Brand New Aurora !

Or should it be New Brand Aurora! P&O Cruises have announced that Aurora will undergo a £ 26 million pound refurbishment this winter , just in time for her Christmas and New Year cruises and, of course, her South American and Pacific Adventure in January 2015.

 Aurora was launched in 2000 and had her last refit in 2009 but this one will be very different. Aurora will be the first P&O ship to carry the brand new livery of P&O, a Union Jack Flag on her bow and her arrival back in Southampton, after the work is carried out, is bound to be a spectacular occasion. She is one of the smaller ships of P&O`s fleet at 76,000 tons and 1850 or so passengers, but the new features planned for her will bring her right up to date.

The bar and restaurants will be the main focus of the refurbishment. The addition of Atul Kochhar`s Sindhu for evening fine dining will bring a flavour of India and the East to the menu. The first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin Star at his Benares Restaurant on London`s Mayfair, he will bring his modern Indian cuisine with a British Twist to Aurora. Olly Smith`s Glass House restaurant and wine bar will  be replacing Café Bordeaux on deck 8. Open for brunch ( did you watch Made In Chelsea this week – brunch is THE in thing at the moment), lunch and dinner, wines will be selected by Olly and available to try by the glass.

The buffet restaurant on Lido deck will also have a complete makeover and new furnishings, while inn the evening, The Beach House menu replaces the Pennant Grill menu to include favourites such as Fillet of Beef on Lava Rock. The Medina restaurant will introduce Freedom Dining and Marco Pierre White signature dishes on gala evenings. More tables for two will be available in the main restaurant, along with  Costa Coffee and an upgraded Sidewalk Café will make dining on Aurora a real treat .

All the cabins will have new soft furnishings along with flat screen TV`s and the refurbishment will continue in the Oasis Spa, Shops and Photo Gallery. The Reef children’s club is not forgotten , nor the library, Casino and  Champions will have new open-plan design, new furniture and improved stage area for entertainment, live music and quizzes.

Sounds great ! P&O are not stopping with Aurora either, Azura is the next on the list with work on her to be undertaken in 2015. All I can say is it will make a huge difference – but please P&O don`t forget Oceana! Oh and Oriana !!