Southampton’S “Magnificent Seven’’ which make up the city-based fleet of P&O Cruises are some of the most famous ships in the world.

The 69,000 ton Oriana was built by Meyer Werft in Germany and entered service in 1995 after being named by the Queen in Southampton.

The ship’s name comes from the time of Queen Elizabeth I, who was known as “our glorious Oriana’’.

Oriana recently hosted the company’s first Strictly Come Dancing-themed cruise, with television judge Craig Revel Horwood and several of the professional dancers from the show on board.

Aurora was also constructed at the Meyer Werft yard and was officially named in Southampton by the Princess Royal in 2000.

The ship marked the start of the new millennium for P&O Cruises, resulting in the name “Aurora’’, meaning “a new dawn’’.

At 76,000 tons, Aurora can accommodate up to 1,884 passengers and 789 crew.

Oceana entered service with P&O Cruises in 2002, having previously sailed for Princess Cruises under the name Ocean Princess.

Built in Italy, Oceana was christened in a unique double naming ceremony in Southampton with her sister-ship, the earlier Adonia.

The Princess Royal named Oceana, while her daughter, Zara Phillips, was godmother to Adonia.

The ships were berthed bow to bow for the quayside ceremony in Southampton, hosted by Olympic rowers Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell.

Arcadia is another vessel from the Italian shipyard of Fincantieri and was named in 2005, again in Southampton, by Dame Kelly Holmes, the Olympic athlete.

A mid-sized ship of 83,500 tons, Arcadia is exclusively for adults and can carry up to 2,016 passengers.

Adonia, the smallest ship in the fleet, had a big part to play in the Grand Event, as she was the first to leave her berth and lead the procession out of Southampton and down the Solent.

Named by Dame Shirley Bassey, Adonia is just 30,000 tons and carries only 710 passengers and 385 crew.

Ventura, along with Azura, is the biggest ship in the company’s fleet and entered service in 2008 when she was named by Dame Helen Mirren in a James Bond-themed ceremony.

At 115,000 tons, Ventura can accommodate up to 3,100 passengers and 1,226 crew members.

Azura, of similar size, is the newest vessel in the fleet, entering service in 2010 after a naming ceremony performed by former primaballerina Darcey Bussell.