Filipinos

[Queenshi]

Just thinking of all the Filipino crew working on our ships trying to earn enough to send home to their love ones .. what anguish they must be going through wondering what might have befallen their families .. yet keeping a brave face on it to ensure the passengers they are looking after are happy. x

[Quizzical Bob]

Yes, it must be a terrible time for them. Let's hope that the Company has made provisions for them to find the latest information.

[Kendhni]

The storm reports that have been in the media have been horrendous ... One report said it was the worst storm to hit land with speeds of up to 300kph. Must be very hard for them, especially those with long periods left on their contracts.

[GillD46]

Thinking of all those from the Phillipines just now.

[oldbluefox]

These will be difficult times for them being so far away from home. Our thoughts are with them.

[Holiday Planner]

Thoughts and prayers with all those in and from the Philippines

[david63]

A difficult time for all of the crew I suspect as the areas where most of the crew for cruise ships come from are subject to there types of disasters - "there but for the grace of God" is probably what a lot are thinking.

Let's hope that the Company has made provisions for them to find the latest information.

A few years back we were on board Oriana when there was a natural disaster in Pakistan (cannot remember what it was) and P&O did all they could for the crew.

[Kenmo1]

The staff on the ships are one of the reasons we like P&O and tend to stick with them. We have always been very lucky with the staff we have met and they never fail to amaze us with the way they can remember us and the smiles and welcome they give us when we see them around the ship. It helps make the holiday and we have got to know quite a few by name. Each graphic picture on TV makes us think of those wonderful staff and pray that they and their families are ok. I do hope P&O are giving them free access to WiFi so that they can check on their loved ones at home.

Doesn't seeing the terrible pictures help us all to get our own minor problems into perspective.

[Kendhni]

Nice to see the cruise lines doing a little to help
story here

[david63]

Nice to see the cruise lines doing a little to help
story here

I think that there is more that goes on "behind the scenes" with the crews of cruise ships than we are aware of and some of us are all to quick to criticise how the crew are, in our perception, treated.

[towny44]

The DEC appeal is now up and running on line so we can all help a little by making a contribution.

[arcadialover]

Arcadia did an auction last week and almost £4000 was raised. Dinner with the captain was one won by 2 couples who each paid £150.