Oriana for ‘Press’ cruise

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 32

Oriana for ‘Press’ cruise

It will be dark when Oriana leaves Auckland on January 4, but that only adds to the excitement. The first movement is scarcely noticeable. Then you look down and there is 20ft of water between the ship and the pier. Perhaps a little confused, you look up and notice that the people shoreside seem to be smaller. Look down again—in time to see the water swirl. It is rushing silently past the side of the ship. The streamers tear. The lines of panty-hose stretch and snap. People

are waving and calling excitedly. The music from the terminal comes across crisp and clear through the still summer air. As Oriana turns to point up harbour, ready to begin her two-week odyssey into the exotic Pacific, a charge seems to run through the ship. Already people have drifted inside, leaving those by the rail to watch the myriad lights of a city by night; to fee! that extra pang that comes with this beautiful way to begin an adventure. This is what it will be like for those fortunate people who join "The Press” Pacific Cruise on January 4 — a cruise that will take the Oriana and her passengers to Sydney, Suva, Pago Pago. Vava’u and the Bay of Islands before returning to Auckland on January 18. Like all P. and O. ships, there is nothing ordinary about Oriana. She is

the third largest passenger liner operating in the world; she is the fastest liner in the Pacific (and maybe the world): she is specially designed to ride all weathers comfortably; is fully air conditioned and stabilised, and is fitted out more in the manner of a vast floating hotel than a ship. There will be, perhaps, people who feel that they cannot afford a holiday at sea. However, what they must take into account is that the fare covers everything except bar costs, smoking, and shopping — and these are all at duty-free prices anyway. So the fare covers two weeks cruising around the Pacific in a first-class hotel, with three meals a day, cabin, public room and deck service and non-stop entertainment. Where on “earth” could one begin to find a comparison?