​Oriana To Leave P&O Cruises Fleet

P&O Cruises has announced that Oriana will leave the fleet in August 2019. Built in 1995 the 1,822-passenger ship was built was launched by Her Majesty The Queen in Southampton.
 
Oriana is currently the oldest ship operating in the fleet. At present it has not been officially announce where the cruise ship will transfer to.

The departure of Oriana will make way for the new flagship of the P&O Cruises fleet launching in 2020. The new vessel which’s name was really unveiled as Iona will be 183,900 gross tonne and accommodate some 5,000 passengers. She will be the largest cruise ship built specifically for the British cruise market. A sister ship will also launch in 2022.
 
Paul Ludlow, Senior Vice President, P&O Cruises, said: "Oriana will be with us until August next year, so there will be plenty of opportunity to celebrate her time with us. Those guests who have sailed on Oriana will then be able to enjoy holidays on Aurora and Arcadia, both of which are exclusively for adults and have a very similar on board feel, and experience the revitalisation taking place over the next year. With the introduction of Iona in 2020, followed by a similar ship two years later, it is also imperative that we continue to elevate the standards of the rest of the fleet."
 
P&O Cruises’ investment programme will cover three key areas: shore excursions, dining and entertainment. It will be carried out across the fleet on mid-sized ships Arcadia, Aurora and Oceana, as well as larger ships Britannia, Azura and Ventura.
 
A final special cruise on board Oriana is expected to be announced soon.