It was the Grand Event in Southampton, which this season was the largest celebration except the Queen's birthday. P&O Cruises brought to the port its seven ships: Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Oceana, Oriana, and Ventura. Arrival of all P&O Cruises seven ships to the home port of Southampton is a unique event, which previously had no precedents.
Many celebrities participated in the celebration. The royal guests, the British dancers, captains and other VIP persons stayed on the Oriana liner. 2600 bottles of champagne and 1750 lobsters were delivered on the ship for the banquet.
In the parade also took part the British navy ships such as HMS Dragon, as well as Red Arrows flight team. More than 10,000 spectators came to the port for the festive celebrations.
For all seven ships the Grand Event was the starting point for the anniversary cruise. After the festivities these ships will travel to the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean region, Iceland and the Canary Islands.
Anniversary celebration allowed P&O Cruises to set another record. For the first time in the history in one port 15 thousand passengers left the ships and the same number came on the decks to start their cruises.
P&O Cruises was founded in 1837. Its full name at that time was The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. In 2005 the company was sold to the British unit of the cruise giant Carnival.
Ilya Kalachev
Date: 09/07/2012
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