P&O Cruises is launching four world cruises from Southampton in January to mark its 175th anniversary.
Aurora, Oriana, Arcadia and Adonia will all leave the port in the first two weeks of 2012 flying the 175th anniversary flag and carrying nearly 6,000 passengers.
In 1837 the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company was awarded the Admiralty contract to carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond, with the concept of cruising starting just after that.
By Diane Evans
