Suez - The Canal and Port Said.

The Commodore's Burgee flying as Arcadia makes her way through the Suez Canal. For more on the Suez Canal cruise visit my blog dated 15.01.2009. We have been this way before on this Grand Voyage, the last time in January we were full of excitement knowing that we were on our way to unknown waters for Arcadia. This time we are excited to be on our way home with endless happy memories of all the places we have been, the sights we have experienced, the good times we have shared and all the sheer hard work in between - makes it all very rewarding knowing that all our planning paid off.

Arcadia on the final approach to Port Said where we will embark our overland tour passengers who spent the day at Cairo and the Pyramids. What a beautiful day we had for the transit and the tours.

See the ship ahead. Arcadia was number 13 in the the convoy of 25 ships for the day.

The tugs keep a watchful eye in the narrow passages.

Arcadia goes under the bridge!

So much to see - how's this for an unusual bridge.....

For the passengers not on tour they had a fine day to themselves in the sun.

Meet John Hancock our Chief Baker - we are delighted to have John on the Arcadia Team. John has spent over 20 years on the QE2 and when she was decommissioned he came to work for

P&O Cruises. John loves the Arcadia and is very happy with his change of ship. Best wishes to John's family back home in the UK. John and I also share the same birthday!

Freshly baked rolls everyday on Arcadia.

Luis and Adolf on Meet and Greet at morning breakfast in The Meridian with a friendly smile.

Meet Geoff Goes our Executive Pastry Chef - responsible for all those extra inches around the waistline.........

An Army Barracks.

The morning started off rather overcast and grey but by mid morning the sun came out.

Meet Meghna from our Security Team - keeping a watchful eye.

Not quite sure what this is?

Early morning in the canal.

A quayside scene at Port Side with all our tour passengers returning on board and other passengers and crew down on the dock for a last minute bargain purchase! What did you buy?

How much did you pay? How much for two? Dollars or pounds?? McGregor take a look here Mr McGregor - Hello Mrs Simpson and so it goes on - of course they all call me Captain!! Captain take a look here - no charge for looking - almost free - best quality - good price - how much you want to pay......................fun fun fun!


Good Day Everyone,

Well we arrived at our anchorage at Suez at 0300 and all was in place for our boating operation by 0400 hours. Between 0415 and 0445 hours we disembarked our tour passengers to Suez where they boarded their coaches and form there the convoy went to Cairo. By 0630 hours Arcadia made her way into the Suez Canal, being number 13 in the canal convoy of 25. It was a great day for sightseeing and taking photographs. Nice and sunny but not too warm with a gentle breeze across the open decks. By 1820 hours we were alongside our berth in Port Said. The Commodore gave passengers on board permission to debark for one hour should they wish - there was a mad dash ashore by the shoppers to check out the local traders in the dock side area.

By this time the tour coaches were returning so for 60 minutes the traders could not believe their luck! Dollars were changing hands at the rate of knots!! Then just after 1930 hours we had everyone accounted for and up came the gangways with our pilot on board and we sailed at 2000 hours.

A long day for many of our staff and indeed for Commodore Burgoine and the Bridge Team.

Another very successful day all round. We are now on our way to Italy.

All for now,

James.

Lessons learned are the bridges with which to cross the rivers of regret.