P&O to celebrate 175 year anniversary with a royal visit!

P&O cruises will be celebrating their 175th anniversary in July this year

P&O have decided to mark this monumental occasion by inviting a real life princess to take part in the celebrations.

Princess Anne, in her capacity as Master of The Corporation of Trinity House, will sail out on one of Trinity’s vessels, called THV Patricia.  As the boat sails past, she’ll stand on deck and wave as the P&O ships sound their horns.

Trinity House is a maritime charity that looks after the welfare of mariners, provides education and training and promotes information about safety at sea.

The Princess Royal will also attend an afternoon tea party with guests, including some of P&O’s most loyal customers!

Carol Marlow, the managing director of P&O cruises spoke of the event, saying it’ll be “a special surprise for passengers”, and the celebrations will form “part of British maritime history”.

Princess Anne has a history with P&O cruises.  She is “godmother” to two ships, which she named Oceania and Aurora.

The Princess’ visit will form part of P&O’s “Grand Event” festivities, which incorporates all seven of their ships sailing from Southampton on July 3rd – it’ll be the first time the whole fleet has ever been seen together.  The ships will be led by a naval war shop, before moving into a formation, ready to be photographed from the air!

After, the seven ships will go on to follow different itineraries.  Each ship will be hosting a celebratory gala dinner on the evening of the 3rd.  The company will also be holding further festivities throughout the cruises, including a prize draw on each ship, with the chance of winning a world cruise for two.  Guests onboard P&O cruises will also receive a special commemorative gift!

Want to take part?

There is still some availability onboard P&O’s Ventura, Aurora and Adonia for the special celebratory sailings!

• Visit our P&O cruises page. Alternatively, give our friendly sales team a call on 0808 2746 777.