By
Rebecca Gibson |
P&O Cruises’ Aurora has become the first ship to sport the line’s new livery design after undergoing a £32 million refit in Hamburg, Germany.
Designed to celebrate the operator’s British heritage and pay homage to the oriental influence in the Peninsular and Oriental (P&O) name on the company’s coat of arms, the livery features a contemporary version of the Union Flag on the bows and new blue funnels with an illuminated rising sun motif. It will be added to all P&O ships by the end of 2016.
Aurora, which arrived in the UK port of Southampton on 18 December, spent 20 days in drydock while 1,200 contractors replaced 5km of pipes, 28,000 sqm of carpet and more than 3,000 mattresses. The ship was also repainted.
Aurora, which was launched in 2000 and last refitted in 2009, also has a range of other new features. The ship’s the library was replaced with Sindhu restaurant, while Café Bordeaux was replaced by the Glass House restaurant and wine bar.
Other changes to ship’s dining areas include the introduction of Freedom Dining to Medina Restaurant with more tables for two and Marco Pierre White dishes on gala evenings and a new ‘Grab and Go’ counter in the Sidewalk Café.
In addition, the library was relocated to the current cyb@study space, while The Reef’s children’s clubs, the shopping area, the Oasis Spa and the buffet restaurant were all refurbished. The Casino and Champions venues were also reconfigured with a new open-plan design, furniture and improved stage area for entertainment, live music and quizzes. Meanwhile, the line upgraded sound and light equipment in the theatre and show lounge, replaced the soft furnishings for all cabins with flat-screen TVs, install touchscreen technology in the photography gallery.
Aurora will resume service for her Christmas and New Year cruise and will then sail a ‘South America & Pacific Adventure’ world cruise itinerary departing 8 January 2015.