Meet Graham Howell - Arcadia's Port Presenter. Graham has a invaluable wealth of International Travel and Port Presenting. Over the past 10 years with P&O Cruises Graham has been presenting his informative multi media talks across our Fleet.Greetings Everyone from Arcadia!
All is well and here we are just less than 15 hours away from Mumbai - Lots of excitement and many staff past themselves with excitement at the thought of seeing their loved ones tomorrow!
The sea is calm and the sun is shining - bodies are draped over the sun loungers on the open decks and it is nice to see many lovely sun tans appearing - takes a lot of work you know! We are all set for our first 'turnround' of the Grand Voyage, all arrangements are in place - Land, Sea and Air! Flights, Stores, Immigration, Tours, you name it and we have thought of it.
I had a meeting with my Direct Reports today to do a final overview of the Mumbai Operation. Carl looks after us well so we enjoy a nice cup of coffee at the same time along with a freshly baked blueberry muffin. One of the great joys of my office here is the design as I have board room table which seats 10 along with daylight.
Graham our Port Presenter has given me a few lines of information on Mumbai for you:
On our way now to Mumbai where India's past, present and future all fuse into one, a city that is like no other and has not been called the Gateway of India for nothing. Capital of the state of Maharashtra and where 18 million people live and exist. A city of extremes where high rise office blocks sit cheek by jowl with slums. Here our passengers will be able to see the former home of Ghandi and also some of the wonderful buildings designed by George Wittet that included the General Post Office and the Gateway of India. Many will see for the first time the almost St Pancras like Victoria Terminus, the main railway station where 2 million people each day pass through. For sure our visit will long be remembered by our passengers, their first sight of India. There are many famous Hotels in the City, the notable of course being the Taj Mahal, now thankfully fully restored to it's former glory after the recent 'troubles'. Some of our passengers are taking the opportunity to enjoy the Hotel's facilities for our stay. Whilst 'in residence' at the Taj Mahal they can experience the views out over the Gateway of India set on the very shores of the bustling port.
My thanks to Graham for all his hard work and dedication. Our passengers really appreciate all his advice and guidance to help them in their adventures ashore.
After the Formal Dinner last evening I went along to see the last 30 minutes of ANOTHER new show - BIG PICTURE - it was WOW FACTOR PLUS!!! This show celebrates the Oscars with a selection of Academy Award - winning songs and routines, along with all the glitter and glamour of the movies, their music and their magic!
Below Stairs I was taking an overview of our stores with Orla our Assistant Hotel Stores Manager - buy 6 lorry loads and get the 7th free! Also you can never have too much quilted velvet toilet paper.
No I am not reading the lesson! I am signing the Garbage Log. Could it be 'This is your life'!!!
Our lovely Crew Manger Sam and her Assistant Petrina keep on top of all the paper work for the cruise Ship's clearance formalities - here they are getting all the 900 Ship's Company to sign their Indian Customs Papers. Unfortunately Mario our Administration Manager is slightly blurred in the picture - he is known to our passengers as the 'Ultimate Visa Machine'!!! He is an expert in Indian and Chinese Visas................! Mario is German so you know this term of endearment came from a leading German car brand.....
India here we come, all preparations are in place and there will be many a tale to tell when our passengers and crew return home to Arcadia after their touring.
Best wishes,James.
'If water nourishes the human body, then cruising upon it surely nourishes the soul'
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9 comments:
Wow, what an exciting port of call for passengers, but even more so for the staff. I should imagine most of them are meeting with family and friends whilst you are calling in Mumbai. Will the staff's friends and family be lining the dock awaiting your arrival? And do you give the staff time off so they can spend a decent amount of time off with their loved ones?
Elaine Brady (aurorabore)
Your blog is bringing back some happy memories of my cruise to the Canaries last November. Arcadia is a wonderful ship with an excellent compoany of officers and staff. I hope you'll pass on my good wishes to Saviona Rodrigues (whose photo has since appeared in a magazine I write for), to John (the brilliant steward for G073), and to Deepak, Rajesh and Ashwin for making every dinner in Lower Meridian so special. Ah, and to Sallie too - for always looking so stunning whenever she walked on to the stage!
The new shows sound really wonderful James - hope they are rolled out to Oriana when we are on her in June. Yes - you and Sally certainly keep us passengers occupied. Please pass our regards to Sally if she recalls us from J816 last August - she kindly came along to the Cruise Connections meeting we organised.
Andrew & Tony
Please say hello to Graham Howells for me. He probably doesn't remember but we had a conversation at the Portunus party on Voyage to Venice last May and I was asking him about being a Port Presenter...as a result I wrote to P&O and will have my "trial" cruise in April. I am so looking forward to the opportunity....now I know he is on the Grand Voyage that will be my next aim!! (If he doesn't remember me, tell him I was with my Mum and my sister and we all looked alike!)
Wow - now the Grand Voyage gets exciting. I do hope that those who are able, get to see their loved ones in Mumbai.
Have a great time.
Mumbai was an eye-opener for us on Aurora last year, but very enjoyable. David Howell was aboard as the port presenter, warning passengers to "dress respectively" when visiting temples.
Hi James. It's my daughter Beckie's birthday today. She's in the back row (left) of the photo you posted yesterday of the Headliners cast. She would be so suprised if you were to wish her 'Happy Birthday' if you see her at all today. She doesn't know that I read your blog daily to find out where the ship is and to read up on Arcadia's news.
Great Blog!!
Julianne
Oh no....disaster.......Forgot about the time difference. It's not her birthday until the 23rd!!!
Julianne
What a shame Mumbai is so full of beggers, it somehow spoils the visit
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