Onwards and Upwards in the Baltic.

James, Gary Rhodes and Mike Monohan - Culinary Manager.



Hello Everyone,

Seems ages since my last blog! Hope this finds you well.

We had a good Sunday in Southampton at Ocean Terminal. I did not have too many meetings this time therefore once our passengers disembarked I was able to get out and take a tour of the ship to see what all our contractors and staff were up to. It is incredible the amount of work that takes place from arrival at 0700 hours until Noon when we start embarkation. Lots of carpet and upholstery cleaning going on, and Sandy’s Scrubbers were here renewing the anti slip coating on the Belvedere Food Court marble floor.

It was a pleasant sail away down the Solent with a noticeable cooler air than we have been used to – autumn is on the way!

The North Sea was well behaved. Monday was overcast which did not detract from a very full on day aboard Arcadia. This being a Baltic Cruise the Shore Excursions Team are in big demand. Celebrity Chef Gary Rhodes hosted a morning cookery demonstration in The Palladium Theatre to a full house, and then did an afternoon book signing and photography session in The Crows Nest. Gary is not too fond of the motion of the ocean but we had no need to worry! There is always an extra buzz around when Gary is here – he is so good at speaking to our passengers and visiting all the tables in his Arcadian Rhodes Restaurant. Gary Rhodes and his wife Jenny are very much ‘at home’ on board Arcadia. Arcadian Rhodes was a first for Gary Rhodes at sea. Arcadia was launched in April 2005. Did you know that Arcadian Rhodes was the first ‘fine dining’ restaurant for P&O Cruises? Gray Rhodes is now off to film another TV series in Italy. You know I love Italy!!

I called my friend Elma who was on the last Baltic Cruise with us and where was she?..................Lucca of all places enjoying shopping in the Italian sun............! Last evening I was a guest in Arcadian Rhodes and enjoyed another delicious meal in superb surroundings – how can I diet?.....I have all of Gary’s cook books at home nicely on display in my country kitchen, they are a great to leaf over with a nice cup of coffee even if one has no intention of getting the pots and pans out! .....

For more information visit –
http://www.garyrhodes.com/

I was glad that the sea was calm as it made for a most enjoyable Commodore’s Welcome on Board reception. I met many regular passengers and also a lot of new to cruising people who are very excited to be on board and sailing to all these wonderful ports of call. This cruise we will be visiting Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg overnight, Tallinn, Oslo and Kristiansand.

On Tuesday we arrived in Copenhagen and the sun came out to welcome us! Passengers came back raving about their day as the weather was much better than had been forecast.

Today we are in the Baltic Sea and the sun is shining on Arcadia. I had hoped to post a blog earlier however the Internet was intermittent preventing me from doing so.

Jan Leeming is on board and she also writes a blog. You can visit her website here –
http://www.jan-leeming.com/

I had a quick look at Jan’s blog today and she said she was going to post some photographs of her cruise as time permits.

Thanks for reading! Keep your messages coming and do forgive me if I do not answer them all.

Bye for now,
James.

The longer the grind the finer the flour.


The Ocean Terminal - a hive of activity.

It was great to see Marlyn - we first met at Harland and Wolf in Belfast when the Star Princess was being re branded to Arcadia - the ship that is now Ocean Village. Many a laugh we had to meet the deadline for delivery. Marlyn is the right hand woman at Sandy's Scrubbers.

Paul one of our contractors from Harris Pye is rehanging the sun blinds in The Belevedere Food Court. I am very fussy about Drapes, I can spot a curtain hook out a mile away. When I am off the ship I can't help but notice this whenever I am in other hotels and restaurants.

Meet Sandy herself! Sandy is the boss of Sandy's Scrubbers pictured here with her daughter. I first met Sandy when we launched the Oriana in 1995. We had terrible trouble with the green decking in the main working alleyway of the ship and Sandy came to the rescue - Sandy has been to the rescue many times since and it is always a joy to see her and her team.

The groceries are here..................

One of many little jobs that have to be done - the RNLI Gentlemen empty our donation boxes for a most worthy cause. Thank you - this is all voluntary work.

Meet Emma Harding and Charmaine Morris from our Marketing team. Charmaine is my 'blog buddy' in the Office. Hello to Elliott Pritchard who would love to be here! Elliott is also a great help to me with this blog. Whenever I get stuck it is Elliott I call.

Gary Rhodes live in The Palladium Theatre with a cook set that was specially built for Arcadia for this very purpose. Also in the picture is Matt who is the current Chef in Arcadian Rhodes doing a fine job.

Sam and Belinda in the picture to say farewell to Gary Rhodes in Copenhagen.
L to R - Matt, Sam,Gary, Belinda,Mike.

Arcadia alongside in Copenhagen.

L to R James, Tours Agent Nick, Mo Harrison -Shore Excursions Manager and Bob Ward, Security Officer.

This is as far as I got in Copenhagen - the shops on the dock!

Anyone on the Bridge? See the lovely blue skies in Copenhagen.

Not even an air to lift the Commodore's Burgee!

The leading lights! Arcadia's Crew Club Committee - Key Team Players!
L to R James, David, Rina,Clifford, Deepak and Kevin.

We had a Crew Club Meeting today and after the official business and minute taking we like to go on a walkabout and visit any 'project' we have on the go. Much more fun than sitting in an office.

Celebrating Success! We inspect the new layout in the Crew Quiet Room and the new book shelves. Clifford and David are going on leave on the 20th September. Over the past 7 months we have achieved great things with the Crew Club on board Arcadia.