Barnaby Bear on Arcadia.

Barnaby on the Bridge wing.

Good Day All,

Greetings from Singapore. We arrived alongside one hour early today at 0700 hours so we could get a head start on the disembarking baggage and off loading garbage. This allowed us to start our storing programme at 0800 hours as we have a tight schedule and a heavy storing programme today. It was sad to see some good friends like Winnifred and John leaving today, but what a great time we had with them on board Arcadia. We are all in agreement that the time has just flown since Southampton on the 5th January. I met another gentleman on my rounds of the Belvedere Food Court this morning who stopped me to say thank you for a wonderful holiday. He and his wife have been on board for six weeks - having joined at our last call in Singapore. He said he had never taken a six week holiday in his life before and thought he would be bored stiff - however this turned out to be quite the opposite! See - we have started a new trend for winter holidays..........then on my way through the Atrium Foyer I bump into two people I know and said I have not been speaking to you for a while - to which they replied 'that's because James we left you last Singapore and we missed Arcadia so much we are back today'!! It is all going on.......


Where’s Barnaby Bear Today?

It is a great pleasure for me to have Barnaby Bear cruising with us on Arcadia! Barnaby is missing his mentor Mrs Chris Clarke at Kippax North Junior School in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Barnaby is no stranger to the sea as he was born on board Artemis two years ago and he loves doing these Grand Voyages. Barnaby is delighted to be travelling with Brian and Margaret Clayson who are also regular Grand Voyagers with P&O Cruises!

Brian tells me that the pupils at Kippax North Junior School are learning their geography by following Barnaby's travels and they are keeping a watchful eye on Arcadia's Inaugural Grand Voyage. Best wishes to Mrs Clarke and all her pupils at Kippax North Junior! That reminds me it is a long time since I visited Yorkshire - I do like it there - must get back sometime soon and enjoy all that wonderful scenery and the friendly people - I love browsing (and buying) in the antique shops.

Lending a helping hand to Elizabeth, Cabin Stewardess on Australia Deck.

Going up in the world! Barnaby soon gets to grips with the lifts!

Where to go now?

Barnaby assisting our Staff Chief Engineer Angus Macdonald - Angus did not know we took this shot but he soon found out - it is not every day you have a bear visiting the Engineering Offices!

Not content with the Bridge Command Barnaby loves the Engine Command - here he is in the ECR - Engine Control Room.........is that the Commodore on the line? Perhaps it is Martyn Elliott our Chief Engineer?? Then again he may be ordering a Pizza from Room Service................!!

Barnaby and Pearl Ellis have a laugh on the Reception Desk. Barnaby loves counting money and stamps! Pearl is married to the King - Elvis!

May I have a window seat please?

Barnaby with Graham, Helen, Marion and Pauline - sorting out the Shore Excursion Dispatch arrangements. Everyone on a tour gets a ticket and a group number sticker! Everyone's an individual.......

And finally Barnaby graduates from the Cusick Academy of Cruising!

What a great job our Photographers do - I was sorry that I missed out on this one for the blog. Meet Wyn and Angela Williams who joined Arcadia's Inaugural Grand Voyage at Perth WA and will be with us all the way to Southampton. They asked to have this fun photo featured in my blog - so here it is.........best wishes to Wyn, Angela and all their friends and family.


Hope you have a great weekend whatever you decide to do. I am invited to Raffles Hotel for dinner this evening so looking forward to the occasion......and Elaine - it is good to know you are home after your trip to Manchester - we were wondering where you were!!!

Best wishes from Singapore,

James.

'The best time to make friends is well before you need them.'