"As with her cherished namesake and her sister the sacred CANBERRA, old acquaintance will be more than enough to ensure that whenever the great ships of Britain are brought to mind, another ORIANA shall now never be forgot."
Oriana
ORIANA berthed in Funchal as the replica of Columbus SANTA MARIA passes by. 8 October 2015
Following on what was a very special first day of ORIANA's maiden call of the inaugural voyage, the 13th April 1995 found ORIANA still berthed in Funchal for one more full day.
Scheduled to depart at 6 pm later on, the best spots along the city's coast and the harbor were being filled by a crowd of people wishing again to have the best view to the newest cruise ship afloat. Only the New Year's Eve fireworks in the capital of Madeira could compare to such a gathering.
The importance of this event would lead to the release of a small series of local postcards with aerial images of ORIANA, made to promote the destination Madeira, which could be seen for sale in every souvenir shop for many years to come.
ORIANA's maiden call in Funchal was to remain one of the biggest, if not the biggest event this port ever had, at least until Cunard's QUEEN MARY 2 made her inaugural call on 15th January 2004.
On a sunny morning of 12 April 1995, a maiden visitor
could be seen approaching the breakwater of Funchal, Madeira on her inaugural
voyage. A maiden visitor that had been the highlight and subject of great
expectation worldwide, in the years prior to her launch.
Known at the time as the largest ship built in Germany
in the last 80 years, the largest ship exclusively dedicated to the British
cruise market, and the newest flagship of Britain's Merchant Fleet, it was none
other than P&O Cruises' brand new ORIANA!
Apart from all of these features, which were more than
enough to make this a very special call in Funchal,
ORIANA was also seen as the
successor of the venerable CANBERRA, at the time a ship that had been calling
in this port frequently for a long time, thus being a well known visitor among
the locals.
Besides we can also refer to another important factor
surrounding this maiden call, at the time it was not common to observe brand
new ships like ORIANA in Funchal. After the great "boom" of the
cruise industry in the late 70's/80's, most of the larger and new ships were
being built in Europe as well but for the North-American market, cruising
essentially in the Caribbean, during the Winter, and Alaska on the Summer
months, as depicted by the most famous companies, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL,
and Princess... Eventually ORIANA would operate on a different schedule,
not on a turn-around basis in a specific region, but on distinct cruises to Med,
Northern Europe, Canary Isles and also Caribbean and World voyages based in
Southampton, as she still does nowadays.
Therefore at around noon, ORIANA was “sliding” through
the flat seas on her way to the harbor, and much like what happened in her
homeport days before, a flotilla of small craft went to sea welcoming the new
superliner in great style, along with the local tugs dressed overall for the
occasion. Even the dolphins were jumping out of the water to have a good
glimpse of ORIANA.
On shore thousands of people gathered at seaside to
witness this grand event. In the previous days she had been already a huge
highlight among the local Press.
After docking at her designated berth, the passengers
were presented with a performance from a local folkloric group, while leaving
the ship’s gangway, being at the same time, offered with typical souvenirs from
Madeira.
Later on, Commodore Gibb welcomed onboard several
authorities and entities for the traditional plaque exchange ceremony, and
kindly invited everyone for a tour around his brand new ship.
With the day nearly at its end, and as ORIANA prepared
to overnight in Funchal, there was still place for a fireworks display, a final
special touch truly placing her inaugural call among the most memorable moments
this port ever had.
9th April 1995, Berth 106 Southampton - With all the celebrations around ORIANA's naming behind them her crew now faced their and ORIANA's first true test, her first true meeting with the public as her first passengers made their way on board.
Despite the overcast sky it didn't dampen the excitement of those making their way to Southampton to board the first British superliner among them many P&O cruising veterans from both CANBERRA and almost 200 who had sailed as passnegers and crew on the previous ORIANA including one couple who had first met while working on board the older ship.
From the experienced passengers to the youngest 8 month old Stephanie Donahoe.
For these passengers were not only leaving British shores for 2 weeks
to enjoy the sun in the Atlantic Islands and the Iberian Peninsula,
they were sailing on the Maiden Voyage of ORIANA not only the new
flagship of the P&O fleet and the British merchant navy but the
first ship custom built for the rapidly growing UK market she was
P&O's £200 million gamble into the future of cruising.
On a
technical level ORIANA was also a masterpiece of martime design being
the fastest passenger ship built for 25 years and the fastest purpose
built cruise liner in the world while at the same time her design
remained somewhat traditional giving her passengers the best of both
worlds.
Boarding ORIANA a letter awaited in each cabin a welcome from Commodore Gibb and a first opportunity to share a little of the affection that he and the crew had already developed for the ship.
Commodore Gibb's welcome letter
And for regular passengers there was also a welcome from P&O's loyalty club
"The P.O.S.H Club" welcome
It wasn't only for those on boarding who were anticapting ORIANA's sailing ship spotters and enthusiasts were eager to see her sail and to that end P&O published the times at which they estimated ORIANA pass certain points on her journey down the Solent and to the sea as shown
below.
Route and estimated times of ORIANA's departure
With passengers boarding at 4pm the first entertainment held onboard
ORIANA for her passengers began with Piano music on offer in
The Crow's Nest some or for different tastes there was also music being
played in both Harlequins and The Pacific Lounge.
The obligatory
safety drill was held at 5pm and shortly after 6pm as The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals played as ORIANA sounded her horn lifting off the berth Streamers flew and cheers from both the ship and shore could be heard as ORIANA, once again was joined by small flotilla of little boats, made her way down Southampton water.
To begin ORIANA's sea going career her first port of call would reflect
P&O's history and heritage, leaving Southampton behind ORIANA 2 days
at sea would follow before reaching Funchal, Madeira one of P&O's
most popular ports call, here she would spend overnight allowing the
passengers to take in the beauty of the city and islands while a local
Folkloric group would be boarding to entertain the passengers with local
dance and tradition.
The Dawn of the 6th April 1995 brought the next milestone in ORIANA's life, having arrived spectacularly 3 days before the new Queen of the Seas was ready to meet another royal as Queen Elizabeth II was to name her in a carefully choreographed ceremony later that day.
For the occasion ORIANA was docked alongside berth 44 the former Ocean Terminal where seating had been erected for those present to observe from.
On board ORIANA herself for guests who had stayed on board overnight there was a classical music presentation held in The Crows Nest followed by recitals in the Pacific Lounge before joining those those assembling dockside.
The guests were all seated by 11am as they waited for the Queen and her entourage the Band of HM Royal Marines provided musical entertainment.
As the Royal train arrived the sound of The Choir of Westminster Abby performed Fair Oriana, Beauty’s Queen.
With the Queen and Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh taking their place in front of ORIANA's bow alongside Lord Sterling and Commodore Gibb the Choir performed God save the Queen as ORIANA 's officers watched on.
Next followed an introduction by the master of ceremonies and a perfomance of Fanfare to ORIANA a piece of music which had been composed by the famed
composer Benjamin Britten for the launch of the previous ORIANA.
The Bishop of Basingstoke gave the blessing with holy water before Her Majesty gave a short speech and uttered the words which had last been spoken by her cousin Princess Alexandra 35 years earlier.
"I name this ship ORIANA may god bless her and all who sail in her" as she pulled the leaver that sent a bottle of champagne smashing against the I in the ship's name.
ORIANA's horn blew wildly as the band played and many in the crowd admitted having a tear in their eye as events went as planned.
It wasn't only those on the dockside watching in the new age of mass media ORIANA's naming became an international event that would be seen by millions around the world
With the naming over with the royal party boarded for lunch and a tour of the ship Her Majesty also meeting a young girl named Oriana.
Commodore Gibb shows The Queen ORIANA's bridge
Remembering the visit Commodore Gibb recalled "I think she was impressed with the ship, she certainly appeared to be.
There are two memories in particular I have while touring the ship, the
first was while she looking round the Spa & Fitness areas she
joked while observing the Exercise Machines that “we have these in the
dungeon at Windsor Castle!” and sometime later while touring the ship's
Galley the executive Purser had selected 10 or 11 members of the
restaurant crew to introduce to her to and as it turned out they all
had the surname of Gomez so I was walking down the line introducing
each saying “This is Mr Gomez and this is Mr Gomez and this is Mr Gomez
as well”
To end what had been the perfect day a fireworks display saluted the worlds newest ship.
While the celebrations continued Commodore Gibb looked forward to the maiden voyage beginning in 3 days time “ Funchal in Madeira is one of our favourite ports of call, there’ll be a
great welcome, with a half a bottle of Madeira wine for every passenger
and corsages of local flowers- and the weather is almost always sunny
too.”
To sum up the journey ORIANA had already taken and the ships that would follow her John McNeece one of the design team behind the liner's public spaces said "She will be the benchmark by which all others will be measured"
Amongst the grey overcast sky of the 3rd April 1995 a mist shrouded ORIANA made her way for the first time up Southampton water despite the weather conditions the welcome couldn't be warmer.
Pleasure craft and tugs and swarmed around to give the traditional firehose welcome.
Jets of water welcome ORIANA into her home port for the first time.
As with any such occasion the mood was positive and the welcome only fitting for the new ship who was not only P&O's new flagship but also of the British merchant fleet. The atmosphere on board was also a positive one from Commodore Gibb and officers on the bridge whose delight was most evident as was the rest of the crew who had spent the first short trip from Germany familiarizing themselves with the workings of the new ship.
Alongside the crew Lord Sterling also was extremely pleased and brimming with pride as he took a moment to savour the emotion of the event which his cameras were on hand to capture.
Such was the national importance of the event that press and media had descended upon the port to watch ORIANA's arrival as she was subject to their every scrutiny.
ORIANA had well and truely arrived in style and for the next days she would play host to many visitors from within the cruise and travel industry before her naming by Queen Elizabeth II on the 6th of April.
2nd April 1995, Emden
After many years of planning and 2 years of building P&O were finally ready to take delivery of their new flagship ORIANA.
ORIANA's commander Commodore Gibb had been with the ship throughout her trials but strictly as an observer now at last he and the rest of the crew took up their postions on board ready for the moment the company took ownership of it's latest investment.
Joing the ship for the event was P&O chairman Lord Sterling, P&O Cruises chairman Tim Harris and P&O Cruises managing director Gwyn Hughes.
To mark the event ORIANA was dressed overall and the crew all in uniform turned out on the terrace decks to watch as Bernard Meyer, CEO of Meyer Werft handed over the ship's papers to Tim Harris.
As seen below the moment was caught by the ship's photographer in an image which would be available for passengers to purchase during the maiden season.
ORIANA's crew turn out for the handover
Along with the formalites of handing over the papers the German flag which had flown over her stern and the Meyer Werft flag which had flown from her mast were lowered for the last time and replaced with the red ensign and P&O house flag respectivly.
For both companies ORIANA was ansignifcent milestone, for P&O she represented a new era in the rapidly growing UK cruise market and being the largest ship built in Germany in 80 years it brought Meyer Werft prestige.
With a good mood on board ORIANA following the handover with Commodore Gibb in command she sailed for Southampton where a warm welcome awaited.
In late March 1995, fresh from her builders ORIANA headed out to sea for the first time to undertake her sea trials.
Heading out into the North Sea ORIANA's sea keeping abilities were immediately put to the test as she sailed into a force 10 gale which would prove the effectivness of the world's largest stabilisers.
Still techninally a Meyer Werft's porperty and under the commnad of the yard's Captain one by one the ships technical systems were 'put through their paces'
For the first time her engines controls were set to Full ahead and as the engines came up to speed she reached her cruising speed of 24 knots, next she quickly surpassed her maximum service speed of 25 knots and then onwards she passed 26 knots until she reached 27.7 knots far higher than her projected maximum speeds and impressive for a first run.
In the years to come ORIANA would acheive higher speeds of up to 30 knots
ORIANA on her trials
During the trials ORIANA was also to make a brief detour to Hamburg for one last drydocking and inspection of the hull before her trip to
It was during the trials that an issue was found with the ship's propellers it was discovered that at higher speeds they produced servre vibration in the stern.
As Commodore Gibb recalled "the vibrations were a major problem the decibels that were being
produced in the aft end were truly awful in the aft (Oriental)
Restaurant crockery and cutlery was vibrating off of tables, after
further trials we found the vibration was caused by the propellers at
high speed and for a while it was not even certain we would accept the
ship but we were assured the problem could be remedied by having the
propellers replaced and in the short term by operating at slower speeds
around 22 to 24 knots so we could control the situation."
With the trials complete and the ship's equipment signed off ORIANA headed for her first engagement, her hand over to P&O.
