London-listed cruise liner group Carnival Corporation has placed a £1.1bn (US$1.95bn) order with the Italian ship builder Fincantieri for the construction of four new cruise liners with the option for a further two vessels.

The four new ships will add a total of 11,756 lower berths to the cruise operator’s fleet.

Part of Carnival’s North American and European brand expansion, of the four new liners, one ship will be used for its Holland America Line and one each for Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Costa Crociere.

CEO Mickey Arison said: “This agreement enables us to expand our core brands at very competitive prices considering today’s unfavourable exchange rate.”