Its no secret that I started cruising some 42 years ago as a child on my first P&O cruise. Here is me attending my very first Captains cockatil Party onboard Canberra Christmas cruise 1967 (yes Im the one with a glass in my hand!)
Some 150+ cruises later I have collected many bits of memorabilia along the way. With the launch of Azura asking for the loan of P&O memorabilia it has sent me looking back at some of the items I have collected along the way, and I thought the following might be of interest to some.
Here is an original brochure from 1966 listing all of the cruises for 1967 with prices. At the time P&O Orient Lines offices were at 26 Cockspur Street, SW1 and the telephone number was listed as Whithall 4444. Its my bet that they didnt have that repetative ‘on hold’ music back in the day or the list of 7 differnt options to press before being put on hold to speak to the person that you wanted to get through to.
I have found an idylic sounding cruise that I wouldnt mind booking.
Caneberra 11th August 1967
16nights Mediterranean. Southampton, Athens, Istanbul, Alexandria, Palma, southampton – Perfect with just four ports of call and the rest sea days!
And the Price? First class from £195 and tourist Class from £109 (I wonder if passengers asked for discount back in the day?)
The cheapest 2 week cruise I can find was on the Himalaya 1st July 1967 with fares from only £84 (I have shoes costing more than that!)
Or how do you fancy 22 days Caribbean cruise on Chusan 28th October 1967? Fares from £209 for first Class and from £149 for Tourist class
Deposit – Just £2 per adult at time of booking with a 10% depsoit becoming payable by 31st October 1966. For bookings after 31st October a 10% deposit is required.
Southampton Port Charges – An embarkation and disembarkation charge of £1 13s 0d, levied by the Port Authorities is payable by all passengers.
Cancellations – In the event of a cancellationof booking made before 1st October the reservation fee of £2 per adult will not be refunded. in the event of a cancellation of bookings made on or after 1st October, where a deposit or passage ticket has been issued a service charge of £2 per adult will be made. (I like the next bit) There will be no service charge on any change of cruise or accomodation within the 1967 programme.
Insurance cover is offered at 10/- per person irrespective of the fare.
The great thing is that P&O also seemed to guarantee sunshine!! “No holiday is more certain of sunshine than a P&O Orient Cruise. Because the ships go where the sun is; and out there at sea there’s nothing but you, blue sky and blue water. Deck space to sprawl on, deck chairs, and sea breazes or swimming pool to cool off in.”
Oh those were the days!!!!
2 Comments
Philip Gordon
Amazing that you should mention Canberra in August 1967 because I was on that very cruise, as a 14 year old. I don’t recall going to Egypt though. Could it have been changed because of some crisis or other in the Middle east ?
We always went first class (red key fob hanging off my belt) and always had a cabin with private facilities.
When I ‘grew up’ and took my own family, the best we could manage was a court cabin with a washbasin but at least she was all one class then.
Stewart Wilson
I too was on that cruise but in tourist class. Alexandria was
cancelled I think we did get some kind of compensation. Still
have cabin key somewhere D247. I was 17 at the time loved
the Pop Inn, Alice Springs bar with the pool just outside,oh
and all those lovely girls, after all it was the summer of love.