Day Trips
Organized by the Ocean Liner Society
In 2012 P&O will celebrate 175 years of existence and on 3 July 2012, they will have all 7 ships of the current P&O fleet in Southampton to sail together as part of a celebratory flotilla. In order to participate in and celebrate this event in style, the Ocean Liner Society has chartered the Princess Caroline for our own Grand Event to celebrate and participate in this Grand event. Princess Caroline is one of the more characterful excursion ships in the Solent area and caters for parties and special events. With a restaurant deck and an open sided upper deck she provides a comfortable dining venue and excellent photographic platform. Those who have booked will receive a special souvenir ticket as illustrated below.
This trip is now sold out, but we will maintain a waiting list in case places become available later:- shipvisits@ocean-liner-society.com
P&O Grand Event souvenir ticket (8x5in - 215x135mm)
Each image links to a larger copy opening in a new tab/window
Photos: ©2011 Ian Boyle except Princess Caroline ©2011 Andrew Cook
Princess Caroline
Boarding from 15:00 and sailing at 15:30 from
Southampton Ocean Village, we will cruise around Southampton docks to
see the 7 ships all alongside and preparing to set sail. Then we will
sail to the bottom of Southampton water to be in pole position as the
ships steam in procession out towards the sea. After the ships have
passed, and we’ve enjoyed the maximum possible chance to look at,
photograph and participate in this unique occasion, we will sail slowly
back towards Southampton whilst being served a 3 course silver service
dinner, inspired by historic P&O menu items. We will return to the docks
by around 21:00.
We’ve limited the capacity of the Princess
Caroline to 1/3rd less than her normal load for this sailing to
ensure that participants have the space to fully enjoy the event. In
view of the likely traffic and parking issues in Southampton, we are
also in the process of arranging an out of city park and ride spot with
a free shuttle bus to the ship.
The P&O fleet of seven ships: Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Oceana, Oriana & Ventura
Photos ©Ian Boyle except Adonia ©2011 Andrew Cook
The Ocean Liner Society chartered the magnificent steam launch Alaska for a 4 hour afternoon cruise from Henley-on-Thames at 1pm on Saturday 4th June 2011. Alaska operates few public sailings and so this was a rare opportunity to travel on this historic vessel, which is powered by her original steam engine and has been restored to museum condition. She was chosen to carry HM The Queen when she attended the swan upping ceremony on the Thames in 2010 (see image below).
The trip was a great success in beautiful weather, photos of the trip will be added.
HM The Queen on board Alaska
Alaska was built in 1883 by Horsham & Co. of Bourne End, Buckinghamshire and she was subsequently purchased in 1887 from W.H. Barbrook of Walton-on-Thames for whom she had been built. Her new owners were the Oxford firm of Salter Brothers, who used her on the weekly return service from Oxford to Kingston and back. Passengers spent the day on the boat, enjoying the delightful scenery along the journey, and stayed ashore in different hotels each night. In later years Alaska was used as a private party boat at Oxford.
Alaska served in the wartime Thames River Patrol, was then sold in 1942 for service further down the river with Joseph Mears and was laid up shortly afterwards. After withdrawal, Alaska is reputed to have been poled from Kingston to Oxford by a new owner. She settled in shallow water, was decked over and used as a boat hire pontoon. In 1974 she was rediscovered and identified by boat historians, ex-crew members and Lloyds. After being brought to a boatyard at Hurley, further research located her original engine at Kingston. Boat and engine were restored over a period of several years and a new boiler provided.
Photo: ©2005 Ian Boyle
Photo: ©2006 Ian Boyle