All Decked Out!

As someone, far more famous and witty than I will ever be, once commented ‘Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated’……

My sincere apologies to all blog readers out there who have been bereft of the latest news from Arcadia. Suffice to say that I have had lots to share with you – but have experienced a few challenges with my internet access for a wee while which is a bit of an obstacle to posting a blog! However, the fact that you are now reading this means that I am back on track and I can share with you some images of what has been done.
It has been an exhausting last few days and, as I have said before, it is amazing how the ‘cosmetic’ nature of a cruise ship comes together once all of the technical wizardry has been completed. The aft end of the ship looks amazing.

Seen above is the additional new teak decking area on deck 9. When/if the sun comes out (!) this area will be covered with brand new blue and white sunbeds – a very impressive sight – and giving Arcadia much more sunbathing space. Also visible here are the speakers for the very impressive sound system which will mean that everyone in port will know when Arcadia is leaving! I shouldn’t wonder that there’ll be the odd shattered window or two – this system ‘rocks’! The white ‘barrel’ structures mounted in between the speakers are rotational lights which pan the deck in different colours whilst the other lights mounted on the ‘wings’ are multi-coloured LED – all contributing to a fantastic party atmosphere. A party wouldn’t be a party without a beverage or two (not in my book anyway) and the Aquarius Bar is looking stunning. A photo of that? I’ll keep you dangling with that one to make sure you ‘blog on’ again!
Neptunes pool has had a face lift and the old deck furniture has been replaced. The overall effect is truly spectacular……

The Screening Room is complete with a state of the art system and the most comfortable leather reclining seats you will ever sit in. And for those of you who might want to chew on something during the latest blockbusters – bagged sweets and popcorn are available at the door!! Just, please, don’t rustle during the quiet, soppy bits……

More pics next post. Arcadia has embarked on its Christmas and New Year cruise to the Mediterranean. We had a bit of a choppy start in a force 7 and, relief of reliefs, we still have a back end glued on - that bodes well for the future! Sailing down the Solent normally holds many fond memories for me. Adding to these though was not on my agenda yesterday as the world stopped spinning on its axis for the final of Strictly Come Dancing. The fluffy slipper brigade appeared once more – although minus the fluffy slippers as they had uniforms on – to witness the surprise of surprises with Tom Chambers winning. Well, it was like fawning at a newly born puppy in my cabin – ‘Aw, he’s ssssooooo cute!’ – not me you understand. Was it a travesty? Was it a fix? Who knows? Who, quite frankly, will care after the withdrawal symptoms of next Saturday have been passed over and the nation at large moves on to more ‘toe-curlingly embarrassing’ reality TV performances? Mind you, the hot topic now, of course, is who will snatch the Christmas number one slot in the charts. It seems that it will be handbags at dawn with X Factor Alexandra and Peter Kay (aka Geraldine). I’m holding my breath. Actually I’m not – I have other, much better ways to spend my time such as looking up what the rest of the cruising community are doing on http://www.bestblogsatsea.com/. That’s more like the ‘reality’ that I am used to – safe ground there!

Well, off to conduct the first rehearsal of the Officer’s Christmas choir. Who needs reality TV when you have ‘toe-curlingly embarrassing’ performances of ‘Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin flew away’?? Will keep you posted on that one!

Happy Days!

Ian

Current thought: The happiest people seem to be those who are producing something; the bored people are those who are consuming much and producing nothing. William Inge, 1860 – 1954, English prelate and writer