"As with her cherished namesake and her sister the sacred CANBERRA, old acquaintance will be more than enough to ensure that whenever the great ships of Britain are brought to mind, another ORIANA shall now never be forgot."
Oriana
ORIANA berthed in Funchal as the replica of Columbus SANTA MARIA passes by. 8 October 2015
Leaving Africa behind ORIANA next arrived at Gibraltar on the 18th April, for her passengers a home from home.
Entering the Gibraltar strait at 6am and boarding the pilot shortly after ORIANA continued her course where she arrived at her berth at 9:01 am.
For two of her passengers however instead of a typical day ashore exploring they were instead getting married with the rest of the cruise serving as their honeymoon
There has always been a romantic side to ships and it could truly be said that ORIANA's career from the start was full of romance.
Departing Gibraltar ORIANA again headed north for her last two ports of call, having called first in the "Cruise Capital of Portugal" she now called at the mainland.
Firstly Praia Da Rocha on the Algarve on the 19th where she spend the day anchored off the coast and the finally on the 20th ORIANA sailed up the Tagus to the Portuguese capital Lisbon.
P&O's ties to the city had began early in the company's life with it being a major port on the regular mail route their liners of time were engaged in, by the 1920's the authorities had even agreed to extend one of the berths to accommodate the new class of liners which were then being built,
Later still ORIANA's namesake would visit the city many time over the years including during her shakedown cruise in November 1960 prior to her own Maiden Voyage.
With her last port of call of the cruise behind her ORIANA set off for home.
Somewhat overshadowed by the minor fire which occurred two days ago the current cruise which ORIANA is on has also marked her 20th year at sea and seems fitting that this was marked by the ship making a Maiden call along the way.
On the 13th April exactly 20 years to the day of her first landfall in Madeira on her Maiden Voyage ORIANA arrived at an Island on the other side of the Atlantic for the first time, namely Bermuda.
Despite having been regiseted there since December 2006 it is a destination ORIANA had yet to visit and much like she was doing 20 years before in Funchal, ORIANA welcomed on board local dignitaries to celeabrate the occasion with a presintation of the ship's crest and a plaque from the Island to join the many others on board.
Among those on board was the Minister of Tourism Development and Transport Shawn Crockwell who was like many visitors before him very impressed by the ship commenting that "We are honoured and grateful to be a part of this celebration as we commemorate the MV ORIANA's inaugural call to Bermuda.
"This
visit is extra special as the Oriana is a Bermuda registered ship that
was launched on April 5th, 1995, therefore it was an extreme pleasure to
welcome the vessel to her port of registry immediately following the
celebration of its twenty years of service."
He concluded by saying by saying "This year, Bermuda will host many cruise ships, but it is very special
for us to have the luxury ship ORIANA here. This is a beautiful ship,
with a very refined and sophisticated atmosphere that is very
comfortable." Photo Copyright: Burnews
Last night shortly after departing Miami, Florida and on route to Key West ORIANA suffered a minor fire in her engine room forcing a return to Dodge Island Florida where she remained until 8am local time.
The first indications of any problems came from a call to the port authorities from the ship requesting a return to port and tug assist her while turning.
Initially the return to port was surrounded by confusion a viewer of the webcam feed reported hearing of a engine fire from the ship to shore communication while relatives and friends of passengers on board were reporting being contacted by their loved ones some saying about an on board fire while others mentioning other reasons.
P&O Cruises finally put the speculation to rest this morning when they confirmed via there Facebook page the reason for ORIANA's return to port.
" There was a minor localised fire which was swiftly extinguished. At no time did this affect the safety of passengers or crew." They also confirmed that no serious damage had been caused and that the delay was due to inspection by the U.S Coastguard explaining that -
" ORIANA
has been delayed in Miami due to a mandatory US Coastguard inspection.
Unfortunately, as a result, the call to Key West will be omitted. ORIANA is due to leave Miami at 08:00 local time today and sail directly to
New Orleans to arrive at 09:00 on Tuesday morning."
ORIANA alongside at 05:30 local time while NORWEGIAN EPIC arrives.
Shortly after 07:40 with her radars working and engines restarted she waited for COSTA ATLANTICA to pass her turn and dock just forward of her bow.
COSTA ATLANTICA passes ORIANA
ORIANA shortly before departure
As planned shortly after 8am ORIANA's stern lines were let go and slowly she headed astern slightly before clearing COSTA ATLANTICA and heading forward again.
Aft lines being let go
As ORIANA departed the freshly applied Union Flag livery to her bow was glimpsed by the camera.
Sailing she passed the now docked COSTA ATLANTICA, CARNIVAL BREEZE, CARNIVAL SPLENDOR and NORWEGIAN EPIC.
ORIANA passes NORWEGIAN EPIC
ORIANA heads back to sea
In order for ORIANA to return to her schedule as soon as possible she has had to abort her call today in Key West and is instead heading straight to New Orleans where she is expected.
While the mention of fire is always at first a concerning one at no time was the ship in any danger and the high level of training given to her crew for such incidents prevented it doing so.
For 4 passengers on board ORIANA this was second time they had embarked on the Maiden voyage of "ORIANA" since they had served as crewmembers on board the previous ORIANA during her first run down to Australia, including that ship's on board photographer who had developed the first colour photographs at sea on that voyage.
And like her namesake 35 years before ORIANA was bringing new and exciting features to cruising not only being the newest ship afloat so far she with her first class decor and service,unique features and innovative on board pastimes was proving to be the ship which all that would follow would have to live up to
17th April 1995
ORIANA's next port of call was Casablanca one of the largest cities in North Africa and just as famous for the Hollywood movie as it is for it's long history and cluture.
Having spent the previous day cruising at an average speed of 12 knots the ship arrived in Casablanca shortly before 8am.
Staying alongside for the day in fine and clear conditions and to allow her passengers to experience a truely atmospheric and romantic sunset she departed at 7:11pm for her short journey to Gibraltar
A short overnight journey from Funchal brought ORIANA to the first of her two calls in the Canary Islands Santa Cruz, Tenerife and 14th April and then on then on the 15th Lanzarote where for the first time she would be on anchor and making use of her tenders.
Both ports being well known to P&O's passengers and for ORIANA ports she would visit often in the years to come.
ORIANA arrives in Tenerife 23/12/2009
While ORIANA was for the first time entering far off ports on board 200 or so of those on board were veterans from ORIANA's namesake having cruised on the older ship many times over the years and between a lifetime of memories from days and nights spent on her.
As a nod to the old liner and to give a chance for memories to be shared and to look at each others momentos from her a get together was arranged in The Curzon Room, Commodore Gibb himself even joining in to share his stories and listen others.
One of the passengers familiar with the former ORIANA was Jack Crawford who back in the late 1950's had worked on the design of the ship and gave a short interview comparing the two ships.
Wednesday 12th April 1995
After two days at sea and having sailed 1312 Nautical Miles (2429 km) at an average speed of 20.9kts the morning of 12th brought ORIANA to the Madeira Islands passing Porto Santo around 9am the ship set a southwesterly course towards Madeira itself where she was expected to arrive at around midday.
Leading up to her arrival ORIANA's shop's opened briefly for passengers to stock with last minute essentials for their time ashore.
At 11.13 ORIANA embarked the local pilot ready for her approch berth and in a scene reminiscent of her departure from Southampton a small "fleet" boats and other small craft turned out to give ORIANA a warm welcome and escort the new arrival into the harbour.
On deck around the Crystal Pool to accompany the scenic arrival to Funchal Kool Blue on of ORIANA's on board bands played for passenger's pleasure and to add a sense of occasion for ORIANA's first arrival.
Further details of the arrival can be seen here http://orianaof1995.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/oriana-first-call-in-funchal-16-years.html
Docked by 12:03 as soon as clearence was given ORIANA's passengers began making their way ashore where they were greeted at the gangway by local folk band Boa Nova dressed in traditional dress and offering a small bouquet of local flowers to each passenger.
To make the most of the island and all it has to offer over the two days of the call there was on offer several tours each giving an insight into Madeira, these included the famous Toboggan ride from Monte or various bus tours taking in the the scenic splendours of the island
For the more active among the passengers the famed Levada walk was also an option or for something slightly different later in the evening dinner in a typical restaurant followed by traditional dancing.
As an added bonus each passenger taking one of the tours on offer received a special commemorative bottle of Madeira Wine.
While her passengers were enjoying what Madeira had on offer ORIANA received her first VIP's and Commodore Gibb resumed the public relations role that goes with being the master of a new cruise liner as welcomed on board associates of CEN, Clube de Entusiastas de Navios, in the time honoured tradition of ships making maiden calls ORIANA received her first commemorative plaque and in return Commodore Gibb presented the crest of ORIANA to the club.
Shown in 2009 CEN's plaque proudly displayed on board
To give the passengers a look at the traditions and culture of the island through the medium of dance on board ORIANA in the evening a local Folk band came on board to perform in the Pacific Lounge.
With cruise ships in general playing an increasingly important role in tourism in Madeira to celebrate ORIANA's maiden call the authorities arranged a fireworks display for the ship at midnight.
Over the days ORIANA spent on this inaugural call the weather remaind calm with the temperature reaching a maximum 18.5 degrees and for most the time spent in port it remaind clear.
Shortly after 6pm on the 13th with a rousing blast from her horn ORIANA departed her berth and much like her arrival the day before many of all ages turned out to send her on her way both on the sea wall near where she was berthed and on the city's Avenida do Mar on the opposite side of the harbour as can be seen in this postcard below.
Shortly after leaving the confines of the harbour ORIANA slowed to disembark the pilot before setting a Southerly course to the Canaries, around 257 nautical miles away.
After a triumphant departure from Southampton ORIANA's passengers had two days at sea to enjoy all the amenities that she had on offer from the extensive Gym and Spa and her swimming pools including the largest installed upon a passenger ship. With the upcoming Cokctail party on the evening of the 10th it was certain that many of the ladies on board would be eager to sample the treatments on offer with ORIANA's first formal occasion and the one that is perhaps most remembered on board a cruise the welcome on board cocktail party hosted by Commodore Gibb. During the journey south ORIANA's extensive open decks would come into their own as the ship met clear skies and sunshine While down of the promenade deck shows in the custom designed TheatreRoyal the first of it's kind at sea or a dance in Harlequins the largest dance venue on board her first passengers were spoilt for choice how they wanted to spend the free time days at sea gave them.
For those who wanted to try something different in Medina Room aft of The Crow's Nest on the first day at sea ORIANA was hosting the first "floating golf academy" the first session would include use of a new high tech golf simulator which would prepare those attending for the future lessons which would be held at Golf courses at the various ports of call during the cruise. At other times during the cruise another new introduction to the entertainment programme was being held Diving, for beginners lessons in both scuba diving and snorkelling were arranged in the Crystal pool while experts could join in with planned dives ashore the first being held in Madeira. There was also less strenuous pursuits on offer over both days there was nautical themed lectures and Port talks to tie into the excursions on offer in Chaplin's Cinema as well as of course films being shown at various times of the day.
As could be expected from past P&O passengers there was to begin with a fair amount of comparison to CANBERRA and it would become quite normal to hear the comment "It's not like this on CANBERRA !" The phrase could be heard so often that it become part of the comedy show hosted by comedian Tom O'Connor As mentioned above undoubtedly for most the Commodore's Welcome on board Cocktail party would be the one of the early highlights of the cruise and mark the beginning of the first formal nights on board ORIANA
So that they would not be left out along with the main party Commodore Gibb also attended a "Coke tail" party hosted for the ships younger passengers giving them their own social event before their dedicated childrens tea.
To round of the perfect evening on board the Stadium theatre group ,ORIANA's own theatre group named after the performance space on board CANBERRA were joined by ORIANA's other on board entertainers to form a variety show of song and dance.
For her first days at sea ORIANA had already proved herself to be a hit with her passengers and the next day she would make her first landfall Funchal, Madeira.
Sunday 9th April 1995
On an over cast April day cars arrive at Southampton with eager holiday makers on their way to board thier waiting cruise ship, porters on the dock side taking luggage to be loaded on board - a scene which has been seen by the port many times over the years and for the passengers on each it always seems like the most important of occasions however this time it really was a unique and once in a life time experience.
For these passengers were not only leaving British shores for 2 weeks to enjoy the sun in the Atlantic Islands and the Iberian Peninsula, they were sailing on the Maiden Voyage of ORIANA not only the new flagship of the P&O fleet and the British merchant navy but the first ship custom built for the rapidly growing UK market she was P&O's £200 million gamble into the future of cruising.
On a technical level ORIANA was also a masterpiece of martime design being the fastest passenger ship built for 25 years and the fastest purpose built cruise liner in the world while at the same time her design remained somewhat traditional giving her passengers the best of both worlds.
In terms of her passengers themselves they overed broad range,mostly there were regular P&O cruisers members of P&O's POSH club but there was also passengers who were new to cruising beginning their "cruising life" with the ship designed to usher in the new era of UK based crusing, while the majoritiy of passengers were British and had come from all over the UK to join ORIANA for her maiden sailing there were some who had travelled from further afield to be on board.
To greet the boarding passengers alongside the first edition of ORIANA Today the ship's own onboard newspaper they also received a letter frm ORIANA's Master Commodore Ian Gibb, welcoming them on board and sharing some of the effection which the crew and company had already come to see ORIANA with.
A welcome from Commodore Gibb
And for P&O's regular passengers a greeeting from the secretary of the loyalty club.
It wasn't only for those on boarding who were anticapting ORIANA's sailing ship spotters and enthusiasts were eager to see her sail and to that end P&O published the times at which they estimated ORIANA pass certain points on her journey down the Solent and to the sea as shown below.
To begin ORIANA's sea going career her first port of call would reflect P&O's history and heritage, leaving Southampton behind ORIANA 2 days at sea would follow before reaching Funchal, Madeira one of P&O's most popular ports call, here she would spend overnight allowing the passengers to take in the beauty of the city and islands while a local Folkloric group would be boarding to entertain the passengers with local dance and traditions before departing for the Canary Islands.
With passengers boarding at 4pm the first entertainment held onboard ORIANA for her fare paying passengers began with Piano music on offer in The Crow's Nest some or for different tastes there was music being played in both Harlequins and The Pacific Lounge followed by the obligatory safety drill held at 5pm and shortly after 6pm to the sound of The Horn Pipe played by The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.
As was only fitting for the world's newest super liner a flotila of boats followed her out to wish her well on her journey while all on board some preparing for Dinner or enjoying the entertainment on offer began to settle in for the first time to life on board ORIANA.
With ORIANA completed and delivered to P&O, all that remained was to deliver the ship to her home port of Southampton where in a spectacular and fitting ceremony she would be named by Queen Elizabeth II. For P&O this had been a long held dream of having the reigning monarch name their flagship, although the company had many royal connections , it had the distinction of being the only British shipping company to have been founded officially by Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1837, it also had been given permission by the royal houses of Spain and Portugal to use the colours of their flags.
It had been initially planned that Her Majesty was to name CANBERRA at her launch in March 1960 but this was changed with the birth of Prince Andrew in February the same year.
While preparations were underway in Southampton ORIANA with her crew for the first time in charge of her, bid goodbye to land of her birth and to Emshaven as the ship headed out into the North Sea this time to take southerly course through the English Channel on route to her new home. Due to the heavy sea conditions that ORIANA had encountered during her sea trials which had resulted to in a rescheduling of some of the trials, this meant that her departure was later than had first been anticipated.
Commodore Gibb on the bridge.
For Commodore Gibb and his crew the moment they had waited months for had come ORIANA was finally bound for her home port under their command.
Being only a short journey ORIANA was expected to arrive the next day, for the remainder of the day and night ORIANA navigated through the English channel passing the east coast of the British mainland to starboard and the Dutch/Belgian coast to port. Onboard were a few shipyard workers who had a few final fittings to complete and check, also the ship's first photographers preparing their onboard shop and photo printing room.
While elsewhere on board the ship's crew were preparing for the first visitors and passengers she would receive in the upcoming weeks and months from the restaurants where the waiters were preparing with last minute cleaning and fine tuning their service to the Theatre Royle where ORIANA's very own theatre company were polishing their performances the story throughout the ship was the same ORIANA was ready to meet her public for the first time.
During the early hours of the morning ORIANA slowed as she approached the Nab Tower Lighthouse in the Dover Straits marking entry into the Solent. Embarking the pilot for the first time ORIANA continued slowly ahead, as day broke curious spectators watched as at first light the ship continued to make her way up river towards Southampton. As is tradition when a new ship arrives in Southampton local people, ship enthusiasts and photographers took yachts and small boats out to greet and escort the ship into dock while at her bow tugs gave a traditional water hose welcome. For the first time many of P&O’s and CANBERRA’s loyal fans were able to view her in person as the historic port welcomed the worlds newest and finest passenger liner.
On an overcast Southampton morning ORIANA arrives.
Along with the officers and harbour pilot Lord Sterling was also to be found on the starboard bridge wing being interviewed he summed up the general feeling on board.
Due to the ship arriving later than was planned the next three days up until the naming would be a busy period of last minute preparations and arranged visits and over the next five days would have a heavy schedule of events going on onboard which would see 10,000 visitors enjoy ORIANA’s hospitality. As was expected ORIANA attracted much media attention including interviews with members of P&O’s management and the ships crew among them Commodore Gibb, Speaking of his anticipation of the maiden cruise he said “ Funchal in Madeira is one of our favourite ports of call, there’ll be a great welcome, with a half a bottle of Madeira wine for every passenger and corsages of local flowers- and the weather is almost always sunny too.”
However before the maiden cruise there was the important matter of the naming ceremony which was set for the 6th April an event like no other the naming is always ranked as one of the most memorable in the life of a ship and P&O certainly wanted ORIANA’s to as special as possible.
For those who had been lucky enough to stay onboard over night and those arriving early the day started with a classical music presentation which was held in the Crows Nest bar followed by recitals in the Pacific Lounge. Afterwards they joined the later arrivals on the dockside where they took their seats on the specially installed seating which had been set up next ORIANA for the occasion. All being seated by 11am the guests were honoured by musical entertainment supplied by the Band of HM Royal Marines until Her Majesty arrived. From behind as the band played, the Royal Train from London could be heard pulling into the station. With cameras filming to broadcast the occasion to the world and The Choir of Westminster Abby singing Fair Oriana, Beauty’s Queen, Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh took their places on the podium in front of ORIANA and on ORIANA's promenade deck he officers lined the rail watching the gathering below
Before the ceremony began and as is always the case when Her Majesty is present the choir of Westminster Abbey led the singing of the National Anthem and the introduction were made by the Master of Ceremonies, then followed the playing of Fanfare to ORIANA a piece of music which had been composed by the famed composer Benjamin Britten for the launch of the previous ORIANA. After the music finished speeches were made by the chairman of Associated British Ports and Lord Sterling, concluding with the ship being blessed with holy water by the Bishop of Basingstoke. With Commodore Gibb and Lord Sterling looking on Her Majesty made short speech before saying the words that in the English language are so associated with ship naming ceremonies -“ I name this ship ORIANA, may god bless her and all who sail in her.” she pulled the leaver sending the bottle champagne smashing against the “I” in the ships name as ORIANA’s horn blew enthusiastically much to the excitement of the crowd many of whom admitted later of having a tear in their eyes.
After the naming its self Her Majesty went onboard ORIANA to dine and for a tour of the ship and lunch on board as did many other guests. Including many areas the paying public would never see including the navigational bridge.
Her Majesty is shown the ships plaque.On the bridge.
While touring the ship Her Majesty showed a particular interest to the Children's and Teenagers areas where she met a young Girl named Oriana who had wanted to meet her.
Recalling the tour Ian Gibb felt it was a success and in particular related two stories he had of it
"I think she was impressed with the ship, she certainly appeared to be.
There are two memories in particular I have while touring the ship, the
first was while she looking round the Spa & Fitness areas she
joked while observing the Exercise Machines that “we have these in the
dungeon at Windsor Castle!” and sometime later while touring the ship's
Galley the executive Purser had selected 10 or 11 members of the
restaurant crew to introduce to her to and as it turned out they all
had the surname of Gomez so I was walking down the line introducing
each saying “This is Mr Gomez and this is Mr Gomez and this is Mr Gomez
as well”
To complete what had been a perfect day as night fell a full pyrotechnic display was arranged by P&O to celebrate in the grandest possible way the arrival of ORIANA- Queen of Seas.
Celebration fireworks.
And so the first chapter of ORIANA’s story came to a spectacular end ORIANA had gone from concept -Gemini, to a solid reality speaking of the relevance of the new ship John McNeece said "She will be the benchmark by which all others will be measured", in 3 days she would depart on her Maiden Voyage and Madeira where a warm welcome awaited for her first landfall.
ORIANA in the most fitting and Majestic way possible had truly arrived.
With the publicity surrounding ORIANA's Maiden Season which had been building steadily from mid 1994 through early 1995 it was not surprising that the press would also be reporting on progress of the new ship and her importance to P&O and the UK cruise market.
When ORIANA finally reached her new home in Southampton the televison cameras also came out to greet the liner with the news later that evening being filled with the ships arrival and footage from on board showing what was on offer to her maiden season passengers.
It of course goes without saying the naming day in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was also to be covered in every smallest detail both in print and also by the cameras which would broadcast the event far beyond Southampton water.
