ‘Money Makes The World Go Round’ respectively; chefs Marco Pierre White and Eric Lanlard, who are behind new menus, and former Olympian Mark Foster who will be bringing a swim school and healthy living and family fitness programmes to the fleet.

The evening was hosted by TV presenter Stephen Mulhern.

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