Easter Sunday at Sea.

A sparkling Easter Sunday Afternoon with the Celebrities!
L to R - Iris Williams O.B.E, James, Beckie Emberton Head Dancer with the Headliners Theatre Company and Mike Doyle.

Iris, Mike and Beckie will be joining the Commodore as judges at our 'Strictly Arcadia Dancing' this afternoon.

Iris' musical journey has taken her from South Wales to an international career of huge distinction. Iris' first major success' He was beautiful. earned her a gold disc.

Iris wishes to send greeting to Douglas, Rita and Gareth Evans.

Mike Doyle is a West End singer and award winning comic who leaves his audiences spellbound after his many appearances all over the world. Mike will be on in The Palladium this evening.
I have known Mike for many years and he is great fun to be around.


Commodore Steve Burgoine with the joint winners of the dancing competition and the celebrity Judges!

Blue sea and skies over the open decks of Arcadia today - even thought it is cooler!

Malaga from a distance at noon today.

Father Michael Gibbons & Mrs Marian Hughes. Marian's husband John ( not pictured!) was a Purser with P&O Cruises many years ago and is now retired.

Rev Tony Meek and his wife Jennifer and you know who!

Commodore Steve Burgoine takes the Interdenominational Church Service with the 'professionals' on hand for today!

The Choir were fantastic. Music and singing brings so much joy and pleasure to many.

One of our Easter Displays showcasing the tremendous talent and creativity of Arcadia's Galley Brigade under the direction of Trevor Connolly our Executive Chef.

Easter Greetings to all,

Here we are at sea and the last time I was out on deck we were passing Malaga and now in my office I can see the rock of Gibraltar from my office window - well and truly on the way home now. I have just returned from the Gold Tier Poutunus Lunch was as a most enjoyable occasion and a perfect way to spend Easter Sunday Lunch with no cooking or shopping to do! The Choir were in fine voice this morning and all went well for our Easter Sunday Service in The Palladium Theatre at 1015. I do enjoy playing the piano for Easter and Christmas as the music is such a big part of the celebrations. When I finished this morning after the service I got a round of applause so I continued on for another five minutes or so in appreciation to my audience. Then it was up to the Crows Nest with all the Choir for some coffee and Danish and I was given the task of saying a few words of appreciation to our Cruise Director Gary Glading on behalf of the passenger choir for Gary's contribution to 'Choirs at Sea' - if it was not for Gary it would not have happened! The Choir presented Gary with a canvas photograph personally signed by all the current members of the choir - 60+ - lots of people have come and gone over the Grand Voyage.

In between all this I checked my emails and talked to various members of my team and passengers - it is all going on...........last evening I was attending a number of social functions and as it was the Jame Bond and Black and White night - I was the celebrity dealer in The Casino from 10.00pm to 11.00pm - it was good fun and the Casino was packed. All the things you do to keep the business booming!

At 1530 hours today we have a 'Strictly Arcadia Dancing' in The Palladium where Officers are taking part in a competition so this should be fun! Hope you are enjoying your Easter Weekend where ever you are. Portugal in the morning with our call at Lisbon for Easter Monday. Peter Thomas my relief also joins for a handover period until Southampton. My own piano was packed up for storage today so preparations for departure are well under way - this is always a ritual on each leaving and joining!

Happy Easter to all our friends in Australia and especially to Geoff Witts - Geoff thanks for all your wonderful messages - I was taking to my right hand man Steve Mitchell - our Senior Purser - Food and Beverage Manager and he sends this message to you -

Please pass onto Geoff and his family 'Happy Easter' from myself and tell him I am looking forward to meeting up with his twin brother Graham who lives in Leicestershire in the summer, I used to work and share a cabin with Graham in the mid 80s on Pacific Princess when we were both bartenders, the last time we met up was at the christening of my daughter Kirsty back in 1993.

It was only by pure chance that I met Geoff and his lovely wife at the Commodores Welcome Party on the 7th February when they were travelling from Singapore to Perth, Geoff was kind enough to give me Graham's phone number and I look forward to catching up with Graham and his family in the summer to catch up with all the news.
Best Regards
Steve

Hope things are warming up for Tony and Louse in Italy.........

All good wishes form all us Arcadians,

James.

Memories are treasures we can enjoy again and again.