The World Awaits

Good Day!

It is exciting to be back on board after a wonderful leave. Christmas and New Year at home was a very happy time for me surrounded with family and friends. I love the build up to Christmas - the time of waiting and the excitement everywhere, which was completely the opposite to what we were hearing on the news with all the doom and gloom, boom and bust. I do get fed up with hearing from all the celebrity cooks how to make Christmas Dinner simple and 101 ways to stuff a turkey...and how to make your own crackers - does anyone really do this?

My thanks to Ian for doing such a fantastic job with the blog. I enjoyed keeping up to date with the Arcadia Refit and the Christmas Cruise. My first impression as I came through the Mayflower Terminal today was how 'fresh' Arcadia looked with her new coat of paint and the P&O Cruises logo on the ship's side - she really was sparkling almost smiling and eager to embark her passengers and crew for the Grand Voyage. After a short meeting in the Executive Purser's Office to catch up over a coffee Ian took me on a whistle stop tour of the ship to get an overview of the work completed in the refit - I was not disappointed! I was impressed with the new Deck space, the Aquarius Bar and the Boutique Cinema. I also love the new furniture in the Neptune Pool area and the many new carpets and furnishings around the ship. On of the great joys of rejoining the ship is to see my colleagues and receive a welcome from the ship's company. By early afternoon we had baggage coming out of our ears - just how many cases do people bring? All the Accommodation Staff were run off their feet on delivery.

I am looking forward with great anticipation to the days ahead as we sail the globe and the opportunity for me to share special moments and funny stories with you. In my Hotel room this morning I had the BBC news on and they were reporting that today was supposed to be one of the most depressing days of the year for many as they return to work! I can honestly say that I am the very fortunate position to be able to say that this does not apply to me! I hope it did not apply to too many of you either. I know many of my friends at home are looking forward to getting back into some sort of routine after the Holiday excess. For me I will be like most others pledging to exercise and also exercise restraint to shed the weight put on over the month of December!!

I will take this opportunity to send you all best wishes for 2009 and what ever you are dreaming of I hope your dreams come true. And to Ian WS - have a great leave and well deserved rest.

I will write more soon. Must go now and unpack my suitcases...........don't get to caught up in the High Street sales - remember it is only a bargain if you really need it!

Good to be back,
James

'The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time'
Abraham Lincoln