When she was built in 1995, "Oriana" was the first new ship commissioned for P&O Cruises, and the first to be designed specifically for the British cruise market. At 69,153 gross tons, she was one of the largest cruise ships in the world. She was also designed in the style of an ocean liner to facilitate long distance voyages and world cruises. She was the second ship to carry the name "Oriana", and was named in tribute to the first "Oriana", which served for Orient Line and P&O from 1960 to 1986. After a lengthy campaign, P&O Cruises were permitted to allocate the new "Oriana" the call sign 'GVSN', which was the same call sign as the first "Oriana".