Matt Sparks
P&O Cruises - Digital Team

In case you aren't familiar, we run monthly staff awards on each of our seven ships in what we call the CRUISE awards. Every month, a member of staff from each ship is awarded the accolade in recognition of going above-and-beyond the call of duty in their role. Whether it's helping a customer, supporting their colleagues or something else, each of these winners have been recognised as a leading example. We've recently received requests from passengers for us to make the winners public, so what better place to do that than here on our blog?

Please find June's winners below. Have you met any of these people? Do let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Adonia

Maureen Harrison - Shore Excursion Manager


"Mo helped passengers that needed assistance in St Petersburg, she went above and beyond and was an asset to helping them. This was a great example of going the 'extra mile'."

Oceana

Charlotte Ross - Senior Nursing Officer


"For her invaluable help to the medical department through a busy period.  She was a great support and effectively took on additional responsibilities. The new Doctor that arrived was new to cruise ships and Charlotte spent her time helping to introduce the new doctor to crew members on board and helped with the handover documentation too."

Arcadia

John Tereza - Cabin Steward


"John receieved 17 x passenger nominations. Here is just one of them: 'Excellent Service, very friendly & nothing too much trouble, has performed above normal expectations, John ensures we have privacy and as if by magic the room is spick & span without us knowing'."

Oriana

Jerwin Acosta - Technical Assistant


"While working as a shell door sentry, Jerwin managed to stop some contractors gaining access to the ship via baggage shell doors and advised that they needed to follow the correct protocol and visit security to gain access. Jerwin both managed to maintain both safe working practice and ship security"

Aurora

Larry Mendoza-Reyes - Fitter Mechanic


"He was nominated by the Laundry staff. There were problems with the flat work iron hot plate due to which the linen was getting damaged. It was a difficult job to get it repaired due to the narrow space; however he managed to resolve this problem quickly."

Ventura

Saurabh Patil - Receptionist


"Five passenger nominations. A passenger required assistance after receiving a call from home. Saurabh was more than helpful and indeed very sympathetic. Saurabh went the extra mile to assist the passengers to contact their insurance company and showed great concern for the passenger displaying CRUISE values. Saurabh displayed excellent customer service skill and really helped to make the situation easier."

Azura

Neil De Souza - Receptionist


"Neil received a number of nominations for his friendly helpfulness. A particular passenger was having problems with her camera as the batteries were flat and the Photo Department were closed at the time. Neil at Reception went out of his way to find batteries of his own to get my camera working."

Zoe Brooks
Cruise-Circle - Online Product Executive

As a former backpacker/budget traveller, I must admit I was somewhat apprehensive when I started looking into the possibilities of a cruise with my partner. However having recently started working for Cruise Circle in November, I had already learnt a great deal about cruising. So I was very keen to see how it would measure up to my expectations...

We decided to take advantage of one of P&O Cruises extremely reasonable one week Mediterranean itineraries on Ventura, and organised our own flights along with a bit of a pre-cruise stay in Venice.

Looking down Venice's Grand Canal

After much deliberation on what pretty dresses to pack and what my other half can get away with on a formal night, we were packed and ready to board Ventura in Venice. We first set eyes on Ventura in port, after one of our extended walks along the Grand Canal (we got rather lost!). It was getting dark, so we decided to try the vaparetto (water taxi) which by coincidence took us by the cruise terminal. We got quite excited as we passed her by. The size of Ventura is phenomenal, our little boat was like a tiny ant in comparison. As other people on the vaparetto passed comments of awe, I felt proud and excited by the fact that I would be boarding her very soon!

The following morning after another one of our extended walks (this time with our bags), we arrived at the cruise terminal ready to embark and begin our journey. After an easy check in we were on board and being shown to our cabin - which my partner was very pleased to find was nice and cool.

After an afternoon of exploring the ship (getting lost a bit more) and ogling at all of our potential dining options, we were then treated to our very first sail away party. With P&O Cruises, this is a very British affair, despite being in Venice as the sun set over the Italian city. We sat back on a sun lounger and enjoyed a spot of fizz.

Our first sail away

The first evening is 'casual dress' code and we’re more than a bit excited to enjoy our first meal. To be honest as first timers, we were apprehensive about sharing a table with people we didn't know. But we decided to try it for the first night and see how we got on. I'm glad we did as we shared with three other couples, all from completely different backgrounds. We became great friends with our table companions, meeting for drinks before and after dinner most nights. We are all still in touch now! We also pre-booked a meal at Marco Pierre White's White Room, where we had a table for two overlooking the back of the ship and out to sea. We both felt that the quality of the food served had already been amazing, but the service and special touches here really made it an evening to remember.

The Great British Sail Away

Our ports-of-call were fantastic and we especially enjoyed Montenegro and Corfu, both of which we wouldn't necessarily have planned to book a holiday to otherwise. We were also surprised that the ship left port quite late in the afternoon or evening. We had imagined being rushed around, panicking that the ship might leave, but it simply wasn't the case and we had plenty of time to sight-see at our own pace.

Captivating Corfu

Formal night

Lesson learned; next time I will definitely take advantage of the fly-cruise option with pre and post-cruise stay and airport transfers. Whilst we had lots of fun getting lost in Venice it would have been lovely just to have the added convenience of transfers in the embarkation and disembarkation ports, rather than dragging our suitcases around in the heat, asking locals for directions and arguing about taxi fares!

I will also look up the shore excursions online in advance and budget for the ones that I really want to do. Whilst we were perfectly happy to find our own way around, I couldn't help thinking I might be missing something. I will also keep an eye out for deals on balcony cabins, as whilst our inside stateroom was more than substantial, you forget how useful it is to look outside and check the weather in the morning. On the plus side though the inside cabins stay nice and dark if you fancy a decent lie in.

The Great British Sail Away... part 2!

The best way for me to describe a Mediterranean cruise holiday with P&O Cruises would be to take the best holiday resort experience you have had in the UK, and times it by three. There you have a P&O Cruise ship - full of activities, food options, entertainment and good weather to boot. As a travel agent myself, I would also now sell cruising as an excellent way to take in a number of destinations and cultures conveniently, whilst receiving a consistently high standard of service including excellent food and accommodation. It's also great for couples or families with conflicting interests, as the ports of call can be extremely varied as can the activities available on-board. This means even if you do want to sit and relax in the sun, your partner can still go to talks, shopping or even the gym and you always know that you’re never too far away from one another.

I’ll certainly cruise again...

David George

Guest blogger David George returns on board Aurora, the first ship he ever cruised on, to see how much she has changed...









I've just arrived home from what you might call an anniversary cruise... it was my 30th with P&O Cruises. I suppose I might have asked the Medina Restaurant waiters to sing “Congratulations!” but in fact I only realised I had completed quite so many when I sat down to write this blog.

Thirty! Imagine the cost... but then again remember the pleasure of waking up each morning to a different port and with officers and crew delivering the sort of service that seems to have deserted the majority of our hotels. I've sailed on most of the fleet's ships, but it's the first one that is the most special.

Aurora

Of course there are risks in returning to places that hold fond memories - too often they can disappoint - but I’m not one to do anything by halves. Having decided to revisit Aurora, I went the whole hog and booked back-to-back cruises to the Baltic and then south into the central Mediterranean.

Baltic Port

The Med

As you’d expect, it didn’t take me long to find my bearings after boarding. My midship outside cabin on D deck was situated near the library and proved to be an ideal location for enjoying the ship's facilities. It also benefited from Savio, my steward, who worked so hard to look after things and who never forgot to keep me supplied every afternoon with ice and lemon. At 76,000 tons and carrying around 1850 passengers, Aurora is mid-sized and the dark mahogany wood that features in most of her public areas adds to the atmosphere of refined luxury. I loved the look when I first cruised on Aurora and I still love it today. Okay, the self-service Orangery up on Lido could be better decorated but that will soon be rectified when Aurora goes in for her £26,000,000 refit later this year. I have seen the plans for the Orangery and can report the makeover will deliver new designs with fabrics in restful tones of cream and brown.

Passengers I spoke to during both cruises appreciated the high profile of officers and crew. The Master of Aurora, Captain Neil Turnbull, led from the front and could be seen around the ship most days, but it was his informative and humorous announcements that soon became major cruise highlights.

Captain Turnbull joined P&O Cruises in 1997, having gained experience on cargo, tanker and container ships, and 12 years later he took his first command on board Aurora. I know he will want me to add another important fact, namely his pedigree as a proud Derbyshire man with a family home in Ticknall, a village that is surely now one of the most famous places in England; it received honourable mentions in almost all his daily broadcasts.

But Captain Turnbull has a soft spot for gazelles as well. One of my happiest memories from this cruise will be his regular assurance after berthing that the prompt completion of formalities “will soon see you going ashore with the speed and grace of a thousand gazelles!” The picture that phrase conjures up still makes me smile.

On the great majority of port days we were able to walk ashore with minimal queuing but on these cruises there were three transfers that needed to be completed by tender. The first at Stockholm was unexpected but there were advantages in this  – not only did we gain an overnight stay in this delightful city but the Captain also anchored his ship virtually in the heart of the old town.

Aurora 'wedged' in Stockholm

Generally tendering is a slow business with lots of patience necessary but not on Aurora. During my 30 cruises, I have sometimes faced lengthy delays but at the other tender ports of Split and Korcula, the operations were the smoothest I’ve known. On neither occasion was I on an organised tour, yet I was on board a tender within 10 minutes of collecting my ticket after breakfast. I spoke to Helen Skoins, the Executive Purser (EP), later in the cruise and asked her about the secret of such smooth tendering operations.

“Without doubt, it’s our greatest challenge,” she told me, “and Captain Turnbull and I put a lot of forward planning into organising the transfers ashore. We were determined to allocate as many crew to the task as we possibly could... and it paid off!”

Helen Skoins, Executive Purser

Helen’s enthusiasm for her work with P&O Cruises was infectious. She was often to be seen with both passengers and crew, not only on board but also on the berth when we were joining tours or returning to the ship. She filled me in on her background. “After Uni I started work at a hotel in Chester and then joined Oriana, working at Reception. 14 years later I was promoted to EP and I just love it!  There's never a set routine and because I want to see and hear what’s going on around the ship, I’m rarely in my office. Basically the more I’m out and about, the better I can do my job. The passengers are our priority – and as Aurora’s hotel general manager, I want to help secure the best cruise experience possible for them.”

Another key figure on board any ship is the executive chef and in James Lemos we had one of the best. For breakfast I often used Café Bordeaux. This quiet backwater on Deck 8 offered superlative service and some wonderful dishes, from eggs Benedict to freshly prepared omelettes. The meals here are part of the 6000 prepared every day by Mr Lemos’s team. No wonder he manages to get through 15 tons of meat and 70,000 bread rolls during the course of a cruise! Dinners in Medina restaurant were just as special. Elvis, the manager, was very much in charge and the service we received from our cheerful team of waiters – Nikhil, Saviour, Mary-Ann and Alwin – was down to his leadership skills as much as to their professionalism. I enjoyed many fine dinners here. The field mushroom and Welsh rarebit starter was one of the tastiest I have eaten and the lemon posset was a favourite dessert, the texture and tartness perfect after a generous main course.

But for a special treat, try Pennant Grill on the Lido deck. The supplementary charge is well worth it and we were made to feel very special from the moment Arran, the restaurant manager, welcomed us to our table. It was a beautifully warm evening and to be sitting outside as we sailed along the Croatian coastline was magical. My main course, served to me by Myra with gentle efficiency, was a beautiful fillet steak – medium rare, as requested, and so tender – accompanied by triple-cooked hand cut chips, grilled field mushrooms, blooming onion, cherry tomatoes and a garlic bulb. My companions enjoyed their choices just as much as I did mine.

Steak dinner at the Pennant Grill

When you’ve completed 30 cruises I suppose I shouldn’t have been so astonished when Richard Benson, Aurora’s Loyalty and Cruise Sales Manager, told me ahead of the Peninsular Party that I was the Baltic cruise’s Most Travelled Passenger, but I was. The reason I didn’t believe it was because I have many friends from cruise holidays who travel much more frequently than I do. Yes, really. However, I was forced to face the reality of my honour when at the party Captain Turnbull (he’s from Ticknall, you know) announced my name and showered me with gifts.

Loyalty issues are all part of Richard’s brief and I have met him on a number of occasions on different ships. Apart from answering questions about loyalty tiers and organizing loyalty lunches, he is also at his desk near Reception with a colleague every day to handle questions about cruise itineraries and to book future holidays. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge about the P&O Cruises brochures and a steady determination to meet passengers’ cruise needs.

Richard Benso, Loyalty and Cruise Sales Manager

“It may be odd to say I enjoy my job, but I do!” he told me, as if I needed telling. “So is it any wonder that what began as a gap year became my career?” In fact Richard’s first job after graduating with a BA and BSc from Manchester University was in the onboard shops and he took on his present role in 2009. Of all his duties, the one that gives him most satisfaction is helping passengers to secure their dream cruise. “I’ve been to most ports,” he said,” and sometimes my local knowledge can help passengers come to a final decision about the itinerary that is exactly right for them.”

Another big plus for cruise holidays is the programme of activities that are arranged each day. Many take part whilst others prefer to watch or maybe lie in the sun and catch up on their reading. There are guest speakers, beauty spa treatments, quoits’ contests, cabaret artists, gym workouts, bridge classes – in short, a whole range of activities with something for everyone, including the children. In the evenings, Production Manager Paul Webb produced some spectacular shows and the Headliners were amongst the best I’ve seen, singing and dancing with great energy. For me the best show was “Destination Dance”; great music and exciting choreography combining to create a memorable theatrical event.

Honours must be shared for my own favourite daytime activity. Reading and swimming during the endless days of sunshine were regular treats each sea day afternoon, but in the mornings I always found time to go to the art classes. Moira Phillips on the Baltic cruise provided valuable ideas about composition and encouraged me to have the courage to paint more freely, whilst Jack Gray – who first introduced me to painting on Aurora – used the Med as a source of inspiration for seascapes and cities. He even succeeded in helping us to draw a still life figure and at the end of each cruise, the exhibition of our finished ‘works’ attracted plenty of interest from fellow passengers.

Jack Gray

These sessions were great fun but after each one I needed a coffee to reflect on the lessons learned. So Raffles became another regular venue on Deck 8. Wilson, the bar manager, and waiters like Aileen, Sunil and Jose, cheerfully served Costa coffee at its finest. Take a tip from me – if you enjoy good coffee, treat yourself to a Costa card. The price is £21.50 for ten coffees, meaning that the 10th is free.

All the ports we visited were beautiful. In the Baltic, Copenhagen and St Petersburg were very special and, even though I had visited both before, I found new areas to explore. In St Petersburg, for example, rather than visit the Hermitage again I took an escorted river cruise and the local knowledge and humour of the local guide guaranteed its success. I booked the tour online before boarding, by the way, thus saving 10%.

St Petersburg

In the Med, Venice was as fabulous as ever and I had more time there to enjoy it due to another very smooth disembarkation process. The P&O Cruises signage along the quayside together with officers pointing the way between Aurora and the vaporetto service meant there was little confusion and, although I walked rather than used the launch, I was nevertheless enjoying coffee (good value at €2) outside a cafe near Accademia Bridge within 30 minutes of leaving the ship.

Venice

However, it is a very different port which vies with Venice for the title of Most Beautiful. Korcula in Croatia is an absolute gem. Still mostly unspoilt by tourism, this tiny walled city has everything from narrow streets and ancient churches to small beaches and fascinating outdoor markets. Few locals spoke English fluently, if at all, and for me this was part of its special charm. Over dinner that evening I discovered that I wasn’t alone in rating Korcula so highly.

Korcula

The days flew by and all too soon it was time to confront a very benign Bay of Biscay en route back to Southampton. So did I do the right thing in returning to Aurora? You bet I did!

I haven’t been on a family-friendly ship for years and having younger people on board proved to be an additional delight. With pool supervisors now on duty poolside, behaviour as well as safety was enhanced, and the team who looked after the smaller children did a great job organizing activities that stretched far into the evenings.

Aurora’s refit will mean big changes and greater sophistication ahead of the 2015 programme, including new restaurants like Sindhu and The Glass House which are proving popular on others ships in the fleet, but one thing that won’t change is Aurora’s character and heart. She has a loyal following and deservedly so. No prizes, then, for guessing that I intend to book another cruise next year. For charm and for comfort, Aurora cannot be beaten.

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Be part of the art on Britain's biggest cruise ship 

We're launching an exciting national campaign to discover what or who people across the country believe embodies the spirit of modern Britain... and we need your help! All you need to do is log on to Facebook or Twitter, and tell us what Britain really means to you. It could be a person, an object, a piece of art or culture... we want to know what our customers believe embodies the spirit of Britain. The most popular suggestions will be incorporated into two stunning pieces of artwork to be installed on our brand new ship Britannia, launching in March next year. These suggestions will then be entered into a prize draw to win a tour and lunch on board Britannia during her inaugural week - so you could be among the first to step on board and take a look around our magnificent new vessel!

We've commissioned renowned British artist Johnny Bull to produce these unique pieces of art. Together, they will take pride of place on board Britannia, to be unveiled during the celebratory inaugural launch week.

Johnny Bull is known for his paintings of jazz musicians and for making prints that feature people in various locations.

“The theme - “the spirit of modern Britain” - should provide us with some fascinating suggestions covering a range of categories such as objects, people, architecture, cultural events, TV programmes, activities and more,” says Mr Bull.

There are three ways to enter and send us your suggestion in 150 words or less....

• Send us a Tweet to @pandocruises, using the hashtag #britanniaart (Twitter entries without the hashtag will not be counted)
• Log on to our Facebook page and post your suggestion on our pinned thread here.
• Send your suggestion in an email to johnnybull@icloud.com

The closing date is Monday, September 15th, 2014. Any entries received after that date will not be counted. Prize details as well as terms and conditions are below...

Prize Details

The prize is for two places on a guided tour around Britannia’s public areas during her inaugural week in Southampton (March 2015) for 2 people, the experience will also include the opportunity to dine in one of Britannia’s restaurants.

Suggestions should be entered via P&O Cruises social media channels:
Twitter - @pandocruises using #britanniaart
Facebook - www.facebook.com/pandocruises

Entries should be received by close of Monday September 15, 2014 in order to be considered. The top 50 suggestions will be entered in to the prize draw.

For more information on Britannia visit the P&O Cruises website:
http://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/britannia/overview/

Terms & Conditions

1.Once a winner has been selected P&O Cruises will announce the name on Facebook and Twitter.

2.The prize is two places on a guided tour around Britannia’s public areas during her inaugural week in Southampton (March 2015) for 2 people, the experience will also include the opportunity to dine in one of Britannia’s restaurants.

3.Prize winners need to bring photographic ID along to the visit in the form of a valid passport or photo driving licence, failure to produce this ID when requested will result in you not been allowed to board.

4.P&O Cruises accept no responsibility for any costs associated with the prize that are not expressly included in the prize. In particular, entrants should note that the prize does not include: travel to or from Southampton, overnight accommodation or any additional personal costs.

5.The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and not redeemable for cash or any other prize.

6.P&O Cruises reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value if the prize offered is not available.

7.If a winner does not respond to P&O Cruises within 60 days of being notified of their win, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and P&O Cruises shall be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above (and that winner will have to respond to notification of their win within 60 days or else they will also forfeit their prize).  If a winner rejects their prize, the entry is invalid or in breach of these terms, or if the winner is unable to claim their prize for any other reason, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and P&O Cruises shall be entitled to select another winner.

8.By entering the draw, you agree to the collection, retention, usage and distribution of your personal information in order to process and contact you about your entry.

9.This prize will not count towards The Peninsular Club and no benefits may be claimed.

10.The competition and these Terms and Conditions will be governed by English law and entrants to the competition submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

11.The prize has been provided by Carnival plc trading as P&O Cruises, Carnival House, 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 1ST.

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It's just a few days to go now until The Telegraph Cruise Show in Liverpool, taking place on Saturday and Sunday on 11th and 12th October respectively and we can't wait! You'll be able to catch us on stand D10 - so don't be shy, pop by and say hello and by entering our competition you could win yourself a bottle of champagne and some goodies courtesy of The White Company.




How to enter
To enter, all you need to do is come and visit us at the Liverpool show on the 11th or 12th October 2014, and take a selfie (or self-portrait) of you and your friends in front of our stand. Once you've got your selfie, enter it into the competition by tweeting it to us @pandocruises, using the hashtag #cruiseshowselfie. Remember to include both our Twtitter handle (@pandocruises) and the hashtag (#cruiseshowselfie) to be eligible. Any entries that don't include this won't be counted.

How to win
In the week after the show, we'll collate all of the entries and put them into a hat. We'll then draw three people at random, who will each win one of our prize funds outlined below. We'll notify the winners by Tweeting them in the week following the show.

1st place: A bottle of champagne and a cosmetics gift box from The White Company
Runner up x 2: One of two cosmetics gift boxes from The White Company

What our stand will look like at the Cruise Show. You can't miss it!

Terms & Conditions

1.Once the winners have been selected P&O Cruises will announce the names on Twitter.

2.The prize is one of three prize packs

• A bottle of champagne and a cosmetics gift box from The White Company
• A cosmetics gift box from The White Company
• A cosmetics gift box from The White Company

3.The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and not redeemable for cash or any other prize.

4.P&O Cruises reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value if the prize offered is not available.

5.If a winner does not respond to P&O Cruises within 60 days of being notified of their win, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and P&O Cruises shall be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above (and that winner will have to respond to notification of their win within 60 days or else they will also forfeit their prize).  If a winner rejects their prize, the entry is invalid or in breach of these terms, or if the winner is unable to claim their prize for any other reason, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and P&O Cruises shall be entitled to select another winner.

6.By entering the draw, you agree to the collection, retention, usage and distribution of your personal information in order to process and contact you about your entry.

7.The competition and these Terms and Conditions will be governed by English law and entrants to the competition submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

8.The prize has been provided by Carnival plc trading as P&O Cruises, Carnival House, 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 1ST.

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Matt Sparks
P&O Cruises - Digital Team

We're back with the most recent winners of our monthly CRUISE awards. Once a month, passengers and crew members nominate a crew member who has shown exemplary customer service. A winner is then selected and presented by a senior officer, and these winners are recognised as having gone the extra mile in their jobs.

Find August's winners below. Have you met any of these people? We'd love to hear your experiences, so let us know in the comments at the bottom of this page...

Adonia

Clint McWhinnie - Crew Admin Manager


Clint is the living definition of 'going the extra mile'. This nomination is for all his effort and help ensuring events happen for the crew on board. These range from organising bingo and other social nights to arranging for representatives from the Philippine embassy in Lisbon to meet crew members.

Arcadia

Jacob Thomas - Head Waiter (Crew Mess)


Jacob has improved the atmosphere and service offered in the crew mess. He shows interest to all the needs of the staff and is incredibly dedicated to his job. Since he joined, the crew mess has improved greatly. Everything is topped up ahead of time, the area is clean and the overall atmosphere in the crew mess is more positive. Jacob takes ownership of all of his tasks and is always smiling.

Aurora

Johnny Degasa Rosalejos - Engine Fitter


Despite failed attempts by other crew and contractors to repair the fresh water tank in LB3, Johnny took on the task. After some consideration, he did not accept that the task was impossible, so took it upon himself to source the equipment and materials needed to fix it. In his own time during lunches and evenings, he successfully fixed the tank.

Oriana

Christophe Marzet - Executive Pastry Chef


Christophe has gone over and beyond for passengers. Where a delivered cake off shore was squashed very badly on one side, Christophe was called immediately and informed about what had happened to the cake. Christophe asked to see the cake to see if he could fix what had happened, he advised that he could not fix the cake as the damage was too bad. On the morning of the Wedding, I found that Christophe had worked until the early hours of the morning and created a complete replica of the novelty Wedding Cake. The Mother of the Bride could barely tell the difference and was amazed.

Ventura

Fernando Lopez Jr - Junior Waiter


Always smiling, Fernando is a big asset to P&O Cruises. It is clear from his day-to-day work that he holds customer service as his number one priority. He has a vibrant personality and always goes out of his way to help passengers make their holiday memorable. Fernando is an employee that deserves recognition.

Azura

Efren Reyes - Hotel Fitter


Efren worked very hard in his own time to fix the coffee machine in the bar in a timely fashion, to ensure ultimate customer satisfaction. Again in his own time, he identified ways to improve the facilities in the restaurants to make it easier for both staff and passengers, which has been a great success.

Oceana

Neil Spencer - 1st Carpenter


In the space of less than 24 hours he transformed the Crew Office - adapting the space and using the equipment available to house the new role of Crew Administrator's workspace area. Adding to this he also transformed the Finance Office within a similar timescale. We cannot thank him enough for all his hard work and efforts, he truly has gone the extra mile and made it happen!

Matt Sparks
P&O Cruises - Digital Team

Few people embody the spirit of modern British cuisine better than Atul Kochhar. Born in Jamshedpur, eastern India, Atul's reputation brought him to London in 1994, where at 31 he became the first Indian chef to be awarded the coveted Michelin star. And recently Atul has brought his highly sought after talent and years of experience to P&O Cruises in the form of Sindhu, Azura's fine dining restaurant, an experience he will also be bringing to our brand new ship Britannia. Passengers can expect modern Indian cuisine with a British twist. If you've been to Sindhu, you'll know just how good Atul is. So today on the blog, we bring you one of Atul's finest signature recipes so you can re-create the magic in the comfort of your own home.

Atul's onion bhaji

Onion Bhaji

Ingredients:
1 kg. red onions, thinly sliced
Salt to taste
1 tsp. red chili powder
3 tsp. toasted cumin seeds powder
2 tbsp. coriander powder
2 tsp. dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
300 gm. Besan or chickpea flour (just enough flour to dredge / sprinkle & mix)
Water – enough to hold the onions together
Vegetable oil to deep fry
2 tsp. chaat masala
Mint & Tamarind Chutney

Directions:

1. Mix onions, salt, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, fenugreek leaves.
2. Sprinkle the Besan lightly and sprinkle water to hold the mixture together.
3. Pre-heat the deep fat fryer and make small – loose dumplings of onion and fry.
4. Fry until light borwn in color and crisp.
5. Remove on a tray lined with kitchen towel.
6. Sprinkle with chaat masala and serve with mint and tamarind chuney.

If you give this recipe a go, do let us know by Tweeting us a picture of posting it to our Facebook timeline.

Alison Webster
P&O Cruises - Port Presenter, Shoreside

Have you ever thought the Caribbean was all beaches, rum punch and steel drums?  Perhaps you should take a look at our A-Z guide and find out just how much the Caribbean really has to offer…

ATV is the abbreviation for an 'All Terrain Vehicle', or quad bike to you and me!  A piece of advice; if you book a quad biking excursion, leave your best clothes on-board. This trip can involve getting pretty muddy and dirty!

ATV Beach Adventure – St Lucia




BEACHES are abundant on every island, but which one is the best? Well that’s almost an impossible question to answer as everyone has their own idea of paradise. To help you out though, beach breaks can transport you directly to one of the beaches that are recommended by our local agents. We love Cane Garden Bay on Tortola’s North Shore, Dickinson Bay and Coconut Grove in Antigua and Reduit Beach in St Lucia.

Views, Cane Garden Beach and Lunch – Tortola
Beach Break, Dickenson Bay and Beach Break, Coconut Grove – Antigua 
Beach Break – St Lucia




CATAMARAN TRIPS epitomise the Caribbean way of life. Basking on the deck and sitting in the nets, skimming the sparkling turquoise blue waters, swimming and snorkelling in temperatures akin to bath water. And let’s not forget the friendly boat crews with infectious personalities, lively music to tap your feet and dance to, and the endless supply of liquid refreshments! What’s not to love?

Caribbean Delight – Antigua
Golden Eagle – St Maarten




DIVING the depths of the ocean is an incredible experience. The fish life is colourful and plentiful, the reef is healthy, and a multitude of shipwrecks rest on the ocean floor. In fact there’s almost as much sightseeing under the water line as there is above it. If you’re already qualified remember to bring your certification, and if you’ve never tried it before why not give it a go.  Reef or wreck… what will it be?

Discover Scuba – Tortola
Coral Restoration Dive Experience – Bonaire 




EXCURSIONS are not compulsory, but they will make each destination that you visit memorable. Let’s face it, if you step ashore for a rum punch or a paddle on every island you’ll probably have a nice time - but you might also find that 8 islands later they all blend into one memory. Try a new activity or experience something different though, and that very same cruise can create memories that last a lifetime.






FORTS abound in this part of the world. Not surprising really when you learn that the French, Dutch, Spanish and English have all fought for their pieces of land. Grenada, St Kitts and St Vincent are just three of the many islands where you can take a step back in time and visit a fantastic fort.

Fort George and Beach Club – Grenada 
The Best of St Kitts – St Kitts
Best of St Vincent – St Vincent




GARDENS galore! If you’re a keen gardener, the Caribbean is full of gardens bursting with the brightest floral life that you can imagine. Some of our favourites include Sunnyside Gardens in Grenada, the Botanical Gardens in St Vincent and Orchid World in Barbados.

Mrs Renwicks garden – Grenada 
Gardens of St Vincent – St Vincent
Anthony Hunte Gardens and Orchid World – Barbados




HIKING is an absolute joy in the Caribbean. You can delve feet first into tricky rainforest tracks, ramble through the countryside or follow designated nature trails.  Join an expert guide for a bit of local flavour and learn about the flora, fauna and local life along the way.

Middleham Falls Hike – Dominica 
Vermont Nature Hike – St Vincent
Jaquot Trail Hike – St Lucia 




INDIANS lived on these islands long before the Europeans came along. Join a tour and your guide might educate you about the gentle Siboney, Arawak and the fiercer Caribs who once inhabited this part of the world. Head for the East Coast of Dominica (known as Carib Territory) if you want to see where the largest settlement of Carib Indian descendants reside.

Dominica, Falls and Carib Indians – Dominica
Trail of the Arawak Indians – Bonaire




JEEP TOURS provide exciting adventures. This type of transport enables you to drive through places that minibuses can’t reach, the drivers have great personalities and you get to travel in small groups. Stops are usually made along the way for photographs, and they often spend time at a local beach too. This is Indiana Jones style touring at its best...

St Lucia by Jeep – St Lucia
Jeep Adventure and Beach – Antigua
Dominica by 4x4 - Dominica




KAYAKING is a rewarding and eco friendly way to sightsee outdoors in the fresh air, and some even have glass bottoms so that you can view the fish life! Will you choose to paddle through the mangroves, on the sea or the river?

River to Ocean Kayaking – Dominica
Clear Kayak – Grenada 
Mangrove Kayaking - Bonaire




LIMBO DANCING is all part of the fun on Grenada’s popular Rhum Runner. Think you’re too shy to give it a go? After a couple of rum punches you might not feel quite so inhibited...






MOUNTAINS can be viewed and climbed. This might not be Norway but there are still some pretty impressive peaks. Volcanic eruptions created many of the Eastern Caribbean Islands so mosey on up to Mount Sage in Tortola or perhaps take a peek at St Lucia’s famous Pitons, in one of several different ways.

Sage Mountain trail and Beach – Tortola
Cruise to the Pitons – St Lucia
Pitons Snorkel – St Lucia






NEW TOURS are always being added to the shore excursion programme. So if you’ve been to the Caribbean before, and think you’ve seen and done it all, you might want to think again. Check out some of these exciting new options for this season.

Bonaire Tuk Tuk – Boniare
Helicopter Flight over St Kitts – St Kitts
Saltan Falls by Safari Bus - Dominica 




OFFSHORE ISLANDS beckon. Yes your main destination for the day will have a lot to offer, but there’s a lot to be said for hopping from one island to the shores of another. Escape the crowds, discover the lesser known islands of the Caribbean and enjoy a boat ride too.  Why stick to one island when you can visit two?

Escape to Jost Van Dyke – Tortola 
Escape to Bequia – St Vincent
Discover Nevis Island – St Kitts 




PIRATES swash buckled their way around the Caribbean looking for treasure in the 17th Century, as anyone who watched the Pirates of the Caribbean movies will know. Much of the movie making took place in California, but ‘real’ scenes were shot in Dominica and the Grenadines. Head to Wallilabou Bay, on the west coast of St Vincent to see ‘Port Royal’ harbour. Ahoy shipmates, will you follow in the footsteps of Blackbeard or Captain Jack Sparrow?

Trolley Roger – Grand Cayman
Coastal Cruise and Pirate Treasure Hunt – St Vincent




QUAYSIDES can be pretty long and busy in the Caribbean. Do ensure that you allow plenty of time to meet for your excursions, by following the advice provided by the Explorers Team onboard.




RUM is to the Caribbean what Guinness is to the Irish. You can tour a distillery and try a few quirky flavours, or join a trip that includes rum punch refreshments. In fact many trips in the Caribbean offer you the chance to try a rum punch cocktail... or three...
It may be tempting to have ‘one or two more’, but if you do it can make your head sore!
What a terrible rhyme! But the point is that a Rum Punch cocktail certainly packs a ‘punch’!

Highlights and Rum - St Lucia
Rhum Runner – Grenada 
Rum, Sunbury and Medford Mahogany – Barbados 




SUBMARINES are the coolest way to explore the undersea world of the Caribbean! Imagine sitting in air conditioned comfort, in front of your very own porthole. The pilot starts the engine and submerges the vessel. Shoals of fabulous fish float before you and spectacular sponge gardens are just behind them, you’re so close to it all. As you dive deeper the ocean gets darker and the scenery gets sparser - the clock says you’re 100 feet below the surface - you know that very soon you’ll be right at the bottom of the ocean... WOW what an experience. This thrilling adventure is like an aquarium in reverse. It’s a voyage of a lifetime!

Atlantis Sub Experience – Aruba, Grand Cayman and Barbados

If you don’t fancy the idea of being fully submerged, why not try a semi-submarine instead? Here you simply descend into the hull of a vessel that stays atop the water, and you view the fish life through large windows.

Semi Sub and Sights – Curacao 
Nautilus Adventure – Grand Turk





TUBING is a river based activity that is highly addictive! Basically the concept is quite simple. You sit in a rubber tube that has a reinforced bottom to protect your bottom, you gently float downstream possibly negotiating the odd rapid along the way, and you will have lots of fun, you will laugh out loud and you will want to do it again, and again and again!

River Tubing Experience – Grenada 
River Tubing and Hibiscus Falls – Dominica 






UNDERWATER life can be viewed in many different ways in the Caribbean including snorkelling and scuba diving. But for something totally different why not try Seatrek? Donning a watertight helmet, you’ll experience the peculiar sensation of walking along the seabed at depths of 20 feet, while your face and hair stays completely dry.  Sounds bizarre?  It is, but it’s also brilliant fun and one of the Caribbean’s more unique experiences!

Seatrek and De Palm Island – Aruba
Seatrek – St Lucia



Another quirky alternative is Snuba. As its name suggests this is a cross between snorkelling and scuba diving. On this activity you’re free to swim about as you please though. Your personal air supply comes from extremely long hoses where one end is attached to you (via a diving regulator) and the other end is hooked up to a tank above the waterline.

Snuba Adventure – St Lucia 





VIEWPOINTS or photo stops will feature on many land based excursions. There are far too many to mention but some of our favourites include Shirley Heights overlooking English Harbour in Antigua, Skyworld in Tortola and Paradise Point in St Thomas. What will be your favourite viewpoint of the Caribbean?

Antigua Island Sights – Antigua
Views of St Thomas – St Thomas
Scenic Tortola – Tortola




WHALES AND DOLPHINS (and turtles) can be spotted in Caribbean waters. Dominica is considered to be the whale watching capital of the Caribbean and January to March is the best time to spot them breaching.

Whale and Dolphin Watching by RIB - Dominica
Dolphin Watch – St Lucia
Turtle Snorkel - Barbados




eXHILARATING, eXCITING, eXOTIC. Ok slightly cheating with this one, but days out in the Caribbean can be all of the above!




YACHTS can be seen sailing the smooth waters of the Caribbean Seas, and we can all dream of winning the lottery and living that lifestyle. But did you know that you can join an activity trip that allows you to be part of a yacht crew? For this ‘hands on’ opportunity no sailing experience is necessary but you need to be fairly fit and active, have a competitive nature, and crave a bit of fun and adventure...

America’s Cup – St Maarten
Yacht Race Antigua – Antigua 





ZIPLINING is the ultimate way to meet the rainforest face to face. Play at being Tarzan or Jane for a while (in a safe way) as you zip from point to point through the forest canopy.

Sky Safari Ziplining – St Kitts
Zipline Adventure and Beach by Safari Bus – Antigua 
St Lucia Ziplining Adventure – St Lucia



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Matt Sparks
P&O Cruises - Digital Team

It's that time of the month again where we showcase the winners of the latest CRUISE awards. Every month, passengers and crew nominate staff members who have gone "above and beyond the call of duty" in their roles. A winner is then selected and the crew member is presented the award by a senior officer.

See October's winners in the post below. If you have met any of these people or have a story you'd like to share, please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

Adonia

Mark Cook - GEXP




"Chef Mark was helpful and cooperative with the Ganesh festival. He was very supportive for the entire month in whatever way he could help. Mark stayed till late every day for the festival and showed great respect to our beliefs. He has shown great honour to his fellow colleagues."

Arcadia

Costav Joav Vaz - Waiter



"Costav showed friendly, excellent service. Every night our needs were taken care of without question. He remembered our likes and dislikes from day one, and did not need reminding. What truly excellent service."

Aurora

Leslie Vaz - Acommodation Manager



"Leslie is arguably one of the busiest, most hardworking and most devoted people on board. Nothing is ever too much for him and he does a lot more than what is expected of him. Leslie never says no to any requests and will always to his bestto satisfy passengers and crew."

Oriana

Gaurish Patel and Pradeep Yadaz - Pool Staff



"For keeping the open decks fully laid out properly and securing all the furniture every night, ensuring every pool area is fully stocked with ice creams for passengers. Fantastic job going the extra mile every day."

Ventura

Ronan Minoza - Carpenter



"Ronan fixed a passenger's wheelchair when it seemed impossible. He stayed on 3-4 hours after his shifts to fabricate the parts needed. The passenger was delighted and nominated him. Ronan does deserves to be recognised for being friendly, welcoming and hardworking."

Azura

Santosh Gastoli - Galley Administrator



"Santosh is a strong character always ready to help the galley staff. Always smiling and willing to help. He has gone over beyond to help the positive changes happening with P&O Cruises in embarkation and disembarkation procedures."

Oceana

Raferido Dela Pena - TV Operator



"Perry truely deserves recognition for his passion and for the job and the true spirit of abnegation Perry possesses. He works over and beyond to ensure passengers and staff can effortlessly change channels on TV whilst enjoying their cruise."

David George


Our guest reviewer David George has waited a long time for his chance to see New England at its best. Arcadia delivered the dream, as well as the added colour and excitement of New York, Quebec... and even Sydney and Venice!

Arcadia

If it hadn't been for the razor wire, the security cameras at 50 metre intervals and guards at the wrought iron gates, we would have had no idea that somebody rather important lived in the imposing pre-war mansion set high on a promontory looking out across the Atlantic. But we were on an optional excursion to Kennebunkport in Maine and our guide, a retired teacher, explained that this was the summer home of two former US presidents, known locally as Bushes 1 and 2, or George and ‘W’. But security was even tighter when they were in power; in those days there was a nuclear-powered submarine stationed offshore as well.

Autumn shades - Kennebunkport

It is details like this that make P&O Cruises optionals worthwhile, as is the reassurance that Arcadia would not be leaving port without us should we return late. I’d chosen the excursion for an insight into small-town America and Kennebunkport fitted the bill with its clapboard church, cottage library and even - outside the general store sitting on the veranda - two of Barbara Bush's pugs, resplendent in clowns' ruffs and gratefully accepting donations for a local animal charity.

The former First Lady's dogs

After a day ashore, returning on board Arcadia - one of P&O Cruises adults-only mid-sized ships - is always a treat with standards of comfort and luxury that compare with many a 5-star hotel. I’d opted for a midship cabin on G deck because I knew it would place me at the very heart of the action: close to Reception where queries can be answered or the daily newspaper collected, near the Loyalty Manager’s office where I could drool over future cruise plans and – importantly for me – just one deck below Spinnakers’ bar for a Costa coffee, Lower Meridian restaurant for Club Dining each evening, and the Palladium theatre for a good seat. My friends on C deck were just as keen about their location – closer to the Lido deck for sunbathing and swimming, they said, and nearer to the Crow’s Nest on Deck 11 for a pre-dinner drink or musical recital.

The Crow's Nest

So you pay your money and take your choice – and yes, I booked early because this is a popular cruise and I like to choose my cabin.

When I first sailed with P&O Cruises seven years ago, the 25-day New England cruise captured my imagination immediately but, because of work, it has taken until now to turn the dream into reality.  This cruise has just about everything, from the sights and sounds of big cities and elegant small towns to the prospect of rich autumn colours as Arcadia steams north then west into the St Lawrence River. The weather we had, a mixture of sunshine and showers so typical of October, underscored for me the beauty and contrasts of New England and Canada in the Fall.

New England in the Fall

The officers and crew delivered levels of service that were second to none, the result of Captain Aseem Hashmi’s assured leadership as Master. Every day he could be seen around the ship, happy to chat, and each day he gave at least two announcements that not only reflected his commitment to passenger safety but also information about the ship’s location and progress. With storm clouds brewing mid Atlantic the Captain provided further updates, explaining his planned route diversions.

Captain Hashmi

I met up with him in the Crow’s Nest. There can’t be many captains who are also qualified airline pilots but Captain Hashmi is one of this rare breed. “I joined British Airways and trained on Boeing 737s,” he told me, “but when I qualified the economic downturn meant I was grounded along with many other pilots and so I decided on a career change from air to sea.” It was in 1995 that he joined Cunard as a deck cadet, later transferring to P&O before recently being appointed to his first command. I suggested that for a family man to switch careers so dramatically took guts but he would have none of it. “I still love aeroplanes and one of my hobbies is building model aircraft, but being in command of a ship like Arcadia is a dream come true and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

I asked about his favourite port and after some thought he plumped for New York. “As soon as I see the Ambrose lights (the directional lights for JFK Airport) and begin the final approach, I’m struck by a sense of history as I think about the thousands of immigrants who arrived by sea to rebuild their lives in the New World. And as we sail closer, the dramatic New York skyline reveals itself – a truly unique sight.”

I couldn’t agree more. Immigration was rapid (I was out of the terminal by 8.15) and because we parked midtown New York, I was in 42nd Street within another 20 minutes. As I walked, all the images gleaned from Hollywood movies became reality – Broadway, Grand Central Station (more a cathedral dedicated to trains than a mere station), Rockefeller, New York Public Library, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park, Radio City. These classic icons were all within walking distance of Arcadia and it was only on our second day that I needed the subway to reach the World Trade Centre.

Broadway

The view from The Rock

No evidence of age was required to secure a seniors’ fare to the top of ‘the Rock’ (the elevator ascends 70 floors to the top of the Rockefeller Centre in just 55 seconds) and there was no queuing at 09.30 when I arrived. Whilst every city has its risks, I found nothing but friendliness. In Central Park, a mounted policeman walked me to the John Lennon memorial in Strawberry Fields and later in a café a young lawyer couldn’t have been more helpful poring over my map to show me the shortest route to Grand Central Station.

Grand Central Station

Crossing the Atlantic led to new friendships and a chance to know the crew better. As a result most dinners were spent chatting about adventures in port. In Lower Meridian, Dominic and Theo – our restaurant managers – organised the sittings with their customary expertise and they inspired excellent service. Our waiter, Pylon, was brilliant. He soon recognised my sweet tooth and noted that desserts were incomplete without ice cream. My current diet is proof of just how good he was!

In the Galley, Executive Chef Ian Summers managed the preparation of thousands of meals day after day. Okay, chips aren’t everything but I have yet to find crisper and hotter ones than those on this cruise, a perfect accompaniment for sirloin steaks, and the fish – whether lobster, trout, cod or sea bass – was always moist and tasty. Up in Belvedere, Arcadia’s self-service outlet, I couldn’t keep away from the sandwiches and cakes at teatime, and freshly baked scones - still warm – were rarely ignored. Themed evenings in Belvedere offered an enjoyable alternative to dining in Meridian; amongst others, there were Greek, Italian and Best of British nights, but my favourite was the Indian and I wasn’t alone.  On Lido deck, Neptune Grill proved ideal on a sunny day for things like salads, pizzas and freshly-fried fish and chips.

Activities offered by Entertainment Manager, Christine Noble, were many and varied. Apart from talks by guest speakers, quizzes, films galore, sports events like quoits, cricket and table tennis, and coffee mornings for solo travellers, there were production shows in the Palladium as well as appearances by guest singers, musicians and comics. Fogwell Flax scored highly with his comedy act and his second show, full of impersonations, proved to be just as popular.

Early in the cruise, an Arcadia Choir was set up by a passenger and on the last day a concert was given in The Globe. “People Will Say We’re In Love” from Oklahoma was sung beautifully as was a sad but humorous song about two lovelorn goslings – no wonder a choir member was reduced to tears when one of the birds ended up as fare for the Christmas table! “I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in rehearsals,” passenger Tony Pickard from York told me later. “It was good fun and our conductor, Malcolm Hatton, directed with great sensitivity.”

The Passenger and Crew talent show was just as successful, the undoubted star being waiter Vic Brian with his delivery of “Endless Love”, a song first recorded by Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie. How would Vic cope delivering a duet? With his right side disguised as Ross, including a half-mountain of hair and a single high heel, and his left as Ritchie, the timing was perfect. No wonder the laugher and applause almost raised the roof!

If New York was dazzling and huge, Quebec was elegant and manageable. I loved both.  Arcadia parked beneath the towering Chateau Frontenac, a handsome Gallic creation and home of the station hotel.

Arcadia

Chateau Frontenac

My friends and I chose to walk up to the old town but there is a funicular for those who want to avoid the climb. The narrow cobbled streets make a picturesque setting and for lovers of paintings and antiques, there are numerous little shops and stalls to browse. Outside homes and across grand public spaces I was struck with just how important Halloween is in Quebec. Whoever markets the pumpkins must be doing a roaring trade!

Halloween in Quebec

Midlanders Elizabeth and David Nicholls told me that during their walk on the first day they spotted an opportunity outside Quebec’s parliament to book a free tour of the building. There are three a day and each one lasts 45 minutes. “We visited both the upper and lower chambers with a guide who explained the different procedures,” David explained. “There was even a lovely café with excellent coffee. We found the parliament by pure luck and we’re glad we did. It was fascinating – and it’s not often you have a tour that’s free!”

Our final port of call was Sydney on Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. This was Arcadia’s inaugural visit and various dignitaries came on board to mark the occasion with the presentation of a plaque. The town is small, unlike its violin sculpture, but the promenade in fresh morning sunshine was a delight and so was the wide main street with its church, homes in various pastel shades and library with free wifi. Although it was Saturday a few shops were closed, a reminder of childhood days when weekends were for families rather than commerce. Locals gazed at us with interest and more than once stopped with offers of help. One elderly gentleman engaged me in conversation about my own hometown before telling me about his. When I remarked on the friendliness of everyone, he nodded gently. “It’s the Cape Breton way” he murmured.

Sydney

Over a drink in Spinnaker’s that evening, Pat and Gary from Wolverhampton agreed with every word my friend had said. Both are keen Moody Blues’ fans and love exploring shops for CDs. When they asked a passer-by if there were any larger stores nearby, the man not only offered them a lift but afterwards an invitation to visit his home and meet his wife. “Blair and Wendy were such warm-hearted people,” Pat said. “They made us feel a part of their family and I know we’ll keep in touch.” After lunch of spaghetti and meatballs, Blair drove them back to town. “After such a special day I’d honestly say that Sydney was our favourite port of call!”

Half way home across the Atlantic I began to feel withdrawal symptoms. After such a magical cruise to places I never dreamed I would see, transported on a ship as warm and welcoming as Arcadia, my cruise addiction kicked in. Yes, I definitely needed to stay on for the next one to the Central Mediterranean. With winter approaching, surely some warm sunshine wouldn’t do any harm? And isn’t Venice even nicer in October? But the clincher... how could I possibly turn my back on fine dining, superb service and all that extra ice cream?

A week later, swimming in the Crystal Pool beneath a hot sun, I knew I’d made the right decision and yes, Venice was more beautiful than ever with autumn sunshine adding sparkle to shimmering cupolas and busy gondolas.

Venice

As we sailed the Mediterranean shipboard life was as busy as ever. In addition to new faces amongst the passengers, there were new faces on the Palladium stage. Group Captain David Greenway, formerly Deputy Captain of the Queen’s Flight, gave a series of eleven talks about his life in the RAF. Whether he was talking (discreetly) about the challenge of transporting members of the Royal Family around the world or about his earlier career, David was always interesting. Two sessions focused on anecdotes about service life and the theatre was packed for them. His observations about the traditional superiority of pilots over their good friends, the navigators, were full of humour.  “What is the definition of gross incompetence?” he asked at one point. “144 navigators!” Above the laughter he added: “Not funny for anyone under 35, of course.”

The Headliners were new as well, presenting shows as good as anything in the West End. I suppose I must have seen “Killer Queen”, a showcase for Queen’s hits, many times but this new production – from the quality of the dancing and singing to the sets, sound and lighting – was the best yet.

Sue Smith’s art classes on sea days were popular. Art packs at £20 which included watercolour paints, palette, brushes and specialist art paper, were a bargain and with them Sue was able to take us through the techniques of colour mixing before moving on to landscapes, seascapes and even a Venetian mask. Some had never lifted a brush since schooldays but thanks to Sue’s expertise and patience everyone completed paintings for the end-of-cruise exhibition.

Art Gallery

Arcadia has two cover charge restaurants to tease the taste buds and we decided one evening to ‘eat out’ at one of them, East on the Sun deck - Atul Kochhar’s speciality restaurant with an acclaimed menu of eastern fusion dishes. Judith, the manager, led us to our window table where waiters Rohan and Gladys provided stylish service throughout a very relaxed meal. After a free appetiser, we decided to order Atul’s signature plate, a shared starter of Cambodian hot and sweet prawns, garlic and ginger chicken, Vietnamese pork satay and stir-fried asparagus salad. The different flavours complemented each other perfectly and set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Our starter at East

My lamb Rendang with Indonesian-style curry, shallots, garlic and ginger was beautiful. No wonder the meat was tender – in the Indonesian region of Rendang lamb is slow-cooked for 24 hours! We were not rushed to choose our desserts and we lingered for two hours, enjoying every moment of the attention lavished on us. At £15 East is good value and it was no surprise to find that the restaurant was often fully booked days ahead.

Time ashore in ports like Dubrovnik and Valletta provided opportunities to embrace different cultures as well as discover new sights. In the World Heritage Site that is Dubrovnik, for instance, it surprised me to find, amongst all the beauty and friendliness of this walled city, church walls pock-marked with bullets, a timely reminder of the fragility of peace.

Dubrovnik

Back on board I attended the free iPad training sessions held in The Globe. Since Arcadia’s £40 million refit, new glass doors have been fitted to this venue with the result that it is now used for a variety of daytime activities. We all seem to have tablets but only the chosen few know how to get more than emails out of them. One of the few is Entertainment Host Alex Percival - his enthusiasm as he led the workshops was contagious and we were soon all tapping away, asking questions and feeling rather smug. I mean, did you know that with the latest software you’re able to re-instate something you’ve just deleted simply by shaking your iPad?

“This is the first time I’ve been involved in training,” Alex told me, “and the reaction has been fantastic! I say to people that they’re free to approach me at anytime with questions and, believe me, they do... in quizzes, at drinks’ parties, even ashore! But I love helping passengers to do more with their iPads than just take pictures.”

When I talk to friends about my cruises, some ask about the attraction. Isn’t it, well... boring? With 5-star service, fantastic ports, memorable sights, and so much to keep you occupied on sea days that you must plan your priorities in advance, I find it difficult to know where to start - and I haven’t even touched on the simple pleasures of resting in a comfortable armchair or sunlounger with a good book! But there’s more than all this – ships are floating communities where unexpected events add to the pleasure. Take our sailaway from Malta: I was on the aft deck when a thrush landed on a book in the hands of a man lying nearby. He froze as we stared, captivated by the sight of an exhausted bird hitching a lift to the next port.

Our unexpected visitor!

Two hours later the thrush had moved to the man’s hands before finally being coaxed on to a lounger where he carried on snoozing.

Before dinner I returned to check and the thrush was still there. But now he had company – two bowls of shallow water, some seed and half a scone. Talk about the kindness of strangers! Maybe there in that scene is the essence - the appeal - of what is so uniquely attractive about a cruise holiday. Perhaps it’s this that I should be telling my friends?

Matt Sparks
P&O Cruises - Digital Team

It's that time of the month again where we showcase the winners of the latest CRUISE awards. Every month, passengers and crew nominate staff members who have gone "above and beyond the call of duty" in their roles. A winner is then selected and the crew member is presented the award by a senior officer.

See November's winners in the post below. If you have met any of these people or have a story you'd like to share, please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

Adonia

Keith Antolijao - Fitter Mechanic



"We have recently done a major overhaul on important technical equipment. This required every component to be removed, inspected and cleaned and replaced, Keith was working as part of a team but was especially complimented by the makers representative. Excellent working ethic, and very good knowledge of the engine and maintenance procedures and ALWAYS has a smile on his face."

Arcadia

Anoop Kumar Purushotham - Waiter



"Anoop performed emergency care to a passenger in need. The first aid was expertly done and possibly saved the passenger's life"

Aurora

Arnold Lagaspi - Technical Clerk



"Arnold has been and continues to manage a significant amount of additional work to help out others in the team, to ensure cruise passengers have the ultimate customer experience on board."

Oriana

Ellie Cundy - F&B Services Manager


"Ellie goes over and beyond for her team and ensures they have a good working environment whether it means herself taking on more duties.  Ellie always kept everything so professional regarldess of her workload and really went the extra mile."

Ventura

Rodeo Gerbolinga - OIT Technician



"Rodeo put long hours in working on a fix to the television system (which impacted over +100 cabins) even though he was not strictly responsible for the issues; without that assistance of Deo (and Emman), we would not have able to resolve the situation as quickly as we did and ultimately provide the best cruise experience for the passengers."

Azura

Mabel Fernandes - Night Receptionist



"Mabel helped all Loyalty cruise managers in passengers wanting to place a deposit whilst on board.  Mabel posted over 1000 deposits which helped passengers get their deposit paid and cruise booked and receive the ultimate offers whilst cruising on board P&O Cruises."

Oceana

Chandrashekar Naidu - Head Waiter



"He went out of his way and spent his entire morning break helping HRM set up avenue, during this time he became an electrician and an Ents Technician. He is an excellent person to work with, a true leader in hospitality industry & a professional supervisor."

James Mealey and Alison Webster
P&O Cruises - Shore Excursions Team

Before reading this blog, just take a quick glimpse out of the nearest window.  How’s it looking? Drizzly?  Icy?  Dark already?  Wishing you were holidaying in the Caribbean?  Us too!

Fortunately, those lucky devils in the Shore Excursions teams on Azura and Ventura have been more than happy to let us know - in detail - exactly what we’re all missing out on. Thanks guys! Here they are to tell us about their favourite shore excursions so far this Caribbean season; as well as the experiences you shouldn’t miss if you’re lucky enough to be jetting out there yourself in the next few weeks…

Segways in St Lucia

Emma Crutchley - Port Presenter


One of my most memorable tours to date has to be 'St Lucia Segway, Sights and Beach'.

Having never ridden a Segway before I have to admit that I was dubious, but the guides operating the tour were fantastic, giving us a full briefing, putting us at ease.  When I first stepped on these intelligent machines I was blown away at how sturdy they were and within no time we were off, whizzing along coastal paths, making stops to photograph the views, and even take a dip in the sea. The guides were so good, and really made it a day not to forget!

America's Cup Racing in St Maarten

Jo Bryer - Shore Excursions Manager


For me it has to be the America's Cup tour in St Maarten; taking part in an actual yacht race.  The group is split into two teams, at which point the competitiveness kicks in!  The red flag waves and you’re off!  It’s very exciting, with everyone working hard to get the yacht sailing as fast as you can to beat the other team.  Everyone just wants to win!  It is definitely an experience not to be missed. In fact I’ve done it about 6 times now during my time at P&O Cruises!

A Helicopter flight over Montserrat (Antigua)

Natalie Hubl - Shore Excursions Assistant


The ‘Helicopter over Montserrat’ excursion in Antigua… WOW what an overwhelming experience!  I will remember it forever.  It’s actually quite a moving tour, as you’re flying over an island largely devastated by a volcano, seeing evacuated villages buried under ash.  But to have the opportunity to see something like that, from the air, is just incredible.

Snorkelling with (friendly) sharks in Grand Turk

Nina Boucher - Shore Excursion Assistant


I really recommend the ‘Two Reef Snorkel Adventure’ in Grand Turk.  As you step aboard the boat the crew are so welcoming, and their excellent safety briefing puts everyone at ease.  The colourful marine life at the first reef was some of the best I've ever seen, but the real adventure was to follow, when the crew announced that we might even see some sharks!  Everyone thought it was a joke but to our amazement we did!   Thankfully, they’re called "friendly" sharks, but I can still tell everyone I swam with sharks!

Kayaking adventures!

Adrian Thomas - Shore Excursions Assistant


I’m a very sporty person so my favourite tours involve physical activity.  I love kayaking tours, and have done them in St Vincent, Antigua and St Kitts. They all offer snorkelling so you see lots of marine life, which I am also fascinated with.  These tours are great for interacting with fellow passengers, and the guides are also very professional.  Plus they’re a great way of working off your breakfast!

Escaping to Jost Van Dyke Beach

Moira Andreason - Shore Excursions Manager


Jost van Dyke (accessible on a shore excursion from Tortola) has to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.  White sand, turquoise blue sea, great beach bars and very relaxing. Just what you expect a Caribbean beach to be like.  I never get tired of going there.

River Tubing in Dominica

Hana Smetanova - Shore Excursions Assistant


People may be put off River Tubing because they think it’s a fast paced activity, but the Dominica ‘River Tubing and Hibiscus Falls’ excursion is actually very leisurely.  You basically sit in an inflatable tube and let the river carry you downstream, passing colourful scenery along the way.  There are still a few small speedy rapids to satisfy those looking for adventure, but for most of the tour you can just sit back and float along.

Discovering the gardens of Dominica

Ruth Fretter – Shore Excursions Assistant


I really loved the ‘Dominica Gardens and Creole Cooking’ excursion.  This was a delightful tour of Dominica’s gardens, with just the right amount of time spent at each one. For me the highlight was Alfred’s garden - a private family owned garden owned that‘s been passed down the generations.  We were welcomed by three sisters who showed us around and gave us an insight into (and a taste of!) the exotic produce they grow there, including coffee beans and soursap mangoes.  It was a really intimate tour, and the sisters made us feel like part of the family while we were there.

Flamingo spotting in Bonaire

Steph Blackburn - Shore Excursions Assistant


I got to see Flamingos!  I went on the ‘Flamingos and Salt Flats’ tour in Bonaire, which was a really great way to see Bonaire's beautiful wildlife, and also see how important the salt industry is for the island.  Obviously seeing the wildlife is never 100% guaranteed but on this occasion we were lucky enough to see them! This is my first Caribbean season, and I am loving it!


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