British Contemporary Travel Poster ‘Orient Line Cruises’ by Newbould, 1930

Pictured is a presumably Turkish man playing a red Mandolin/Lute veru happily.  You’ll notice the typical Mediterranean houses behind him.

The original name of this line was the ‘Orient Steam Navigation Company’ (aka Orient Line), and served as a British shipping company.   It is in close association with the early 20th Century “Peninsula Oriental Steam Company”.  Both companies shared the British mail contract.  The majority of their service was to Australia.

In 1960 they merged to create “PNO-Orient Line”.  In 1986 the Orient Line flag had its final voyage.

Later on in 1991, PNO sold the Orient Line name to Gary Herrod, who merged the company with Norwegian Cruiselines, and ultimately ceased operations in 2008.