ORIANA through the years - Arrival in Southampton & naming

Today we continue our look back over ORIANA's career as we take a trip back to April 1995 and ORIANA's arrival in Southampton and her naming day.
On a typically British overcast day ORIANA's perfectly white form glided gracefully into Southampton for the first time to a fittingly warm welcome of fireboats and small pleasure crafts.

ORIANA is welcomed to Southampton for the first time

On ORIANA's bridge a delghted Commodore Gibb and his officers were joined by P&O's Chairman Lord Sterling who was also eager to show his pride in the new flagship as she sailed up Southampton water.
At long last the culmantion of many years of work finally arrived home for the first time.
Following her arrival ORIANA would recieve some 10,000 visitors on board to tour with wonder and awe the first custom built cruise liner for the British Market.
On the 6th April just 3 days before her maiden voyage ORIANA was again the centre of attention as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II performed the time honoured tradition of naming her.
Along with being the first cruise ship built for the British market ORIANA also hold the first ship to hold the honour of being first P&O ship to be named by a reigning monarch.

ORIANA is named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

After the naming itself Her Majesty, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and their entourge  went on board for lunch and a tour of the ship along with Commodore Gibb, Lord Sterling and various P&O officials.

Queen Elizabeth II with Commodore Gibb on ORIANA's bridge

Her Majesty is shown the ships plaque originally from ORIANA's 1960 built namesake

Rounding off the days celebrations in the evening the new flagship was treated to a fireworks display.

At the end of perfect day fireworks light up the Southampton skyline in honour of ORIANA

Photo Copyrights: P&O