P&O Cruises have announced that they will be celebrating their 175th year at sea at 'The Grand Event' on 3rd July 2012 in Southampton. For the first time ever all seven on P&O Cruises ships will be in port together for the celebrations, with each ship then departing on its own Grand Event cruise.

The cruise line, renowned for its quintessentially British style, great service and fantastic food, are celebrating their history that dates back to the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company's first contract in 1837, before becoming the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) in 1840. The company carried its first passengers in 1844 and advertised its first cruise in 1904, onboard the 6,000 tonne, 150 passenger Vectis. The cruise line now offer more cruises out of Southampton than any other line and will boast 146 sailings during 2012.

As part of the Grand Event the ships will enjoy a spectacular send off including a champagne deck party, flutterfetti and marching bands, before forming a procession as the ship leave the cruise lines home port of Southampton. Once in the open water the seven ships will meet again to salute one another before sailing onwards to their respective itineraries.

Each cruise will enjoy a heritage theme and will include special onboard entertainment, a 175th Anniversary Gala Dinner, a heritage display and guest speakers. If you are a P&O Cruises fan then these seven special sailings are not to be missed: