Chasing the Dawn

There is still some romance attached to the idea of sea travel; cruising the world's oceans in luxury and comfort; sailing to far-flung destinations as the first explorers did hundreds of years ago. Some cities are seen at their best by an arrival by water, gradually revealing themselves as the ship sails ever closer-Malta, Sydney and San Francisco to name a few. The Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. and, today P&O Cruises, have been taking passengers all over the world since 1837.

Join the author on a world cruise in P&O Cruises' 180th celebration year. Find out how world travel has changed, and, in some cases, has not. Using extracts from old diaries, guide books and accounts, the writer compares cruising today with yesteryear. Get a captain's view of this special voyage; discover what goes into making it a unique experience; how they prepare over 7,500 meals every day. The author was commissioned to assist in planning the itinerary and special excursions, visiting ports that were instrumental in the growth of P&O and still welcome their ships today. Discover amazing countries, cultures, and sights on a journey that circumnavigates the world.

A blend of travelogue and history.

About the Author

Sharon Poole's background is in museums as a social historian. Her first book was of local history photographs, published in 1987. In 2010 she collaborated on her first maritime book. Her interest in passenger shipping goes back to her teenage years and she has a large collection of ocean liner memorabilia.

In total she has published twenty books on both local and maritime subjects, including the official publication to mark 175 years of heritage for P&O Cruises, which was nominated for a Maritime Book Award. Sharon left the museum profession to pursue other interests, among them writing and travel photography.