TODAY saw the start of what is being billed as a new dawn for sophisticated cruising as the official handover ceremony took place of P&Os latest ship Britannia.
In two weeks' time the super-ship, all 141,000 tonnes of her will make its way up Southampton Water and into port.
But for today she was officially welcomed into the P&O family 785 miles away as she was passed from the Monfalcone shipyard in Italy into the hands of her new owners.
Speaking about the prospect of his newest vessel which has been built by the Italians but in the spirit of Great Britain, David Dingle CEO of Carnival, P&Os parent company, said: "This is my sixth new build and my eight over all but Britannia is by far the one I am most excited about."
Britannia is the largest vessel ever built for the shipping line and the biggest to be solely dedicated to the British market.
She will carry 3,611 passengers and is being described as a “modern classic”, offering a stylish and innovative new design and a remarkable number of passenger facilities.
Along with being super stylish she is also super green as she offers the highest environmental efficiency than any other ship.
And she is just as good on the inside, offering new standards in style and design.
For the first time a British design company, Richmond, over saw the whole ship's interiors to incorporate the classic and traditional history of P&O Cruises with modern design and features to appeal to both existing and a new generation of passengers.
The striking Star Burst sculpture (pictured above) is the dramatic centrepiece of the atrium, reflecting Britannia's “modern classic” style that combines contemporary design with P&O Cruises' seafaring heritage.
The sculpture, which takes its inspiration from the night-time stars which ships traditionally used to navigate the world's oceans, sits within a framed ceiling sky of midnight blue, bursting downwards with acrylic shards and lit from above and within.
Britannia became the fastest selling cruise ship when tickets went on sale last year and is set to be the jewel in the crown of the P&O fleet.
After today's ceremony and few final tweaks she will make her way to her home port of Southampton where she will arrive on March 6.
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