175 Years, Seven Ships, 15,000 Passengers, One port, One day - a “Grand Event”

P&O Cruises World Cruising has

announced details of “The Grand Event”

on 3 July 2012, when its entire fleet of

seven ships will be docked together in its

homeport of Southampton for the first

time in the company’s history.

This is part of a year of celebrations in 2012,

marking the 175th anniversary of the

Peninsular Steam Navigation Company being

awarded the lucrative Admiralty contract to

carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.

Not long afterwards the concept of cruising

was born and since 1837, cruising has evolved

into a popular holiday choice with P&O

Cruises in the UK now carrying more British

cruisers than any other line.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow

said: We are very excited to announce this

special day. It will be a great celebration for

P&O Cruises, our passengers and for the

whole maritime world. As cruising has

become the fastest growing sector of the UK

holiday market, so the P&O Cruises fleet has

grown to seven ships dedicated to the British

market.Whereas the very first P&O ships plied

their trades to the Iberian Peninsular and the

Orient, P&O Cruises ships sail throughout

Europe, the Caribbean, South America,

Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Atlantic islands

and, of course, on round the world cruises.

“What was once a national necessity is

now a national pastime and is worthy of

a grand celebration.”

Each ship in The Grand Event will then

depart on its own Grand Event cruise, with a

spectacular send off featuring a champagne

deck party, flutterfetti and marching bands.

The ships will then form a procession as they

leave Southampton for the English Channel

and beyond.

Once in the open water, the ships will meet

again, saluting one another before they sail

onwards to their various destinations.

Departing on 3 July 2012, all seven cruises will

be heritage themed with special onboard

entertainment including a 175th Anniversary

Gala dinner, heritage art display, guest

speakers and more.

“We are also inviting passengers to

help us celebrate by offering a full world

cruise prize draw on each cruise with a

total of seven passengers plus their

guest travelling around the world as our

guests in 2013.” Carol Marlow said.

The Grand Event Cruises include: An 11-

night Atlantic Islands cruise on Azura; A 17-

night Central Mediterranean cruise on

Ventura; A seven-night Norwegian Fjords

cruise on Oceana; A 14-night Norway and

Iceland cruise on Arcadia; A17-night Baltic

cruise on Aurora;A four-night cruise break on

Oriana and a 21-night Central Mediterranean

cruise on Adonia.

Love Thied.

.

It's getting a bit late now - and I don't have some "stuff" readily to hand right now - but, as far as I recall/understand, this concept of "cruising" as opposed to "transiting" was started by P&O - but started here in Australia. Basically - if I remember the lectures given by P&O Historian on the 75th anniversary cruises out here a few years ago, the very first "cruise" was to Norfolk Island?? Basically the reason was that a ship was here , after coming out from UK and had to wait around to take some cargo back?? - so to fill in time they advertised a "cruise" to Norfolk Is -- and it was a SELLOUT!!! Around the 1920's/30's , I think??

Something like that.

Barry

It's getting a bit late now - and I don't have some "stuff" readily to hand right now - but, as far as I recall/understand, this concept of "cruising" as opposed to "transiting" was started by P&O - but started here in Australia. Basically - if I remember the lectures given by P&O Historian on the 75th anniversary cruises out here a few years ago, the very first "cruise" was to Norfolk Island?? Basically the reason was that a ship was here , after coming out from UK and had to wait around to take some cargo back?? - so to fill in time they advertised a "cruise" to Norfolk Is -- and it was a SELLOUT!!! Around the 1920's/30's , I think??

 

Something like that.

 

 

Barry