tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post6076047400821909152..comments2009-04-04T14:31:46.029+01:00James Cusickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889498552710045530noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-5550555782663553032009-04-04T14:31:00.000+01:002009-04-04T14:31:00.000+01:00Hi James,<BR/>A wonderful Grand Voyage - and have enjoyed the journey as if I was there with you! Like all good things they have to come to an end.The photos and stories say it all A-MAZ-<BR/>ING.... After our first cruise on the Old Arcadia (1996 ish!) met some lovely people - one made an great impression on me, in that she introduced me to writing a daily log Journal - which I have since done - and glad afterwards when it comes to the photos!!<BR/><BR/>An interesting week - failed in my attempt to book QE's Maiden Voyage<BR/>and on the reserve list.......but happier to have booked Azura's Maiden Voyage with a balcony stateroom of our choosing - Riviera Dk - portside forward.<BR/><BR/>Today here in Liverpool is Grand National day at Aintree - and watching it in the comfort of our lounge. So, James thanks for all the teams effort with the Blog - and regards to all the Ship's Company. Have a nice Easter time.<BR/><BR/>Yours from Heather and John (Leslie) Howard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-50245693363711482862009-03-31T09:26:00.000+01:002009-03-31T09:26:00.000+01:00Hi James<BR/><BR/>Well I've finally caught up with the blog! India is somewhere I've never really wanted to go, but having seen the pictures of Cochin I've changed my mind. As for Muscat - Wow, what a lovely clean place to be! It all looks so spotless, clean and fresh! A real contrast to Cochin!<BR/><BR/>Well I've got a busy few days so I will try and catch up with the blog on Thursday at some point. I am off down to Southampton today to pick up my DD to bring home for a couple of days - literally it will be a fleeting visit. We are back down to Southampton on Friday and then on Sunday I am staying onboard with DD for the 3 night cruise on Oriana. I am so excited at the moment I could burst! I haven't seen her since we left her in Madeira on Jan 8th! I'm sure your family must feel the same about you? I'm sure there are a lot of sad people on Oriana today, coming back to reality. How depressing for them! Their worldie seems to have been a good one. The weather on the whole has looked marvellous (and the sea conditions). Even the BOB is being kind to them today and the sun is shining! Hope they bring that weather all the way back with them - it's a bit grey here this morning! <BR/><BR/>Well better head to the gym! Want to hit the road about lunchtime!<BR/><BR/>Elaine (aurorabore)Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03609506306131956875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-18240202608145743602009-03-31T08:55:00.000+01:002009-03-31T08:55:00.000+01:00Hi James, Thanks for the wonderful photos of Muscat. I worked there in the late 70's (was that really thirty years ago?) and have very fond memories of the country and the people. I remember the palace being built, although the area has changed greatly since then. One day tried to take a photograph through the gate roughly where the Commodore and your Chief Engineer are standing. I didn't get the photograph as a guard put the business end of his rifle under my nose. At the time there was stil some "unpleasantness" going on in the south in Dhofar with the Yemenis and everyone was a little twitchy. I now have the photographs that I missed then! I would love to go back to see what progress has been made; maybe on a future Arcadia Grand Voyage? Keep up the excellent work on the BlogKennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-14304346838226084872009-03-30T09:08:00.000+01:002009-03-30T09:08:00.000+01:00Monday morning - just looking at the webcam...it looks a bit murky...but is that the QE2 in front of you?Hazelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-35528031347188835892009-03-30T08:52:00.000+01:002009-03-30T08:52:00.000+01:00Hi James, what more can be said other than another WOW what a place. I expect you got lots of ideas for your Patio!Eunice and Paul Meeusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-24801401576456792202009-03-30T06:37:00.000+01:002009-03-30T06:37:00.000+01:00Hi James - good to see you are in the Middle East - you are very close by to me now in Saudi Arabia! Jill BarrowsJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07081157798610684050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-47506177539110067222009-03-30T01:55:00.000+01:002009-03-30T01:55:00.000+01:00Hi James, as an avid P&amp;O cruiser on all their ships other than the child free(2 daughters 16 and 18) I have followed your blog all through the cruise. Its been amazing, I have felt I have been on board Arcadia since it left Southampton! When the kids go to University we&#39;ll be on a world one, hoping you&#39;ll still be on Arcadia. Have good fun in Dubai, its an amazing place, try either the Atlantis Palm or Wild Wadi at Jumeirah Beach! LynLyn Wilsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-68173893789981260872009-03-29T23:38:00.000+01:002009-03-29T23:38:00.000+01:00WOW again what a beautiful looking place Muscat is, has to be added to the must visit places,i think more so than China for me.<BR/><BR/>Enjoy your day in Dubai today, looking forward to more exciting pictures from there, my niece works there and having read her blog it looks another must visit place.<BR/><BR/>Enjoy your day, am off to work now then have three days off so my weekend so to speak is coming up.<BR/><BR/>Hi to all on Arcadia.<BR/><BR/>Geoff Witts PerthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-58656686491886903542009-03-29T23:11:00.000+01:002009-03-29T23:11:00.000+01:00Hi James, Have a wonderful day in Dubai, dont spend too much!!George &amp; Maureen, Anne &amp; I spent a fabulous few days there last October, and bought some lovely diamonds!!Looking forward to your blog on Dubai.<BR/>Norma &amp; PerisNorma Winston-Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-62560559720761217272009-03-29T18:23:00.000+01:002009-03-29T18:23:00.000+01:00Sitting at my Piano the other day writing my blog O Man O ManJanet &amp; Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-11735443585688654312009-03-29T17:59:00.001+01:002009-03-29T17:59:00.001+01:00Oh wow! Muscat looked A-MAZ-ING! We have friends who lived there for years and they said it was wonderful - but I had no idea of the splendour. I really hope you enjoyed your day there.<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to the next few entries. Thank you so much.<BR/><BR/>GillGillDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-28395311510320838402009-03-29T17:59:00.000+01:002009-03-29T17:59:00.000+01:00James,<BR/><BR/>It's fairly obvious you senior officers eat well on Arcadia, no small portion!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-22797544754213696652009-03-29T16:42:00.000+01:002009-03-29T16:42:00.000+01:00Hi James,<BR/><BR/>Oman is a truely beautiful &amp; very stylish place indeed. We felt exactly the same as you have when we went to Salalah - a great pity it was missing from the first part of the voyage due to the delayed start but at least some of you lucky people still on board have had a second chance to visit the Sultante of Oman. We went to a garden in the middle of the desert belonging to the Sultan and it was immaculate. <BR/>I expect you noticed the price of fuel too - I think when we were there it was about 20pence per gallon &amp; the hire cars were &quot;huge&quot;!!!<BR/><BR/>You look very tanned my dear - I did take on board (if you pardon the pun) everytime you mentioned sunning yourself on top of the crows nest but you have definately caught a few rays and you&#39;re looking good on it!<BR/><BR/>A great weekend here in UK with beautiful sunshine, Jenson Button winning the Australian GP, Gloucester Rugby getting through to the final of the Anglo-Welsh cup (could you let Colin &amp; Judith Atkinson from Gloucestershire currently on board Arcadia know please &amp; send them my best wishes!)&amp; Oxford winning The Boat Race. What more could we ask for.....a trip on Arcadia of course or a rather large Lottery win which would in turn lead to a trip on Arcadia....?<BR/><BR/>Enjoy the UAE - I am always amazed at the sheer grandure and cleanliness of these wonderful places so enjoy all you Grand Voyagers....<BR/><BR/>Love to all from Louise, Tony &amp; Sammy the Seal. xxxLouise AKA `M`http://www.blogger.com/profile/10555656535434085532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1549524304374457964.post-23755845441041420122009-03-29T15:53:00.000+01:002009-03-29T15:53:00.000+01:00Only one word for that....WOW!<BR/><BR/>James, when you write your memoirs I think you&#39;ll have to call it &quot;P&amp;O and Pianos&quot;<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the updateHazelnoreply@blogger.com