On board the new Britannia

Experienced ex-ship's engineer Harry Knapper, a well-known resident of Audlem, is extremely proud of his 18-year old Grandson, also Harry, who has followed in his grandfather's footsteps by going to sea.

Now comes news that out of a group of 120 officer cadets, young Harry is one of twenty to be chosen to sail on the inaugural voyage of the massive Britannia cruise ship next month. He will be on board for the first three days as it leaves Southampton and a huge send-off.

Britannia is a cruise liner built for P&O Cruises. The ship was named in a ceremony held in September 2013 and the estimated cost of the 5,600 passenger vessel is £500m.

The ship will sail on its maiden voyage to the Mediterranean in March followed by cruises including the Norwegian Fjords, the Canary Islands and the Baltic Sea.

The ship will be transferred to the Caribbean during winter, sailing for 15-night fly/cruise itineraries from Barbados.

Carnival, P&O Cruises' owners, awarded the contract to build the new cruise ship to Fincantieri of Genoa, Italy in June 2011. The first steel was cut in November 2012 and her keel was laid in May 2013. She was launched in Fincantieri's shipyard in February 2014 with the scheduled delivery to her owner coming up in the next two weeks.

AudlemOnline has featured young Harry Knapper before as he started his navy career. Even so early in his life at sea, we expect the departure of Britannia from Southampton will be an experience he will never forget.

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