Princess Cruises has announced that it is adding a new £440 million ship to its fleet.

The firm, which part of the giant Carnival group, has its UK HQ in Southampton.

The company confirmed today that Italian firm Fincantieri will build a new sister ship for the Royal Princess, launched in Southampton in 2013 by HRH, The Duchess of Cambridge, Regal Princess, launched 2014, and Majestic Princess which will be launching 2017.

As yet un-named, the new vessel is set to enter service in late 2019, say Princess.

Like its sister ships, the 143,000-ton vessel will carry 3,560 guests, and it will bring the Princess fleet strength up to 19.

The new ship will include signature elements of Princess Cruises’ previous vessels including the vast central atrium hub with multiple dining, entertainment and retail venues; an outdoor cinema, the Sanctuary top-deck relaxation area; and the Lotus Spa.

Princess say the latest ship will also include some new features to be announced at a later date.

Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK, said: “We’re incredibly excited to confirm that Princess Cruises’ growth continues with the order of another royal class ship.

"Demand and confidence in Princess has never been higher and we’re delighted that in just a few years’ time even more guests will get the chance to travel with us in style to over 360 destinations across the world.”

The company has yet to announce where the new cruise ship will be deployed.

The Majestic Princess is due to visit Southampton soon after its launch and will tour the Mediterranean before heading east to serve the growing Chinese market.

The Majestic will also carry a Chinese name on the hull, (Shèng Shì Gōng Zhǔ Haò) – chosen by Carnival plc's China employees and interpreted as “Grand World” or “Grand Spirit.”

Princess started using Shanghai as a homeport in 2014 , basing Sapphire Princess there for cruises taking in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island in South Korea and Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Okinawa and Nagasaki in Japan.

Majestic Princess will be based in China all year round and will begin sailing to Japan and South Korea from Shanghai in summer 2017.