Oriana sails over the horizon one final time.

First, it was Adonia, now it`s Oriana that is leaving the P&O fleet.

This surprising news was broken last week by P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow, who said: “Oriana is an original, and a much loved P&O Cruises ship. Whilst we will miss her, her departure will allow us to focus on our remaining mid-sized and larger ships as the fleet expands with Iona and her sister ship in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Oriana will be with us until August next year so there will be plenty of opportunities 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 re-vitalisation taking place over the next year.”

A special final sailing by Oriana will be announced by P&O shortly, more news when we get it.

To fill the gap left by the departure of Adonia, to Azamara, and the Oriana, P&O have ordered 2 larger 5,200 capacity ships. The 1st one,  christened Iona, will arrive in 2020 with the 2nd due 2 years later.

Paul Ludlow added “Our research with current and prospective guests shows that their holidays need to give them a vital boost to their everyday lives – they tell us that they want ‘to live life at ‘100%”

So what do you think about the fact that P&O are replacing their smaller ships with new, larger vessels? Would this put you off or do you think it is for the best?

Next year sees the refit of P&O Aurora, which will then be exclusive for adults.

P&O plans investment in the excursions, dining & entertainment on Arcadia, Aurora, Oceana, Britannia, Azura & Ventura starting in summer 2019.

It sounds like exciting times ahead for this well-loved brand.

If you want to check out all our amazing P&O deals, simply click the link.

https://www.cruise.co.uk/pando-cruises/?affref=gordonm