P&O 175th Anniversary - OLS Charter 3rd July 2012

The Ocean Liner Society chartered the Southampton-based excursion vessel Princess Caroline to witness the departure of the seven P&O cruise ships on 3rd July 2012. Preserved Southampton buses run by the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust (SADTHT) were used to ferry passengers to the Ocean Village for the Princess Caroline, which departed around 15:00. We first took a harbour tour to see the ships before their departure and then moved down Southampton Water to watch the vessels sail past. First was the THV Patricia with Princess Anne on board, followed by destroyer HMS Dragon. The P&O ships followed in the order Adonia, Ventura, Arcadia, Aurora, Oriana, Azura and finally Oceana. Princess Caroline then followed the fleet past Calshot where they lined up for inspection by Princess Anne. On the return journey we enjoyed an excellent 'P&O' meal, arriving back at the Ocean Village at 22:30. More recent vehicles in the SADTHT fleet then returned members to their stations, cars or hotels. The weather was not kind, but the ships made a spectacular sight.

Our thanks go to Matt Sudders and Peter Godliman for organising the event, to the crew and staff of the Princess Caroline for making it such a memorable trip and to the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust (SADTHT) for getting us to the ship efficiently and in such style.

To join the Ocean Liner Society and travel on similar future trips or to visit cruise ships in many UK ports, see:- www.ocean-liner-society.com/About.htm. Our next trip is a Thames cruise from Marlow on the steam launch Alaska on 29th September 2012.