Popular P&O captain Hamish Reid retired at the weekend, after almost 40 years working on cruise ships.
Capt Reid, who joined P&O as a deck cadet in 1972, spent his final cruise at the helm of Oriana, where he has been master since May. The 16-night voyage took 1,800 passengers to Venice, Dubrovnik and Spain before returning to Southampton.
During his 39-year career, he has also served on board Arcadia, Aurora, Oceana, Ventura, Artemis, Canberra, Grand Princess, Crown Princess, Golden Princess, Diamond Princess, Pacific Princess, Sun Princess, Regal Princess, Ocean Village II, Ocean Village I and Queen Victoria. Having worked his way through the ranks from third, second and first officer, chief officer and deputy captain, he was promoted to Captain in July 2000. He will be retiring to his home at Oxton in the Scottish Borders with his wife Ann, daughter Grace and – as regular passengers will know – his sheep.
P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “Captain Hamish Reid has been an enormous asset to P&O Cruises. A firm favourite of passengers, he will be greatly missed by passengers and fellow crew members alike. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
►JOINING P&O – for one cruise at least – is Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates. The singer, who was defeated by Will Young in the first series of the show in 2002, is performing on board Oceana during a three-night voyage from Southampton to Zeebrugge departing September 3. He said: “”I’m really excited about performing on board Oceana, I’ve never been on a cruise ship before but I’ve always wanted to and so this is going to be a fantastic experience for me.”
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