5 reasons you’ll LOVE the P&O Aurora Cruise Ship!

Of all the cruise ships in the P&O Cruises fleet, Aurora is the only one that offers a one-off design. Aurora isn't part of a class of ships in the P&O or Carnival Cruise line fleet - with her own layout and personality.
Aurora’s internal design and her smaller size have made the ship a favourite with many repeat P&O travellers, including me!
Aurora is one of my favourite ships, so here are the five things I love about Aurora - make sure you tell me your favourite things about the ship in the comments below.
1) In a world where cruise lines have multiple ships in the same class, Aurora really stands out. While Aurora was built as a sister ship to Oriana, her deck plans were different from Oriana’s making Aurora a true one-off. The ship’s design is full of interesting quirks, including hide away bars and lounges as well as interesting staircase access between Prom Deck and the Medina Restaurant, Glass House Bar and Raffles Bar. Because the ship’s design is different to all other P&O ships, first time Aurora cruisers will need some time to get their bearings. Getting to know the layout of a cruise ship is half the fun of cruising on a new ship. The excitement of discovering a new cruise ship is something that is far too rare these days; with so many ships sharing the same deck plan; so Aurora’s design gets a big thumbs up from me.
2) Aurora’s Atrium definitely makes my top 5 list. Being the oldest ship in the P&O fleet you might expect Aurora to have the least impressive atrium, but this isn’t the case. While Aurora’s atrium only spans four decks, it is a buzz of activity - because it actually has a purpose! The atrium links the reception area with the ship’s shops, Charlie’s Bar, Sindhu and the popular Raffles Coffee Bar. The main focal point of the atrium is a 10.6 metre high sculpture and water feature that flows from D Deck all the way down to F Deck. The water feature remains on while the ship is underway and is only switched off in very rough seas.
3) Aurora has a Cinema: Rare aboard cruise ships today, Cinemas were popular places on the ocean liners of the 1950s and 60s as well as aboard many cruise ships in the 1970s and 80s. Aurora’s cinema is called The Playhouse and is found on D Deck. The Playhouse has terraced cinema-style seating, surround sound and a big screen and shows several movies a day. One of the other benefits of this space -and the reason it makes my top 5 list - is it doubles as a smaller lecture venue. This means Aurora’s entertainment team can host guest speakers in the Playhouse while the primary show lounge - the Curzon Theatre - is in use for things such as rehearsals or musical recitals. I have personally lectured in here on a few occasions, with the smaller space being a great way to connect with the audience during and after the talk.
4) The Medina and Alexandria Restaurants: The two main dining rooms aboard Aurora are found on E Deck. The Medina Restaurant is named after the P&O steamer Medina, which in 1911 was requisitioned by the British Government for use as a Royal Yacht. During its Royal Service, the ship transported King George V and Queen Mary to India. The Alexandria Restaurant is named after the Egyptian port-city, which was a key port for the P&O service throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Given my love of maritime history, the inclusion of these historic names aboard Aurora makes me happy, and each restaurant’s décor hints at the origins of its name. Aboard Aurora, the Medina restaurant is used for freedom dining - no reservation required, while the Alexandria restaurant offers a more formal set seating. Both offer nice views of the ocean - with the Alexandria restaurant besting the Medina in this regard given its views over the back of the ship.
5) The final and perhaps my favourite, favourite thing about Aurora as the ship’s terraced aft decks! When you look at Aurora, she stands out among the modern cruise ships because of the shape of the ship. While boxier than the ocean liners that she replaced, the ship features several design traits that were popular on ships of old. One of those features aboard Aurora that really stands out are her aft decks, which are terraced from Sun Deck all the way down to D Deck. This offers a huge amount of space for passengers to enjoy - with venues such as the Pennant Bar and Terrace Bar providing drinks.
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Images in video:
HMY Medina - Henderson & Cremer
Bath Icon: Juan Pablo Bravo, CC BY Attribution
Cross Icon: Jardson Almeida CC BY Attribution
Arrow: Matt Scribner, CC BY Attribution
Second Thumbnail: Andrew Sassoli-Waker solentphotographer.com
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#cruisenews #auroraship #cruiseshiptour

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

What do you love about Aurora?

[@JulieWallis1963]

The Crows nest is a lovely bar for sea days but get there early if you want a window seat as the sewers and knitters seem to dominate the best seats then ignore the views.

[@GardeningLadybug]

Everything ❤️❤️❤️

[@breadyegg]

A comfortable, 'Goldilocks' cruise ship.

[@Daniel_Huffman]

She’s a cruise ship that tries to have the appearance of an ocean liner while keeping up with the trends of this time.

[@Altezza1999]

The longer bow.

[@kingjon9289]

Aurora is my favourite P&O ship too! I hope she doesn't represent a dying breed and P&O continue to have smaller, more adult-focussed ships in their fleet. Sad to see so many go in the past few years to be replaced by large, family oriented ships without as much identity or character.

[@faithangeligalera9730]

As a crew of P&O aurora is one of fav🤩missed this beautiful ship💓

[@alexandrbarakin]

This is my favorit ship to travel on. The ship is unique in its stern with a beatiful pool. In sunny, warm weather, you can have a great time on the aft desk of the ship. It is a nice place to shelter the wind as the ship moves .

[@sarahg1226]

My first cruise with P & O was on Aurora. I like her uniqueness and the fact that she looks and feels like a cruise ship, not a glorified resort!

[@emmaludlow8173]

Our first cruise was on Aurora, you have reminded me how beautiful she is. Hoping to book on her again next summer for a cruise to Iceland.

[@GardeningLadybug]

I love the prom deck

[@mrssue9137]

I Love this ship so much, I really hope they never get rid of her, we have even treated our grown up girls to a trip and now they love it too. Well done P&O.

[@deeanders8632]

I’ve got my very first cruise booked for Aug 2023. I’ve chosen Aurora because she looks like what a cruise ship should look like. Not the tower blocks on water. I’m so excited.

[@MotionClickChris]

Me too, Dee! Norwegian Fjords by any chance? taking my mother on her first cruise, seemed like the perfect ship & itinerary for first time cruising

[@deeanders8632]

@@MotionClickChris No, unfortunately river cruising isn’t an option for me as I’m a wheelchair user. I got in touch with different companies and they all said the same, apparently it’s because in some ports they will berth along side each other, with a “plank” to cross, plus turning circles are quite narrow in the berths. So…I’ve opted for P&O’s Aurora~ which is more like the traditional ships ~ we are doing a 7 night Mediterranean cruise in September….🤞🏻 Good luck on your trip.

[@janethoughton6094]

we love her size and everything "packed inside" - she has a lovely feel and we truely feel we are on holiday when we sail on her. So relaxed and so unique.

[@donnabendell7688]

We going on bank holiday weekend in august can’t wait

[@theostickley6492]

First ever cruise was on Aurora. She has much more character than many new ships now. Funny though calling her small yet really she was over 10000 tons bigger than QE2 . Love to go on it again

[@Warrenbank1]

I had no idea of Aurora’s unique design and it’s made me want to choose her for a cruise ! Thanks Chris.

[@GardeningLadybug]

💯

[@foxstarline4997]

She looks classical!!!

[@Daz555Daz]

I went on this ship a few years ago before it went adults-only. Had a great experience.

[@robynjackson348]

We have had the privilege of having Aurora in Weymouth bay in the UK a lot over lockdown. A very easily recognised ship.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

She’s lovely!

[@kylehumphries6283]

Aurora was my first ever cruise and my favourite ship. I have many fond memories with my grandma and grandad as i was quite young. Especially going through a force 9 through the bay of Biscay

[@cassonuk1]

1st cruise was oriana loved it, they get bigger but not always better,

[@julieparkinson9299]

Just booked to go on a mini cruise in July to Guernsey on the Aurora. Can't wait now that I've watched your video. Thank you!

[@senorpasso8670]

Same here; but feel the expense of the flow tests & hassle overall just isn't worth it....sad to say!

[@sl4193]

Thank you, Chris. Friends were recently onboard Aurora, I appreciate the opportunity to see some of what they were able to experience. Thank you for your interesting top 5 and the honourable mentions.

[@carolphillimore-nn3ti]

My first cruise was on Aurora and it holds a special place for me as it was the ship I got married on over 12 years ago and the experience was truly wonderful. Looking forward to travelling on her again in June.

[@tinaswinfen2975]

Wow, how unique is she? Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to express this beauty

[@KenGoesCruising]

My favourite things on Aurora are the terraced aft. The Prom Deck. Anderson's. Crows nest. Cafe Bordeaux when it was there.

[@randybarnes6426]

chris , thank you so much for the tour of Aurora, i have never seen the inside of that ship and or the history of the ship room namings . , plus the fact you have writen books , i will look for them.. Happy sailings !! Randy Barnes Palm Springs , Ca.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Thank you 😊

[@alexanderlucas4624]

This really makes me want to sail on her. I like the dual purpose movie theatre, would be great for comedy or intimate music too. Crows Nest: best bar name ever.

[@GardeningLadybug]

The Crows Nest has some lovely live music

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Thanks Alex!

[@Mustang00007]

It is a great ship, the type where you can walk/run around the top of the un interupted, except when the staff leave the deck chairs out. Been on it 4 times, close to Queen Mary2.

[@karenlyles1315]

I would love to cruise on the Aurora!

[@michaelrennie4589]

Love your comments and videos. So interesting and informative. Thanks!!

[@cliffordtuttle8345]

I have just watched this short video of Aurora, together with your longer one just after her refit and very much enjoyed them. I have not been on this ship but it reminds me very much of the many cruises I took with my dad many years ago on S.S Canberra. My dad was a guest entertainer with P&O and went on several ships such as the old and new Oriana, the Canberra and also the QE2. (obviosuly Cunard). It was quite strange going with my dad as we were positioned in the guest entertainer section of the ship oh F or G deck (which was crew only) and felt like I was in between crew and passenger! The Aurora seems to have the same traditional feel, unlike the huge modern ships like Iona. I very much look forward to being able to cruise again once the effects of the pandemic have abated.

[@hobsonp67]

My last cruise in October 2019 was a 2 week to the Canaries aboard Aurora. In todays world of bigger is better Aurora manages to say 'No it isn't'. I loved the more intimate feeling of the ship. The fact that I would see members of the crew around the ship and they remembered my name. My first dinner in the Medina restaurant was one of the most memorable that I have had on board a ship (Canon of lamb with truffle mash) as was the Chef's table. Pricey but worth every penny! My fear is that she will not be long for the P&O fleet and P&O will begin to loose its identity to the American corporate mass product. I have my first cruise booked on Cunard with a 4 day cruise in 2022 and I am beginning to look towards Fred & the new Ambassador line for a more traditional cruise ship & experience. Such a shame as P&O has been a firm favourite for most of my cruising life.

[@SquidGames1]

Didn't realize i had one of your books! Love your vidoes. Especially anything about ocean.liners The Aurora is like an ocean liner disguised as a cruise ship. Wouldnt have known about her without you. Keep up the good work Chris.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Thank you!!

[@user-uo5tl2nm3z]

Navio muito bonito . Boa velocidade.interiores de luxo. Várias piscinas.atrium bonito. Bons camarotes.😊

[@anne-mariepopieul4203]

beautifull ship

[@christ5856]

Done over 20 cruises on her - she is just the right size and feels like a ship not a block of flats. You missed the Pennant bar a great place to let the world go by. Due to her size you meet more people. It will be a sad day when she goes and time to look at another cruise line.

[@christinesaunders1392]

Love Aurora. Pity it is not doing many cruises from Southampton.

[@janglass1883]

Really interesting, thanks

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@karstenklein1607]

I have been shooting a TV-documentary on Meyer Werft Papenburg - subject of reporting was Star Cruises' Super Star Virgo - when Aurora was under construction. She's a beauty [as her close sister, the former Oriana is] and I'd love to sail aboard her! Thanks for sharing, Chris!! [Some of the TV- pictures have shown the undergoing work on Aurora ;-)]

[@johnplod8984]

5 good reasons to like this ship 👍

[@rosethefirechieftess1683]

I’ve only been on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. I’d love to take a P&O cruise!

[@markpowell5532]

If you have experience of Disney you will be very disappointed with P&O, the quality is simply nowhere near that of the Magic or Wonder, and the crew are not the same calibre as the Disney cast.

[@RCKodak]

Nice video. I much prefer Arcadia. The “Vista” class are a great design and it’s inclusion of some of the Cunard features like the big spa make it my favourite of the P&O ships by far. Plus easy to find my way around all the various “Vista” ships.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Thanks for the info!

[@zella417bcarter9]

@@ChrisFrameOfficial Aurora has always been my favourite cruise ship. Best Crows Nest bar in the fleet. Prom deck is wider than the larger ships and it is a wooden prom (Iroka?) Classic layout instead of open plan. She is the best comfortable ship in rough weather too, possibly because, according to the Chief Engineer on board, she was built as good as a liner. Heavy/strong. Built in Germany

[@jonathanwarne3480]

Hi thanks for this! We have booked to go on the Aurora. One of our group is a bit sea sick but I had heard the massive ships don't even move in the sea (we haven't been on anything bigger than the cross channel ferry!), is this stabilised too? Hoping for many more trips.. without seasickness

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Aurora has stabilisers :)

[@anthonycordery2494]

Pity the extensive library was relegated to a very small room next the Crows Nest. At the same time the games room was shrunk. Both to accomodate yet another food and drinks outlet !

[@SteveKxyz]

Does the Aurora rattle and vibrate at the stern like the Oriana did? Loved the tiered stern deck of the Oriana.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

She doesn’t have the same cavitation issues Oriana did.

[@GardeningLadybug]

She’s much more stable.

[@abacuscalculator7478]

I think she is prettier on the outside than Oriana but Oriana was nicer inside.

[@TimTM-gm6od]

beautiful ship,,been on Oriana twice (sister ship),, unfortunately Aurora will be scrapped in the next year or so. Sad, as these smaller ships are lovely

[@stephennewton2777]

No, she isn’t being scrapped - who told you that? 😆

[@gerardmackay8909]

She’s due a substantial refit in Spring 2025 so she’s a long way from being scrapped.

[@metalmick]

How does she handle in rough seas? I'm not a great sailor!

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Worst I’ve had aboard is Force 9 and she was a superstar.

[@jeff8376]

Some years ago my wife and I were on the Oriana, her sister ship, cruising past Cape Farewell, Greenland in a force 11 with 40ft waves! It wasn't comfortable, but she handled it very well, so you should feel confident.

[@stephanguitar9778]

Its a really nice ship but tends to be full of really old folks. Nothing against them as not young myself but not ready for the geriatric home yet. Mixed age groups are much nicer to be around. I wouldn't want to be on a ship full of 18-30s singletons either.

[@bozenajencek]