ORIANA's Final Voyage: Farewell ORIANA

9th August 2019 exactly 24 years and 4 months from the day she set out for Maiden Voyage  ORIANA returned to Southampton for the last time, after over 2 decades of loyal service to P&O Cruises her days serving the market she was built for have come to a end.
During the last evening at sea ORIANA's first Master Commodore Ian Gibb held a talk in the Theatre Royal recalling his 40 year career which culminated with taking command of ORIANA.
At the end of the talk in the presence of P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow Sarah Breton ORIANA's last master presented Commodore Gibbwith the Sword which he was presented with at ORIANA's naming in April 1995 and had hung near the ship's reception desk since.

Ian Gibb is presented with the ship'sword, first presented to him in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen in April 1995

And he signed the ship's offical visitor book, which has been with her since 1995  and was first signed by Her Majesty.

ORIANA'S first and last Masters.

All good things must come to an end and the following morning ORIANA's P&O Cruises career did exactly that navigating as she has so many times towards the Isle of Wight ORIANA continued inbound for Southampton.

ORIANA's postion off the cost of the Isle of Wight in the morning.

ORIANA makes a hard turn to Starboard

As ORIANA made her way into a wet and overcast Southampton she was joined by the tug Apex who gave her a water canon welcome echoing her first arrival in 1995.

ORIANA returns for the last time, Photo: Andrew Sassoli-Walker

On board ORIANA passengers gathered on the forward end of Deck 12 above the bridge and the observation deck to watch the final arrival.

Crowds gather on the forward decks watching the arrival.

And so with her escort ORIANA made her way towards The Mayflower Cruise Terminal the terminal she has called home for must of her career, from P&O no welcome home or fanfare but at least ORIANA was safe in the knowledge that she had done the job she was intended for with distinction for 24 years.
With no more passengers to board no more turnarounds to go through her last passengers were able to leave ORIANA at their own pace.
At midday ORIANA moved to Berth 104 ready to begin her de-storing and for her Chinese owners to officially take possession of her.
And while P&O had not given her the send off she rightfully deserved her passengers this last year
To sum up her career and feelings towards her one of her last Deck Cadets Jack Brundell wrote a short poem included with her final cruise log:-

"Farewell ORIANA, with your brillant shine
Your lounges and restaurants, so pretty and fine
Your Guest and Crew, who claim "You are mine"
Thank you ORIANA, we've had a great time

From Lisbon to Bridgetown, Sydney to Cork
You've called into many a beautiful port
The laughter, cheer and wonder you've brought
It's easy to see, the infectious love we've all caught

For now is the time to say goodbye
We'll be forgiven for not hiding that tear in our eye
But don't be upset, and hold back that sigh
Let's raise a glass and end on a high

Farewell ORIANA, you elegant girl
Queen of the seas, the Mother of Pearl
For in our hearts, our love forever will shine
Thank you ORIANA, we've had a great time."

Now all is said and done, P&O have moved on from her and ignored their passengers opinions time and time again we can now say only one thing.
Goodbye ORIANA and thank you.

Photos: Bob Bowler and Andrew Sassoli-Walker