Diamond Princess (2)

(Princess Cruises: 2004- )

 

Two sisterships of 113000grt were ordered from Mitsubishi in Japan, to be named Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess. Diamond Princess (1) was seriously damaged by a fire whilst under construction at Nagasaki on 1st October 2002. The second ship of the class was renamed Diamond Princess (2) for 2004 delivery.

 

 

Standard-sized Princess postcard of Diamond Princess (2).

 

 

Oversized Princess postcard of Diamond Princess (2).

 

 

Enlarged image from Princess postcard above of Diamond Princess (2).

 

 

An advance Princess publicity image of Diamond Princess (2).

 

 

An advance Princess publicity image of Diamond Princess (2).

Caribbean Princess

(Princess Cruises: 2004- )

 

Caribbean Princess (2) is a slightly enlarged version of the original Grand Class design, 120,000grt in size compared to 109,000grt. She carries 3000 (compared to 2600) passengers in lower berths, although the maxi,um for both designs is the same at 3300.

 

 

Oversized Princess postcard of Caribbean Princess (2).

 

 

Princess postcard of Caribbean Princess (2).

Diamond Princess (1)

Sapphire Princess

(Princess Cruises: 2004- )

 

Two sisterships of 113000grt were ordered from Mitsubishi in Japan, to be named Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess. Two photos of Diamond Princess (1) under construction at Nagasaki on 31st May 2002. She was originally due to enter service in 2003. On 1st October 2002, a fire started in the Art Gallery, which spread to much of the ship, causing extensive damage. Princess have stated that the ship will be rebuilt, but I do not have an estimated completion date. The second ship of the class was renamed Diamond Princess (2) for 2003 delivery, and Diamond Princess (1) will enter service as Sapphire Princess.

 

 

Photo: Ken Murayama.

 

 

Photo: Ken Murayama.

 

 

News photo of Diamond Princess on fire.

Arcadia (4)

(P&O Cruises: 2005- )

 

Arcadia is the fourth ship of this name in the P&O fleet. Arcadia (4) entered service in April 2005, built by Fincantieri of Italy. She was originally ordered for Carnival subsidiary Holland America, but was later reassigned as the Queen Victoria of Cunard Line. Finally, she was transferred to P&O Cruises as the Arcadia (4). A new Queen Victoria of similar design has been ordered from Fincantieri for delivery to Cunard in 2007.

 

Complete history of Arcadia (4)

 

 

Large publicity image of Queen Victoria (1), issued by the builders Fincantieri.

The details on the back will be opened in a new window on this link.

 

 

The first official P&O postcard of Arcadia (4).

Artemis

(P&O Cruises: 2005- )

 

Artemis was the Royal Princess, transferred from the Princess to the P&O fleet in the spring of 2005, and her earlier history is covered on P&O Princess Cruises - Page 1.

 

Complete history of Royal Princess - Artemis

 

 

Official P&O postcard of Artemis.

Ventura

(P&O Cruises: 2008- )

 

It was announced in September 2005 that one of two ships due for delivery from Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri in 2008 had been allocated to P&O Cruises. The new 116,000 tonne cruise ship, to be named Ventura, will be the largest ever built specifically for Britain and will carry 3,100 passengers and 1,200 officers and crew.

 

More images of Ventura

 

 

Advance P&O publicity image of Ventura.

 

 

Advance P&O publicity image of Ventura.

Click to open larger image in new window

Azura
(P&O Cruises: 2010- )

More images of Azura

Azura approaching the dry dock at Trieste prior to sea trials
Photo: © Sergio de Luyk, 21st February 2010
Click to open larger image in a new window

Princess Cruises Fleet Postcard Set

 

In 2000, a set of 12 postcards was available on Princess ships, showing the fleet of that year. The cards come enclosed in an attractive card wallet, the cover of which is shown below. Some of the cards are similar to those issued by Princess previously. The card backs are all different, however, showing a large Princess logo. The distributor (the Smith Novelty Company of San Francisco) is also named, unlike all previous Princess cards. The cards were not available on Star Princess in 2002.

 

 

 

 

The set of 12 cards consists of 10 individual ship portraits, a card showing the Princess logo, and a composite card showing miniatures of the 10 ship portraits. The latter design was also used on the wallet back. This composite postcard is shown below. The individual portrait cards are shown full size under the respective ship headings elsewhere on this page.

 

The postcard showing the Princess logo.