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P&O Cruises

MS Arcadia

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Reviewed by: David Burgess
# previous cruises: 1
Date of Trip: April 27, 2001
Itinerary: Repositioning

As this was our first cruise, and something my wife had wanted to do for a long time,we decided it would be best to book with a well known cruise company. we were also advised by a couple of cruise agents that a 'repositioning'cruise offered excellent value for money over a standard cruise. After searching through countless brochures we picked 'the voyage home' on Arcadia cruising from Barbados to Southampton. The Caribbean had always conjured up magical images for us and to be going there, for us, was a dream come true. So after a lengthy family discussion (our two youngest teenagers were also coming with us) that lasted all of 10 seconds we booked our first cruise. I think the fact that we booked 14 months before we were due to go gives some indication of our enthusiasm for the trip.

Our fist impression of Arcadia was her size. I know that with todays super ships of 100,000 ton+ that at 68,000 tons she may not be considered big but to us Arcadia was. The first sighting of her was impressive and standing at the bottom of the gangway waiting to board looking up an up was breathtaking. Cruise people in the know as well as one or two reviews I read prior to sailing referred to Arcadia as an ugly ship with her large cut out sides. Looking at pictures I would agree but seeing her changes her looks from an ugly duckling to a swan. If your British and like country pubs or can imagine what a traditional gentlemans club is like, lots of polished wood and leather then you have some idea of the public rooms on board Arcadia. Your first view of the interior is the 3 floor atrium. Here are the shops, tour desk and reception area. After settling into our cabin time to explore the ship. All public area were spotless, if you wanted a quiet area there was the library or the Canberra room. For company there were the bars, very comfortable and reasonably priced. Deck space plentiful, pools take your pick, deck sports-choose form Golf, shooting, basketball, cricket, table tennis etc etc etc. On the top deck is the walk round area were all the joggers meet every morning, the rest of the day though you can stroll around to your hearts content. There is a casino on board but its not for me so can't comment on it.

There is only one way to describe the food, excellent. Portions were fine, and I do not have a small appetite. Variety, not a problem, the Indian themed night was especially good. there were two main areas to eat the formal restaurant or the more informal conservatory. Both were as good as each other, the children also loved eating in the separate Italian restaurant. The service from our waiters was excellent as well, our table waiter, Iggy, was friendly, polite, attentive, efficient, great with the children and to me the sign of a really good waiter when required able to go about his job without you knowing he was there. The cabin steward was equally good, there were always fresh towels, and plenty of them, toiletries always kept well stocked. Beds made in a morning, turned down of an evening. Overall staff very friendly, could not fault them. If you want to be pampered for a few weeks this is the place to be.

we had a standard four berth outside cabin that was larger than we expected, we had thought that the four of us sharing would be uncomfortable and at times cramped but no. The top bunk beds retract into the ceiling during the day making the cabin that much larger. Bathroom also large and the shower was large enough to hold a decent size party in. The cabin also had a fridge, hair dryer, a safe and tv. There were plenty of drawers but our only gripe. not a lot of hanging space, especially for four.

Sorry to sound repetitive but the entertainment was first rate, from the in house company to the special guests. OK so no superstar headline names but they should be and in some cases will be. I have to give a special mention to the comedian, Nicky Martin a Liverpool comedian. He did a number of shows during the cruise, each one different, each one side splittingly funny and each one as clean as virgin snow. He was just funny. the hardest thing is to entertain 13 and 14 year olds, my two though were first in the queue when he was on, my daughter still laughs now at his jokes. He was worth the cost of the cruise on his own. There was a different West End style show every night, very well produced, choreographed and delivered. As part of this cruise included four days at sea I had been concerned about getting board, especially the children, after all you have nowhere else to go. Get board, not a chance.

Ports of call to us were all new and exciting. the tours we went all were all well organised, locals all friendly. Getting to shore and back very well organised off shore and not docked, using the tenders was an experience itself. Of all the tours we went on for us the best was in Grenada, a trip on the Rum Runner, if you get the chance don't pass it up. I didn't go to any pre port talks but the in house tv did run information films on each port anyway. In all we stopped at Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua and Ponta Delgarda. Our only disappointment was not being able to see more of our embarkation port of Barbados. Some other time.

Fellow passengers. At least 95% were British with a few from Holland and Germany. Everyone we talked to were friendly and amiable. In truth with the atmosphere on board you could never be anything else. If you think I have gone overboard, no pun intended, in this review then I make no appologies. Yes it was our first cruise and no I can not compare it to any other But..as a result of this experience it will not be our last, my family have now been bitten by the cruise bug. we are already booked on Black Watch for March next year and on P&O's Oceana for her first cruise home in April 2003. Within five minutes after getting home all anybody wanted was to get back as soon as possible, even the children and that's high praise!!! The only thing is my daughter wants to know if Nicky Martin will be entertaining on either of them?