ORIANA in Malta

Yesterday ORIANA made her latest call at Malta during her current 21 night Mediterranen cruise, and for the first time she is showing off her full new livery complete with the much talked about Union Flag adorning her bow.

Among those watching ORIANA from the was shore local enthusiast Franklin Aquilina, for many years a fan of ORIANA having cruised on board both her and her mother CANBERRA who herself had some history with Malta.

ORIANA showing of her Union Flag graphics

During ORIANA's time in Malta Franklin was also able to board ORIANA for the first time in many years.

ORIANA's elegent Library

 The Crows Nest - a favourite vantage point of many for 20 years

Along with the public areas he was also allowed to visit the bridge as seen below.

 A look across the bridge.

Details of bridge controls

 After departing from Malta ORIANA set course for Cadiz, Spain where after two days at sea she is due to arrive on Sunday.

Photo Copyrights: Franklin Aquilina

20 years of adventures for ORIANA

In her 20 years in service so far ORIANA can proudly boast of having taken her passengers to some of the world's most stunning and historic destinastions and along the way given them expeirences and memories to last a life.
From her home port she has set off on many journeys heading to the northern climes of Norway and the Baltic and in winter to the Chirstmas Markets of Northern Europe.

Anchored at Spitsbergen , Norway

Tendering in Geirangerfjord, Norway

Or for those looking for a warmer holiday at sea, heading south to the sun filled Atlantic Isles or the Iberian Peninsula and the Atlantic Coast of North Africa

Arriving at Funchal, Madeira

Docked in Tenerife

Heading further afield the capitals and islands of the Mediterranean have on many occasions played host to ORIANA.

ORIANA arrives at Valletta, Malta

And of course for a ship of ORIANA's liner inspired design and calibre the longer Transatlantic cruises to the USA and the Caribbean Islands have proved to be popular cruises for her.

ORIANA departs Port Everglades, USA

ORIANA in Tortola, B.V.I

Docked in Barbados

For the ultimate cruise experience ORIANA has under taken many world cruises over the years  calling in many contrasting destinations often following in the wake of her namesake and "mother" CANBERRA.

ORIANA arrives in Sydney, Australia

ORIANA passes through the Panama Canal

Over the years she has often been seen graceing ports with her fleet mates often in some of P&O's favourite ports such as Funchal, where she has met with AURORA as seen below as well as OCEANA and ARCADIA.

At home in Southampton she of course has met with her fleet mates many times and also some rivals in March 1995 she met for the first time with a most prestigious rival QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, as fitting for a ship such as ORIANA she would have the last word that day.

Photo Copyrights João Abreu & P&O Cruises 

ORIANA's Maiden passengers stories and reactions

When ORIANA returned to Southampton from her Maiden Voyage on the 23rd April 1995 after a meer 3469 nautical miles (6424 km) her first passengers disembarked with their lasting impressions of the new liner.
From the amazement of her new innovating features and the inevitable comparisons to CANBERRA for the first few days, by the end of the two weeks the ship's character her unique identity was beginning to establish itself and it was this atmosphere along with the quality of the ship and the service offered by her crew which her passengers picked up on.
As can be seen below her passengers reactions reflected the general feeling on board being one of satisfaction with the ship.  

 

Many of those passengers on board also had interesting personal stories to tell relating to ORIANA and her namesake such as Arie Oosten a Dutchman whose passion for ships brought him to be on the maiden voyage of the world's newest superliner and also others such as the couple who first met on board SS ORIANA just two of the stories which filled the decks of ORIANA during her triumphant Maiden Voyage.