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Oriana

Oriana
The Oceana was was built in 1994 and launched in 1995 and was named by HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Oriana is the sixth largest of seven ships currently in service with P&O Cruises. The Oriana is the flagship of the P&O Cruises fleet and is the longest serving ship in the fleet, as well as being the oldest. The Oriana also holds the Golden Cockerel as the fastest ship in the fleet. The Golden Cockerel is a trophy awarded to the fastest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet. The original SS Oriana beat the Canberra in hotly contested set of trials. The SS Oriana held the trophy until she was retired in 1986. In a solemn ceremony, the SS Oriana and Canberra met at sea and the Golden Cockerel trophy was transferred to the Canberra. However, on the Canberra's final cruise the Golden Cockerel was handed back to the SS Oriana's namesake, the new MV Oriana when both ships were anchored off Cannes.

The Oriana was also, after a long and difficult campaign, able to obtain the call sign "GVSN", the same call sign as the former SS Oriana.

Whatever your prefer to do whilst on a cruise, the Oriana has something for you. Unfortunately for families the decison has been made to transfer the ship into the Adults only market, so therefore the existing child minding facilities and childrens play rooms and pool will be converted to accomodate adult tastes.

The main restaurants are called the Peninsular, and Oriental Restaurants. Both are decorated in warm colours. The food is identical in both restaurants, with finely crafted meals are created for you based on traditional British favourites and other amazing dishes.

There are plenty of other dining options on board including the normal buffet style restaurant, but there is also the Oriana Rhodes. A speciality restaurant serving dishes specially designed by Gary Rhodes.

In terms of entertainment, there are plenty of bars and lounges scattered aound the public decks, giving passengers a feeling of a ship packed with facities whilst still offering a sense of space and comfort. One area that really enforces this feeling is the atrium. At the heart of Oriana is the atrium. The atrium reaches four storeys up, with a fabulous Tiffany style glass ceiling, providing a lovely contrast of colours and light. The whole area is surrounded by exotic plants, which don't look out of place. Passengers will be entranced by the central waterfall, which has been created using a collection of glasss threads that allow the tiny trickles of water to travel down each glass thread. It has to be seen to really appreciate the beauty. There is a huge staircase here to take passengers into the various courts.

The Oriana has some other special features, such as the wedding chapel, extensive library and reading room plus a large shopping area called knightsbridge. Every passenger will find something on board to suit their tastes.

There are plenty of entertainment centres and bars. Why not try the Lord's Tavern. A British sports bar, A tribute to the world famous Lord's Cricket Ground. The whole bar is shrouded in cricket memorabilia with a canopy over the bar. Passengers will enjoy the attomsphere of this bar, and as the sun drops lowever, the whole bar wakes up with live music, karaoke and a dance floor.

For those needing a little pampering after all the fun and games of the day, why not relax in the Oasis Spa and Health Club. The gym has a modern gym with various classes.

There is something for everyone on the Oriana, why not find out yourself.

Ship Stats

Launched: 1994
Start of service: 1995
Decks: 10
Lifts: 10
Length: 260 m
Beam (width): 32.2 m
Tonnage: 69,153 GRT
Speed: 24 knots
Capacity: 1,975 passengers
Crew and staff: 760
Registry: Bermuda

Ship Features

4 restaurants
10 bars & lounges
nightclub & casino
air-conditioned throughout
3 swimming pools & 5 whirlpools
health club, sports deck & sauna
card room, library with internet access
beauty salon & boutiques
stabilised worldwide satellite telephone, telex and fax
Kidzone & medical centre

Ship particulars

Food
The Oriana has 2 main restaurants. These are called the Peninsular, and Oriental Restaurants. The Peninsular Restaurant seats almost 500 people and has a fantastic wall length mural of ‘The Journey of Odysseus'. The design of the restaurant carries an old world elegance. The Oriental Restaurant is the other main dining rooms on Oriana. The Oriental restaurant also seats around 500 passengers. The restaurant has large ocean view windows on three sides of the room where passengers can watch the ships wake or the sun setting. The food is identical to that in the Peninsular restaurant, with finely crafted meals are created for you based on traditional British favourites and other amazing dishes.

If you prefer the easy going bistro sytle of dining, you can always visit The Conservatory. The Conservatory is light and airy and is designed to give passengers the feel of being outside in the English countryside. The restaurant is on a high deck and that together with floor to ceiling windows, gives you an amazing view. There is also tables available inside and out. In the evening a section of The Conservatory is gets changed into Le Jardin. This is a small informal bistro, but with a large, exciting menu. The restaurant gets very busy so booking is always advisable.

For snacks, theres the Al Fresco Pizzeria. Despite the name, the Pizzeria also serves burgers, salads and a variety of sandwiches, as well of course as Pizza. It's great, its by the pool, and of course, casual.

Other dining options exisit on board, but for something really special why not visit Oriana Rhodes. The Curzon Room, has been with its light and airy ambience, has been transformed into a new, top class restaurant. Within this restaurant, as with some other the other ships in the P&O Cruises fleet for which Gary has created a number of unique signature dishes.

Should you prefer to relax in your cabin, there is also the complimentary room service.

Whatever you choose, you are sure to find something you like on board the Oriana.

Excercise

The Oriana has an Oasis Spa and Health Club. It has been designed to ensure passengers feel completely relaxed. There are plenty of different treatments available from Balinese head massages to facials. There is also plenty of room in the sauna and steam rooms. There are also jacuzzis. The use of soft lighting combined with marble floors and some lovely murals spaced around the walls, you cannot help but feel relaxed. After enjoying the spa, why not visit the full service hair salon, where experienced stylists can create a whole new you or just rejuvenate your current style.

Oriana's gym has floor to ceiling windows which give amazing views while you exercise. There is a huge range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment, plus there are free weights. If it's not your preferred exercise method, there is always the exercise studio, where you can undertake classes in aerobics, circuit training and yoga. There are a few well trained personal trainers and nutritional experts, who can ensure your have a well balanced fitness programme and that you are exercising safely.

If the gym and Spa are not to your liking, there is always the golf nets. Enjoy yourself as you practice your swing and let loose some balls as the ship glides onwards. More gentle activities outside include shuffleboard and deck quoits, but if you want to burn more energy with friends you can visit the sports court for a friendly game of short tennis, football, cricket, volleyball or basketball. You can play casually on your own or join in one of the many organised tournaments, the choice is yours. Time spent in Oceana's Oasis spa and fitness centre is time well spent.

Formal nights

Each night on board the Oriana, there is a dress code. Before you sail your cruise pack will tell you how many of each night there will be. The exact dates these nights will not be confirmed until you are on board. On a typical two week cruise there are normally four black tie evenings, four Smart evenings and six Evening Casual nights.

Evening Casual can include separates or dresses for ladies and open-neck polo shirts and casual trousers (not shorts) for men. A jacket and smart trousers can be worn but are not compulsory. Smart dark denim is also fine, but not trainers, football shirts or tracksuits.

Black tie evenings Black tie nights on board are an opportunity for ladies to wear glamorous evening wear including cocktail dresses, ballgown or even a smart trouser suit. For men, a dinner jacket or tuxedo are the norm, but a dark lounge or business suit and tie can be worn as an alternative. You can also wear formal national dress.

Smart Smart evenings give you the opportunity to wear a variety of stylish outfits. On Smart evenings ladies typically wear tailored trousers and separates or even a stylish dress, while men are in a shirt and trousers with a jacket, such as a blazer or sports jacket or a suit and tie if they wish to.

Dress code on board the Oriana is enforced and only appropriate attire will allow entry to the ship's bars and restaurants. For the children, the dress code is applicable to all passengers of 18 years and over. Those under 18 are requested that on Black tie or Smart evenings children wear, as a minimum, Smart Casual dress.

Smoking

Smoking is only allowed in designated areas of the Oriana. These are generally found port side on open decks, however a complete list will be made available to you in your cabin upon embarkation.

Smoking is not permitted in any public room or inside staterooms, however smoking is permitted on your balcony. These rules also apply to electronic cigarettes.