Au revoir.....

My favourite Formal evenings on the Cruise are the first and the last...................

Ship Ahoy Ship Ahoy...................Hello Sailor!

Classical Memories.......of the Baltic Capitals, Empires were once made of this, now we build them with Ships.........

Where would I be without my KGB.................... This is our fabulous Shop Team all dressed up for the Russian Bazaar.!!!

High brow - high culture - with P&O Cruises there is no limit...............an evening at The Ballet, just one of many options available to our discerning clientele - the choice is yours........

I thought Swans only came in black or white - what's this with shades of blue - must have been a chilly night on the lakes..........!

My first blog was published on the 27th October 2008, since then together we have gone from strength to strength. Thank you.

And so the curtain comes down for another time on the James Cusick Blog. No doubt I shall blog again after my leave for.........commitment is the anchor that secures the ship of your life in the harbour of excellence.

Au revoir......

James

Kristiansand

Me with one giant Moose................even the Executive Purser has to bow to a greater authority - check out those horns!!..........


Hello Eveyone,

A weekend special here - just coming to the end of a fabulous Baltic Cruise - no one can believe the weather for this time of year - our sun beds were in use today in the North Sea!!

Norway's Southern coastline, with its picturesque towns, is a magnet for Summer visitors. Inland the scenery is starker and life in the mountains lingers in the past. Kristiansand is the 'capital' of southern Norway, a pleasant town, laid out in squares. Again there are lots of interesting Shore Excursion to explore........or just potter in the town. It is easy to walk into town or to take the local Shoo Shoo Train!

James and Mario checking out the quay side operations - I needed reinforcements!

I always wanted to be an Engine Driver..................preferable not in a fair ground attraction!!!

Meet Karlyn our Port Presenter - here we find her checking our the Flora...

Even in September the summer is still going on and the wildlife were waiting to greet us for the last call in Kristiansand. We are really enjoy the sunshine weather in Norway. Whenever I see a swan floating across a lake like this I am mindful of our entire operation, paddling like mad underneath and gliding with grace on top!!

A penny for your thoughts.........on day I will be a cruiser too........on the big white ships with a buff funnel....

Pam trees and sunshine, clear blue skies, no winds - is this really NORWAY...........looks more like Antigua to me..........

This is not a real Circus - this is a Pub where you can enjoy a drink on the Terrace - of a fish and chips lunch Norwegian style.....

The Marina View.

Meet Ron and Gill Brown who are regular passengers on Arcadia! I bumped into Ron on Promenade Deck and Ron was disappointed that they had not made it on the blog !! They did feature previously. After I left the Bridge on departure, I phoned their Stateroom and agreed to come along and take this picture! Ron and Gill wish to say 'Hello'!! to Richard and Annette H who were passengers for the entire Grand Voyage 2009. I say Hello to Richard and Annette also - they were such a joy to have around the ship every day for three months. We miss you Richard and Annette and hope to see you again soon. Best wishes to Ron and Gill who hope to join us for on the Arcadia's Round World Cruise 2010..................

See how close we are to the town centre. They are building a new Theatre next to the Cruise ship Berth - it is all going on even in these small towns - when you come with us next year it should be complete. We would have gone further but even the Commodore can only go so far with a rock and a bridge ahead!!

A leisurely pit stop on this amazing Baltic adventure - a time to stretch your legs with clear skies and light airs.

Best wishes,

James.

Time flies - tempus fugit

Oslo, Norway

A beautiful day in Oslo - Norway.

Whatever the direction the wind was blowing it was perfect for flying the flag.............

On a P&O Cruise holiday you just never know where your sun lounger is going to overlook from day to day...........Arcadia alongside her berth in Oslo overlooking the manicured gardens in the old fortress. Just lie back and let us change the scenery!...........

Oslo's Town Hall. It is only a short walk into town from this berth. If you check back to my last blog on Oslo a month ago, Queen Mary 2 was on this same berth.

Wonderful buildings in the old fortress. Dreamy spires Norwegian style!

Everyone needs a little quiet corner to relax in the sun............

Meet Patrick one of Arcadia's Bar Waiters who does an excellent job, he was walking round the top deck outside the Crows Nest checking on his customers. From a sparkling water, Cocktail of the Day, freshly squeezed orange juice, or simply a glass of Champagne - the choice is yours. We are here to serve.

The Commodore's Burgee flying on the Forward deck as Arcadia prepares for sailing. As you can see it is a very pretty harbour area with lots to explore. Who said ' what would I do all day on a cruise.................?

Hello Again,

On Thursday we were in Olso. Oslo is one of my favourite ports of call. An interesting City and everything is within easy reach with a wide variety of Shore Excursions to choose from. The shops are very 'up to the minute' and lots of Restaurants and Bars to relax in with friends. The Norwegians are lovely people - they make you welcome but leave you alone at the same time, there is no hard sell if you know what I mean. Everyone loves it when the ship is berthed in the City Centre as you can come and go as you please all day long. Oslo is somewhere I would like to come for a long weekend break, unless of course I am calling in on a Cruise!

Have a good weekend whatever you are up to. I guess the shops at home are all gearing up for Christmas!

Best wishes,

James.

Another day, another port, another evening, another show!

The Oresund Birdge

On Wednesday morning we were all 'up on deck' to see Arcadia pass below the bridge - times like this are always great to share together. I always get asked loads of questions so I need to keep my general knowledge up to speed...........

The Oresund Bridge.

The open decks are a hive of activity on mornings like this - it was cooler today however the sun is still shining on Arcadia and the seas are calm. Look at the lovely blue sky as Arcadia sails on towards Oslo.

You never know who you will meet on deck............................

Jan Leeming - well known BBC Broadcaster and Travel Writer. We must have chatted for about 15 minutes! I have never been one to be lost for words - Jan is loving her time on board Arcadia and would love to join us sometime in the future and visit Australia, on one of our Round World Cruises or Grand Voyages. We are a bit wind swept!!

I took this picture looking aft from the deck above The Orchid Restaurant. You can see the sports deck and the golf nets.

Arcadia's mast..........keeping us on track............these are the things that go round and round - Radars!

Looking aft from Deck 11 above the Crows Nest.

Davide our Third Officer on the Bridge says his Mother is disappointed she has never seen her son on my blog - so we need to put this right! Hello to Davide's Mum - Mara who lives in Malfalcone, Italy - just about 10 minutes from where our new ship Azura is being built.

Davide and Simon - the Officers of the Watch on the Bridge, now you know who is 'driving the ship'!!!

Egon our Navigator makes sure we get there on time.........

All together now...

L to R - Egon, Davide,Oliver,Andy, Robert,Nawab and Simon.

James likes to know all that is going on!.............what a spectacular Bridge Team we have on board. Nothing is too much trouble for them.

Catching up on the morning's business with Commodore Steve Burgoine.

Lots of commercial shipping to see - it always makes me thankful that I work on the beautiful big white ships of P&O Cruises...........

Hello Everyone,

I do hope that you feel as if you have been on board with us going below the Oresund Bridge!

Here is Kathryn's broadcast - our Port Presenter,

Öresund Bridge
Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is your port presenter, just to give you a few words on the bridge that we are currently passing under. The Öresund Bridge or the sound bridge as it is sometimes called, links Denmark to southern Sweden and it crosses the strait by the same name. Construction began in 1995, the last section was finished on August 14th 1999 and the bridge finally opened in July 2000, with Queen Margrethe II and King Carl Gustaf present at the inauguration. The bridge spans 5 miles from Lernacken in Sweden to the artificial island of Peberholm in Denmark – The bridge stops here and the link continues via a 2.5 mile long tunnel leading to Copenhagen’s international airport. Its total length is 7,845 metres and has a clearance of 57 meters. The bridge has one of the longest cable-stayed main spans, in the world at 490 meters. The highest part of the bridge rests on 4 pylons, each 204 meters high and roadway is about 30 meters across. Since the bridge opened there has been a rapid increase of traffic, as many Danes now live in Sweden and commute to Copenhagen. That’s all from me, but I hope you all have a lovely day, on board the Arcadia.
ends.

Have a good day,

Bye for now,

James.

Always give your best effort, regardless of your role.

Tallinn - Estonia

The City of Tallinn comes into view as Arcadia approaches her berth.

Arcadia securely alongside. The weather is holding up well for us.

Lots of flower shops on the approach to the old city centre.

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm in Tallinn, where are you?

Lots to see!

Anyone for a refreshment?

More great architecture and interesting shops to browse.

The main square with Molly Malone's straight ahead!

Not as many people in town today............it was a Monday and we were the only ship in port.

A good view of the town hall.

I would love to see it all decorated for Christmas - must be fairytale!

Arcadia is doing a Christmas Markets Cruise in December..................

See the thickness of the City Walls..............

Trailers for sale or rent! This is Volvo truck - American style for all my trucker readers!!

Arcadia prepares for departure - two days at sea ahead and next port Oslo.

The mooring team get set for letting go the ropes................

Hello Everyone,

We enjoyed our call at Tallinn last Monday, since then we have been at sea for two days, arriving in Oslo on Thursday. The sea has been kind and the sun continues to shine! This morning on my rounds of the open decks I met Jan Leeming! You just never know who you are going to speak to next when you work on board the ship. We had a great chat and an obligatory photo for the blog, so more to follow!! This has been a steady day on board just keeping everything up to date and ready for handing over at Southampton. I have already been planning and discussing the final details for the Christmas Cruise and the Round World Cruise 2010 - this is how far ahead we need to plan on board. Commodore Steve Burgoine and Chief Engineer Angus MacDonald are also going on leave at Southampton so there is a change in Deck, Engine and Hotel Departments...Captain Ian Walters returns from leave along with Chief Engineer David Jewkes and Executive Purser Peter Thomas.

Thanks for all your messages - it has been great fun replying to them.

Best wishes meantime,

James.

Understanding should precede judging.