At Madeira

Greetings from Funchal on our Madeira cruise!


How wonderful to open the blackout curtains this morning and be blinded by the morning sun - long time since this has happened. The sunshine changes everything and lifts your spirit like nothing else. Then to see the news and learn that America has a new President elect. I can feel a new season ahead, one chapter closing and another just about to begin.


Landfall began around Noon and Arcadia arrived along side at 1300 hours to a hive of activity on the quay with shuttle buses, tour buses and the iconic yellow Mercedes taxis all lined up in military style precision - like a state occasion - and all waiting to greeting their customers. I took a walk across the top decks at 1230 and the rails were lined with people enjoying the warm sun and the excitement of arrival into our first port of call. The famous Reid's Hotel sitting proud on the headland where we have a tour going for a posh afternoon tea today. The more adventurous will be on the wicker basket toboggan rides. The town itself is interesting to walk around, very stylish with good shopping and the big promenade to sit and people watch (and they do) and relax. Lots of coffee bars serving cappuccino with fresh mini custard tarts topped with caramel and delicious with a glass of Madeira wine.


Last evening the ship was buzzing with the first Formal Night and great style on display. The Salon were run off their feet with the hairdos. That's the great thing about the Cruise is that people can dress for a night at the Oscars and display all their fine jewellery without any fear of having it ripped off them. The Captain's parties were very noisy with the clinking of glasses and the lively chatter as having had two days to relax our passengers were 'up for it'.Here is a picture taken at the Captain's Gala Reception in the Neptunes under the glass dome, and from left to right of Captain Ian Walters, myself and Chief Technical Officer Sinclair Ross.





It is rewarding for me to hear passengers saying 'this is my Arcadia', or lines like 'James you were with us on the Caribbean cruise', North Cape, Venice, St Petersberg and the like. Many people bring their friends and introduce them to cruising and what better recommendation can you have than that! I also met a lady who was with me on the farewell cruise of Canberra (Canberra was the P&O Ship that was built at Harland & Wolf in Belfast and served as a troop ship in the Falklands War and was a great British favourite, people reminisce very fondly about her but if they were to walk aboard now they would get a shock - nobody wants a salt water toilet flush or a Suite without a balcony!). I could not believe my good fortune when by chance I met a gentleman who knew the Anderson family and this is the famous Anderson Family who co founded P&O in 1837.......so we will be having coffee one morning in my office and I will post my findings on the BLOG. I also met Jenny Bachelor and her husband Andy at the party. Jenny used to work on board with us as an Entertainments Officer. Many a Posh Club Door I hosted with her in the past on board Aurora and I always remembered Jenny's line - ' It is not enough to smile you've got to SPARKLE! I still use this one with my team.

Dinner went well and the new show company did us proud. Couldn't fault them, I only got to the Palladium Theatre in time so see the Andrew Lloyd Weber section including 'Cats' and the spectacular ending with 'Joseph' The new Joseph - now he can sing - he brought the house down. Looking forward to more of the same as the Show Company are such a big part of the holiday enjoyment. Glancing around the Theatre and seeing 760 guests in their finery with smiling faces and all applauding - it gives me a very rewarding feeling and that it is all worth while and proud to work for P&O Cruises on board Arcadia.

The picture below is my right hand woman Helen Skoins our Senior Purser Passenger Services Manager and Adam James, Commercial Manager, taken here at last nights the Gala Reception. You see we are as up to date as Sky News! Adam leaves us today in Madeira to join one of our sister ships the Artemis ( also child free like Arcadia - you have to be over 18 to cruise here) and will be flying to Barbados in the West Indies. Artemis is a smaller ship and was originally the named on the 11th November 1983 as the ROYAL PRINCESS. I should know as I was there! Princess Diana did the naming and stayed for lunch. It was one of her first public engagements and I was so proud to be part of that. I was on leave at the time and was drafted in to act as a guide for the travel agents and press who had to be escorted around the new ship.




These are just two of my six direct reports and no doubt you will get to meet the others at some time, the Senior Doctor, the Senior Purser Food & Beverage Manager, The Finance Controller, and the Cruise Director. Six direct reports I hear you say! We need a Strong team to manage the business, and lead and direct the 760 staff who work in our areas out of the 900.


Have a great day wherever it may take you, my sister in law is celebrating a 'big' birthday today so I need to sign off and give her a call.

James.

Those who sleep close to the water find tranquility

Hawaiian Proverb