From Russia with love.....again!

James Cusick requests the pleasure of your Company for an evening at the Hermitage...

Gone are the days of doom and gloom in St Petersburg, formerly Leningrad. Russia is realising it's true potential. The Cruise Ship Berths currently under construction will accommodate no less than seven ships. This is one amazing show home!!

Good Day Everyone,

Lovely to be back blogging after a very busy day on board this ship! Do you ever get one of those days when every time you check the clock another hour has gone? Lots of emails today, a couple of meetings and phone calls galore.............and I did host a table at the Gold Tier Portunus Lunch. Executive Chef Trevor Connolly had a delicious menu for us and the conversation flowed.

Gold Tier Lunches are great as they are for our most loyal passengers therefore they love cruising and especially travelling with P&O Cruises, so I learned a lot about their 'arrangements' for their Christmas Cruises and Winter Holidays on our ships!! The weather is holding up a dream - way beyond our wildest expectations and the sun beds were in full use today ( Tuesday at sea ).

Last Saturday and Sunday we were in St Petersburg. The new passenger terminal was much enjoyed and worked a treat for us all. The logistics of a two day call is carefully planned and was executed with perfection!.......so modest we are!! If you check back to last month on this blog there is another 'From Russia with love' post which gives you more details on the new terminal and some interesting photographs.

Early morning light as Arcadia arrives at the new Terminal in St Petersburg.

I asked Kathryn Gillham our Port Presenter to help me out with her top tips for St Petersburg so here we go............................

Kathryn’s top 5, not to be missed sights in St Petersburg.

1. Hermitage – Also known as the Winter Palace is the highlight attraction for most visitors to this great city, and I certainly agree with that. The immense collection of treasures and exquisitely decorated rooms make a visit here a real delight, but even more so if you take a private evening tour as I did last night. Included was a private classical recital which received a standing ovation, followed by a glass of champagne, it was a real privilege to be in the most famous art gallery in the world after it was closed to the public and an experience I shall not forget.

2. Catherine’s Palace – One of Catherine the Great's favourite Palaces, and with its ornate spender, it is one of mine too. A visit to the famous Amber room is a must, declared by some to be the 8th wonder of the world, was definitely the highlight of this morning’s tour with not only myself, but for all who went on tour with me.

3. Peterhof Palace – What can I say about Peterhof, other than how spectacular the water fountains and gardens are and again a Palace that should not be left off any itinerary to St Petersburg.

4. Church on the Spilled Blood – One of the smaller buildings of interest, this candy coloured Russian Orthodox Church is one of the most photographed. It is a real jewel of a building both inside and out, and a short trip here, whether to take a picture or to peek inside is certainly recommended.

5. St Petersburg Ballet – A night at the ballet is a classic way to spend a night here and what ballet could be better than the famous St Petersburg Ballet, with a glass of Russian Champagne at the interval. It’s an experience not to be missed and one that I think the passengers who went there last night will remember for a long time, everyone came back with plenty of smiles.

ends.

Thanks also the Kathryn for sharing some wonderful photographs with us.

I love Catherine the Great, she certainly liked the good things in life and she really was the Queen of Bling!

On Monday we were in Tallinn, a quieter day as we were the only ship in town, not like last time when we were along side Queen Victoria! ( you can visit 'older posts' to view my previous Tallinn blog).

Hope your week is all you planned it to be. Best wishes from the Arcadians..........

Bye for now,

James.

Money is like manure - if you spread it around it does a lot of good!