Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
MV Aurora (2000)
(section)
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==History== ===Construction and naming=== ''Aurora'' was built by Meyer Werft in Germany. Her keel was laid in December 1998 and she was launched in January 2000. She was delivered to P&O Cruises in April 2000.<ref name='Fakta om Fartyg' /><ref name='Meyer Werft Info' /><ref name='Meyer Werft Keel'>{{cite web | url = http://www.meyerwerft.eu/print.asp?lang=e&main=3&subs=0&printid=1080 | title = Keel of Aurora laid | access-date = 28 December 2010 | date = 15 December 1998 | publisher = Meyer Werft | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720165653/http://www.meyerwerft.eu/print.asp?lang=e&main=3&subs=0&printid=1080 | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name='BBC Timeline'>{{cite news | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4190935.stm | title = Was Aurora doomed from the start? | access-date = 28 December 2010 | publisher = BBC News | date=20 January 2005}}</ref> The ship left the shipyard on 19 February 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/de/presse/presse_detail/ems_ueberfuehrung_der_aurora.jsp|title=Ems-Überführung der Aurora|website=MEYER WERFT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3536924?navList=gallery&port=Papenburg&country=Germany&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest&page=3|title=AURORA - IMO 9169524|website=www.shipspotting.com}}</ref> The ship was christened on 27 April 2000, by Princess Anne. The champagne bottle did not shatter when it hit the ship's side and fell unopened into the sea. This type of occurrence is considered a bad omen among seafarers, and this incident has been blamed for the numerous setbacks that ''Aurora'' has encountered throughout her career.<ref name='BBC 2000-05-03 (1)'>{{cite news | title = Super-liner limps back to port | date = 3 May 2000 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/733395.stm | work = BBC News |access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='Independent 2010-05-03'>{{cite news | first = Paul | last = Lashmar |author2=Andrew Mullins|title = P&O facing a £6m bill after liner breaks down on maiden voyage | date = 3 May 2000 | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pampo-facing-a-pound6m-bill-after-liner-breaks-down-on-maiden-voyage-717009.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121110062526/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pampo-facing-a-pound6m-bill-after-liner-breaks-down-on-maiden-voyage-717009.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =10 November 2012|work = The Independent | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name='Daily Express 2009-03-30'>{{cite news | first = Mark | last = Reynolds | title = Mutiny on the luxury cruise ship dogged by problems | date = 30 March 2009 | url =http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/92014/Mutiny-on-the-luxury-cruise-ship-dogged-by-problems- | work = Daily Express | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='Telegraph 2009-03-28'>{{cite news | title = Curse of the Aurora as passengers revolt | date = 28 March 2009 | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-news/5066742/Curse-of-the-Aurora-as-passengers-revolt.html|work = The Telegraph | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref> ===Maiden voyage=== ''Aurora'' departed on her maiden voyage on 1 May 2000—a 14-night cruise to various [[Mediterranean]] destinations. The ship's crew identified a major technical problem, and the cruise was abandoned after 16 hours at sea. The cause was a propeller shaft bearing which had been damaged by overheating and required urgent repair while the ship was out of service.<ref name="Independent 2010-05-03" /><ref name='FT 2000-05-03'>{{cite news | first = Scheherazade | last = Daneshkhu | title = P&O recalls ship on maiden cruise | date = 3 May 2000 | work = Financial Times | pages = 04 }}</ref> On 3 May 2000, the ship returned to Southampton, where passengers disembarked. Passengers expressed disappointment about the incident but reported that they were mainly satisfied with P&O Cruises' response to the situation. P&O Cruises offered all passengers a full refund and compensation package, worth about GBP£6 million.<ref name='BBC 2010-05-03 (2)'>{{cite news|title = Brave face on cruise breakdown | date = 3 May 2000 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/734547.stm | work = BBC News|access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref> ''Aurora'' sailed to [[Blohm + Voss]] in Germany, where repairs were carried out. The ship returned to service on 15 May 2000, to undertake her second scheduled cruise to the [[Canary Islands]].<ref name='Lloyds List 2000-05-17'>{{cite journal | title = QE2 drama as Aurora returns to service | journal = Lloyd's List | date = 22 September 2010 | first = David | last = Mott| url =http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/ship-operations/article332530.ece | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref> ===''Pamela Dream'' rescue effort=== In March 2001, ''Aurora'' was sailing through the [[Taiwan Strait]] on her first world cruise when she was called to assist ''Pamela Dream'', a [[Cambodia]]n registered ship crewed by Russian officers and crew which had capsized in rough seas. ''Aurora'' launched her fast rescue boats to retrieve survivors from the water. The crew were able to retrieve three survivors. A crewmember described the sea state as "very rough, with waves of about {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}}". One of ''Aurora''{{'}}s propellers was damaged by [[Flotsam and jetsam|flotsam]], an inspection of the propeller was carried out in [[Singapore]] where it was polished by divers. The damaged propeller was eventually replaced in dry dock in Southampton in December 2002.<ref name='BBC 2001-03-09'>{{cite news | first = Damian | last = Grammaticas | title = UK cruise ship in sea rescue | date = 9 March 2001 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1211846.stm | work = BBC News|access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='Daily News'>{{cite news | first = Helen | last = Luk | title = Russian ship capsizes; six dead | date = 9 March 2001 | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B_0cAAAAIBAJ&pg=5365,1009137&dq=aurora+cruise+ship | work = Daily News | pages = 8A | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref> ===Norovirus breakout=== During a cruise around the eastern [[Mediterranean]] in October 2003, over 500 passengers suffered [[stomach]] infections caused by the highly contagious [[Norovirus]]. During the outbreak, the ship's passengers were denied the right to land at [[Piraeus]], [[Greece]], as the ship was held in [[quarantine]]. ''Aurora'' departed from Piraeus on 31 October having loaded medical supplies.<ref name='BBC Timeline' /><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-10-31'>{{cite journal | title = Quarantined Aurora limps out of Piraeus harbour| journal = Lloyd's List | date = 31 October 2003| url =http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148238.ece |access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='Guardian 2003-11-03'>{{cite news | first = Simon | last = Jeffery | title = Spain shuts border to virus ship | date = 3 November 2003 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/03/gibraltar.world#article_continue | work = The Guardian | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name='Independent 2003-11-02'>{{cite news | first = Elizabeth | last = Nash |title = Gibraltar may refuse to let stricken cruise ship dock | date = 2 November 2003 | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/gibraltar-may-refuse-to-let-stricken-cruise-ship-dock-734287.html | work = The Independent | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[File:Aurora gib.jpg|thumb|240px|right|MV ''Aurora'' moored adjacent to the [[Gibraltar Cruise Terminal]] on the Western Arm of the [[North Mole, Gibraltar Harbour|North Mole]] in [[Gibraltar Harbour]].]] On arrival in [[Dubrovnik]], [[Croatia]], a health inspector boarded the vessel and ordered the sick passengers to remain in their cabins "as a precautionary measure". Those unaffected by the virus were allowed to leave the ship. There was uncertainty as to whether the ship would be allowed to dock in [[Gibraltar]], the next scheduled port.<ref name='Independent 2003-11-02'/> ''Aurora'' was allowed to dock in Gibraltar on 3 November. A small number of passengers who were still recovering were required to stay on board. Passengers who went ashore were required to leave their passports behind. One passenger had died from a heart attack, unrelated to the norovirus breakout. The Spanish government decided to close the border between Gibraltar and Spain on advice from its health ministry. It was reopened a few hours after ''Aurora'' departed from Gibraltar. The incident caused some diplomatic tension between the United Kingdom and Spain.<ref name='Guardian 2003-11-03' /><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-06'>{{cite journal | title = P&O Cruises' virus-hit Aurora returns to UK | journal = Lloyd's List | date = 6 November 2003| url =http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148443.ece | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='Guardian 2003-11-06'>{{cite news | first = Jeevan | last = Vasagar | title = Passenger on cruise liner dies | date = 6 November 2003 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/06/health.healthandwellbeing1 | work = The Guardian | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-05'>{{cite journal | title = Spain reopens Gibraltar border as Aurora sails | journal = Lloyd's List|date = 5 November 2003 | first = Brian | last = Reyes| url =http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148341.ece | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref> ''Aurora'' returned to Southampton on 6 November, where passengers disembarked. There was a widespread expression of disappointment, with some passengers threatening legal action against P&O Cruises. P&O Cruises said that while they would not offer a standard compensation package, cases would be considered individually.<ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-06' /><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-07'>{{cite journal | title = 'Hostage' passenger on Aurora may sue for kidnap | journal = Lloyd's List | date = 7 November 2003| first = David | last = Osler| url = http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148526.ece |access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='BBC 2003-11-06'>{{cite news | title = 'Bug ship' arrives home | date = 6 November 2003 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3239093.stm | work = BBC News | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref> ===World cruise 2005=== In January 2005, ''Aurora'' began a 103-day world cruise with more than 1,700 passengers on board. While bound for [[Madeira]], the ship repeatedly had problems with one of the propulsion motors. Since the problems could not be solved quickly, the world cruise was abandoned. During the ship's time waiting in Southampton, passengers were offered free drinks in the onboard bars and were able to exit the ship at any time. Passengers were also permitted to cancel their booking for a full refund. After P&O Cruises cancelled the cruise, the company donated all of the food purchased for the trip to local charities around Southampton. ''Aurora'' set sail for a dry dock in [[Bremerhaven]], Germany, where her damaged motor would be removed and replaced.<ref name='Guardian 2005-01-21'>{{cite news | first = Laura | last = Smith | title = Liner returns as P&O axes ill-starred cruise | date = 21 January 2005 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jan/21/travelnews.travel | work = The Guardian | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref> The planned world cruise hence affectionately became known as a voyage around the [[Isle of Wight]] or "the largest ever Isle of Wight ferry". The cruise was also dubbed the "World Booze Cruise" as the Company offered free drinks, free excursions and a 50 percent discount for the 2007 World Cruise after reimbursing all the fares for the 2005 World Cruise. P&O Cruises also arranged for entertainers such as [[Elaine Paige]] and [[Paul Daniels]] to come on board.<ref name='BBC 2005-01-21'>{{cite news | first = Malcolm | last = Prior | title = Aurora passengers won over by P&O | date = 21 January 2005 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4194927.stm | work = BBC News | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref> The cancellation of the cruise is reported to have cost the company GBP £25 million.<ref name='Independent 2005-02-16'>{{cite news| first = Susie | last = Mesure | title = Carnival puts the cost of aborting cruise at £25m | date = 16 February 2005 | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/carnival-puts-the-cost-of-aborting-cruise-at-acircpound25m-483616.html | work = The Independent | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref> ===World cruise 2009=== During the 2009 World Cruise, ''Aurora'' again experienced problems with her propulsion system shortly after leaving [[Sydney]], Australia. The ship continued to [[Auckland]], New Zealand, to undergo repairs. The ship left Auckland for [[Hawaii]] on 12 March 2009. More than 600 passengers on the 93-night cruise attended an emergency meeting and formed a protest committee after the ship failed to dock at three ports in New Zealand and at two Pacific Islands. While P&O Cruises made offers of compensation, some passengers branded these offers "derisory" and threatened legal action against the company.<ref name='Daily Express 2009-03-30' /><ref name='Telegraph 2009-03-28' /><ref name='Mirror 2009-03-29'>{{cite news | first = Phillip | last = Mellor | title = P&O Aurora cruise passengers stage mutiny | date = 29 March 2009 | url =https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/03/29/p-o-aurora-cruise-passengers-stage-mutiny-115875-21236046/ | work = Sunday Mirror | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref>[[File:MV_Aurora_in_Manila,_Philippines_2014.jpeg|thumb|right|MV ''Aurora'' docked in [[Manila]], [[Philippines]] in February 2014]] ===Refits=== [[File:MV Aurora 2015-08-24 - Aerial.png|thumb|P&O Cruises MV ''Aurora'' at anchor in the Santorini basin.]]In 2014, ''Aurora'' was repainted in P&O's new house livery with a stylised Union Flag on the bows, and the funnel painted blue instead of the customary P&O yellow. She underwent a further dry dock refurbishment during March and April 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18560-p-o-aurora-to-go-adults-only.html|title=P&O Aurora To Go Adults Only|last=Staff|first=CIN|date=21 February 2018|access-date=22 February 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> During the [[COVID-19 pandemic|2020 coronavirus layoff]], the vessel spent some time anchored off [[Bournemouth]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18531178.ventura-queen-victoria-aurora-arcadia-ships-off-bournemouth/|title=PICTURED: Ventura cruise ship arrives off Bournemouth (but Queen Victoria leaves for Southampton)|date=21 June 2020|website=Bournemouth Echo}}</ref> On 28 March 2023, P&O Cruises announced that it will be updating the guest areas on Aurora including new balcony chairs, chairs in cabins and furniture on the open decks. These changes are expected to be completed by May 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=P&O Cruises announces multi-million pound investment in Arcadia and Aurora |url=https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/po-cruises-announces-multi-million-pound-investment-arcadia-and |website=Carnival Corp}}</ref> P&O Cruises has also announced that Aurora will have a refit in April 2025.<ref name=":0" />
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)