Sweden and Estonia and more.........

Gamle Stan - Stockholm.

The City of Stockholm - this view is from the City Hall.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Tallinn.

The 'Lower Town' in Tallinn near Gate Viru.

Good Day Everyone,

What an exciting day this has been. Apart from being in the port of Tallinn in Estonia we were also berthed alongside the CUNARD ship Queen Victoria. Arcadia was alongside her berth for 0800 hours therefore we got some great views of the Queen Victoria coming into port. There is always great excitement among the passengers and the ship’s company when we are all in such close proximity to each other.

I attended an induction for new joining staff and once this was complete Raymond Walsh and I went to visit Jacqueline Hodgson the Hotel Manager on Queen Victoria. Raymond had met Jacqui previously on a training course in Southampton so they had lots to catch up on. It was very good of Jacqui to give us her time and show us around her beautiful ship. I was really impressed with the interior of the Queen Victoria – the outside of the ship does not prepare you for the world of luxury and Hotel elegance that lies within! There is also a very impressive Theatre where you can hire a 'Royal Box'.

Find our more about the Queen Mary and Queen Victoria - the most famous Ocean Liners in the world on -

http://www.cunard.com/

The new Queen Elizabeth is also under construction as we speak.

Yesterday we were at anchor at Nynashamn which is the port gateway for the beautiful city of Stockholm. Stockholm enjoys majestic architecture, lush parks and many waterways. It quays and harbours are lined with distinguished buildings, many crowned with green copper roofs. I just love wondering around Stockholm although one day I hope to visit the Drottningholm Palace – the first Swedish site to be placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the home of Sweden’s Royal Family. Have you been?

Tallinn is a magical place to visit. Apparently it competes with Prague –but I have never been to Prague so perhaps you can tell me?! This Medieval Hanseatic City is enjoying a renaissance. Again there is a good choice of excursions. The Dominican Fair is on at the moment, a medieval cultural event which attracts an additional 10,000 visitors to the City and this fair runs for 23 days.

We have a new comedian on board Mel Mellers and he had us all in fits of laughter in The Palladium Theatre. A good laugh does you good! Tomorrow we will be in St Petersburg for two days so looking forward to getting out and about at some stage. This port is a very busy touring port for us, I just love all the planning and logistics of this and seeing it all fall into place, and most importantly doing what we do best –giving our passengers the opportunity to travel and tour with ease coupled with peace of mind.

Thanks for all your messages! It was great to hear from the Grey nomads in Australia – and we hope to see many of our Australian friends next year when we make another visit to Australia on Arcadia’s Round World Cruise 2010. Greetings to the Ackers! I will not be on board for the Christmas Market Cruise but rejoin for the Christmas Cruise to the Caribbean ( tough but someone has to do it – stuff the turkey – take the cruise!) Hello to Tony and Freda H – we hope to see you soon on board Arcadia! I concur - where is Elaine? Also Hello to Sally Bell - I remember well when we worked on the original Oriana based in Sydney with P&O Australia!

Not much traffic on my way to work this morning - this is Arcadia's beautiful teak Promenade Deck. Three time round and you've walked a mile.

Another Monarch arrives in town! The Queen Victoria.

Hands to stations fore and aft for arrival.............Staff Captain Andy Hall was on the Bridge.

Lots of activity on the dock with the two ships side by side.

Meet our passengers Joe and Marje Pucciarelli from New York USA - most of our passengers are from the UK but we do have a world wide following on Arcadia. Joe and Marje are delighted to be pictured here as they say their family will be reading my blog back home.

James on that famous staircase on board Queen Victoria - remember the movie?

The Holland America Ship - Rotterdam - was also in town today, a sister Company to us. The smaller ship to the right is the Funchal.

This is Elisa, Food and Beverage Supervisor on board Queen Victoria. Elisa's home is in the Italian City of Milan and she escorted us around a few back of house areas when Jacqui got called away on business. You can see the city skyline of Tallinn in the background.

Jacqueline Hodgson, Hotel Manager of the Queen Victoria with the lunch time waiting staff.

James and Jacqui underneath the globe in the main dining room.

Raymond and Jacqui catch up over a morning coffee. Another Heads of State Summit - two in the one week..........too much!

Karen Snaith and her team waiting to meet some friends on the quayside - great camaraderie on a day like today.

The iconic Cunard Funnel.

A so it is time to say goodbye - there was lots of hooting on the horn and passengers waving and bidding each other 'Bon Voyage'.

Good Bye from me also!

James.

No pleasures last so well as good fellowship and friendship