Completed in 2000 and grossing 76,152 tons, makes her slightly larger than the close running mate Oriana. She carries up to 1,868 passengers, double occupancy, and is specifically designed for the British market. A sprinkling of Americans come aboard during sections of the annual round-the-world cruise; otherwise few will be aboard for the Southampton, England-based itineraries. Officers are British and most of the crew is Indian.

P&O Cruises began in 1836, four years before Cunard, as the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, and developed mail, cargo and ocean liner services from Britain to India, Southeast and East Asia and to Australia and New Zealand. The company joined with Princess Cruises and is now part of Carnival Corporation, based in Southampton, England.

Most passengers will be British and depending on the time and the length of the cruises, the ages vary widely in the summer holidays and hover above 50 during the longer off-season itineraries. P&O handles children well and offers excellent facilities in a well-contained aft location. On-board currency is the British pound.

UK-based at Southampton, she makes 12- to 18-day cruises to Iceland, Norway, the Baltic, Atlantic Isles and the Mediterranean. Longer trans-ocean cruises reach the Caribbean and New England and Canada. In January 2009, she undertakes a 93-day world cruise from Southampton via South Africa to the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, trans-Pacific to California then home to England via Panama and the Caribbean.

The ship offers a wide range of public rooms (17) to satisfy all tastes and lifestyles, a P&O tradition since the now departed Canberra and first Oriana became one class ships. There is no over-the-top decor on this ship. If one prefers after-dinner coffee and liqueur in genteel surroundings, the living room atmosphere of Anderson's, named after one of P&O's founding fathers, won't disappoint.

Evening classical concerts take place in the Playhouse, which also serves as the cinema, while extravaganzas debut in the Curzon Theatre, and nightclub acts come alive in Carmen's. Monte Carlo is the casino, small by American standards as the Brits are not major gamblers at sea, and Masquerade is the disco.

For a pint of ale, Champions has a sporting theme and for readers and dozers, the library has comfortable armchairs, some equipped with CD players and lots of books. A librarian is in charge, and the avid readers, quickly strip the shelves of the best selections.

Vanderbilt's is one of the largest card rooms at sea, and bridge instruction, dance classes and special interest lectures are always offered. For many, the favorite room is the Crow's Nest, and on the Aurora, it is a superb spacious observation bar lounge with a trio playing and singing before and after dinner. The centerpiece is a stunning lighted builders' model of the Strathnaver, the first of P&O's 1930's "White Sisters" built for the long run to Australia. P&O owns an outstanding art collection, and oil paintings, watercolors, needlepoint tapestries and historic documents are found throughout the ship.

Two main restaurants, Medina with the hint of Arab decor and Alexandria with Egyptian, offer menus with such items as roasts, excellent soups, a lunchtime curry and an elaborate cheese board with a large selection of biscuits (crackers).

Many British like to dress up, so formal nights will see most passengers all dolled up. Two sittings prevail and tables run from two to ten places. Many officers host tables at dinner, a popular tradition. Entertainment runs to large production shows, cabaret acts including comedians and concerts, films, dance classes and a nightly trivia quiz. Children's programs are excellent and the facilities are some of the best afloat.

A wraparound promenade, a must on a British ship, will see scores out for their daily constitutional, mostly walking counterclockwise. A magrodome covers the pool, a big plus when cruising from England and deck space, for its sun-starved subjects, is generous and well used. Children, divided into four age groups, have their own separate facilities including swimming pool and whirlpools. The children’s program lasts until 10 pm allowing parents an evening out, and a night nursery operates from 6 pm to 2 am, with no charge until midnight.

The 934 cabins, of which 655 are outsides and 406 have truly private balconies with substantial partitions, all have TVs, phones, safes, refrigerators and coffeemakers. Larger accommodations include minisuites, suites with a separate bedroom, and two penthouse suites, both facing forward below the bridge. A curved staircase links the two levels, and one suite features a grand piano and the other a library. Twenty two are wheel-chair accessible and 16 have interconnecting doors for families.

The ambience aboard the Aurora is distinctly understated British and represents several levels of society, so it helps to be an Anglophile to enjoy this ship. The closest competitor would be Fred. Olsen which also caters to a mainly British passenger.