"Aurora", "MSC Opera", "Balmoral", "Azura" & "Oceana" depart Southampton - 26/07/2013

Five cruise ships moored in Southampton Docks on Friday 26th July 2013 - four of which had begun cruises only the week before. MSC Cruises' "MSC Opera" & Fred. Olsen's "Balmoral" returned having both departed on Tuesday 16th. "Balmoral" was once again at the 'City' Terminal whilst "MSC Opera" was in Berth 104 due to P&O Cruises' "Oceana" (who was also in on the 16th but was also in on the 19th) was at the 'Mayflower' Terminal. The final two ships were also from P&O - "Azura" at the 'Ocean' Terminal and "Aurora" (also in on the 19th) back at the 'QEII' Terminal again. The first ship to depart was "Aurora" at 16:35 for Cadiz. She was shortly followed by "MSC Opera" at 16:39 (originally scheduled to depart at 16:00) heading for Ijmuiden. "Balmoral" moved off at 16:48 as "MSC Opera" sailed past and followed her after turning heading for Alesund. "Oceana" was next to get going at 16:49 but had to go to the Upper Swinging Ground to turn. This allowed "Azura" to set out at 16:57 heading for Bergen before "Oceana" followed on behind heading for Cartagena. Also featured are the cargo ships "Hunzedijk" at 15:18 heading for Casablanca and later the "Trenland" at 16:51 heading for Sodertalje. Viewed from Hythe Marina.