The Maiden Voyage II - ORIANA's first 2 days at sea

 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 Theatre Royal 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.