Update from the Atlantic

Greetings from Arcadia!

We are now on day 5 of our Atlantic Crossing from Barbados to Vigo. The sea continues to be kind to us! We had an unscheduled call in Ponta Delgada in the Azores today to complete a Medical Landing. All went smoothly and it was a beautiful morning. Arcadia was alongside from 0900 hours 1000 hours. During this time Commodore Burgoine suggested I go ashore and check out the new terminal facilities for another time! Jackie Bott our Passenger Services Manager and I went for a walkabout with our Ship's Agents. We were most impressed. A very smart cafe and shopping mall on the dock level, and above a coach parking area for dispatching shore excursions. There was a small baggage carousel facility for handling small changes of passengers. A lot of investment here, and beautifully designed. Adjacent to this is a conference centre. I took some photos but I cannot get them posted at the moment - something to do with the satellite connections! Hopefully later along with some other pictures which relate to my last blog posting and new year.

We have so many Gold Tier Portunus Passengers on board that we had to hold two lunches over two days. Portunus is the name of our past passenger loyalty club for P&O Cruises. I have along with my colleagues been hosting a table at these lunches. All good fun as you are hosting people who are passionate about P&O Cruises and our great ships.

Tomorrow I have a lot of meetings and briefings and then on Friday we arrive in our final port of call for this cruise VIGO in Spain. After this we have one sea day and then our home port Southampton. We are all looking forward to setting sail on our Round World Cruise. It will be amazing the number of passengers I will know as we have around 1000 doing the entire Voyage with us.

Watching the BBC World News today on the TV it looks like the UK is well covered in snow. I hope all our passengers will be able to get home OK after their fabulous Christmas and New Year Cruise with us! Hopefully the UK weather will have eased by Sunday........ I left home on the 16th December and by the 18th December my drive was covered in snow and has been ever since.

Everyone is enjoying this sea passage, passengers are very relaxed, with plenty of time to chill out. The Ship's Company are busy looking after everyone and planning ahead for the next cruise. Tomorrow we will be holding the 'A FACTOR' in the Atrium, an opportunity for our Ship's Company to showcase the different departments. Everything from Engine Room, Bridge, Stores, Theatre Company,Galley,Housekeeping and Retail will be on display. Passengers can see how things happen behind the scenes and ask questions. I will give the piano in the Piano bar a tinkle around 1100 hours!

Wherever you are take care on the roads and I hope your travel plans have not been disrupted too much by the weather.

Best wishes meantime,
James

'Love will find a way. Indifference will find an excuse.'