Arcadia berthed alongside the new shopping centre terminal at Vigo. An unusual angle!
The Bridge walkway that links the shopping centre to Santa Maria Square in the 'old town' area.This has greatly enhanced the dockside on Vigo.
Vigo Terminal Building taken on arrival today from the Deck 1 gun port door.
Good Day Everyone.
A speedy clearance from the top team in Vigo. Here is a photo of Alberto Duran and Ramiro Cobo the Port Agency Manager with local officials and my team. See Kevin who serves the coffee with a highly polished silver pot! Those who know me know me know I am fussy about the silver! Standards must be maintained.
The Original P&O Arcadia was 1888 to 1916
Vigo Terminal Building taken on arrival today from the Deck 1 gun port door.
Good Day Everyone.
A speedy clearance from the top team in Vigo. Here is a photo of Alberto Duran and Ramiro Cobo the Port Agency Manager with local officials and my team. See Kevin who serves the coffee with a highly polished silver pot! Those who know me know me know I am fussy about the silver! Standards must be maintained.
VIGO
Location: 42º 15' N 08º 43' W
The Port of Vigo is located in the North-West of Spain, 45 miles south from the Winter North Atlantic line. This privileged location allows the Port to spread its influence over Galicia, North of Portugal and Castilla, to link the main international ports and to register more than two thousand vessel calls each year. Vigo is the gateway for cruise ship passengers to visit Santiago de Compostela which is approximately 50 minutes drive from Vigo. Vigo is the largest fishing harbour in all of Western Europe and brings in 100,000 tonnes of fresh fish every year and the local Citreon factory churns out over 1 million cars per year for shipment around the world.
Location: 42º 15' N 08º 43' W
The Port of Vigo is located in the North-West of Spain, 45 miles south from the Winter North Atlantic line. This privileged location allows the Port to spread its influence over Galicia, North of Portugal and Castilla, to link the main international ports and to register more than two thousand vessel calls each year. Vigo is the gateway for cruise ship passengers to visit Santiago de Compostela which is approximately 50 minutes drive from Vigo. Vigo is the largest fishing harbour in all of Western Europe and brings in 100,000 tonnes of fresh fish every year and the local Citreon factory churns out over 1 million cars per year for shipment around the world.
In addition to Santa Maria Square is the characteristic site of Spain’s President, Jose Maria Aznar’s favourite restaurant in Vigo, run effortlessly by the captivating Carmen.
I have dined there on a number of occasion with Alberto Duran our Ship's Agent. I was there once when Jose Maria Aznar arrived with his party and of course he knew Alberto Duran and we were all introduced. Carmenia thought she was going to have a very quiet day but not so!!!!
Last evening I met some passengers who gave me this very interesting postcard of the 2nd ARCADIA dated June 1954 which I have attached this card - if you look in the website you will not find this postcard but we have it on board the INDULGENT ARCADIA........
This postcard belongs to Mrs Mary Davies who is on board at this time. Pictured below are
Mr and Mrs A Philips and Mr and Mrs J Lewis from Carmarthen in South Wales. This 54 years old picture was taken in June 1954.
The Original P&O Arcadia was 1888 to 1916Number 2 - 1954 to 1979
Number 3 - 1997 to 2005 - built in 1999 as Star Princess & now Ocean Village.
Number 4 - 2005 - us! The name Arcadia has a history of 120 years.
This it the first time I have visited the new passenger terminal in Vigo and I was really impressed and I am not one to be easily impressed!..............
This is a Formal evening on board and lots of gatherings to attend and dinner...... heading for our home port Southampton.
Best wishes,
James.
'Life it too serious to be taken seriously'
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8 comments:
Dear James,
I'm enjoying this blog. Hope to meet you aboard one of these days - I have been accepted by P&O as a Port Lecturer. I am so looking forward to doing this work. I was wondering whether you would grant me permission to use photos from your blog in my talks. I would be very grateful. If you want to PM me I'm on hazelmanninggriffiths at hotmail.com (obviously change the word "at"!!)
Many thanks
Hazel
Hi James
You are looking rather dapper in your photo. Loving the blog. Can't believe that you've got the time to complete this with the work load you've got. Don't you sleep at night? Glad to hear that you are continuing to keep up your standards and that you still continue to play music.
Hi James
I have sailed on 3 of the 4 Arc's.On Arc number 2 you were always worried about the Gin intake as you would have to gallup down the corridor for the conveniences.On Arcadia 3 i was onboard when it was announced thart she would become "Ocean Village" and on leaving Antigua Capt Mike Carr instead of playing the usual Calypso decided that the "Village People" would be more appropriate.
By the way James the last post was me
Regards
Alan G
Really loving your blog James and hearing what is happening on one of our favourite ships.
Great to see Kevin in your photo. He was one of our waiters on our first P&O Cruise aboard the lovely Victoria in 1997 and we were so pleased to meet him again in August on the 'Venetian Magic' Cruise with you.
Keep up the good work,
Andrew & Tony
Hi James,
It was such good fun to share our formal nights with you we had a great laugh. Thank you so much for your hospitality-we trust your rabbit/lady is well. Our kind regards John and Susan Sallis table 108 cruise J821 xx
Love your Blog.Read it every day keeps the winter blues away until we join Ventura in Jan 09.Good to see our old friend Kevin he's put a bit of weight on since Cafe Jardin on Oceana Best wishes to all onboard Arcadia.
Jan and John T
Dear James,
Thank you so much for the flowers yesterday. We were deeply touched by your (and Captain Walters) gesture.
You know what your friendship meant to Dad and how he loved his work, and the special relationship the family has always had with P&O, with our friends in Southampton and in all your wonderful ships.
I am sure you will all miss not seeing him at the quayside waiting for the ship to come alongside and jump on board, ready to get to work. He absolutely loved that.
If there was one thing he was definitely proud of, was of being your Agent, like is Father and (unlike I am mistaken) Grandfather before him.
It was difficult enough when Virginia passed away but this time it is almost unbearable.
My very best regards to you and all our friends on board.
Take care
Elena
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