Chilly Ho Children

Families and children had always travelled P&O. But from the 1920s they were increasingly cared for by children’s stewardesses in purpose-designed nurseries.

Starting in the 1930s, 'specially-trained Children's Hostesses' were recruited to organise and entertain as many as 400 children on a single voyage. Quickly abbreviated to ‘Chilly Hos’ (to the crew) and ‘auntie’ (to their charges), the children's hostesses turned their hands to everything from painting, piano playing and parties, ably supported by the nursery stewardesses.