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What will it take to convert HAL's Ryndam & Statendam into P&O's Aria & Eden?

They went in as Holland America's Statendam & Ryndam and will emerge three weeks later as P&O two newest ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden.

They went in as Holland America’s Statendam & Ryndam and will emerge three weeks later as P&O two newest ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden.

After months of planning, the two vessels entered dry dock in Singapore this week, more than one year after Carnival publicly announced they would cross over to the Australian cruise line.

Some 900 contractors from 43 different nationalities have been recruited to stitch, pluck and transform them into practically brand new vessels before officially joining the P&O fleet next month.

Pacific Eden 2

As part of their transformation, they’ll receive new furnishings, new P&O livery as well as all new dining venues, including the highly anticipated Pantry – a food court-style eatery featuring various food venues.

But what exactly does it take to convert two ships into all-new vessels?

Well, according to P&O it will require around 250,000 man hours – that’s around 11,904 a day over the three-week period.

P&O Angelo's

They’ll be fitted with an estimated 20,000sqm of carpet, 2,500sqm of wall covering and receive more than 300 pieces of art.

Most of the old Holland America furnishings will be tossed out the port holes and replaced with 2,500 pieces of furniture.

Holland America’s blue and white livery will be replaced with the new P&O-do using some 500 litres of paint.

P&O Dragon Lady

And that’s just the interior and exterior design.

In order to feed and drink their guests, the ships will require around 47,000 glasses to 74,000 pieces of china and 30,000 items of cutlery.

New beer taps and Australian power points will also be installed along with a resort-style pool deck and P&O celebrity restaurant, Luke Mangan’s Salt grill.

Pacific Eden

P&O Cruises Senior Vice President, Sture Myrmell, said the ships will be a real game changer for Australian cruising.

“They’re unlike anything we’ve seen in these waters.”

Sture Myrmell, P&O Cruises Senior Vice President

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We can’t wait to see them either when they arrive in Sydney Harbour next month.

To commemorate their arrival, P&O is holding a spectacular five-ship rendezvous in the iconic Harbour. During the meeting with P&O’s current three-ship fleet, Aria & Eden’s godmothers, Jessica Mauboy and Kate Ritchie will christen the vessels while live tweeting the special occasion.

Are you seeing a lot of demand from clients for P&O’s two new ships.