ssMaritime

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

SS Canberra

Including my 1996 Cruise Report

Canberra in Sydney – 26 February 1996

When I decided to add a page to ssMaritime featuring the Canberra, I realised that there where many excellent websites detailing her history. Thus, this feature is based on one of my experiences sailing on this fine ship. The brief voyage report hereunder is the result of a cruise sector on Canberra’s 1996 Round the World Voyage. I trust you will enjoy these pages that include several photo pages. It is my sincere hope that looking back at this great liner will provide you with many happy memories, be it as a past passenger, crewmember, or one of countless thousands who admired her whilst she was in port.

Canberra’s Maiden Voyage - Arriving in Melbourne on 27 June 1961

Photograph by Mr Albert Cerrachio of New Jersey USA

Above is a unique photograph of Canberra departing New York on July 4 1979, during “Operation Sail” held at that time. As part of the celebration, all participating ocean liners in port departed at the same time and sailed in procession down the Hudson River and out to sea. Other ships included Holland America’s ss Rotterdam and Home Lines Oceanic.

Voyage Report

As my taxi approached the wharf, memories flooded back to the day I first saw the mighty Canberra arrive in Wellington New Zealandin 1961 whilst on her maiden voyage. Being just sixteen years old she seemed a massive ship, towering high into the sky. Now, in 1996, she still looked a big ship, but she is considered small compared to the super cruise ships sailing the waves these days. With her long sleek lines, she certainly looked graceful, unlike the cruise ships of today, which look more like floating apartment blocks. Externally Canberra looked as grand and modern as she did back the day I first saw her. My excitement grew, as I was ready to board. After an efficient and courteous embarkation procedure, I crossed the gangplank and stepped once more on this great liner. Upon entering I received the familiar friendly greeting from a familiar P&O officer and soon a steward showed me to my cabin. Soon, my cabin steward Casy introduced himself and immediately I found his friendliness and efficiency quite impressive. Casy, together with the night steward provided excellent service throughout the voyage. However, it must be said, all crew on Canberra were polite, hospitable, but, most of all, friendly. My cabin was in a perfect state and had a cosy homely atmosphere, typical of an older ship. A note of welcome awaited all those boarding Canberra, from a good old friend of mine, Captain Rory Smith. Passengers embarking found a comprehensive portfolio of information including a list of facilities aboard. All passengers was issued a Cruise Card to be used for all onboard purchases, which today is common place.

A fine view looking aft to her superstructure & bridge

(Photo © Peter Knego)

Soon, I was exploring a very different Canberra from the one I remembered when she first arrived in Wellington in 1961 and I was happy to find her in such great shape.

Having been given a major refurbishment after her brave Tour of Duty in the Falklands, she became a fine modern cruise ship. Public rooms were superbly furnished and decorated. Since my first sailing on her some 35 years ago lounges and public spaced had changed greatly, except for the celebrated Cricketers Tavern.

Lounges and other Venues

Meridian Lounge and Bar

The quietly glamorous Meridian Lounge forward on Promenade Deck proudly boasts a grand piano in the centre of the lounge. Centre forward the famed marble staircase reached up to the fabulous Crows Nest three decks up on Games deck. This staircase is the forerunner of the modern atriums found on most modern cruise ships.

Forward of the Meridian Lounge is the superbly Century Bar with its fine wood clad walls. This bar featured two of the best barmen I have encountered in many years. Both Andrew and Peter quickly came to know passengers by name and they added to the experience of a great ocean voyage through their friendliness, humour and superb service.

Ocean Room

The Ocean Room (ex William Fawcett Lounge) had a feel of quiet opulence and many hours were spent here enjoying a variety of entertainment. The Pursers Office and several shops are located between the Meridian Lounge and the Ocean Room.

Cricketers Tavern

Just aft on the port side is the ever-popular Cricketers Tavern. This room to my delight was mostly unchanged from the day she was built, retaining that much loved feeling. The only obvious change being the lush leather upholstery.

Neptune’s Nightclub

Aft, on Promenade Deck, the old Peacock Room had become Neptune’s Nightclub. Many excellent shows were presented here including the popular Abba Night. Sadly, I only have photographs of the port and starboard aft annexes. (If anyone can supply a number of photographs of this venue, I would appreciate them).

Alice Springs Lounge

One deck up, aft on B Deck is the Alice Springs Lounge and Bar. Floor to ceiling windows face out to one of the ships three swimming pools. This room has a casual atmosphere, whilst providing fine ocean views over the stern. The rest of this deck is occupied with accommodations.

Cinema

Amidships is the Cinema, which is unaltered from the day she was built except for seating having been recovered with new fabrics. The cinema was also used for lectures and Church services, etc.

Crow’s Nest

The most forward Lounge on Games Deck is Crows Nest. This room features sweeping forward and side windows, affording splendid views of the bow. This room is the shining crown of SS Canberra. Fittings in this room, as in all public rooms were superbly maintained, and featured many plants as well as fresh flowers.

Located between Crow’s Nest and the Bonito Club, is the Stadium Theatre (one a sports deck) where the ships regular production show are featured. Sadly views were restricted somewhat from various vantage points due to the posts scattered around the room.

Bonito Club

Adjoining the original first class Swimming Pool, is the memorable Bonito Night Club, a room full of charm featuring that much talked about “sprung dance floor.” With tables set with white linen tablecloths and fine china, morning coffee is served daily, both in the Bonito Club and the Ocean Lounge,.

Pool

Amidships is the multi level decks that surround the original First Class Swimming Pool, with a Bar located forward Port side. One of the great joys in the morning, whilst lazing away in the sun a steward in a perfectly white jacket would come around and offer an ice cream.

Island Room

One Deck up, on Games deck we find Island Room, which is a favourite with many, especially early in the morning as tea, coffee and pastries are available before Breakfast. On the starboard side of the room is a bar. At night, the room turns into a lively Disco.

With ample seating both inside and on the adjoining glass enclosed areas, Buffets are served for both breakfast and lunch, as well as the occasional lunchtime BBQ’s.

Forward of the Island Room on the Port side is the Children’s Play Room, which offered the young ones with a fine cruise experience, whilst meeting many new friends. Aft is the Lido Pool, overlooking the stern.

Dinning Rooms

Both the Pacific and the Atlantic Restaurants have retained much of its original look, with the exception of new soft furnishings and new light fittings. Both Restaurants are decorative and inviting. Food is always a highlight of any ocean voyage, and Canberra certainly did not let us down. Food was of a high standard, with ample choice for all tastes, including vegetarian meals. Although Buffet Breakfasts and Lunches being available in the Island Room on Games Deck, the dinning rooms offer a fully served hot breakfast and a four course lunch. One of my personal favourites is the daily Curry option, which is accompanied a variety of fresh condiments. However, Dinner is always the highlight of the day. It can feature up to seven courses, and has a variety of options, being ample to satisfy the largest, and the most discerning appetites. What made our meals such an event was the excellent service received from our table waiters, who simply could not do enough to be of service! On a number of nights an officer would join our table for dinner, adding to the overall experience of the cruise.

The forward Pacific Restaurant was the originally the first class dinning room

The Atlantic Restaurant was originally the Tourist Class dinning room

That’s Entertainment

Entertainment on board is vast and has something to please even the fussiest. Here is an example of a single night’s programme. A Classical performance or a Cabaret would be featured in the Ocean Lounge, whilst a vibrant production show such as the “Abba Gold Show” would be presented in the Neptune Lounge. Those who desired a quieter evening with a drink would head for the Meridian Lounge and Century Bar were the ships pianist would play the grand piano. Each evening prior dinner, a pianist would also play pre-dinner music in Crows Nest. During the World Voyage, entertainers would board in different ports, ensuring a variety of musicians during the 80-day voyage. During our voyage a brilliant Harpist boarded, who played soothing tunes. Each evening a number of bands played in various of lounges, providing music for all tastes. For those who enjoyed dancing the night away, headed for the Disco in the Island Room, which offered a great time for all and no one left disappointed! One of my highlights onboard was the Stadium Theatre Company's production of shortened production of “Les Miserables,” which just happens to be my favourite show. it was a pleasure to experience on the night before arriving home in Sydney. You might ask the question, “Did they do the show justice? My response is a hearty “YES.” P&O has maintained a high quality of entertainment on all their cruises!

A short note: Having enjoyed a 42 night cruise on Oriana in 2005, and a 19 night cruise on Aurora, entertainment has declined, even between these two cruises, a Carnival tightening the purse, I am sure!

Reuben Goossens (1996)

In Conclusion

Canberra is now long gone, but, there are countless thousands who will live with the wonderful memories of days spent on this Grand Dame of P&O. We need to realise that ship designs change, just like cars, fashions and home designs! Even though the modern cruise ship do not have the long sleek elegant lines of Canberra, many do have an interior charm of their own. Of the many modern cruise ships, I firmly believe that both Oriana II and Aurora stand out from all other cruise ships today, as they continue the style of Canberra and Oriana I!

Before her demise on a lonely Indian beach, there were overtures of saving this grand lady of the Sea from the breakers and use her as a floating hotel/convention center in Sydney. However, tragically this was rejected by local authorities. Oriana was sold to the Japanese on the basis that she would remain a static venue and never cruise again (she was broken up in 2006). There were a number of cruise companies, who would have happily purchased Canberra. However, P&O’s British pride upheld their previous stand, which stated, that no ship purpose built for P&O will ever sail for another company. Yet, it was the lack of that same so-called pride when P&O was sold to Carnival Corp, and became part of the Carnival Cruise stable. So much for P&O’s British pride! Canberra could have lived on.

Having said that, P&O Cruises remains very British and passengers still receive a cruise experience of a high standard. Since the demise of Canberra, I have sailed on the maiden World Voyage of both the Arcadia and Aurora and I could not praise the experience highly enough! Since then, I have sailed on Oriana’s 2005 World Voyage from Brisbane to Southampton, and Aurora’s 2006 San Francisco to Brisbane. Both fine experiences, although cuts in service and entertainments seems to have been made.

(Updated April 2006)

The images below are of Canberra’s final arrival in Sydney .on 22 February 1997 and the sad farewell the next day!

Canberra arriving in Sydney for her final visit to Australia - 22 February 1997

Canberra heads for Sydney Heads - 23 February 1997

Canberra's final arrival in Southampton

Part One: Images of Canberra’s public Rooms as built

Part Two: Further photographs of venues mentioned in the report above

General Specifications

Overall Length … 820’

Beam … 102’

Draught … 32’6”

Gross registered Tonnage … 44,807 tons

Service Speed … 27.5 knots

Propulsion … Turbo-electric – twin screw

Number of Decks … 9

Passenger capacity … 2,238 total

(556 First class)

(1,716 Tourist class)

1,641 whilst cruising

Crew … 960

800 whilst cruising

Cargo capacity … 150,00cu ft

***************************************************

If you have enjoyed this article, and you feel you might have something of interest to add, be it a story photographs, I would appreciate hearing from you - info@ssmaritime.com

Use the Back button on your browser or Close the Page to return to the previous page
or go to our INDEX

Who is the Author of ssMaritime?

Email Me

info@ssmaritime.com

PLEASE NOTE: I receive hundreds of requests for Passenger/Crew Lists and Sailing Schedules. I hereby wish to advise that I am unable to assist due to time restrains and as most shipping companies have long gone these lists/schedules are no longer available. I regret to advise that any request for these will no longer be answered regardless of the circumstances presented!

ssMaritime

--Our Cruise Pages are located at--

Cruise-Australia.net

Discover Cruising at its Best

Please Note:

Photographs on ssMaritime –Cruise-Australia and all associate pages are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection (including those photos the author has purchased outright and own copyright to). 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs sent to us without details of the photographer/owners concerned. We would therefore appreciate if owners of these photographs would make themselves known to me, that due credit may be given.

This notice covers all pages, although, we have done our best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page as each page is updated!

melbourne dry cleaners Counter