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Spectacular sky dome entertainment venue among reveals for P&O Cruises' newbuild

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L-R: Carnival UK ceo David Noyes, TV presenter Stephen Mulhern and P&O Cruises' svp Paul Ludlow at The Sky Garden in London last night (PHOTO: Steve Dunlop)
P&O Cruises' pioneering newbuild will feature a host of innovations topped by a spectacular sky dome all-weather venue for entertainment and casual dining, the company's svp Paul Ludlow has revealed.

Further details of the 180,000gt, LNG-powered, 5,200-passenger ship were presented at London's Sky Garden Wednesday evening.

The entertainment hub - to be named The Dome - is among a host of new attractions on board the unnamed ship to be built at Meyer Werft and delivered in 2020.

At night, the glass venue, one of four primary entertainment locations on board, will come alive with aerial performances, light projections onto its roof and immersive shows.

The Carnival UK brand has appointed teams of designers and architects to work on the next-generation ship which will be P&O's first newbuild to enter service for five years.

Initial cabin concepts are being worked up by Acumen (London), the design practice behind British Airways' first lie-flat beds, Air France first class and The Residence, Etihad Airways' three room aircraft suites.

Other notable designers partnering the in-house team include award-winning London architects Jestico & Whiles; Richmond International, whose work on P&O Cruises' Britannia attracted critical acclaim, and Partner Ship Design of Hamburg, specialising in maritime architecture and guest experience.

'Choice, flexibility and the ability to create individual holiday experiences on board will be at the heart of the new ship,' Ludlow told guests at the event, adding that these aims will be achieved by 'innovative use of space, and the offer of an extensive range of dining, entertainment and relaxing areas.'

Significant research underpins the new offer, he said, adding: 'Understanding the psychographic, the mindset of our current and future guests is the key - acknowledging and realising what they want from a holiday and then providing it for them.'

With an LNG power plant, the ship promises to be the most environmentally efficient in the company's history.

Other features revealed include an uninterrupted half-mile promenade around Deck 8 providing easy access to alfresco dining at a range of restaurants and relaxation areas under shaded pavilion awnings. Glass walls spanning three decks will focus light into the ship's atrium.

The ship will feature 17 places to eat including seven speciality restaurants, 12 places to have a drink and see the sea, 13 entertainment venues, three pop-up entertainment spaces, 16 whirlpools, three outdoor swimming pools and one inside, nine places to have breakfast, five place for afternoon tea and seven places to have coffee.

Ludlow added: 'Our vision is to offer the next generation of British guests the holiday of a lifetime on the next generation of ships. The new ship will bring an array of new cruising  experiences to guests, encapsulating the 'P&O-ness' they recognise and love.'

Cruises are scheduled to go on sale in autumn 2018.