Princess confirms MHI orders

Princess Cruises, the subsidiary of P&O, has confirmed that it has awarded a contract to build two 113,000g cruise ships to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Japan (see Cruise).

The newbuildings, which should be delivered in July 2003 and May 2004 are not only the first ships the company has ordered from a non-European yard but will also be the largest in its fleet when they enter service.

In due course, as many as six ships could be ordered.

Princess Cruises says the ships will have many innovative features and will further extend the Princess concept of Grand Class Cruising. The ships will have diesel and gas turbine propulsion.

More than 70 per cent of cabins will be outside cabins, and more than 75 per cent of these will have balconies. The ships will have four swimming pools, three restaurants, 24-hour dining and three show lounges.