Happy New Year!

Well, where has the time gone? Doesn't seem that long ago that I was clinking champagne flutes and wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year - but then it was on Oceana on a Caribbean cruise where, if I am not very much mistaken, it was considerably warmer than Barcelona currently is! Maybe that's why I remember it - wishful thinking???!!

You know when you get to thinking that so much must have happened in the last 365 days and that there should be lots of highs, lows and 'inbetween' moments that you should be able to share with others? But I can't share. My mind is a complete blank! Maybe it's been the frenetic pace of change in the Company, the whirlwind of meetings and product improvements that have blurred my grey cells. Or maybe I'm just getting old?

Seeing Arcadia through her recent refit was a definite 'high'. The first time the ship has been out of the water and the application of the 'go faster' paint - all very resplendent.


The addition of the new cinema, the Aquarius Bar and extra cabins and deck space amongst many other things - all together a very satisfying 'high'. One of the 'lows' - having to work away from my partner on another ship has been very difficult. When the chimes ring out at midnight it'll be an emotional time knowing that my partner is in the Caribbean, thousands of miles away - but then that is shipboard life and New Year is a time of heightened emotions......... Oh, and my partner's ship will be five hours behind mine so I'll have to get up at 5 o'clock in the morning to make that phone call...... I can't see that happening really, can you?

It's been great fun having a two day call in Barcelona. Last night was a walk up 'Las Ramblas' and the traditional Rioja and tapas in a tapas bar I have been going to for years. The ship has been quite quiet with lots of passengers on tour and enjoying the leisurely pace that comes with not having to look at your watch worrying when the ship will sail. Speaking of which we are not. Sailing that is. A little bit of technical trouble so we get to enjoy more stay in Barcelona. The price is missing Vigo unfortunately as we have to make it back to Southampton on time or there'll be a delay to the start of Arcadia's maiden Grand Voyage - and we simply can't have that. Mr Cusick - and nearly two thousand passengers - will most definitely not like it!

The ship looks absolutely wonderful though - all decorated with balloons and a good atmosphere building as I write this. It's time for me to go and get ready for the night ahead. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all (and particularly readers of www.bestblogsatsea.com) a spectacularly successful, prosperous and very happy New Year.

Just like it'll be tonight (somewhere in the world I'm sure!)

Take care

Ian

Current thought: I think these difficult times have helped me to understand better than ever before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes around worrying about are of no importance whatsoever. Isak Dinesen, 1885 - 1962, Danish writer

Things Are Sweet.......

Just when you thought you didn't want to see anything else fattening or sickly over this festive season I thought I would share with you some images of the superb Gingerbread Village put together by Trevor Connolly (Executive Chef), Jason Das (Executive Pastry Chef) and their teams.

Work begins on producing the village many weeks in advance and construction takes place overnight in the atrium which, as you can see, is transformed. We have not yet invented 'scratch and sniff' blogs, but if we did have them I would insert a 'patch' in here now and you wouldn't believe it - it's wonderful!

Today is a sea day - but it is also the birthday of the Life President of P&O Cruises, Lord Sterling, who is travelling on the cruise with us. Shhhh - don't tell anyone but we are planning a surprise curry lunch for him in The Orchid (our Asian Fusion Restaurant) as we know he likes 'a belter' of a curry. Executive Chef has been working on a particularly hot one for him and I'm looking forward to sampling that one myself to be honest!

Anyhow, a few meetings to go to this morning - planning the 'nitty gritty' of the Grand Voyage now so I can hand it all over to James when he returns on 5th January.

Keep well.

Ian

Current Thought: The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust, 1841 - 1922, French writer

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my blog readers! It has been a busy time on board over the festive season. Christmas Day started with the Purser's Department 'Secret Santa' - anonymous present giving-out in my cabin at 'silly o'clock' in the morning. Breakfast was sausage panini - my favourite and a little bucks fizz to wash it down with! Not a bad start to any morning really. The morning just flew by and included the festival of lessons and carols in the Palladium Theatre and it was then time to serve the crew their Christmas lunch. Platehouse duties for me - it's hot work in there and just doing it for one lunchtime makes you appreciate even more the job of the guys who have to do it all day.


I wasn't alone though - the Technical department donned their boiler suits too and we had a great time!

I must confess to wanting a little snooze in the afternoon - it wouldn't be a traditional Christmas without one - nodding off in front of the Queen's Speech...... I am fortunate to have my neighbours on board for their first cruise. They are really enjoying it and I managed to spend some time with them - exchanging presents. They have recently become doting grandparents so I gave them a digital photo frame and managed to get an image of the grandaughter sent to the ship so I could get it downloaded onto the frame. Well, typical 'new toy' that it was we didn't bother reading the instructions of course. Nope. Why bother actually reading things that will make your life easier? t was a little frustrating but we got there in the end.

Pre-dinner parties (x 2) to go to and then my turn to eat turkey. The thing is though you never actually want to eat it when you have seen so much of it at lunchtime.... It's like working in a chocolate factory when they say you can eat as much of it as you like knowing that you'll get sick of it very soon. Diane Cousins was the main entertainment on offer. A fabulously witty Welsh lady with one of those 'cracking voices' - she picked on the audience something terrible. She also made the mistake of picking on me - although she didn't realise that it was me in the beginning. Apparently I was too near the door, I had come late and I should've found a seat. All she saw was a white jacket - until I stepped further into the light and she sussed out it was me. I got a public apology, although I don't know why - I was too near the door, I was late and I couldn't find a seat!!!

We are now alongside in Palma and most of it is shut. Football is on the telly and it's time to nod off in front of that I think!

Keep well.

Ian

Current Thought: In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson, 1743 - 1826, President of the USA

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

The Nerve Centre

The Shore Excursion Desk - as you have never seen it before!

During refit we have to establish a communications centre/'one stop shop' as a focal point for ship's staff, contractors, yard workers and superintendents. To this end we wrap up the Shore Excursions Desk in a wonderful shade of hardboard to protect the wonderful marble tops and fill the new 'package' with our able Passenger Services staff. The Front of House staff are joined by the Librarian and Communications Assistant to provide 24 hour coverage. We have contractors embarking at various times of the night and day - all have to be 'checked in' and provided with cabins and put in touch with the relevant people responsible for the work that they are here to do. It is a very busy place!

And what news of the aft end? Well the below photographs illustrate how much the work has really progressed over the last week or so.
This is the starboard side of Lido Deck looking aft with the Aquarius Bar behind the boards on the left. The boards have been erected to add more protection for the work going on behind. The brown, 'primed' deck 10 'wing' is clearly visible above the bar. The covering above is to protect the new teak decking being installed.

Fitting out of the bar is marching on and all to schedule. I am hugging Jane as I am cold by the way!

You can see the new bar front here - very 'aquatic' surprisingly enough! Bottom right you can see where the stools will be fixed - they will extend along the full length of the bar. The cabins beneath are taking shape nicely and I hope to include some updated photos very soon. Looking at the photos above you may be forgiven for thinking how it will ever be ready. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly all of these projects come together and, as I've said before, the 'cosmetic' nature of the cruise ship is brought home all the more when you see sights like this. Get the protection off and a butterfly emerges from the chrysalis!

I can't sign off without making reference to The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing shows on telly last night. More tears - but no tantrums it seems. The 'fluffy slipper' brigade joined me with fresh tortilla chips and dips, cheese and bread....no chocolate (believe what you will!). What on earth was that Strictly All Dancing result about please? Numerous text messages ensued to see if anyone watching the same thing unfold back at home had any idea why the result was all three couples going through. Why anyone in the UK was expected to provide any explanation of the same thing we had witnessed in Germany escaped me - but Vodafone must have been happy. My friend Steve (Bar Manager) joined us all for the results of The X Factor. He is not one to stand on sentiment and couldn't understand what all of the fuss was about with the extended families of total strangers bearing their souls on national telly. I believe he said that the whole show was excruciatingly, toe-curlingly embarrassing - we couldn't see what he meant of course. I resisted making reference to Liverpool's performance against Hull the same afternoon. There would have been either a very long silence or an expletive or two......but then it would have been 'Match all square'.

Take care. Until next time........

Ian

Current thought: Men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. Henry David Thoreau

Bowled Over!

Anyone seen our boats?

Ah - there they are!

It seems strange to see boats off their davits - like ducks out of water. The ship's tenders and lifeboats have to be removed for maintenance and to allow work to be done on the davits and on Promenade Deck. The boats are lowered into the water before the ship goes into the dry dock and are craned out of the water to allow the servicing to take place. This weekend will see them craned back onto the ship before the ship comes out of dry dock - an interesting sight to see.

It was an eventful night last night - the shipyard invited some of the superintendents and officers to a traditional night out. The fare was cabbage and sausage known as 'Kohl and Pinkel' followed by German bowling - skittles with a twist. The food was wonderful with 'brain sausage' or 'Bragenwurst' being a great hit - to some! It's a bit like haggis and, like its Scottish counterpart, if you don't know what's in it you just get on and eat it but some guests found the prospect of eating the old grey matter just a bit too much to handle and politely declined!

Brain Sausage!

The assembled party.

The undoubted high spot was the very competitive bowls that followed the meal. You wouldn't have thought that flinging balls down a corridor would exact so much rivalry. It was sort of organised chaos with two teams very loosely put together by the Cabbage King and Cabbage Queen (honours bestowed by the hosts on Dariusz (Staff Captain) and Helen (Passenger Services Manager) respectively). Helen didn't want to break a nail so opted to do the scoring instead. The acrobatics and dubious techniques employed by officers who I shall never look at in the same light again were a sight to behold! The favoured way of Marcin (Senior First Officer) was backward and between the legs whilst the winning bowl from Rob Ross (Ship Superintendent) was more of a 'dive and slide' manoeuvre.

Sinclair Ross, Chief Engineer, in action!

The score ended up one each - with the old enemy, time, being the only barrier to being able to run a decider. It's probably just as well - like the boats out of water some of the participants were like ducks out of water with their techniques and needed to stop to preserve their dignity. A good time was had by all and we very much enjoyed the hospitality of our German hosts. Back to the yard and back to the work..........

Ian

Current thought: We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope. Epictetus from Dissertations.

Strictly Done Dancing..........

To pick up where I left off, I got my Saturday night in in front of the telly. My good friends Natalie (Deputy Cruise Director) and Jane (Project Co-ordinator) gathered with fluffy slippers and sweatshirts to watch the compulsive viewing of Strictly Come Dancing followed by The X Factor. Well, there were tears and tantrums aplenty - and I don't just mean on the screen! Not from me you understand - stiff upper lip and all that - but seeing dreams shattered and vulnerable lives fractured (in this case not Jane or Natalie)..... you couldn't make it up. It's amazing how both a singing and a dancing competition can seize the imagination. But then I do know how they feel. During my last tour of duty on Arcadia I took part in our very own version of Strictly Come Dancing in the Palladium - it was packed. My 'Cha' had never been so 'charred' as my wrap-around cummerbund came undone due to my gyrating hip movement and bound my legs 'mummy fashion'. Everyone thought it was planned and it was hilarious - unfortunately it wasn't and I felt ever so sorry for my passenger partner, Pam. No 'ten's for us and needless to say we didn't win - but it's all about the taking part of course.

And what news of refit progress? Well, there is a lot of re-upholstery going on around the ship and the company that is doing it have set up a workshop in the Palladium Theatre, since we are talking about there. It's a huge operation - with the Palladium itself getting a nice blue makeover.

And the aft end? An exclusive look at the work in progress.........



Sorry about that! 'Best I can do under the circumstances! It's snowing again and there's an ice-cold wind. Those of you who have tried to lay some ordinary decking in your back garden will appreciate that it's not a job you want to be doing in such weather and these are not ideal conditions for laying teak decking that needs to be stuck down! Hence we have the huge canopies...... I am assured that there will be a 'grand unveiling' and I know that, unlike The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing, there will be no tears and tantrums when the covers come off!

'Hope you are having a fabulous build-up to Christmas and I'll keep you posted!

Ian

Current Thought: He who does not read www.bestblogsatsea.com is not well-informed of events in the cruising community. Ian Wynne-Smythe (1966 - )

Anyone for a drink.....?

Well, with all the new deck space we will have on Arcadia's extended Lido Deck it's only right that we have a new bar to go with it. The Aquarius Bar is getting a face lift. Well, actually, it's been completely demolished and redesigned as the photos below will indicate!
Going......

Going.....

Gone! And a new rectangular shaped base is set out.

The new fridge units being installed.

Work on the aft end of Lido Deck is proceeding at a cracking pace. The elements have contrived to make this a more difficult task with snow and rain deciding that they are more important than the teak decking. However, huge canopies have been erected to keep them at bay and allow the wooden decking to be started. It will look very impressive when it has been completed.

Before venturing out into those same elements to go to the Christmas Market in Bremerhaven last night I took time out to look at http://www.bestblogsatsea.com/ and I was impressed by the range of 'bloggers' out there in the cruising community. I was trying to pitch where I should be in relation to others and found it easy to see why such a community grows. It's great for news! Check it out for yourself - it's well worth it.

I have succumbed. I made that trip to the supermarket today. Nope, no tortilla chips and salsa dips, chocolate bars and cheesy nibbly things for me.

OK I lied. Did you not know that 'comfort food' is fashionable again (was it ever out of fashion?) and there are absolutely no calories in refit?! I think I'll have to try on my 'blues' uniform this week so that when we change out of 'khakis' towards the end of refit I can be sure that everything will still fit - just in time for the Christmas cruise where, of course, I won't be over-indulging in anything that's not good for me. I think bacon has just flown over my head and I am as convincing as Mr Unconvincing on National Unconvincing Day...... Anyhow, as most of the work in refit is going to plan, I think I can treat myself to a quiet Saturday night in in front of the telly. And I won't be opening any chocolate or nibbly things. Honestly......

Ian

Current Thought: My downfall raises me to great heights. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821)

A Night at the Movies!

The cyb@study being dismantled

The supports for the raked seating going in

The old cyb@study is no more and in its place a boutique cinema is being constructed. You can see in the photos that raked seating to afford the best sight lines is being built. A fabulous use of space that will see Arcadia’s passengers get the cinema that has been so sought after. It is planned that Café Vivo will service the refreshment needs of cinema-goers and I’m sure that it will be difficult to extract passengers from the very comfortable, ample leather seats at the end of each showing!

The supports are covered

Some idea of the different levels - the red carpet to follow!

Well yesterday it snowed. And, boy, did it snow! It was a truly enlightening experience to see the faces of some of the Indian and Filipino staff for whom this was their first experience of the wonderful white stuff. It was funny to see the smiles on their faces as they discovered the joy of using passers-by for snowball target practice (although I noticed that none of them were aiming any at me for some reason…..). Growing up in the United Kingdom I always took snow for granted but it obviously doesn’t snow in Mumbai or Manila and it was just one more of those ‘different’ experiences in refit for our hard-working crew.

'Don't aim at the boss!'

All the major works are progressing to plan and the ship is changing in appearance daily. It’s a strange feeling to be walking around the ship seeing things you didn’t know were there – bulkhead panels and deckhead panels stripped away for access to pipes and cables that are so important to the running of the ship. I start to think more about the cosmetic nature of this floating hotel and appreciate that for us in the Hotel Department it’s a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ but to the Deck and Technical Departments it’s completely different. It makes your own boiler at home being out of action seem quite trivial when you see what is involved in the works on board. We’ve done well for hot water – the inevitable shutdowns for maintenance being restricted to ‘office hours’ – but you certainly appreciate much more the ‘luxury’ of a shower at the end of the day when you know what’s involved in maintaining the services normally. We take so much for granted and I take my hat off to my Technical colleagues for the job that they do for us 24/7, all year round. There’s always so much going on that we don’t know about or appreciate – speaking of which, check out http://www.bestblogsatsea.com/. for the latest on news and views from elsewhere in the cruising community.

Time to go – a run round the Christmas Market in Bremerhaven is planned for this evening. I’m sure that the warm glow of gluehwein will be appreciated…

Bye for now

Ian

Current thought: Surely oak and threefold brass surrounded his heart who first trusted a frail vessel to the merciless ocean. Horace, from Odes, 23BC.

Refit - More Room At The Inn!

Arcadia is getting bigger and better! With the addition of 34 new cabins on the aft end, Arcadia will look a little different from the back and sides.

Above - The new section of aft cabins arriving.

The additional cabin block being added to the aft end arrived by means of a floating crane. The new block you see is over 300 tons in weight.

The old section of cabins removed to make way for the additional ones can be seen on the left on the quayside (that was 111 tons), the new block being craned up is in the centre and then there is the aft end of the ship in view on the right. I hope that this gives you some idea of the size and logistics.......

Now that's the bit we've just popped on!

It is a very impressive sight with the new aft section of cabins being built onto the aft end. The ship looks fabulous with good, clean lines - it's not as 'stubby' as I thought it might be. I've also taken a look at the increased deck space on deck 9 and this really will be a great venue around the Aquarius pool. There's a new bar coming too - much bigger then the previous one. The brown, unpainted sections you can see above are the elongated 'wings' of deck 10 that will be above the Aquarius Bar on the starboard side. Lots of new deck space!

This morning the ship settled onto the 'blocks' in dry dock. Again it is quite an amazing sight to see over 83000 tons balancing expertly on huge wood and steel blocks to allow work to be undertaken. The whole process went very smoothly - more so when you consider that this is the first time that Arcadia has been in dry dock. Each ship always has its own little 'quirks' when she settles. If you think about it it's just like a person sitting on a seat - the weight gets distributed a little differently and its harder to do some things and easier to do others! On board you could find doors that rest on their hinges and can't be opened and pipes deciding that they wish to release their contents as they buckle a little. I'm glad to say though that Arcadia has behaved impeccably and we have had no problems with her settling down.

A number of the crew have found the supermarket near to the dock gates and are coming back laden with all sorts of goodies for the next three weeks. Life on board in refit is very different to what they are used to and it's always nice to have some 'creature comforts' to hand. Lots of DVD's will be watched and lots of snack food consumed as 'compensation' for the cold weather - any excuse! I wouldn't be putting myself in that category of course.....(!)

Good health to all!

Ian

Current thought: The love that is given to ships is profoundly different from the love men feel for every other work of their hands. Joseph Conrad from 'The Mirror of the Sea', 1906.