Introduction



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


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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.



CREW REUNION - 2007


On Saturday 8th September 2007, some 261 former crew members and partners got together for a special luncheon on board ORIANA in Southampton.

Some had travelled from as far away as Australia and Canada.



Click here for more details.