ORIANA once again cruising the Med

After her last voyage to the Caribbean, ORIANA is now back in European waters cruising the Mediterranean Sea once again.
In the image she is seen berthed in La Valletta, capital of Malta, last Tuesday 17 May, while on a 18 day itinerary in the Eastern Med. Prior to that and after departure from Southampton, ORIANA called in Cadiz, southern Spain and left bound for Italy's iconic city Venice, where she is still docked today after an overnight stay in port.
Still to visit on her current cruise are Korcula (Croatia), Corfu (Greece), Messina (Italy) followed by the passage of its strait, and finally Gibraltar before heading northward bound to her homeport.

Image: Emmanuel L.

ORIANA in the port of La Valletta

On her first Mediterranean cruise of 2016, ORIANA called in the port of Malta's capital and historical city of La Valletta on 26 March, having arrived from Cadiz, Southern Spain, and later departed to Saranda in Albania, where her passengers spent their Easter the following day.

ORIANA berthed in La Valletta with PRINSENDAM from Holland America Line, just like P&O a centenary company part of the Carnival group.

Malta is a Southern European island country located 50 miles south of Italy, 176 miles east of Tunisia and 207 miles north of Libya, thus being a popular cruise destination in the Med, namely in the Summer months.
ORIANA is expected in La Valletta one more time this year on 17 May, when she returns to the Mediterranean Sea for a 18 day voyage as usual from her homeport of Southampton.

Photographic Achivement: Emmanuel L.

ORIANA in Malta

Yesterday ORIANA made her latest call at Malta during her current 21 night Mediterranen cruise, and for the first time she is showing off her full new livery complete with the much talked about Union Flag adorning her bow.

Among those watching ORIANA from the was shore local enthusiast Franklin Aquilina, for many years a fan of ORIANA having cruised on board both her and her mother CANBERRA who herself had some history with Malta.

ORIANA showing of her Union Flag graphics

During ORIANA's time in Malta Franklin was also able to board ORIANA for the first time in many years.

ORIANA's elegent Library

 The Crows Nest - a favourite vantage point of many for 20 years

Along with the public areas he was also allowed to visit the bridge as seen below.

 A look across the bridge.

Details of bridge controls

 After departing from Malta ORIANA set course for Cadiz, Spain where after two days at sea she is due to arrive on Sunday.

Photo Copyrights: Franklin Aquilina