Vista Class fits all brands!

Ray on r.t.c. has advised that the "new" QV WILL be built on the Vista Class hull. She is to have a larger ballroom and more alternative dining areas, not to mention the additional suites as stated in the press release.

This is exactly as I speculated. The "new" QV will not be a new design at all, just another rehashed Vista Class design.

My guess is that P&O needed the extra tonnage more than Cunard and Carnival Corp. also realized P&O could achieve higher short term profits with the ship. I find it doubtful it had anything to do with the original QV design as I much as I would like to believe it.

So now we will have a Spirit/Vista class under the following brands:

Costa

Holland America

Carnival

P&O

Cunard

Only a couple brands left and this basic ship design will have single-handedly infiltrated all the Carnival brands which Carnival Corp. always boasts about keeping autonomous.

Who says one size doesn't fit all??

Ernie

Ernie,

I think there may also be some P&O/Princess capacity rebalancing going on as well, as the P&O website as well as announcing the 'new' Arcadia is announcing a Princess P&O swap with 'Adonia' going back to Princess in return for Royal Princess - which sounds like a cut in capacity of around 600 pax (and 32,000 tonnes). The P&O release says:

P&O Cruises, the leading cruise line in the UK, has announced that it will take delivery of a new ship, Arcadia, in April 2005. The 85,000 ton ship, with 1,968 beds, is currently under construction in Italy, and will become the largest cruise ship built exclusively for the British market.

Purpose-built for Britain and proudly flying the red ensign, Arcadia moves the P&O Cruises brand further forward in continuing to bring the best in cruise ship innovation to the British audience. 868 of her 984 passenger cabins have a sea view, with 677 of these having a private balcony, more than on any other UK-based ship. Of her 67 suites and mini-suites, the most lavish feature a Jacuzzi on the balcony.

In addition to her stunning galleried main dining room, Arcadia will offer a range of alternative culinary experiences including a gourmet restaurant, a 24-hour food court, Indian and Oriental menus, a patisserie and poolside dining under the stars.

In keeping with the latest lifestyle trends, Arcadia’s extensive spa will include a thermal suite with aromatic steam rooms, dry float suite and a hydrotherapy pool. Arcadia will also feature P&O Cruises’ innovative new Easy Like a Sunday concept, which allows passengers to chill out in the most civilised surroundings.

Underlining P&O Cruises’ reputation for combining innovation with the finest cruising tradition, Arcadia will feature a series of signature rooms including the Crow’s Nest observation lounge, a West End-style theatre and classic British pub.

Arcadia will be designated a ship exclusively for adults, a style of cruising unique to P&O Cruises, with families continuing to be extremely well served by other ships in the fleet.

In May 2005, a fifth ship, Artemis, will also join the P&O Cruises fleet. Already a classic medium-sized ship, popular with British passengers and famed for her all-outside cabins, the 45,000 ton, 1,200 bed Artemis, is currently sailing with sister company Princess Cruises as Royal Princess. She will be converted to a British-style vessel before joining the P&O Cruises fleet next spring.

Both the new Arcadia and Artemis will be child-free ships and will operate round-trip Southampton cruises in the summer and long-distance voyages in the winter.

In May next year, Adonia will be transferred to Princess Cruises and renamed the Sea Princess. She will continue to operate from the UK in the summer season and will offer 14 day Caribbean itineraries in the winter.

Watch this space for further news and information over the coming weeks and months.

Sounds like P&O got the QV as consolation prize for swapping Adonia for Royal Princess....

Peter