Aurora, 11 July 2009

Aurora

IMO 9169524
Built 2000, Meyer Werft Papenburg, Germany
Tonnage 76 152 GT
Length 270,00 m
Width 32,20 m
Draft 7,90 m
1 975 passengers
4 MAN-B&W diesels, combined 58 800 kW
2 propellers
3 bow thrusters
1 stern thruster
Speed 24 knots

Some more photographs of the Aurora, this time from 11 July 2009 taken from Vattuniemi as the ship is departing Länsisatama, Helsinki. Notice that compared to the previously posted 2010 photos of the ship, the Aurora still carries the old P&O logo on her forward superstructure instead of the new P&O Cruises logo.

Shortly after departing the Hernesaari cruise quay.

On the deep sea lane headed for the open sea, with Pihlajasaari in background on the left and the rocks and some tree leaves of Vattuniemi in the foreground on the right.

Aurora, 13 August 2010

Aurora

IMO 9169524
Built 2000, Meyer Werft Papenburg, Germany
Tonnage 76 152 GT
Length 270,00 m
Width 32,20 m
Draft 7,90 m
1 975 passengers
4 MAN-B&W diesels, combined 58 800 kW
2 propellers
3 bow thrusters
1 stern thruster
Speed 24 knots

Aurora is arguably the last true purpose-built ship for P&O Cruises. All P&O newbuildings built after the P&O Princess/Carnival Corporation merger in 2003 (Arcadia, Ventura and Azura) have been based on generic designs, the Vista- and Grand-classes, whereas Aurora was a one-off design especially designed for P&O's needs (although her design is a refined version of the 1995-built Oriana).

Externally the Aurora has an attractive design, combining traditional touches (such as the terraced rear superstruture and funnel reminescent of that of the Canberra of 1961) with a sleek and somewhat futuristic overall design, resulting in a rather neat-looking retro-futurist exterior appearance.

Photographs below are of the Aurora departing Helsinki's Länsisatama on 13 August 2010 (Friday the 13th), photographed from Vattuniemi. Click on the image(s) to view full size.

Shortly after departure, having just passed the Star Princess (on the left; unfortunately the photos showing the Aurora and Star Princess side-by-side were less than successful).

Heading the deep shipping lane.

Displaying her fine lines, with Pihlajasaari (as usual) in the background.

And heading to the Bay of Finland.