Sunday 9th April 1995
It was a fairly grey overcast Sunday as passengers arrived at Southampton's Mayflower terminal, pulling up in cars, taxis and coaches, their luggage dropped off before joing the check in queue.
These are scenes repeated regularly in the port, this occasion however was different for there 1,636 passengers were embarking the Maiden Voyage of ORIANA, ,P&O's newest and first custom built cruise ship, advertised as The First Super liner Built for Britain she perfectly blended modern British cruising tastes with the traditional from teak promenades to her Art Deco/Edwardiana styled interiors.
Behind the scenes ORIANA was also a technical marvel her navigational
equipment was the most advanced yet fitted aboard a civilian ship and
her intergrated bridge system wouldn't become standard for another 5
years at least.
Departing her berth ORIANA was escorted by a flotila of small crafts wishing her well as she made her way down Southampton water.
Despite the overcast skies and the wind picking up sightseers lined ORIANA's route.
Seen below ORIANA passes Cowes on the Isle of Wight on her Maiden Voyage.
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