Cruise Talk: Oriana

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Author

Topic: Oriana

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-05-2000 04:10 PM

Here is an intersting insight in to how and why a cruise ship is designed:

P&O's new Oriana

Oriana (1995) was the first vessel specifically built for UK Cruising. The British cruising public have different preferences to their transatlanticcounterparts. For example, they preferred more smaller and intimate public rooms to those from North America.

The Canberra had been a very popular ship with the UK market and psychologically Oriana was built to slightly resemble her., so customers could transfer there allegiances with ease. For example: the white hull and superstructure, the inset of the lifeboats and the single funnel - fashioned to give an impression of a merged of two merged funnels, all gave a semblance of the Canberra.

Oriana has a service speed of 24 knots(rather than 18-20) allowing here to sail from Southampton and get to the Mediterranean (a popular destination for the UK market) and back with the traditional British 14 to 16 day holiday period.

(Edited text from the book 'Development and Growth of the Cruise Industry')

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 06-05-2000 04:59 PM

Funny, Malcolm, I am an American, but I think I like the British (European?) idea of what cruises should be...they seem, well, classier...there is something garish about the ships geared toward the North American market...mind you I have only been on two, but still, I think I would like to do Europe on my next cruise, and I would LOVE to do a P&O or Swan Hellenic cruise...got my SH 2000-2001 brochure this weekend...the MINERVA looks like a DREAM inside...but the prices are rather steep

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

wendymike_uk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1302

posted 06-05-2000 06:14 PM

We have sailed with P & O many times and found the cruises to be excellent. Oriana is a beautiful ship and Aurora seems to be getting good reviews from people who have sailed on her.

Posts: 21 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 06-06-2000 01:12 AM

I too really enjoy P & O; but don't rule out Victoria which is a wonderful older style vessel. Arcadia is also great, with the same large cabins that so many rave about on Crown and Regal Princess. The redecorating since her Sitmar (well almost!) and Princess days have greatly improved the decor and feeling aboard.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-06-2000 11:49 AM

Rex, I sailed an the Mercury a few years ago. I had read on the Internet a number of review by American cruise customers. They all said the same: the decor on the Mercury was 'classy' and 'understated'. When I actually boarded her, I got a shock! I can tell you, that by British standards, mirrored bars, lots of glitz and carpets with purple and orange swirls are not regarded as classy!

I now appreciate that the Mercury is 'understated', when compared to some other ships like RCL and Carnival. Only America could have invented Las Vegas!

(Mercury fans please note: she's a very nice ship, I am just using her décor as an example of the differing tastes across the Atlantic).

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 06-06-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

wendymike_uk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1302

posted 06-07-2000 04:36 PM

Grant,

I have not sailed on Victoria but friends of ours have and really loved her. We have only sailed on Arcadia a couple of times and do agree that the cabins are superb. There are some good pictures of all four ships on http//members.aol.com/UnofficialPO/Main

[This message has been edited by wendymike_uk (edited 06-07-2000).]

Posts: 21 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 06-08-2000 09:09 AM

Well said, Malcolm, though in defense of Yankee culture (oxymoron?), being brassy has paid off in the long run, but you're right, we don't need it on ships....I wish I could afford to do the MINERVA right now, she looks delightful both inside and out...

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 06-08-2000 10:06 AM

I have said on this board many times, the Mercury is my all time favorite ship. I have cruised on her twice, and would love to go to South America with her again, but, I must say that the first time I was on the ship I did raise my eyebrows a little when I saw the swirly carpeting. It didn't go with the rest of the decor.

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-15-2000 04:56 PM

Rex, you said "being brassy has paid off in the long run". I think that the sucess of American cruising is more do to great marketing and service.

I think that the American business 'man' is the best in the world. You could (and probably do) sell fridges to Inuits!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

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