16 September, 2016 by Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo

"Britannia" Shines in Vigo

Back in the port of Vigo this morning, the presence of the ship "Britannia," which arrived yesterday shortly after nine o'clock from Cartagena, on its way to Southampton. On board this time, there are 3,603 passengers and 1,348 crew members. During its stay, eleven buses departed for excursions booked on board to Santiago de Compostela, La Toja, Bayona, and Cambados. It left early at 16:45, consigned by the Pérez y Cía delegation.

Construction number 6,321 from the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone (Italy), the contract was signed in 2011, and on May 15, 2013, the first block of its keel was laid. On September 24 of the following year, the announcement of its new name was made public, causing a sensation in British and Commonwealth public opinion.

On February 14, 2014, it floated for the first time, and on February 26, 2015, it was delivered to its owners. The ship is commanded by Captain Paul Brown, who prior to his appointment was the captain of the "Azura". The final cost has risen to £473 million. P & O Cruises is a company of the American group Carnival Corporation plc, which also owns Cunard Line, its eternal competitor.

It is a ship of 143,730 gross tons and 11,793 deadweight tons, with a total length of 330 m, a beam of 38.38 m, a draft of 8.30 m, and a height from keel to funnel of 68.30 m. It is powered by a diesel-electric system that totals 62,400 kW and allows it to maintain a cruising speed of 20 knots. In addition to the propeller, it has three bow thrusters and the same number at the stern for maneuvering. It can accommodate a maximum of 4,324 passengers and a crew of 1,398, from captain to cabin boy. IMO Code 9614036.