Princess Cruises has signed a memorandum of understanding
for two ships that will carry 20% more passengers than the Royal class of
Princess ships that began with the Royal Princess.
The ships will be 175,000 gross tons and are designed for
4,300 passengers, compared to 3,560 for the Royal Princess.
Set for delivery in 2023 and 2025, the ships will be equipped
with dual-fuel capability and are intended to operate primarily using liquefied
natural gas.
The cost of the ships, to be built by Fincantieri, was not
disclosed.
Princess has three Royal-class ships on order with
Fincantieri, including its next new ship, Sky Princess, which is currently
under construction and scheduled for delivery in October 2019. The two other
Royal-class ships are planned for delivery in 2020 and 2022.