New look Oriana back in service

Looking refreshed after a month in dry-dock for a multi-million pound refit, P&O Cruises’ oldest ship7, returned briefly to Southampton today. Arriving before dawn, Oriana spent just a few hours at the Mayflower terminal before setting out on a 17-night Christmas and New Year cruise to the Mediterranean
The ship is now for adults only and much of the refurbishment work has involved taking the children’s clubs apart. The 70,000-ton vessel has gained 27 new cabins and two new restaurants.
Out has gone the Oriana Rhodes restaurant, replaced by a Marco Pierre White Ocean Grill, similar to the one on Adonia and well worth the £12.95 cover charge. Also new is Italian restaurant Sorrento (£5 cover charge), with an outdoor dining area, and the Al Fresco Mediterranean has been given a new look.
There are new facilities in the Oasis Spa, including thermal loungers and a dedicated area for aerobics, and regular passengers will be glad to see the atrium’s Tiffany glass ceiling and the panoramic views from the Crow’s Nest are just as they remember them.
P&O managing director Carol Marlow said: “It is wonderful to welcome Oriana back into the fleet today with a fresh new look including new cabins, new dining options and all exclusively for adults.
“Oriana is the most established ship in our fleet, having been named by HM The Queen in 1995. Since then she has carried hundreds of thousands of British cruisers all over the world and I know that everyone will be excited to see her after her latest make-over.”
I will get a chance to inspect the new facilities on January 5 before the ship sets out on a 97-night world cruise. Watch this space.