13 July 2015
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
On Wednesday 15th July, Britain’s biggest cruise ship, P&O Cruises Britannia, will be making a highly anticipated maiden call into Cobh in the Port of Cork as part of her first ever British Isles cruise.
The biggest ship designed exclusively for Britain, Britannia is P&O Cruises’ latest “modern classic”, heralding a new era of holiday choice. Chief amongst her features are her restaurants, bars and cafes, with menus and culinary experiences created by P&O Cruises’ ‘Food Heroes’; James Martin, Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar, Eric Lanlard, wine expert Olly Smith and cheese expert Charlie Turnbull. In the new Cookery Club, a 24 person state-of-the-art cookery school, these celebrity chefs and experts will demonstrate their culinary skills, and will be joined throughout this year by other famous chefs including Mary Berry CBE, Pierre Koffmann, Paul Rankin and Commendatore Antonio Carluccio OBE.
Britannia’s most outstanding design statement is reserved for her three-deck high atrium with illuminating Star Burst sculpture. She also provides the largest British spa at sea, a state-of-the-art theatre with LED wall, four pools, gym and a multi-million pound art collection including a specially commissioned representation of the “Spirit of Modern Britain” from artist Johnny Bull.
P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: “It is fitting that Britannia’s maiden season includes a British Isles itinerary featuring calls into so many wonderful ports of call. We are excited to be able to showcase this fabulous ship in Cobh and hope that the residents of Cobh are just as excited to see her. Not only will Britannia provide a boost to the local economy but she will be spectacular addition to the Irish coastline.”
Britannia is expected to arrive in Cobh carrying 3,647 passengers and 1,350 crew at 0730hrs on 15th July and will depart at 2300hrs. For updates, see www.portofcork.ie
