19 years and going strong

19 years ago today ORIANA the new P&O flagship slipped her Southampton moorings for the first time and triumphantly sailed on her Maiden Cruise escorted by a flotilla of  boats the new flagship and her proud crew and first passengers headed for a number of 'firsts' in her career.

Departing from Southampton

Her first landfall after Southampton was Funchal, Madeira where her greeting was as warm as it had been when she had arrived in Southampton and had included a fireworks display arranged for her by the local authorities.

A brief clip of this call can be seen here

Leaving Madeira ORIANA's other ports included calls in the Canary Islands, Casablanca, Gibraltar Praia da Rocha and Lisbon.

The years since her introduction to service have seen many changes within the cruise industry and passengers cruising trends have changed as well but it is reassuring that in these days of the floating mega ship domintated market ORIANA is still a popular choice among cruise passengers with her regular passengers returning year after year to once again embark on seagoing experience on board P&O's finest liner.