site logo
0207 980 2845

FREEPHONE   9am - 10pm

  • Home
  • Cruise Advice
  • Find your Perfect Cruise
  • Cruise Deals
December 13, 2013  |  By Emma Smith In Cruise lines

Uncovering P&O Cruises memorabilia

P&O Cruises ship SS Orcades

Yesterday we had our Cruise118 Christmas get-together, which included a day of training and seminars along with an evening out. During the day, with lots going on, we uncovered some fascinating P&O Cruises material from almost 50 years ago, and I wanted to share that with you today.

It was really exciting browsing through all of this, and seeing what cruising was like back in 1966. First up is this Cruising Information booklet, which is packed with all kinds of details on the world of cruising. This was back when P&O Cruises had recently acquired the last stake in Orient Lines, hence the name of P&O-Orient Lines

Cruising information for P&O CruisesYou can then see one of the opening pages, which includes a great advert on the left for whisky as well as an introduction to cruises.Inside the Cruising Information book for P&O CruisesAnd then I’ve got a copy of a page further inside, so you can take a look. Meal times were more strict, and kids’ clubs were different too. Look at the fines as well for carrying dangerous goods onto the ship – £100 in 1966 is the equivalent of around £1,500 in modern terms – quite the fine to suffer.Inside the Cruising Information book for P&O CruisesThat was all information you’d have received once you’d booked, but before you set sail. This next double-page is from a P&O Cruises ‘Welcome on board’ leaflet, given to guests as they embarked. Personally I love how Gramophones are first in the list of banned items in cabins.P&O Cruises welcome on board leaflet in 1966 And then there’s the breakfast menu, and the list of drinks prices. This is a really interesting look at how the menus have changed (or how they haven’t), and the variety of drinks offered.P&O Cruises breakfast menu from 1966

P&O Cruises drinks list in 1966Finally we uncovered one more item when we found this absolute treasure trove of P&O Cruises’ documentation, which isn’t actually anything to do with the cruise line itself. Instead this is a telegram sent to two people who were on their cruise, from a friend who wanted to wish them ‘Bon Voyage’ on their sailing on the SS Orcades. It’s a lovely thing to do, and a very sweet item to see.Telegram sent to guests on P&O Cruises shipThat’s it for these. What do you think of this window into the lives of cruising in 1966, almost 50 years ago? We’d love to hear from you – especially if you’ve got anything like this tucked away yourself! Whether from P&O Cruises or any other line.

Image credit for SS Orcades – PhillipC (Flickr)

Share this:
Emma Smith
Emma has more than seven years' experience as a writer and has been in the travel industry for nearly five years. She loves learning about new places and cruise ships coming to market, as well as discovering fun and exciting activities to do while you sail. She has cruised with Princess Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Avalon Waterways and Royal Caribbean and is looking to get something in her diary for 2024! Her favourite things to see on a ship include excellent entertainment, a delicious cocktail menu and extraordinary dining venues.

Comments: 2 replies added

  1. John April 28, 2019 Reply

    Hello. Does anyone have the sailing schedule for SS Orsova in 1969. I've lost my diary for that year and I'd like to fill in the gap. Many thanks. John.

  2. Martin Gray December 23, 2019 Reply

    Hi... is there any crew members of the Canberra or old Oriana out there.... also any memorabilia or those 2 ships....

Join in: leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Previous StoryFamily cruises and fun characters
Next StoryDiscover Lawrence’s Arabia on Middle East cruises

Recent Posts

  • Princess Cruises Enchanted Princess Is Coming To Southampton in 2022!
  • New Ship: Introducing Norwegian Viva!
  • Travel rules ease further with latest Covid rules
  • Cruise Line Testing Advice & Requirements
  • Cruise118.com Wave Award Winners 2021!

Search for Posts

Categories

  • Cruise lines
  • Cruise News
  • Destinations
  • Experience
  • Industry
Magazine WordPress Theme made by ThemeFuse