Oriana is the sixth largest ship in the current P&O cruises fleet. She is also the longest serving having been commissioned by P&O in 1995, when she sailed her maiden voyage she was the largest cruise ship in the world, unfortunately that title has since been stripped by larger and more modern ships. She still retains The Golden Cockerel, an internal award by P&O Cruises for being the fastest ship in the fleet (The Golden Cockerel is displayed on the starboard bridge).
Life on-board Oriana is elegant, clean, inviting and friendly. The staff on-board the Oriana have been praised by passengers time and time again. Although described as “a floating infirmary”, a jest at the number of retirees who sail with her, Oriana is now attracting more youthful passengers with many areas on-board catering for the differing demographics of people. This is a specifically British made ship, designed for British tastes so expect to find the majority of passengers to be (obviously) British nationality.
Staterooms are comfortable, clean and have adequate space, each stateroom comes with a flat-screen TV showing the British staple diet of BBC world programmes.
Oriana has a stunning atrium area, this is the main passenger traffic highway through the ship and you are likely to bump into friends and associates. A-top the atrium area is Tiffany Court, and Tiffany’s bar. Gaze up at the Tiffany glass ceiling and it’s like looking at a bejewelled octopus, only it has just seven legs… A septopus then.
Dining and cuisine on-board Oriana is distinctly catering to British tastes, with dishes such as leg of pork, pheasant, grilled steak and fillet of plaice. Visit the Ocean Grill for the Marco Pierre White designed menu, if you are an omnivore be sure to sample the wild boar burger! For something lighter try the al-fresco Pizzeria.
Make sure you take some time to visit the Crow’s Nest lounge and bar, from here you can relax with a drink or two and take in the best views from the ship. Another great place to meet new people is the Lord’s Tavern, a very English pub at sea.