Lunch Ashore in Cartagena - Spain

Good Day All,

Early morning sun light as OCEANA approaches her berth in Cartagena.

Oceana has the ever popular Promenade Deck for the dedicated walkers - three and half times round and you have walked a mile!

After Crew Drills today all the Ship's Company gathered in Starlights for this months CRUISE AWARD WINNERS where the outstanding performer receives a Gold Pin from the Commodore.

OCEANA's Headliners Theatre Company in rehearsals...........

We are in Civitavecchia today for The Eternal City of Rome. The sun is shining and I hope you enjoy these photographs of Cartagena. I was ashore with my cousins for lunch in a local fish restaurant where no one spoke a word of English, so after a lot of pointing at the fish, laughter and broken Spanish we enjoyed a delicious lunch surrounded only by locals.

A fisherman mends his nets.......just outside our restaurant.

Our Lunch venue - recommended by the Ship's Agent. We were not disappointed!

James and my second cousin Claire........you will see that Oceana is pointing in a different direction for this call at Cartagena. This is only my second time ashore in this port and I love it.

Oceana - we have our own palm trees in our Atrium....................

P&O Cruises - with you all the way..........and the blogger............

OCEANA alongside - enjoying the blue skies.......

You could be Captain for the day! This passenger is enjoying the view from Deck 14 forward of The Plaza - which is just above the Bridge.

Lots of attractive Yachts sailing about in the harbour - always lots to watch when you are on a cruise.

Hope this finds you all well, I have some very good photographs of the sea which I took yesterday morning so I will post these soon. I have also met some very interesting people this cruise so I will be posting their stories also.

Best wishes for now,

James.

Why is it that Diamonds are a girl's best friend - and for a man - it is his Dog?!!

The Rock of Gibraltar.

Hello Everyone,



Yesterday Oceana was alongside in Gibraltar and became like a 'ghost ship' as everyone descended the three gangways and made their way into town. The temperature was a very pleasant 24 degrees and a cooling breeze all around the rock. Being the first port of call there is an air of excitement as the great white ship edges to the shore. Our Agent and Officials are marvellous and we have a very speedy clearance for passengers and crew - happy days!

The Cruise Terminal is bright and welcoming - I had a nice cup of coffee here on my return from town with friends - sounds daft when you can enjoy delicious coffee on board - but there is something nice about just chatting with friends over a cup of coffee on land.....

We are here.............

Arches on the old city walls are very attractive......spot the red MG coming through.....

Lots of interesting architecture to enjoy...........

The big guns are in town.......

Since all the main streets are now pedestrianised it makes for a very relaxing browse.

The shops are not all jewellery and perfume - this is a furniture restoration shop!

Shop till you drop - there is even a M&S, NEXT and BHS.............

The Rock of Gibraltar.

The harbour is always very busy with merchant shipping. Oceana backs out to sea.....

The is the airport - OCEANA had to wait until a light plane landed before leaving her berth.....

This is our Deck 15 forward paddling pool - a favourite of my niece Jill.........

A friendly wave from our Deck Staff - I was up the Mast - can you picture the scene?

As you can see lots of development going on - so much so that I could not find Morrisons Supermarket!

Last evening was the Commodore's Welcome on Board Reception on the Atrium. I met Mark and Rita Swales whom I have not seen for 27 years - the last time we met I was at their wedding in Yorkshire! Mark and I worked together in London Hotels in my past life. They have three grown up children. It is just by chance that we have all met up on board Oceana and it is their first Cruise! Small world as they say.............

After dinner in the Adriatic Restaurant I was well entertained by Mr Mike Doyle in the Starlights Lounge - he stormed the audience and we all enjoyed a good laugh. Laughter is the best medicine. Jo my Passenger Services Manager was just pointing out to me this evening that there is a letter in the Portunus Club Magazine (summer 2010) mentioning my name from Christine McDowall in Ayr - Readers Letters page 3 - Happy Memories indeed Christine and thanks for writing to the Portunus Club - I am glad to know you are keeping up with my blog.

Must sign off now - we are in Cartagena today and let's hope this delightful summer weather stays with us for many days to come.

Best wishes

James.

Don't give up on your dreams, where there is passion and patience, you can't go wrong.

Homeport!

OCEANA arrives home - Southampton after a stunning Cruise with perfect weather.

Many of you will know Hughie Taylor our Cruise Director.

Good Day Everyone,

Since leaving Monte Carlo, we have been to Barcelona and Cadiz. ARCADIA was also in port with OCEANA at Cadiz and it was good to catch up with some friends for a good chat.

Great to meet up with Kathy Jones - Executive Purser on Arcadia. Kathy and I have sailed the world together over the past 20 years.

OCEANA passengers get a prime view of ARCADIA as we sail out.

ARCADIA alongside in Cadiz.

It's a tough job but someone has to do it - meet Anna Goddard-Smith and Louise O'Connor from our Shore Excursions Office.

GRAND PRINCESS sails out.....

Yesterday we were in Southampton for our turnaround and what a busy port Southampton is for Cruise Ships. Gone are the days when it was a novelty to have two ships in port - today there were 4! There was plenty for our passengers to enjoy - as we prepared to set sail Grand Princess and VENTURA sailed past and you can imagine the horn blowing, shouting and waving that went on! What a memorable start to our cruise.

VENTURA approaches.........

and passes............the decks were lined with well wishers on both ships - moments in time.

Turnaround day is always a busy day for us on board, and a day of fond farewells and 'welcome on board'! I always get a buzz when the ship lets go her ropes and we are on our way on another voyage - wondering what will the weather be like? What will the passengers be like? I wonder who I will bump into from the past and who I will meet?!! What are the new crew like? And so it goes on but that is the joy of the job.

Carol mentioned that she had received a few questions regarding spa passes while she was looking after the blog, and that she had promised to come back to you on this. She has asked me to let you know that "we have now made sure that confirmed prices are available for Azura, Ventura and Arcadia thermal suites in advance of your cruise. We have 'package' prices for one day or several days, which represent excellent value for money. Within the package price and duration purchased you can go in and out of the thermal suite as many times as you like. Thank you for your patience while I looked into the questions raised".

I am glad to have my desk clear......and until the next time,

Bon Voyage!

James.

Don't expect a great day; make one.

Monte Carlo

Hello once again,

Last Sunday we were in Monte- Carlo - and what better place for an afternoon stroll?

Neil takes us ashore - one thing I like about Oceana's boats in that there is seating on the open top deck which is good for all round viewing. Cox'n Neil is driving.

Oceana was at anchor and the sea condition were good for our boating operation. As you will see from my pictures the sun continued to shine. I cannot remember the last time I was on a cruise with such good weather as this one.

Monte- Carlo is famous throughout the world. With its palaces, casinos, luxurious villas, designer shops and flowered terraces, it has so much to offer the first time visitor. For those who have been to MC before then you can visit the neighbouring towns of Nice, Menton, Eze or St Paul de Vence. For me walking the Principality is simply a pleasure.

Monaco is one of Europe's smallest independent states where the rich are free to flaunt their wealth and where one of the 'must haves' is a yacht berthed in La Condamine Harbour. The upper part of Monaco stands 200 feet above the shore, and drops perpendicularly to the waves below on almost all sides. I love to watch the goings on at the Prince's Palace and the Cathedral where Price Rainier married Grace Kelly and where they are both buried.

Another good way to pass a few hours is to visit the Casino, the Hotel de Paris and the Cafe de Paris - don't forget your wallet! The Casino is surrounded with the most beautiful gardens. This really is the epitome of glitz and glamour.

After two very busy days of touring in Italy our passengers were glad to have a day at their leisure in MC. We must not forget also that one of the world's greatest and most challenging motor racing events , the Monaco Grand Prix is held here.

Whatever you are up to this week I hope all is going well for you - it certainly is for us.

Leaving you with a sun set shot of OCEANA,

Best wishes,
James.

Life is a precious gift - unwrap with care.

A Taste of Tuscania

Hello Everyone,

We are in Barcelona today on another scorching day - I love it!

Since leaving Cartagena - Oceanans have enjoyed a day at sea followed by the ports of Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence), and Monte Carlo.

It was good to catch up with my good friend Louise O'Connor in the Shore Excursions Department. Louise went to the excursion a Taste of Tuscania from Civitavecchia - this is something different for all those people who have been to Rome before.

Les and Anne Cooper - excited about their trip to The Eternal City............

Here is what Louise had to say...............

I escorted a wonderfully scenic tour, ‘’Taste of Tuscania’’. I can highly recommend it as an alternative half day excursion for anyone who has been to Rome before. Our guide, Luca was excellent, knowledgeable, had a good sense of humour and was well liked by the ladies!

We left Oceana and took motorway to get to the medieval town of Tuscania. Gradually we reached the vast Etruscan countryside which was full of olive trees, fields, and vineyards. We passed by several stunning country houses. Luca advised us that much of the countryside was used in the 1950s by Italian film directors who made spaghetti westerns.

On arrival at Tuscania Lucas gave us the option to do our own thing or to stay with him to have a guided tour of the town. Not surprisingly, most of the ladies stayed with Luca to be guided through the town and gardens! We then had some free time to wander the cobbled streets and sit by the fountain to enjoy a cool drink and soak up the atmosphere.

We left Tuscania travelling through the countryside and arrived at the picturesque farmhouse.

The owners were waiting to welcome us and escorted us to the dining area. The tables were beautifully laid with breads, bruschetta, ham, cheese and olives. There was a selection of flavoured oils and olive pastes. We had a choice of red or white wine or water.

The food was freshly made at the farmhouse and absolutely delicious!

We had chance to purchase the flavoured oils, olive pastes, honey and wines at their shop. We also had the opportunity to wander through some of the guest rooms and enjoy the views across the countryside.

I spoke to all passengers on our way back to Oceana and they were very impressed, especially with the farmhouse. Many passengers said the farmhouse was beyond their expectations which was great to hear. It was a delight to accompany this excursion and get to know the passengers. It’s great to be back on Oceana and enjoying the job.

My thanks to Louise for her time and photographs.

Best wishes meantime from Oceana..............(it's me in the Atrium - in case you are wondering....)!

Bye,

James.

We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust our sails..........