P&O Cruises' 175th Anniversary 'Grand Event'

Welcome!

I am delighted to have this opportunity to welcome you personally to another very special blog post!

On July 3rd 2012, I was lucky enough to visit Southampton to witness P&O Cruises' 'Grand Event' to celebrate their 175th Anniversary, where all 7 of their ships berthed together for the first time.

I do hope you enjoy reading this blog, finding out more about 'The Grand Event' seeing our photos and learning more about our close connection with P&O Cruises and each of their truly magnificent ships!

Finally, I am sorry for the delay in posting. I've been extremely busy, preparing for more forthcoming events throughout the summer.

Harry Cotterill
President & Managing Director
Dream Designs Colchester

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Southampton
Town Quay, Mayflower Park & City Cruise Terminal

P&O Cruises had been planning 'The Grand Event' to celebrate their 175th Anniversary some 2 year before, but my own final decision to visit Southampton and witness the event for myself, was not made until just 6 days before. This was all thanks to my friend, Gavin Pammet, who so very kindly offered to take me to Southampton.

Gavin and I arrived in Southampton at around 13:00, some 3 and a half hours after we left Colchester. Upon our arrival into Southampton we found our hotel, before checking in early and having a quick rest. On our way into Southampton we had already seen some of the seven ships towering over the surround buildings, sadly the weather was quite disappointing and the forecast wasn't looking promising for the remainder of the day.

By the middle of the afternoon the rain had stopped, so we decided to take a walk down to Town Quay, where we would be able to see all 7 of the ships. To one side was Oceana, Adonia and Azura, the other Aurora, Oriana, Arcadia and Venture. It was quite a sight, despite the poor weather conditions.

We then made our way over the Mayflower Park, where we got a closer view of Aurora, Oriana, Arcadia and Ventura berthed at the Western Docks in Southampton. It then started to rain again, so we quickly made our way back to our hotel, stopping off on the way at one of the local stores to get some snacks.

Calshot
Seven Ship Sail Pass
Adonia  Ventura  Arcadia  Aurora  Oriana  Azura  Oceana

We arrived at Calshot at approximately 17:00, where we were overwhelmed by the number of people which had turned out to watch the 7 ships depart from Southampton. In fact, we queued for close to an hour before getting to the car park, where we finally and very luckily found a place to park.

Now parked we headed towards the shoreline, to find a suitable vantage point. We got there just in time to catch the Trinity House vessel, Patricia sail past, which HRH The Princess Royal was aboard. Patricia was followed by the Naval vessel HMS Dragon, which was there as an escort. The rain was still coming down at this point too so we found some shelter.

Learn about our connection with P&O Cruises

Adonia

View our Adonia drawing!

Luckily the rain stopped, so we headed back to the shoreline and waited for the 7 ships to leave their berths. Although we were quite some distance away from Southampton Port, we could still see the ships and were able to watch them slowly depart and make their way up the Solent towards us.

At around 19:10, Adonia, the first of the 7 ships appeared in full view, around the corner of Fawley, where the oil tankers berth. She slowly made her way closer, surrounded by a flotilla of small crafts. As she passed she sounded her horn to the many onlookers at Calshot.

Ventura

View our ventura drawing!

Adonia was then followed by her much larger sister ship, Ventura. On April 13th 2008, I had the chance to tour Ventura along with my parents and a school friend, just days before the ship was officially named by Dame Helen Mirren in Southampton.

Arcadia

View our Arcadia drawing!

Arcadia was next, which is the third largest ship in the P&O Cruises' fleet. This was the first time I had seen her. On August 19th 2011, our Volunteers @ Sea, Ernie & Edna, presented our especially assigned drawing of the ship to the Captain during their cruise aboard. The drawing is now proudly displayed just outside the Navigational Bridge.

Aurora

View our Aurora drawing!

The forth ship to make her way up the Solent towards us and the thousands of other onlookers at Calshot was Aurora, which was named by HRH The Princess Royal in 2000. Like with many of the ships in the P&O Cruises fleet, we have our own connection with Aurora.

In December 2010, our Volunteers @ Sea, Ernie & Edna had the opportunity to officially present our especially assigned drawing of Aurora to Captain David Pembridge, during their 23 night Christmas Caribbean cruise. We were recently informed by a member of the ships crew, that the drawing is displayed in the crew bar!

Oriana

View our Oriana Drawing!

Oriana followed closely behind Aurora. Like Aurora, Oriana also has a connection with the Royal Family, after the ship was officially named by Her Majesty The Queen in 1995.

Before the 7 ships set sail on July 3rd 2012, The Princess Royal was invited aboard Oriana, for a VIP reception where she met with celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar, together with wine expert Olly Smith, who all oversee restaurants and bars on board all 7 ships in the P&O Cruises’ fleet.

Azura

View our Azura drawing!

Next was Azura, the largest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet. On April 10th 2010, my father and I had the pleasure of attending the Naming Ceremony of Azura, after we were personally invited by Carol Marlow, President & Managing Director, P&O Cruises. Whilst on board we had the chance to meet with Carol Marlow and presented her with a number of drawings.

Most recently, on June 23rd 2012, our brand new especially assigned drawing of Azura was presented to Captain Kieth Dowds, on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester by our Volunteers @ Sea, Ernie & Edna, during their 17 night cruise aboard the vessel.

Azura's Godmother, Darcey Bussell, also joined P&O Cruises to celebrate 'The Grand Event' and was welcomed aboard Azura before the ship set sail. Earlier that day she also visited Carnival House, where she unveiled a plaque celebration 175 years of P&O Cruises.

Oceana

View our Oceana Drawing!

Oceana was the last of the 7 ships, which HRH The Princess Royal officially named the ship in 2000.

On December 30th 2011 our especially assigned drawing of Oceana, was offically presented to the Captain on our behalf, by our Volunteers @ Sea, Ernie & Edna. The drawing is now proudly displayed aboard, so passengers and crew can view the drawing.

Thank you!

'The Grand Event' was a truly spectacular moment in P&O Cruises history and I was so pleased I had the opportunity to be there in person to see each of the 7 ships set sail.

I would like to extend my great appreciation and thanks to my friend Gavin Pamment, for being kind enough to offer to take me to Southampton and join me there for 'The Grand Event'.

You can see even more photos and videos too on our new 'July 3rd 2012' page in the 'Our History' section of our website!

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You can now watch our videos from The Grand Event on our YouTube Channel!

See more photos, videos and more as well as share your thoughts on CruiseLineFans, one of the world's leading online cruise forums!

Learn about our connection with P&O Cruises

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk