Table (2011) by Michael Ondaatje. The novel tells the story of a boy's three week trip on the Oronsay. Notable passengers Australian writer Leonora Polkinghorne died on board the Oronsay in May 1953, whilst en route to Denmark to attend the Women's World Congress. Tony Abbott, the 28th Prime Minister of Australia, emigrated, aged 2, to Australia with his family aboard the Oronsay in 1960. British historical novelist Eleanor Hibbert travelled on the Oronsay from United Kingdom to Sydney in 1970. Musician David Bowie travelled on the Oronsay from San Francisco to Yokohama in March/April 1973. Michael Ondaatje's 2011 novel The Cat's Table is a fictionalised account of the author's childhood voyage in 1954 from Ceylon to Britain on board the Oronsay. Lord George Brown the Labour politician was a passenger on a cruise to Las Palmas, Madeira, Bermuda, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago in December 1968. Andy Gibb, younger brother of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees, travelled with his parents between Australia and England in early 1969. Oronsay was on a round the world cruise. References Ships built in Barrow-in-Furness Cruise ships Ships of the Orient Line Passenger ships of the United Kingdom 1950 ships Steamships