A Royal Occasion

On the 6th April 1995 after 4 days in her home port of Southampton and having been visited by some 10,000 people ORIANA was ready for her first true social occasion and the one surrounded by perhaps the most pomp and ceremony her naming, for any vessel a big day however being ORIANA it was only fitting that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would do the honours.
For the occasion ORIANA occupied  berth 43/44 the former Ocean Terminal, from this same dock many famous ships had set sail including TITANIC and the Cunard Queen's.
To begin the day guests who had stayed on board overnight were joined  by others who gathered in the stands that had been erected on the dockside alongside the ship.
The assembled guests were seated by 11 am and entertained by the Band of HM Royal Marines as the Royal train could be heard arriving behind the stands.
As Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh arrived  the choir of Westminster Abbey sang Fair Oriana, Beauty's Queen.
Shortly before taking their seats the choir performed God save the Queen before an introduction  by the Master of Ceremonies.  
More music followed fittingly Fanfare for ORIANA which had been especially commissioned for the launch of SS ORIANA 35 years previously.
After speeches and the blessing of the ship by the Bishop Of Basingstoke finally her Majesty took to the stand to utter the words all had assembled to hear.

Such was the anticipation of the event that it was aired around the world from the United States to Australia.  
The day concluded with a tour of the ship and finally a fireworks display.

 The first engagement of ORIANA's career had passed as planned now in less than 72 hours the public would get there first impressions of the new flagship.

A fitting day

While the weather may have typically British ORIANA and her fleet mates certainly couldn't have had a more fitting celebration for the 175th year of the P&O name.

Commodore Burgoine joins the current Captains of the fleet next to the magnificent flagship

Beginning early with morning arrivals of the fleey ORIANA as the proud flagship of the received the special guest of the day HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, "master" of Trinity House and Godmother to fleet mates AURORA & OCEANA.

 Princess Anne is greeted at ORIANA's side.

 In a special event held in The Crow's Nest Her Highness was presented by P&O's Life President Lord Sterling with a Photo album showing the history of the company before she cut the 175th "Birthday" Cake

  Celebrations on board ORIANA.

To complete the day once the fleet had set sail Her Highness was joined on board Trinity House vessel PATRICIA by the the elder brothers of the Trinity House including ORIANA's first master Ian Gibb to review the fleet as they sailed.

 Princess Anne reviews the fleet with former Commodore Ian Gibb third from left.

 The proud flagship sails with her fleet mates.

Photo Copyrights :P&O Cruises

Happy Birthday ORIANA

Today marks the 17th year since ORIANA entered service a milestone in the history of her owners as their first dedicated Cruise liner for the British market made her way out of Southampton on her Maiden Voyage.

At the time one of the largest purpose built cruise vessels in service ORIANA while being a modern concept ship had the history of P&O in particular elements of forerunner CANBERRA.

ORIANA departs Southampton on her Maiden Voyage.

While things have changed since 1995 for P&O and the cruise industry ORIANA remains as popular as ever.
In terms of her qualities as a ship her elegant design which melded perfectly tradition and modernity with her long beautiful bow fine lines and her well balanced profile has only been equaled by AURORA in 2000 and has yet to exceeded.
Coincidentally ORIANA "celebrates" her Birthday while on route from Madeira the reverse of the route she took on on her maiden cruise.
Below is a short video of ORIANA's maiden departure from Southampton.


On their Facebook page P&O have compiled a small photo gallery showing ORIANA in various ports around the world which can be viewed here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150711538615782.422865.179746530781&type=1

Happy Birthday ORIANA!