A CONTRACT to build two huge new cruise ships worth hundreds of millions each has been signed and sealed by Southampton-based Princess Cruises.

As revealed earlier this year by the Daily Echo the two, as yet un-named, 141,000 ton vessels, each capable of accommodating up to 3,600 passengers, will be built by the Italian shipyard, Fincantieri, which has constructed other ships within the Princess Cruises fleet.

The newest addition to the Princess fleet, Ruby Princess, cost £330m and both new vessels will be considerably larger.

Negotiations between Princess Cruises, a part of the powerful Miami -based Carnival Corporation, which also includes Cunard and P&O Cruises, and the Italian builder, were finally completed yesterday.

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At this stage it is too early to say whether these two new builds will be based on this side of the Atlantic or in a port in the United States of America.

However, Princess Cruises is enjoying great success in Southampton with its American-style of “can do’’ service and with passenger numbers set to increase even further, the company may consider positioning one of these vessels in Southampton.

Scheduled to enter service in the spring of 2013 and 2014, the vessels’ design is expected to be evolutionary, in-keeping with the styles and themes of the latest Princess Cruise ships, but at the same time introduce new features and innovations.

The few design details released by Princess Cruises include all outside cabins featuring balconies, bringing the percentage up to 80 per cent of all staterooms, the ships’ central atrium will be expanded to feature more entertainment, dining options, and on board shops while the health spa will also be enlarged.

Alan Buckelew, Princess Cruises’ president and chief executive, said: “We are pleased that in this challenging economic environment, the order for these ships is a testament to the confidence in the growth of the Princess brand.

“They will include features from our new ships that have been well received, and take them to the next level.’’