"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
In the 18 years since ORIANA was introduced to service and with the UK cruise industry having changed radically it is perhaps fitting to look at how in no small part ORIANA was responsible in fact the sole pioneer.
Up until her introduction the P&O Cruise's fleet had consisted solely of former ocean liners firstly CANBERRA and SS ORIANA and from the late 1980's CANBERRA was joined by SEA PRINCESS.
ORIANA brought to the UK market a level of luxury and on board amenities that would rival and surpass than ships operating in the larger US market yet being distinctly British in character.
Certainly the passengers opinions during her maiden cruise was more than complementary as can be seen below.
As the years have passed it and tonnage in all markets have increased dramatically ORIANA's own popularity has continued to grow in leaps and bounds it is fair to say that within P&O's own fleet the feeling of ORIANA has not be repeated although the other fleet members are in their own way elegant they emulate to varying degrees her success with perhaps.
On the 20th April 1995 ORIANA made the final call of her maiden voyage the Portuguese capital Lisbon like many ports of call during the cruise including the first Funchal in Madeira a port with a long established history with P&O, indeed ORIANA's namesake had visited the city during her pre-maiden voyage shakedown cruise in 1960 although the association with the port stretched back much longer to the company's earliest days.
Due to maintenance in the port and other cruise activity ORIANA berthed in the Jardim do Tabaco terminal rather than the preferred Alcântara terminal.
During the day while her passengers enjoyed tours of the historic city ORIANA played host to a group of local journalist and later in the day to the British Ambassador to Portugal, Stephen Wall.
To complete the final call of the cruise a local folk band played on the quayside as ORIANA prepared to sail out to the Atlantic and back to Southampton.
Below is a short video of ORIANA's maiden departure from Lisbon.
9th April 1995, after over 6 years of careful planning designing, building and the cost of £200 million ORIANA the first ship built for the UK cruise market departed the Mayflower Cruise terminal with 1850 passengers on board for her Maiden Voyage.
Her passengers boarded with the knowledge of being on board the newest most expensive liner, but also the fastest built since the liner era had ended.
Departing from her berth ORIANA's passengers listened as they threw streamers from her decks while below the band on the dockside saluted with music as Southampton's newest resident moved off
Surrounded by small crafts reminiscent of her arrival one week earlier ORIANA made her way stately down Southampton water her fine lines making an impressive sight as she sailed.
From her home port her voyage would take her to ports well known to P&O in its long history,
Firstly the Garden Isle of Madeira, where she would overnight, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Casablanca, Praia da Rocha in the Algarve and finally Lisbon, the Portuguese capital was well known to the previous ORIANA who had cruised there in 1960 on a pre maiden voyage shakedown cruise.
Below is a short clip from P&O's official film of the Maiden Voyage showing her departure.
On the 6th April 1995 after 4 days in her home port of Southampton and having been visited by some 10,000 people ORIANA was ready for her first true social occasion and the one surrounded by perhaps the most pomp and ceremony her naming, for any vessel a big day however being ORIANA it was only fitting that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would do the honours.
For the occasion ORIANA occupied berth 43/44 the former Ocean Terminal, from this same dock many famous ships had set sail including TITANIC and the Cunard Queen's.
To begin the day guests who had stayed on board overnight were joined by others who gathered in the stands that had been erected on the dockside alongside the ship.
The assembled guests were seated by 11 am and entertained by the Band of HM Royal Marines as the Royal train could be heard arriving behind the stands.
As Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh arrived the choir of Westminster Abbey sang Fair Oriana, Beauty's Queen.
Shortly before taking their seats the choir performed God save the Queen before an introduction by the Master of Ceremonies.
More music followed fittingly Fanfare for ORIANA which had been especially commissioned for the launch of SS ORIANA 35 years previously.
After speeches and the blessing of the ship by the Bishop Of Basingstoke finally her Majesty took to the stand to utter the words all had assembled to hear.
Such was the anticipation of the event that it was aired around the world from the United States to Australia.
The day concluded with a tour of the ship and finally a fireworks display.
The first engagement of ORIANA's career had passed as planned now in less than 72 hours the public would get there first impressions of the new flagship.
18 years ago today Southampton turned out in style to greet its proud new citizen ORIANA the brand new £200 million flagship of Britain's most distinguished and popular shipping and passenger line P&O perhaps more importantly new flagship of the merchant fleet replacing in both roles to of the most famous liners afloat CANBERRA and QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 respectively.
In scenes reminiscent of the Ocean Liners of Yesteryear ORIANA was escorted into her new home by a flotilla of small ships.
Having endured force 7 to 11 winds during her trials which has proven her superior sea keeping abilities and some slight delays due to a unforeseen vibration problem ORIANA proudly showed her clean lines as she emerged from the haze to a warm reception which continued as she came alongside her berth as P&O's and news film crews looked on.
Below is a News story looking at ORIANA's arrival in Southampton from UK broadcaster ITN.
On her bridge when asked about his feelings of bringing ORIANA in for the first time Commodore Gibb replied simply "Delight absolute delight" while P&O's Chairman Lord Sterling also was irrepressible during an interview for P&O's film ORIANA: From Dream to Reality which gave a look behind the genesis of the great liner's creation.
As ORIANA's took her first great bow the first of many members of the public got their first proper view of her in her home waters.
While her first journey was completed the rush activity to prepare for the next event her naming and the Maiden Voyage was just beginning.
