Olso - Norway and Gdansk - Poland

Arcadia's glamorous Photography Team cutting a dash at the Commodore's Gala Reception. We love the formal evenings when all the style comes out.

The Royal Palace in Oslo.

Oslo Nobel Peace Centre.

Oslo Akershus Castle.

You can see the size of the QM2. The mighty Leviathan!

Raymond and James - lest the lines fail there's a P&O Cruises Team at hand!

One side of The Queens Room on QM2. I thought I was in the presence of Royalty ( which I have before!) from the number of portraits on the bulkheads.

The bow of the QM2 taken from the Library.

One of the passenger foyers, I felt elevated before the lift doors opened!

Just admiring the 'well known Brand' Art Deco crystal - it was screwed down!...........prior to my visit.

A Leading Lady arrives in town...............

Heads of State gather in the Drawing Room! James pictured with David Stephenson - Hotel Manager QM2.

Some creative photography reminiscent of the golden age of travel.

Good Day All,

We enjoyed a smooth passage up the North Sea. Our sail in to Oslo was very interesting with lots to see, but as my photographs tell the day was overcast and damp.

The Queen Mary 2 was already alongside as we manoeuvred towards our berth. I have seen her many times in many different ports but I have never been on board! All that was to change today as I arranged to visit my counterpart Mr David Stephenson, the Hotel Manager of the QM2.

After a busy morning with emergency drills etc, we took a taxi from our berth to the QM2. The journey was hilarious as the taxi driver spoke little English and did not have a clue as to where we wanted to go. First of all her took us to the ferry terminal and then a tour of the city centre and eventually we arrived at our destination. All the fun of travel in a foreign port!
The first thing that strikes you when you see the QM2 is how big she is! It was a lovely surprise to bump into my old friend Isabelle Lauderdale (nee Beecher) and to meet her two children! Isabelle and I used to work together in the past when she was a Deputy Purser with P&O Cruises. Isabelle’s husband is an Engineer on board the QM2.

The ship is very impressive and you do have that feeling that you are on board the most famous liner in the world. Everywhere there are reminders of the past, of the company’s heritage and the glamorous age of travel. But that is the only link with the past as the ship has every modern convenience and luxury you could wish for on your holiday. The foyer is huge as is the 1100 seater Britannia Restaurant. Lots of public rooms to explore. It was good to see David again after a long number of years and to exchange tales of the sea. David kindly hosted us to lunch in the Queens Grill – now that was a treat. I was very impressed with the QM2 and would certainly love to do a transatlantic crossing to New York (for starters!). Raymond came with me, Mario was also to come but he could not get away in time as he was driving his boat as part of our General Emergency Exercise – his loss!

Oslo is Norway’s modern Capital City and it is a most interesting city to walk around. I always enjoy a stroll around the Palace and the fortress of Akershus. As with all of Norway it is spotlessly clean and very well kept – congratulations to the local council!

I have included some photos of our Entertainment Officers; it was a great pleasure to welcome Mr Michael Mullane as Arcadia’s Cruise Director. Michael has previously been on Artemis. The picture was taken at the Commodore’s Welcome on board Gala Reception.

Today we are in Gdansk – the Hanseatic City whose history covers a 1000 years. It was largely destroyed in the last War; however it has been painstakingly restored to its former glory recreating an authentic setting. There is a tour here called ‘On the road to Freedom’, where passengers go to Waterplatte, where on the 1st September 1939 World War 2 began. This tour also passes by Lech Walesa’s house. Tomorrow we will be at anchor at Nynashamn which is the gateway to one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Stockholm.

Thanks for all your messages which you have sent me - these really make the day!

All good wishes from the Arcadians,

James

Friendship survives not only by pruning its branches but also by tending to its roots.