Piano Land

Former name: P&O Oriana

Piano Land current position

Piano Land current location is at China Coast (coordinates 31.41280 N / 121.50315 E) cruising en route to Shanghai. The AIS position was reported 8 minutes ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Piano Land

Year of build1995  /  Age: 29
Flag state Bermuda
BuilderMeyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
Building costUSD 320 million (GBP 200 million)
Speed26 kn / 48 km/h / 30 mph
Length (LOA)260 m / 853 ft
Beam (width)32 m / 105 ft
Gross Tonnage69840 gt
Passengers1882
Crew800
Passengers-to-space ratio37
Decks13
Cabins941
Decks with cabins6
Last Refurbishment2024
Former namesP&O Oriana
Christened byHM Queen Elizabeth II (P&O UK)
OwnerCTS & COSCO (China National Travel Service Group Corporation Ltd & China Ocean Shipping Group)
OperatorTwinkle Travel Cruise International Co (via Well Star Travel Cruise Line China)

Piano Land Review

Review of Piano Land

MS Piano Land cruise ship was launched in 1995 as P&O Oriana - the oldest liner in the P&O UK's fleet. Oriana was also one of the company's "adult ships" - together with the fleetmates Arcadia and Aurora.

MS Oriana (MMSI 310529000, Bermuda-flagged, registered in Hamilton) left the P&O fleet in August 2019. The farewell event was held onboard on August 9th, while the liner was docked in Southampton England after completing its last voyage for P&O UK. Oriana left England on August 16th. The new shipowner officially took over the vessel on August 17th.

The arrival in Hong Kong China was scheduled for late-September. For October-November (2019) were scheduled short-breaks from Shenzhen (Shekou) before the homeporting in Xiamen (December).

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. PandO is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

PO Oriana cruise ship

The 69,840-ton, 1,882-passenger cruise ship Oriana was the oldest but the fastest cruise ship in the P&O fleet. At the time of its debut, the vessel was among the biggest cruise liners in the world and the biggest ever built in Germany. MV Oriana was christened by HM The Queen of the UK and Commonwealth on April 6, 1995.

The ship underwent two major drydock refurbishments. The first one, in December 2006, was for GBP 12 million. P&O Oriana was re-registered from Britain to Bermuda to allow onboard weddings. The second drydock was in late 2011 when the vessel received 27 new staterooms and two new dining venues. P&O UK' Oriana ship underwent a 3-week refurbishment at Blohm+Voss (Hamburg) at the end of November 2016. The refit resulted in a complete renovation of all restaurants, bars, passenger staterooms, public spaces, outdoor decks.

The current shipowner is Astro Ocean Cruises - a travel brand and joint venture company of CTS (China National Travel Service Group Corporation Ltd) and COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Group). COSCO is currently ranked as China's largest and world's 6th-largest container shipping line. The other large Chinese joint venture travel company is CSSC-Carnival Cruise Shipping/Adora Cruises (2019-founded).

During the ship's refurbishment in September 2019 were added new shops at the 2-level shopping mall (decks 6-7) with premium international brands specializing in leather goods, designer bags, fashion clothing and accessories, perfumes, skincare products, sunglasses, watches, tobacco, alcohol. Onboard payments can be made in cash, with credit cards and via WeChat Pay and AliPay.

Cruise itinerary program

MS Oriana itinerary program was based on cruises from Southampton, including Caribbean Islands voyages, annual “World Cruise” (roundtrip from the UK), roundtrip from Southampton to the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norway Fjords, Iceland, Baltic, Mediterranean, also Transatlantic repositioning crossings. Next is listed ship's last PandO cruise, before the transfer to the new Chinese owner.

18-day "Norway and North Cape"

Date / TimePort
22 JulDeparting from Southampton, England
25 JulTorshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
27 JulLeknes-Gravdal, Vestvagoy Island, Lofoten Norway
29 JulHonningsvag, Mageroya Island, Norway
31 JulLongyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Arctic Norway
03 AugTromso, Norway
05 AugAlesund, Norway
07 AugBelfast, Northern Ireland
09 AugArriving in Southampton, England

The Chinese cruise liner Piano Land is homeported in Xiamen (China), starting operations in mid-October 2019. In 2020, Astro Ocean Cruises introduced a new roundtrip itinerary from Shanghai that visits Naha-Okinawa (Japan) and Ningbo-Zhoushan (China). From homeport Zhoushan were scheduled 4 departures (in March 2020) on roundtrips to Japan and China.

After a nearly 4.5-year hiatus, Astro Ocean Cruises restarted/resumed revenue operations with the Piano Land ship on July 25th, 2024, out of Shanghai (4-night roundtrip to Jeju and Shimonoseki). The roundtrips are with lengths 4-night/5-day and 5-night/6-day and visit destinations in Japan (Shimonoseki, Naha, Sasebo, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Kochi) and Korea (Jeju).

Cabins

Oriana has a total of 941 cabins (of which 24 are suites, 106 are balcony, and 331 are inside rooms) in 20 grades. Most Oriana staterooms are 150-sq.foot Oceanview rooms (480). The largest aboard Oriana is the Suite (415 ft2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Oriana emerged from a month-long dry dock in late 2011, during which a pair of new dining venues were added. The first new restaurant, Marco Pierre White's Ocean Grill, provides cuisine described as new British; menu options include choices like Thai fishcakes, cheese souffle, grilled lobster and wild boar burgers. The 2nd, Sorrento, is an Italian restaurant which is offering pizza, pasta, and seafood. Versions of both dining venues are found on Adonia (now Azamara Pursuit) and Arcadia (kids-free vessel). Cover charges fluctuate by the length of the cruise. For the Ocean Grill, it's 12.95 pounds per person on a route of 8 or more days, 17.95 pounds for 3 to 7 days and 22.95 pounds for 1 to 2 days. Supplements do apply for some items, but in actuality, pretty well everything on the menu is engaged. Sorrento costs 5 pounds (route of 8 or more days), 7.50 pounds (route of 3 to 7 days) or 10 pounds (routes of 1 to 2 days) and also has supplements for some items.

PO Oriana cruise ship

Follows the complete list of Oriana restaurants and food bars.

  • Peninsular Restaurant (498-seat forward Dining Room; club dining venue with large windows; offers Breakfast 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., Lunch 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea 4:00 - 4:45 p.m., two fixed seatings for Dinner at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.)
  • Oriental Restaurant (500-seat aft Dining Room; club dining venue, with large windows, dinners only, with two fixed seatings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The menu is the same as at the Peninsular’s)
  • Ocean Grill Restaurant and Bar (speciality dining by celebrity chef Marco Pierre-White; dinner only 6:00 - 10:00 p.m., reservation-only; also serving Suite guests Breakfast)
  • Tiffany Court (complimentary restaurant; serves lite Breakfast and Lunch)
  • Tiffany’s Lounge and Bar (patisserie with speciality coffee bar by “Costa Coffee”; serves light snacks for breakfast and lunch)
  • Sorrento Restaurant and Bar (Italian; speciality dining; Sorrento Bar)
  • The Conservatory Restaurant and Bar (buffet-style; provides indoor/outdoor seating; open for Breakfast 6:30 - 7:00 a.m., Lunch 12:00 - 3 p.m., Afternoon Tea and snacks 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., and Dinner 6:30 - 9 p.m.; features themed buffets and self service, complimentary Pizzeria; Conservatory Bar)
  • Al Fresco Pizzeria (complimentary indoor/outdoor restaurant).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Evening entertainment starts at 6 p.m. with options like pianists tickling the ivories in the Crow's Nest and Tiffany Lounge and more live music in Lord's Tavern sports pub. The Crow's Nest is the perfect spot to watch passing scenery at sunset over a reasonably priced cocktail of the day (around £3.75). The nightly shows in ship's Theatre Royal, at 8.30 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., are excellent and well supported. The resident Headliners Theatre Company stages a variety of well-choreographed performances. Oriana's Pacific Lounge is more intimate and generally hosts solo singers. The Harlequins venue alternates between ballroom dancing and disco music. The casino with gaming tables and slot machines open at 7 p.m. Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi access, laundry/self-serve laundromats.

PO Oriana cruise ship (Piano Land)

Follows the complete list of Oriana lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

  • Oriana Atrium (4-decks central open floor area and social hub)
  • Knightsbridge (duty-free boutique shop);
  • Emporium (general store for candies, chocolate, sweets, books, etc.);
  • Florist Desk (special occasions flower shop);
  • “Duty-Free” shop (alcohol, cigarettes, tobaccos)
  • Anderson’s Bar (named after the P&O’s founder); Lord’s Tavern (sports bar)
  • Harlequins Disco and Nightclub; Pacific Lounge and Dance Club
  • Theatre Royal (650-seat, featuring large scale shows by “Headliners Theatre Company”)
  • Chaplin’s Cinema; Wedding Venue (vow renewals; weddings)
  • Monte Carlo Casino; Art Gallery; Photo Gallery and Shop; The Library (with Internet computers); Cyb@Study Online Centre; Medina Room (chapel); Thackeray Room; Crichton’s Card Room
  • Terrace Pool; Crystal Pool; Riviera Pool; 4 jacuzzis
  • Oasis Spa complex (Treatment Rooms, Steam Rooms, Sauna, Beauty Salon)
  • Gymnasium (complimentary equipment, Fitness classes; Yoga and Pilates at surcharge)
  • The Crow’s Nest Lounge (dance floor, a stage for live music; with floor-ceiling windows for panoramic views; hosts art classes, quiz games, cooking demos during the day)
  • Jogging Track; Traditional deck games area (Deck Chess, Deck Quoits, Shuffleboard); Sports Court (football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cricket); Table Tennis; four Golf Net cages.

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Piano Land ship related cruise news

Piano Land Wiki

In June 2018, P&O UK sold the vessel to the new Chinese (state-owned) passenger shipping company "Well Star Travel Cruise" - a joint venture of CTS (China Travel Services International) and COSCO Group. The new cruise line planned short-break roundtrips from homeports in China to ports in Japan and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia). The liner (renamed "Piano Land") is homeported in Xiamen China. As of 2019, China's other two 1-ship brands are "Bohai Ferry" and "Diamond Cruise".

As current shipowner is listed ORIENTAL FLEET CRUISE 01 LTD while the ship management company is V-SHIPS LEISURE SAM.

The vessel (hull/yard number 636) was constructed by Meyer Werft in Papenburg (Germany).

MS Piano Land refurbishments review

During drydock refurbishment 2020 (at COSCO Zhoushan Shipyard) the Piano Land ship received major interior and technical upgrades.

New suite categories were grouped in an exclusive (suite-only) complex with its own restaurant and pool deck. New suites' perks include priority boarding-tendering-debarkation, VIP shopping (private experiences), free WiFi, discount-priced Spa treatments. Many existing staterooms were upgraded to "family cabins" (with triple occupancy) by adding a 3rd bed. The 2-deck high duty-free shopping area (decks 6-7) was expanded (tripled in size) and now represents 100+ different brands.

The liner was also upgraded with a new and more powerful marine HVAC (heat-ventilation-air conditioning) system.

Piano Land's 2022 drydock (April-May, by Astro Ocean Cruise Line) was conducted in China, at Zthi Zhoushan Zhongtian Heavy Industry Co Ltd's shipyard. The 45-day drydocking project included cleaning and repainting of the hull and superstructure (new anti-rust hull coating), technical upgrades (hardware and software, equipment overhauls), regularly scheduled classification works, hotel upgrades (renovation of public areas), replacement of the ballast water tanks, installation of shore power capabilities.

Piano Land's 2024 drydocking (June 20-July 10, at COSCO Zhoushan Shipyard) was for major updates to the security system, the Wi-Fi system, also outdoor deck renovations (new teak and recycled plastic coverings), replacement of pipes and new cables (8+ km/5+ mi of new cables), machinery overhaul.

MS Oriana refurbishment 2016 review

The ship's last drydock refurbishment by P&O UK was in 2016, with refurbishment contractor Richmond International (luxury hotel design firm). The 3-week long project (November 25 - December 15) was done at Blohm+Voss Shipyard (Hamburg Germany) and resulted in the following deckplan changes:

  • Refurbishment works included a renovation of all staterooms, lounges, restaurants and all indoor and outdoor public spaces.
  • All passenger cabins and suites received new soft furnishings, furniture was refreshed (repaired or replaced), bathrooms upgraded, cabin balconies were renovated.
  • Among the upgraded venues were Lord's Tavern (sports bar on Promenade Deck 7), Riviera Bar (poolside bar on Lido Deck 12), The Conservatory restaurant (Deck 12), Anderson's Bar (Deck 7), Oasis Spa & Fitness (wellness complex on Lido Deck), also the ship's main lounge "Theatre Royal" (Promenade Deck 7).
  • The Conservatory and The Beach House (both located aft on Lido Deck 12) were upgraded with new service counters, redesigned (increased seating, more 2-seat tables).
  • Anderson's Bar (midship on Deck 7) received new furniture (bar stools, sofas, tables, chairs, lamps), also new carpets and rugs.
  • The Oasis wellness complex received new tiling in the thermal area (sauna, steam room, spa whirlpool, changing rooms), as well as new modern furniture, washbasins, treatment beds. The beauty salon's and gym's equipment were upgraded. Luxurious heated loungers and a living plant wall were added in the spa area.
  • Theatre Royal was updated (seating upholstery was refreshed). New sound and lighting equipment was installed.
  • The ship's two main dining rooms (Peninsular, Oriental) were updated with new carpets, curtains, lighting (incl new designs), colour schemes.

In January 2018, the Oriana ship entered into 3-week drydock for technical maintenance.

PO Oriana cruise ship (Piano Land)

MS Piano Land was officially named in Port Xiamen on September 26, 2019. The christening ceremony was held at Xiamen International Cruise Terminal (dockside) and followed by the maiden voyage (for Well Star Travel Cruise Line) which started in the evening on the same day.

MS Oriana was P&O's first newbuild vessel designed specifically for the UK market. Currently, the ship is P&O UK fleet's oldest. It was named after "SS Oriana" (1959-launched ocean liner operated between 1960-1986 by the "P&O Cruises" predecessors - "P&O Orient Lines", and later by "P&O Line".

Ship's christening ceremony was held on April 6, 1995, and featured HM The Queen of the UK (Elizabeth II/1926-2022) as Godmother. Other PandO cruise ships named by British Royals are Britannia (March 10, 2015, by HM The Queen), Aurora (April 27, 2000, by HRH Princess Royal) and the ships Oceana and Adonia (now Azamara Pursuit) - both were named on May 21, 2003, by HRH Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Phillips.

PandO Oriana proudly holds the "Golden Cockerel" trophy (since 1997) for being fleet's fastest ship. The trophy was previously held by SS Oriana, then passed to SS Canberra (until 1997) when was handed over to Oriana. Both liners were anchored near Cannes France and each sent a tender boat out for the handover ceremony.

In 2006, the ship's flag state/registry was changed from UK (London) to Bermuda (Hamilton), as the Bermuda flag state allows onboard weddings. Oriana is one of P&O's adults-only vessels - together with Arcadia.

Next tables show the ports sequences of MV Oriana's last cruises for P&O UK (2019) - all roundtrips from homeport Southampton England.

19-day Mediterranean and Adriatic (themed "Italy and Croatia")

Date / TimePort
11 MayDeparting from Southampton
15 MayMalaga, Spain
20 MayVenice, Italy
21 MaySplit, Croatia
22 MayDubrovnik, Croatia
24 MayCagliari, Sardinia, Italy
26 MayGibraltar, UK
30 MayArriving in Southampton

16-day "Azores, Canary Islands and Portugal"

Date / TimePort
30 MayDeparting from Southampton
03 JunPonta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island, Azores
04 JunPraia da Vitoria, Terceira Island, Azores
07 JunFunchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
08 JunSanta Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands
09 JunLas Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
10 JunArrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
12 JunLisbon, Portugal
15 JunArriving in Southampton

13-day "Scotland, Ireland and Guernsey"

Date / TimePort
15 JunDeparting from Southampton
17 JunKillybegs, Ireland
18 JunGreenock-Glasgow, Scotland
20 JunTorshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
21 JunLerwick, Mainland Shetland, Scotland
22 JunKirkwall, Orkney Island, Scotland
24 JunDublin, Ireland
25 JunCobh-Cork, Ireland
27 JunGuernsey Island, St Peter Port, Channel Islands
28 JunArriving in Southampton

7-day "France, Spain and Guernsey"

Date / TimePort
28 JunDeparting from Southampton
30 JunLa Rochelle, France
01 JulSantander, Spain
02 JulFerrol, Spain
04 JulGuernsey Island, St Peter Port, Channel Islands
05 JulArriving in Southampton

14-day "Ireland, Iceland and Faroe Islands"

Date / TimePort
05 JulDeparting from Southampton
07 JulKillybegs, Ireland
10 JulReykjavik, Iceland
11 JulIsafjordur, Iceland
12 JulAkureyri, Iceland
14 JulTorshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
16 JulDublin, Ireland
17 JulCobh-Cork, Ireland
19 JulArriving in Southampton

3-day mini-cruise (Guernsey)

Date / TimePort
19 JulDeparting from Southampton
21 JulGuernsey Island, St Peter Port, Channel Islands
22 JulArriving in Southampton

18-day "Norway and North Cape"

Date / TimePort
22 JulDeparting from Southampton
25 JulTorshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
27 JulLeknes-Gravdal, Vestvagoy Island, Lofoten Norway
29 JulHonningsvag, Mageroya Island, Norway
31 JulLongyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Norway
03 AugTromso, Norway
05 AugAlesund, Norway
07 AugBelfast, Northern Ireland
09 AugArriving in Southampton

P&O Oriana's last Captain was Sarah Bretton, while her first Captain was Ian Gibb. During the inaugural cruise season (1995) the liner had scheduled a total of 17 itineraries (between 12- and 23 nights). The program continued with the 90-night "World Cruise" 2016 (January departure) visiting 28 seaports, including 24 maiden for P&O UK ports.