Gary Rhodes

Good Day Everyone,


No blog published yesterday as I was far too busy in Southampton on our turnaround day. Lots of meetings and general ship business to attend to getting everyone from the Canaries Cocktail on their way home and welcoming on board all our passengers for the Mediterranean Explorer. This is a 12 night cruise to Palma, Barcelona,Ajaccio,Civitavecchia ( for Rome) and Gibraltar.
A nice little November winter warmer I hear you say! Lots of excitement about the building of Azura which will be entering service early 2010. It was also good to know our colleagues on our sister ship Ventura had a very successful first fly cruise turnaround in Barbados. Having completed six years of fly cruising myself in Barbados, New Orleans and Acapulco I am well aware of the logistics involved and congratulations to Patrick Harrison and his Team. Our very own Commodore Burgoine is on board Ventura at this time.




Yesterday in Southampton we were Starboard side alongside and many people were asking why we were pointing the wrong direction? This was to carry out some routine maintenance. At 1630 when Arcadia let go her ropes she did a turn and then sailed down past berth 106 and Mayflower Park and past the Magnificent Cunard Liner the Queen Mary 2 - strangely enough she was also starboard side too - so we got a great view of her magnificent, glamorous rear end sailing past! There were no passengers on board QM2. She had just returned from her refit in Germany but we got a friendly cheer and much waving from her Ship's Company. Arcadia's passengers were lining the private cabin balconies and the ship's rails. There is a sense of excitement that can only be enjoyed when you are on a ship sailing out on another cruise.


I get a real buzz when the ship sails on a turnround day, the last minute rush to see that all the stores are on board, the dockers are off, the mail has been landed, that we have that clearance paper for the next port of call, that those two last minute passengers who were stuck in traffic have arrived on board and so it goes on............! Then you hear on the VHF Radio - Staff Captain from Administration Manager - 'that's clearance from the Purser's Office' - this means the ship can sail. It is at this stage that I have to dash from the Back Office to the Bridge to sign off prior to departure - I always try to get into the forward service lift so as I am not out of breath after climbing up eight flights of stairs. Once the gangways have been landed and all doors secured for sea it is 'let go forward, let go aft' and we are on our way. The Southampton Pilots are like old friends and as the band plays 'We are sailing', 'Wish me Luck as you wave me goodbye' we slip down the Solent into another world - the world that is P&O Cruises, away from the humdrum of everyday activities and chores and into the realms of rest and relaxation ( for our customers!!) and we the on board team get on with what we do best - running our Hotel at sea.

I always have a quick chat with the Captain and Staff Captain and we catch up on any 'breaking news' in the world of Arcadia - our world!


What joy to work in a Hotel that sails! You can argue that one but then I could not drive the ship and I am not in the least bit technically minded. It takes everyone ship and shore to see that our ship runs smoothly. Not many Hotel Directors can say that they have a Gary Rhodes Restaurant in the house! I can and we do. The opulent Arcadian Rhodes Restaurant is located on Deck 2 just above the Reception Foyer in the Atrium. Furnished in fine fabrics and the predominant colours being navy blue, lime green and brown - very subtle and classy. Modern yet reminiscent of the great liner interiors creating a feeling of well being. This was Gary's first restaurant at sea and is now well established as a favourite with our passengers. Gary's food is all about simplicity using the highest quality ingredients and celebrating all that is British is his cuisine. The flavours are to die for and you leave his Restaurant feeling very satisfied indeed! We change the menus on a regular basis so you will not suffer from menu fatigue, in fact the opposite you will want to come back for more. The detail in the presentation has to be seen to be believed.


Pictured here is Joy one of our Restaurant Managers, he is so well named as his joyful personality and radiant smile pervades every social gathering. He is also a perfectionist so we get on very well. When Gary is on board he is great company and he visits every one of the tables in his Restaurant - which just shows you how passionate and proud he is of his food and product. Gary Rhodes also does a Cookery Demo in The Palladium Theatre when he is here which is always packed and also a book signing at the Crows Nest. It always amuses me that people will wait for ages to get a book signed or to see a Doctor but don't wish to wait longer than two minutes for an Immigration Inspection!



Thank you to everyone who has been in touch over the blog it is always good to hear from you.

Never did I think when I was working as the Accommodation Manager that I would be writing a blog for P&O Cruises - I truly have gone from BOGS TO BLOGS!


This is going to be a voyage to remember, I have just been walking around the decks and I have spotted a few household names....................


Bon Voyage!
James.


'The ships are made of steel, but it is the people who bring them to life'