MIAMI – The world’s top cruise lines continue to expand with the addition of new ships. Carnival Corporation & plc, has announced that it is building vie new cruise ships, including that that will be built for Costa Asia for deployment in China, two ships for Princess Cruises, and one for P&O Cruises Australia, with deliveries expected in 2019 and 2020.

The new ships for both Costa Asia & P&O Cruises Australia are expected to carry 4,200 passengers, while Princess’ new ships will accommodate $3,560 passengers and will be the brand’s fourth and fifth Royal-class vessels.

Costa Cruises’ Asia ships will prominently feature the brand’s “Italy’s finest” experience, with the new ship design serving to enhance the overall onboard immersion in Italy’s unique style, hospitality, entertainment and culinary excellence. The new ship order will also strengthen Costa Asia’s leadership and position in the region, as well as its commitment to continuously develop Asia Pacific and China to be one of the leading cruise markets in the world.

The P&O Cruises Australia ship, the brand’s first-ever newbuild construction, will be designed to capture the essence of modern Australia and will feature the largest passenger capacity of any ship in the line’s fleet. The new ship will join an already growing fleet that was recently expanded with the addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden in November 2015, and will see the introduction of the 2,000-passenger Pacific Explorer in 2017. Australia is one of the fastest growing cruise markets in the world, with an average annual passenger growth rate of 20 percent over the past decade, and the enhanced fleet for P&O Cruises Australia will help meet growing cruise demand in the region.

The new Princess ships will include the signature elements that have become synonymous with the brand’s best-in-class guest experience featuring a soaring central atrium, multiple dining, entertainment and retail venues; outdoor theater experience; and 80 percent of all staterooms with balconies. The ships will also include new innovations to enhance the guest experience even further.

The five new ships across three brands will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghere, Italy.

Carnival Corporation has now taken delivery of two new ships in 2016 – AIDAprima for AIDA Cruises and ms Koningsdam for Holland America Line. Including the five new ships highlighted during today’s signing ceremony with Fincantieri, Carnival Corporation has a total of 16 new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2016 and 2020.