P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, will significantly increase its year-round capacity from Southampton in the winter 2015-16, when the 116,017 gross ton Ventura will become the third ship of the company to remain based there year round.

The 3,078 passenger Ventura will join the 1,880 berth Oriana and 2,016 passenger Oceana as year round Southampton based vessels. The 2008 built Ventura, which is based on the Caribbean Princess class of sister company Princess cruises, has a magrodome sliding glass roof over its centre pool, unlike its two year younger sister vessel, Azura.

The company will take delivery of the 143,000 gross ton Britannia early in 2016, which will become the eight vessel of the company.