SOUTHAMPTON cruise ship operator, P&O Cruises has placed a £360m contract to build a second megaliner to enter service in 2010.

This order, which will be a sister ship to the huge vessel, Ventura, pictured above, due to arrive in Southampton during the spring of next year, is yet more evidence of the dramatic rise of the popularity of cruising in the UK and the importance of the industry to the city.

Like Ventura, still under construction in Italy, the new, as yet un-named, ship will accommodate up to 3,100 passengers and 1,200 crew. Externally, the 116,000 ton vessel will be similar to Ventura but the new ship interior design will be announced at a future date.

This latest ship order will bring the total number of vessels in P&O's Southampton based fleet to seven, including five existing ships, as well as Ventura which will be the largest vessel ever built specifically for the British market.

P&O Cruises' managing director, David Dingle said: "This latest order results from the strong continuing growth of the cruise market in the UK.

"Each of the new ships that we have built for Britain has increased the demand for cruising through a reputation for innovation, style and customer service.

"Our projections indicate that we will require new capacity to meet this additional demand by 2010.'' P&O Cruises is part of the giant Miami based cruising empire, Carnival Corporation, which also owns Cunard, Princess Cruises and Ocean Village, all based in Southampton.