ORIANA cancels Ponta Delgada call for tomorrow

Rough times for ORIANA in the Azores archipelago, last week she was under severe rain and now due to the bad weather conditions in the North Atlantic, Captain Mark Symonds decided to cancel the tomorrow's call in Ponta Delgada for the comfort of the passengers.
She's now navigating on a south route around the Azores inbound the Caribbean Sea. Next visit in Ponta Delgada will take place on 27th October.ORIANA berthed in "Portas do Mar" terminal in Ponta Delgada, in a much better weather time in the Azores. Photo by António Simas taken on 18th August 2010.

Early Postcard of ORIANA

Image of the post-launch official P&O postcard of ORIANA, which was current in August 2000. Also my very first postcard of the handsome lady, of many that were to follow.
Besides being a space of photo and info sharing, in "ORIANA of 1995" readers can also send images of their collections of the ship. Send them to the e-mail stated on the right column.
As always we appreciate the contribution.

ORIANA -A floating feast

When passengers step on board a cruise one of their expectations is to be well fed, and in this regard ORIANA does not disappoint.

Looking after the 1800 passengers and 760 crew's, food requirements are a team of 35 bakers, 93 chef and assistants cooking and preparing in the main galley located on E Deck between the main restaurants with 25 working "back of house" who ensure the galley team have all they require, the galley team also features one ice carver.

Main galley. Plating up.

For a typical 14 night cruise the galley serves 116,500 main meals, bakes 70,000 rolls and for the traditional afternoon tea makes 42,000 cakes. Waiters ready to serve the expecting passengers

Some of the many deserts served on board.

Hard at work.

Photos copyright: P&O Cruises

Spring day in Funchal with ORIANA

Some more images of ORIANA in Funchal, in a sunny 11 April of 2009, typical Spring day in Madeira for the joy of her passengers.
It was her first "Canary Islands" cruise of the year, after she had return from the anual World Cruise.
Also in berth on the south terminal was the french cruise ship Le Diamant.
Photos: © João Abreu.

ORIANA & Madeira

Some photos taken of and from ORIANA while in Funchal on various dates.

31st December 2010 photo copyright : João Abreu

Since arriving in Funchal on her maiden voyage in 1995 ORIANA has been keeping alive a tradition of a presence of P&O ships visiting the sub-tropical island that dates back to the company’s earlist days when it was known as The Peninsular Steam Navigation Company

21st August 2010. Photos copyright: Steve Martin.

ORIANA meets fleet mate Arcadia 21st December 2009. Photos: João Abreu & Steve Martin

ORIANA's next call in Funchal will take place on 15th March, an overnight call, during a eastbound transatlantic from the Caribbean to Southampton.

Funchal - A very special port of call for ORIANA

Since her inagural in 1995, ORIANA has visited Funchal for more than 110 times. Photo © Nuno Jesus.
12th of April 1995, was a long awaited day for the people of Madeira island, the newest P&O's addition, ORIANA arrived at late afternoon from Southampton on her inaugural at Funchal harbour, during her maiden voyage.ORIANA arrives at Funchal for another fantastic New Year. © Paulo Rodrigues.

In a old route to Madeira, P&O ships have been visiting the "Garden Island" for years. From the seven ships of the company current fleet, ORIANA is every inch the most regular ship. Normally arriving from her home port, Southampton, her majority of visits occur during "Canary Islands" cruises. However, in recent years the company has been increasing it's Southampton based Caribbean cruises, visiting Madeira in the westbound transatlantic or eastbound. Also ORIANA has increased her Azores visits in this genre of cruising.

ORIANA, a ship built for the british market, is a very authentic creation, with her onboard casual style, she is very appreciated by portuguese as well, who choose to cruise on her to spend their vacations.ORIANA on yet another visit at the "Garden Island". © Sérgio Ferreira.

By the end of this year, ORIANA will no longer be a cruise ship directed to family holidays, due to her adult conversion that will take place in late October this year. This has to do with ARTEMIS withdrawn next May.

In 2011 ORIANA has 5 more visits scheduled in Funchal, we do hope she keeps her frequency of calls, in a city where she's always very welcome!

Text by Paulo Rodrigues, whom we appreciate the contribution. Visit his blog about Funchal's cruise activity here.

Madeira is truly a very special destination for ORIANA.

ORIANA in Oslo - Norway

ORIANA seen arriving in Oslo at midday on the 1^st September 2001, just before a lot of changes became in force in most ports of the world, in terms of security, after the US attacks some days later.
Text and Photos by Nuno Jesus