P&O goes Japanese

P&O’s Princess Cruises has announced that it has signed letters of intent for four new cruise ships (see design feature) which will, along with the three ships it already has under construction, double its fleet size by 2004.

Two 88,000g, 1,950-passenger vessels will be built at France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique, renewing the relationship which began between the two in 1989 with the construction of Star Princess. In a surprise move, P&O has chosen a Japanese yard, Mitsubishi Heavy industries, to build the other two ships which will be 110,000g and accommodate 2,600 passengers. The contract gives MHI the opportunity to prove its cruise ship building abilities. All four vessels will be delivered between October 2002 and May 2004.