ORIANA and her early fleetmates

We have mentioned previously about ORIANA and her fleet mates meeting in both Southampton and in various ports of call and we are going to look at two calls ORIANA made alongside her fellow P&O ship in Funchal, Madeira.
The first meeting we are going to look at occurred on the 18th December 1996 where ORIANA met with CANBERRA allowing for comparisons to be made between the two great liners showing the elements of ORIANA which were inspired by features of the venerable ship.

   ORIANA passes CANBERRA and arrives in port

Docked with their sterns facing each other CANBERRA once described while seen in Funchal in her early years as a "big white ship in the bay" was dwafted by her year old daughter whose single funnel reflected the shape of the older ship's twin funnels.

ORIANA's larger form and build added to the contrast, the differences between the two ships was later said by historian Philip Dawson to be  like comparing classic cars CANBERRA a classic Ferrari and ORIANA a larger but equally elegant Rolls Royce.

ORIANA and CANBERRA dressed overall

ORIANA and CANBERRA light up the harbour during the evening

The second call we are going to look at briefly happened on the 9th October 2001 when ORIANA was joined by previous ARCADIA formally STAR PRINCESS she entered service with P&O 1997.

 ORIANA and ARCADIA docked

 Unlike with CANBERRA the size difference between the two was not as evident, despite both were purpose built cruise liners their apperences also contrasted vastly each owing to the very different design philosophies which were used.  

 ARCADIA departs the berth while ORIANA prepares fo her own departure

ORIANA had previously met ARCADIA in Funchal for what most certainly the hightlight of festivities in Madeira the New Years Fireworks display more infomation on that call can be found on a previous post  http://orianaof1995.blogspot.pt/2011/04/oriana-in-funchal-new-years-eve-1999.html

Photo Copyrights: Luís Filipe Jardim & Nuno Jesus