With Reuben Goossens
Cruise’n’Travel Journalist / Cruise Reviewer
P&O Cruises
MV Aurora
2006 World Cruise
Review
MS Aurora – Ships
Photographer
Photographs throughout this review are © copyright 2006 -
Nautilus Media and were taken by the author
This cruise review of
Introduction - Does size matter?
Cruising is the fastest
growing sector in the travel and leisure market around the world. In order to
compete with one another, cruise companies are building larger ships than their
rivals. Cunard Line, another Carnival Corp company, up to 2005 had the largest
passenger liner ever built, the Queen Mary II which is a massive 150,000
During the great days of
passenger liners, a ship was considered large between 20,000 to 40,000
The Australian P&O
cruise ships, such as Pacific Sun and the Pacific Dawn is a delightful 46,000
and 70,000
Many regular cruise
passengers prefer to sail on today’s medium sized ships, ranging from
60,000 to 80,000 tons. Two of these are P&O’s 1995 built 69,153
Without doubt, I consider both Oriana and Aurora as the finest cruise
ships around today, perfect in size and both retain ocean going traditions,
which, sadly is lost with the mega ships (floating hotels) built
today which resemble giant shopping centres and apartment blocks rather that a
great ocean liner. In addition certain of these mega ships have poor sea
capabilities, as many past passengers of certain ships have told me! My advice
is simple, if a ship has a Carnival Vista Class Hull, such as certain Carnival,
The author in Crows Nest
Photograph by Mr Hun-Eng Tan
Oriana 2005 to Aurora 2006
It stands to reason, that a
comparison will be made between my two cruises on Oriana and
Boarding
Boarding in
As on my first cruise on her
back in 2001, I remember that her interiors are as you would expect from a
P&O ship, having a pleasant décor and is generally well maintained.
Please Note: There is an INDEX at the bottom of each page, which will
take you to the Photo Album of each deck. These will commence topside with
Navigation Deck (14) and concludes on Formosa Deck (5). In addition the
accommodation page describes the various accommodations onboard as well as the
cabin we occupied.
Accommodation
The author’s cabin F218
The
author’s was accommodated in cabin F218 on Formosa Deck (5), this cabin
is like most on Aurora, all having the comforts of a home away from home,
especially on long voyages. Both on Oriana and Aurora cabins have four
wardrobes; and up to eleven drawers. Cabins on
Navigation Deck
(Deck 14)
Navigation
Deck is the highest Deck accessible to passengers. It is located directly above
Crows Nest, it has a wonderful view, both forward over
the bow and back over the pool Decks and the ships stately funnel. This Deck is
surrounded by windows protecting sun bathers from the wind. There is no shade
available on this Deck.
Sun Deck
(Deck 13)
Crows Nest
Crows Nest is known as the
“Room with a View.” This large room has three layers, the highest
being at the bar on the aft wall of the room, which features a fine model of
the Peninsular Line (P&O) liner RMS Strathaird. This room surrounded by
floor to ceiling windows providing a 180 degree view of the ocean. Furnishings
are upholstered in blues, dark greens and beige, providing a pleasing
atmosphere. Some chairs on the upper level have fine mahogany curved arm rests,
although for some reason they are not included in any photographs taken. Walls
are clad in teak, with the portside featuring two paintings of SS oriana and
the other of SS Canberra.
In the centre of the room is the
Band Stand that is topped with an alcove in the ceiling with its ever changing
stars. Each night a band performs pre dinner music and a concert performance commencing
at 9.30pm to Midnight. A small dance floor is located aft on starboard side. On
both sides of the bandstand are two large brass surrounded globes of the world,
whereas a compass is located centre forward.
Just aft of Crows Nest, on the
portside is Cyb@Study. On this cruise the only use
for this venue was providing computer classes, as the internet was out of
order. Apparently the system was overhauled to provide a better and faster
service, which obviously failed. In addition in-cabin TV entertainment and
international phone calls was out of order. According to the staff, the failure
was due to a satellite malfunction; however, it seemed to work quite well at
reception.
Starboard aft of Crows Nest is
the Uganda Room. This room has a fine model of the ship this room is named
after. The Uganda Room, like Crows Nest has floor to ceiling windows, but here
they are framed by golden drapes. Furnishing in this room contains several blue
sofas as well as brown clad chairs with polished teak armrests. The Uganda Room
is used for private parties, as well as for Church services on Sundays, and
Jewish Sabbath service Friday evening at 5.30 pm.
(Deck 12)
Crystal Pool
Lido Deck is blessed with three
Bars, two pools, three Jacuzzis and two casual dinning venues.
1… Sidewalk
Café. This casual dining venue is located between the two pools on the
starboard side. On offer are typical snack foods such as a variety of delicious
hamburgers, including a vegetarian option, hot dogs with variety of sauces. But
the best meal on offer is the traditional beer battered fish and chips, which became
a favourite with many passengers, including myself. Seating is beside the floor
to ceiling windows and poolside. Sidewalk Café is a highly recommended
alternative to the other lunch options available.
2…
The Orangery is one of the most colourful buffets I have encountered. Many of
its walls are covered in colourful murals; the buffet is well arranged and all
foods are easily accessible. The entire room has a circular feel, which is
achieved by the colourful curved walls and the ceiling which has been cleverly
deigned. Hats off to the interior decorators! Meals can also be enjoyed around
the Pennant Bar, with its timber tables and chairs on the aft Deck, as well as
by the
Aft of
the Orangery is the delightful Pennant Bar surrounded by timbered seating, both
under cover and out in the sun. From here is a stunning view of the aft Decks
that are tiered down to the Lido Pool down on Devanha
Deck (8). The Lido Pool has one Jacuzzi and
an enclosed wading pool for the little ones.
Accommodation Decks
These decks are occupied by
cabins and suites only.
Devanha Deck
(Deck 8)
Raffles on the Atrium
The forward section is dedicated
by cabins. At
The walls of Raffles are clad in
fine timbers with a range of tropical paintings and two backlit stained glass features.
Furnishings are in a period style with elegant upholsteries and scattered
pillows. Large table lamps and fine shell like ceiling lights compliment this
Lounge. It is a popular venue both during the day and at night.
On the starboard side is the Library.
Undoubtedly a fine timbered facility, but the number of books do not compare
with the vast range I found on Oriana last year. The reading Room is separated
and is located along the windows. Aft of the Atrium is Vanderbilt’s Card
Room. Filled with card tables with the balance of the rooms
quietly decorated in soft blues.
The Playhouse has a number of
functions. It serves as a cinema, lecture theatre and the venue for classical
concerts.
The ships photographers and
photo shop is next, it offers then usual snapshots taken during your cruise as
well as a variety of services and
This brings us to Café Bordeaux
the ships 24 hour dinning venue. Oriana has the Al Fresco Café located
starboard on Lido Deck. The difference between these two venues is that Al
Fresco’s is a relaxed casual dinning facility, with full length windows
and outdoor seating beside the pool. Café Bordeaux is a formal venue and is
located indoors with no exterior views. In order to have a coffee, snack or a
light meal, you have to wait at the entrance for a waiter who takes you to a
table. The only option here is a full, dinning room style service whilst
Oriana’s Al Fresco’s is a semi self service venue with menu options
can be ordered from a waiter or at the counter. All meals/snacks at Café
Bordeaux are free, except for dinner which has to be pre booked and a small fee
applies. In the middle of the Café, there is an elegant spiral staircase down
to Promenade Deck. Personally I found Café Bordeaux an overly stuffy venue, and
I used it just a couple of times. My opinion was shared by many passengers who
have sailed on both Oriana and Aurora.
Aft is the superb children and
teenage centre, offering a host of facilities, including, Decibel’s
Disco, Intergalactica, the Toybox,
Jumping Jacks, a pool, wading pool for the little ones, Jacuzzi and soda bar,
with alcoholic drinks for the parents.
Promenade Deck
(Deck 7
Curzon Theatre
Just aft port on
Masquerade Night Club/Disco is a
modern colourful room with a bar on the forward wall and a band stand and dance
floor aft. Décor is mostly in bright blues with large decorative glass panels
with blue artist impressions of people walking and dancing. Seating varies from
yellows, blues and light browns. The centre of the ceiling contains a circular
dome and the room has a number of large TV screens and cameras, which show the
dancers on the floor. However, this room only comes to life after 10.30pm and
is not used what so ever during the day, except for the occasional art auction.
Without doubt this is a wasted venue. Like on Oriana, this should be used as
the Ballroom. I found that at night the staff and crew tend to be the only (or majority) party
animals there.
In the Hall (portside) is the
The Casino has ample slot
machines and tables to suit every type of gambler. Thankfully, unlike the
American ships, P&O UK has opted for a smaller casino, but then again, a
casino is a casino no matter the size.
Champions is a large lounge and bar with its décor highlighting a variety of sports, including cricket. Walls are covered in a variety f timbers with sport memorabilia scattered throughout. Top of the bar are many screens showing sports video’s. It has a band stand aft on the portside and regular entertainment is provided by the ships bands. Although this room has a relatively small smoking area, Champions is certainly not suitable for non smokers for, bluntly, it stinks.
The final lounge on Promenade
Deck is the superbly designed Carmen’s Showroom. The dark red entrance
features a bronze sculpture of two dancers in full embrace. Once inside you
discover that seating surrounds the room and is unusual in style. It has a sculptured
look with long curved sofas. The room is terraced and although the seating
tends to suggest that the line of view to the stage and dance floor could be
obstructed, it is not so. During the day, dance classes are held here, such as
line dancing for beginners and those more advanced. In addition, ballroom
dancing lessons prove to be ever popular. In the afternoon it is the venue for
a weird form of English style Bingo, one that Americans, Canadians, New
Zealanders and Australians did not understand, and frankly they hated it and
stayed away in droves. Only the serious gamblers turned up. At night
Carmen’s became a showroom with one excellent production, the brilliant
“Blues Brothers.” On all other nights, it became the ballroom regulated
by Freda the dance mistress, and I mean a mistress who took total charge of the
room and the danced did as they were told, as did the band. Thankfully on some
nights passengers were actually allowed to dance freestyle, with, thank God, no
Freda in sight. These were the nights the bands could let their hair down and
play the sort of music so many passengers craved for! Carmen’s is a fine
room, far superior to the Pacific Lounge on Oriana,.
One of the popular features on
both Oriana and Aurora is the covered walk around Promenade Deck which
encircles the ship ideal for an evening stroll or early morning exercise.
During the day sun lounges and chairs are filled with those who enjoy taking in
the sun, or sit in the shade with a good book, or just relaxing. Promenade Deck
Ellora Deck
(Deck 6)
The
Medina Restaurant
Just aft of
(Decks
5, 6, 7 & 8)
The Atrium
I have kept the Atrium to the
last. The four level Atrium towers above “
The Atrium is of a rectangular
classic design, having four large beige marble like ionic square columns
holding up a simple glass ceiling that has little colour. Dark marble, mahogany
timber railings and the beige carpets with scrolling brown pattern down on
Formosa Deck made this a stunning and an elegant venue.
Conclusion
The author and Captain Alistar
Clark
Ships Photographer
As the photographs that
accompany this page will show,
INDEX
Page 1 - Main page
Page 2 – Accommodation
Page 3 – Navigation and Sun decks
Page 4 – Lido deck
Page 5 – Devanha deck
Page 6 – Promenade deck
Page 7 – Ellora deck
Page 8 – Formosa Deck
& the Atrium
Page 9 – Final comments
Cunard: Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen
Elizabeth
P&O Cruises
Seabourn: Seabourn Yachts
Princess Cruises Australia: Sun Princess / Dawn Princess
P&O Cruises
******************************************
Return to the - Cruise-Australia.com - INDEX
Who is the Author of Cruise-Australia & ssMaritime?
Commenced in
the Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
Contact the Author …
Please name the ship you are writing about!