Introduction

2012 Canberra Crew Reunion


Welcome aboard ssCanberra.com, the only website on the Internet devoted solely to the great liner and cruise ship, Canberra.


For almost 40 years Canberra served the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) admirably.

This website is a tribute to a great ship - and to the many men and women who served in her crew over the years.


I hope you enjoy your visit.


Canberra started her illustrious career in 1961, taking emigrants to a new life in Australia, but as global transportation and travel habits evolved, so did Canberra in order to survive

Click here to help people find who / what they are looknig for


Canberra Cruise Ship

SS Canberra


SS Canberra Bars

SS Canberra Engineers

Canberra Final World Cruise Crew

Stadium Theatre Co.


In the early 1970's she was almost scrapped as the need for passenger liners diminished. Air travel was becoming ever cheaper and oil prices were increasing dramatically..

A last minute reprieve saw the ship transferred to the growing cruising market. She never looked back.

In 1982 Canberra became an national heroine as she transported British troops into the war zone of the Falkland Islands.

After the conflict, "The Great White Whale" as she had become known, returned home to a fantastic welcome in Southampton.


Following this, her popularity reached new heights and she became the country's favourite ship for another 15 years.

Time and more stringent maritime safety regulations finally took their toll. In 1996, P&O announced the date on which Canberra would be retired from service. In September 1997, following one more rapturous homecoming, her long and illustrious career was over.



Hopefully there is something for everyone amongst these pages, whether you are a passenger, crew member, model-builder or just a casual passer by. Whatever your connection with Canberra, I hope a few memories will be jogged... maybe even a tear or two shed.

If you see anything within these pages that needs correcting, or simply have a comment or suggestion, please don't hesitate to send me an email. I do read all messages, and try, although not always successfully, to reply to every one.

Of course this site wouldn't be anything without your contributions. Your photos, videos and stories are not only welcomed, but imperative to the success of this site.



In 2012, P&O will celebrate its 175th Anniversary.

The P&O Heritage website is the official online home of P&O's long history.