The skills of Southampton's marine outfitters have clinched major contracts for city companies. Keith Hamilton reports on the new-look Ocean Village...

Southampton-based contractors have scooped a major part of the wide-ranging refit that will transform city-based P&O Cruises' ship Arcadia for its new career.

Almost a third of all work, aimed at giving the 63,524-ton vessel a radical revamp after which she will be known as Ocean Village, has been won by Southampton marine outfitters, generating an important boost for the companies' order books.

When Ocean Village re-emerges from the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany the vessel will not only have a totally new look, including distinctive artwork on the hull and superstructure, but also offer a new casual cruising concept based in Palma, Majorca, where the ship will undertake a Mediterranean programme of voyages.

In a stiff tendering process a total of four companies - CLC Ltd, International Interiors, MSC (Europe) Ltd and Trimline, all from in and around Southampton - fought off rival operations to clinch more than 30 per cent of the business.

CLC Ltd will be working on the layout of passenger cabins and 'BaseCamp', the children's centre based on deck 11.

International Interiors will be responsible for the interior decoration of all the cabins.

MSC (Europe) Ltd is designing the interior of 'The Marquee', which replaces the traditional-style theatre with a more modern entertainment arena designed for the live tribute bands, contemporary circus production shows and stand-up comedy which will be featured on board.

Trimline Ltd will be refitting the existing dining area on deck 12,which will be renamed 'The Plantation' - a 24-hour buffet dining area. They will also be developing 'La Luna', a new al fresco dining area by one of the ship's pools.

Nick Lighton, Ocean Village's managing director, said: "Lloyd Werft was selected from a number of bidding yards due to their experience and track record in similar types of conversions.

"We are delighted the yard has sub-contracted a large proportion of the business back to Southampton and that local businesses will benefit from this refit too.''

Arcadia will complete her last voyage as part of P&O Cruises when she arrives in Southampton from Barbados on Wednesday, March 26. She will then undergo the wide-ranging refit in Germany and emerge with the new name, Ocean Village. Operating from Palma, Majorca, she will begin her new career on Tuesday, May 6, 2003.