Meet Shona Kerfoot - Personnel and Development Manager who was here doing training with us. Notice the lovely Taj Mahal made out of white marble in a beautiful gift box with engraved plaque - this was a gift to me from the Arcadia Crew Club on the occasion of my birthday and also a farewell thank you. I shall be taking this home to treasure in my music room.
Shona and Jonathan Sampson - Assistant Front of House Manager.Good Day Everyone,
What a great time the Arcadians enjoy in Egypt and the weather could not have been better for sightseeing! We are truly blessed this Easter time!
James and Shona on a quick run ashore to take some air.........
On the Monday 5 March Arcadia was in Sharm El-Sheikh which is situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Desert , the prime reason for our call here is to visit the Monastery of St Catherine. However for those who do not wish to make the journey, there is plenty to do locally. Many Arcadians also went on a Camel and Jeep Safari.
Getting ready to depart for St Catherine's Monastery - this is on my 'to do' list - one day.........this is where God spoke to Moses from the Burning Bush.........
P&O Cruises - with you all the way on this Round World Adventure.........
Spell check....
Arcadia basking in the morning sun...........
Jeeps all lined up and ready to go.........with P&O Cruises..........
Plenty of private boats in the harbour.
Arcadians either walked or took a taxi into town.
Hands to stations fore and aft for departure...............................another successful day in port - next stop SUEZ...........
After disembarking 457 passengers at Suez at 0430 hours, we proceeded into the Suez Canal.The passenger on tour had a light Breakfast on board as they get a full breakfast in a luxury hotel on arrival Cairo, before going off to sight see - you see we think of everything!
Interesting sights on all sides...........
Arcadia makes her transit back to the Mediterranean..................homeward bound now....
What a day for our transit - the best I can remember...........
The Master of Arcadia Captain Ian Walters in COMMAND position along with our Canal Pilot and the ARCADIA Bridge Team.
Local ferries keep traffic and cargo moving.
Remember your brakes on these roads!
Arcadians just loved walking the decks and enjoying the sun and scenery.........
The deck sports continue...
Many people I spoke to had served in these parts in their Military Careers.....
A lovely atmosphere by the Aquarius Pool...........
A Military Training Ground.
Aldrin get ready for the BBQ on deck.............lighting the Gas......
Diana and her Gold Table making the most of the open decks..................
Interesting Mosaics............
The end of the road..........
We were made VERY welcome.......
Welcome home! After a full day on tour passengers just love to see the ship and get back into the comfort of the Air Conditioning and their favourite Hotel!
Local Traders are great fun with fantastic sense of humour - you have to bargain here.....
Final departure checks and we will be on our way to Greece............
Pictured here is Mr Mohamed Gaabary - Suez Canal Zone Manager from Inchcape Shipping Services - our thanks for Mohamed for all his assistance - as always. The Immigration Officials prepare the final departure paperwork.
The long journey was all worth while when you gaze upon the sights - the mysterious Sphinx.
watching the passage of time.............I wonder what lies beneath.............
The Pyramids of Giza - the remaining wonder of the Ancient World.
WOW WOW WOW.....................where will your journey take you........?
Hi! Look at me...........
A penny for your thoughts..........
Bye for now, more fantastic pictures to come of Ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal........
Interesting sights on all sides...........
Arcadia makes her transit back to the Mediterranean..................homeward bound now....
What a day for our transit - the best I can remember...........
The Master of Arcadia Captain Ian Walters in COMMAND position along with our Canal Pilot and the ARCADIA Bridge Team.
Local ferries keep traffic and cargo moving.
Remember your brakes on these roads!
Arcadians just loved walking the decks and enjoying the sun and scenery.........
The deck sports continue...
Many people I spoke to had served in these parts in their Military Careers.....
A lovely atmosphere by the Aquarius Pool...........
A Military Training Ground.
Aldrin get ready for the BBQ on deck.............lighting the Gas......
Diana and her Gold Table making the most of the open decks..................
Interesting Mosaics............
The end of the road..........
We were made VERY welcome.......
Welcome home! After a full day on tour passengers just love to see the ship and get back into the comfort of the Air Conditioning and their favourite Hotel!
Local Traders are great fun with fantastic sense of humour - you have to bargain here.....
Final departure checks and we will be on our way to Greece............
Pictured here is Mr Mohamed Gaabary - Suez Canal Zone Manager from Inchcape Shipping Services - our thanks for Mohamed for all his assistance - as always. The Immigration Officials prepare the final departure paperwork.
The long journey was all worth while when you gaze upon the sights - the mysterious Sphinx.
watching the passage of time.............I wonder what lies beneath.............
The Pyramids of Giza - the remaining wonder of the Ancient World.
WOW WOW WOW.....................where will your journey take you........?
Hi! Look at me...........
A penny for your thoughts..........Bye for now, more fantastic pictures to come of Ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal........
James.
The wonder of it all.
Posts
16 comments:
Hi James
Stunnig pictures as always - but did I catch a hint about retirement ? A Farewell gift ? Do hope not.
Boarding Arcadia on the 15th !
Cheers
timbridge
Hi James
WOW stunning as always, i have been thru the Suez on a chemical tanker perhaps not as romantic as Arcadia but still just as thrilling.
Has the commodore retired now or has Steve got one more trip left to do??? if so who will take over when captain Walters goes on leave.
Enjoy your leave, looking forward to seeing more updates to come, from here then Oceana. I don't know how i will survive without my daily dose of blog. I guess i will just have to go over the old blogs time and time again.
Regards to all on Arcadia.
Geoff Witts Perth
HI again James
Is Artemis in dry dock or is it the webcam angle that gives that appearance, it does not show her on any current cruise and the webcam seems to come and go.
regards Geoff.
Hello again James
Another great entry in the blog. We have done the pyramids and the corinth canal many years ago now so it's nice to revisit via your photo's.
Look at that camel posing!
I remember looking at the webcam on Oriana last year as it was going through the Suez canal. It's amazing. It looks perfect for you there. I did notice the tanned cheeks James in the picture with the immigration officials!
Well the weather here at home has been glorious for the past couple of days. Lets hope this is the start of spring, except we should remember we are 1/3rd through April already!
Well I'm off to Southampton in the morning and can't wait. I am so excited. I will take plenty of photos and will report back what I personally think of Azura. Who knows I may come off on Sunday morning to persuade Tom it's a good idea for a summer holiday next year when the 2011 cruises go on sale!
Hope to see you in the not too distant future James.
Bye for now
Elaine (aurorabore)
Hi James, What another array of wonderful photos, I have loved every minute of this blog from Southampton, you deserve a well earned rest now.
Had a fantastic time yesterday visiting Azura, she is beautiful same size as Ventura but very different inside, not sure if she will be too big for us, but who knows I can always change my mind if the price is right!!! Lovely meal on board in the Peninsular restaurant excellent service as always. P.&.O always do us proud.
Elaine I am sure you will have a fabulous time tomorrow, enjoy
Ros
Hi Elaine,
Have a wonderful time at the naming ceremony for Azura.
Thanks for all your messages. My blog will go to Azura from Sunday the 11th April. Cruise Director Neil Oliver will be blogging from Azura. Best wishes to Neil if you see him.
Thanks for all your messages,
James.
Timbridge,
I am far too young to be retiring!
I am leaving Arcadia after 5 years on and off, and looking forward to my next appointment to OCEANA.
Best wishes and have a great cruise!
James.
Hello Goeff,
Commodore Burgoine in now with P&O Australia and plans to return to P&O Cruises later in the year.
Thanks for all your messages,
Best wishes to all in Perth WA,
James.
Hello Ros,
It is good to get a first hand report from AZURA! Glad you enjoyed your day.
All good wishes,
James.
Hi James,
Again many many thanks for the wonderful photos and comments.Looking forward to the photos from Greece which we love.Will you be dining at the yacht marina?a deadly place!!!
So pleased that Neil will be taking over the blog, we met him in Southampton on the day we joined Arcadia for the Christmas cruise.He's always so friendly, just like you James.What about Wales for that break?
Norma
Hi James I am glad that you said you are to young to retire.I love reading your blogs every day.It will be nice to catch up with you and the Commodore at some stage.
please give the Commodore our regards if you are in touch with him.
Jill
Hi James - I hope Neil Oliver on Azura realised what a hard act you are to follow with all the photographs and 'history' blogs! Safe journey home and enjoy your break you deserve it.
Ros
Hi James
Exciting day today coming up for all the special guests on Azura, i have been reading that the Godmother is half Australian, and now lives in Sydney, her father is Australian with an English mother. It is good to see there is an Australian connection.
I was looking at the video of Azura arriving in Southampton and see she is registered in Southampton unlike Ventura which is registered in Hamilton.It is nice to see a P&O ship registered in England.
Looking forward to more updates to come.
Hi Elaine
Enjoy your time on Azura, she certainly looks lovely, i am looking forward to reading what you thought of her,i believe that you get to spend the night on board leaving about 09.30 on Sunday.
Regards to all
Geoff Witts Perth
hi james
lovely blog again home in sight now ,look forward to hearing all about it from friends that are on there with you
thanks again
amanda
Thank you, James for the stunning blog and photos. We have followed it since we left the Arcadia at the end of the Christmas cruise. Have a well deserved rest. We will miss you. Pauline and Helen (HPandPP)
Hi Pauline
That is not the Pauline and Helen that was on the world cruise last year is it, and you were going to see if you could extend to Dubai.You were in a cabin on B deck on Arcadia.
My wife and i met a great couple on there and they were very friendly we think it was you and Helen.
Regards Geoff Witts Perth
Unfortunately no - we have not been lucky enough to do a world cruise. We were on the Xmas/New Year Cruise on Arcadia prior to it doing this world cruise, so have been avid followers of the blog.
It must have been another Pauline and Helen. We are mother and daughter. We are friendly too! Hope you catch up with the other couple some time! Regards, Pauline (PPand HP)
Hi Pauline
Thanks for replying, yes we hope we do meet up again with them, you make friends easily i find on cruises, 99% or more of people i find on cruises very friendly and like to have a bit of a chat even if only for a couple of minutes or so.Our next cruise is on Artemis out of HK in Feb 2011 so we are looking forward to that.Maybe we will cross paths one day on a cruise.
Regards Geoff
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