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ORIANA TOUR 1
ORIANA TOUR 2 ORIANA TOUR 3 ORIANA TOUR 4 ORIANA TOUR 5 ORIANA TOUR 6 ORIANA TOUR 7 ORIANA TOUR 8 
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ORIANA
PHOTO TOUR AND COMMENTARY CONTENTSOverview
Pools Sports and Open Decks Spa Shops and Other Public Areas Bars and Lounges Entertainment Dining (Complimentary) Specialty Restaurants Exterior Photos 
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Above: Oriana has a multi-deck high Atrium leading up to a Tiffany-inspired ceiling.
Below: The base of the Atrium. 
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OVERVIEW
Oriana is a ship that has becomes almost legendary in her own lifetime. When she was built in the early 1990s, she was the first large passenger ship that had been built for the British market in a considerable time. She was named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and quickly became quite popular in Britain. While she may not be well-known outside of the market she was built to serve, she is a household name in Britain. This ship is the second P&O ship to be called Oriana. Her predecessor served from 1959 to 1986 and was also quite popular. The name is usually said to mean “golden dawning” and was the name of a poetic character who was the heiress to the throne of Britain. Accordingly, Queen Elizabeth I was called Oriana by her contemporaries. The ship’s interiors are contemporary. Restraint is a watchword with subtle lighting, clean lines and soft muted colours. Oriana is free of glitz. Rather, she is elegant and graceful. Several of the public rooms consciously strive to make themselves British environments. The use of furniture and styling reminiscent of a country house or of a gentleman’s club on Pall Mall give those areas a tasteful British feel. The sports bar recalls cricket in its decoration while the casino forgoes Las Vegas for the style of a London gaming club. It is not tourist Britain but rather an environment in which British people would feel at home. Similarly, the dining offerings are geared to British tastes. British cuisine is featured both in the main dining rooms and in the ship’s celebrity chef specialty restaurant reflects Britain's love of Indian cuisine. The ship offers a traditional cruise experience. However, superimposed on that is an enrichment program that includes music festivals at sea and talks on art by the staff of London’s Tate Gallery. There are also classes about computers and digital living. Oriana has a large cinema and a theater that is equipped like a West End theater. Thus, it is an enhanced traditional experience. It is also an adult experience. Oriana is an adults-only ship. When she entered service in 1995, Oriana was considered a large ship - - she was only a few thousand gross tons smaller than the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), then the flagship of the British merchant marine. However, due to the vast increase in the size of cruise ships in recent years, Oriana would now be considered a small to mid-sized ship. As a result, she has a relatively more intimate atmosphere but still has many of the features of large ships. In addition, P&O Cruises has been deploying her on itineraries that include ports where larger ships cannot or do not go. Thus, Oriana is finding a new niche in discovery cruising. Oriana has a long bow, good for slicing through the waves as well as an above-average service speed. Consequently, she can do long distance cruises including round-trip voyages from Southampton into the Central Mediterranean as well as longer voyages to the Americas and the Caribbean. |
Above: Captain Ashley Cook.
Above and below: Oriana's decor is conservative and restrained.
Above: Some of the plaques that Oriana has accumulated during her career.
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Above left: The Guest Relations Desk in the Atrium.
Above right: Explorers, the shore excursions desk is also in the Atrium. Right: The Loyalty & Future Sales Desk. |
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Cruise ship photo tour and commentary - - P&O Cruises - - Oriana - - Overview