Proving size does matter

12:52pm Tuesday 12th February 2008

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Click here to see Ventura compared to Tower Bridge

IF BIG is beautiful then Southampton is now on the verge of an exciting new era as, one by one, some of the world's most stunning, ultra-modern cruise ships arrive in the port where they will be based far into the 21st century.

This next generation of vast vessels will offer previously undreamed of passenger facilities but they will all have one common feature - their simply enormous size.

Leading the charge of international cruise ship operators in their battle to win the biggest slice of Britain's rapidly growing market is Southampton based P&O Cruises' with its £300m ship, Ventura.

At present Ventura is having the finishing touches put to her decks at the Italian builder's yard and is due to berth alongside the city's docks for the first time early on the morning of Sunday, April 6.

This comes as Sou thampt o n - based, David Dingle, the boss of Carnival UK and the most influential man in the British cruising industry, is confidently predicting that by the year 2012 the annual total of UK passengers will dramatically increase to two million, the majority of which will pass through Southampton at the beginning and end of a voyage.

Early glimpses of Ventura, the largest ship ever to be built solely for UK passengers, are of a vessel that promises to be chic, stylish, fun and imaginative with l e i s u r e facilities and entertainment venues t h a t have been created with meticulous detail.

The build of the 115,000-ton Ventura started with the laying of the keel in August, 2006 and since then more than 3,000 workers at the Fincantieri shipyard have worked to complete the project, and, in these last few weeks have been dedicated to creating and outfitting the vessel's contemporary public spaces and cabins.

Top celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White, the first British chef to win three Michelin stars and the youngest at the age of 33, will bring his expertise and flair not only to his exclusive, fine dining restaurant, The White Room, but also to other eateries on board Ventura.

Cruising for all the family is one of the industry's fastest growing and most important sectors so Ventura features facilities for youngsters aged from under two right up to 17-year-olds.

One the most iconic of childhood characters, Noddy, a firm favourite for almost 60 years, will be sailing on all of Ventura's voyages and making regular appearances throughout every cruise There will be a 3-D cinema, a circus school where children will be taught stilt walking, juggling and swinging from the flying trapeze while high on the open deck will be bungee trampolines.

Indulge in some fast-paced action by racing a car around Ventura's giant Scalextric track while the ship's rock school will be a hit with teenagers who will have the opportunity to create their own music.

Oscar-winn i n g actress D a m e Helen Mirren will name the latest addition to P&O Cruises fleet in a spectacular evening naming ceremony which will take place in Southampton on Wednesday, April 16, prior to Ventura's official maiden cruise to the Mediterranean.

On Friday, April 25, the port will see the arrival of the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas, for a summer-long season operating from Southampton.

With her distinctive brightly coloured livery, Norwegian Jade is another ship which will be based in Southampton for the first time this summer.

The ship, which boasts 13 different restaurants together with 11 bars and lounges, is due to arrive on the morning of Friday, May 30.