The letters used to spell out the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, established way back in 1837, three years before Cunard, to carry the mails and passengers between England, the Iberian Peninsula and soon onto the British Empire east of Suez. The firm fully merged with the Orient Line (not Orient Lines) in 1961 and in 1974 bought the fledgling Princess Cruises, becoming P&O-Princess Cruises. By this time the firm’s transportation role had withered away and it became a full-fledged cruise company separated from the ferry, container and logistics operations. Then in 2003, Carnival Corporation bought line outright.
Fleet
The first new and true British cruise ship, the1814-passenger Oriana, was completed in 1995 and two larger new ships followed,Arcadia (1814p) and Aurora (1874p), as well as two transfers from PrincessCruises, Artemis (1200p ex-Royal Princess) and Oceana (2004p ex-OceanPrincess). The Ventura is under construction. P&O Cruises (Australia) operate the Pacific Sky, Pacific Star and Pacific Sun but Americans are unlikelyto cruise in them.
Itineraries
The majority of sailings are from Southampton, thoughfly-cruise is also available for the Mediterranean and the Caribbeanitineraries. Two ships usually make annual around-the-world cruises, and in therecent past North Americans often joined in Florida or California but less sonow with so many other cruising options.
Dining and Decor
Good British fare and lunchtime curries cater to the middleclass passenger from Great Britain. The décor is done in various styles to givethe many public spaces a different sort of atmosphere depending on the use –pub, genteel after-dinner imbibing, cabaret and concerts, reading and formaland informal dining.
Programs
P&O is mass market cruising with lots of activities andnot a lot of enrichment, except on the longer cruises.
Onboard Experience
P&O is based in Southampton, England catering to theBritish middle-class market in atmosphere, food and entertainment, with someEnglish-speaking Europeans in the mix and few North Americans. If wishing tosample P&O, a large dose of Anglophila helps. Three of the five shipsattract lots of families during the school holidays, while the Arcadia and Artemis are reserved for adults only (no one under 18).
Competitors
For adults in a British atmosphere, Fred. Olsen would be theprimary competitor, then the QE2 and soon to be Queen Victoria.
