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P&O Cruises

MS Arcadia

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Gary Bembridge
# previous cruises: 3
Date of Trip: July 24, 2005
Itinerary: Mediterranean

The short summary is that we LOVED this new ship to the P&O fold and we loved the cruise around the Mediterranean, finding nothing major to highlight as areas P&O could focus on to make it better! The areas we wrote on the feedback form I will cover later in the review.

We did find - however - that very regular P&O cruisers seemed almost eager to want to find things about the ship that they did not like. We found as we met people that they were constantly trying to compare it to other P&O ships, versus focusing on the merits or otherwise of the ARCADIA. That is probably a reflection of just how popular the other ships are! As when we pushed and asked exactly what do you not like, we almost always got the response "um, well, um, we can't quite put our finger on it, but it just isn't the same". Although surely if you want the same you go on the same ship?

The 4 specific things people we spoke to did not like were things that (in my view) a bit of simple research before the cruise would have told people about, and are well covered in the brochure, the detailed P&O website (http://www.pocruises.co.uk) and the various P&O groups / chat rooms. These things were:

1) The ship wasn't "glitzy" enough. The P&O material sent out through the building of the ship and in the brochure/ website seems to talk and show how they were going for a more "British"/ under-stated / sophisticated look.

2) The atrium wasn't spectacular. It is (admittedly) only 3 decks high and very simple. People seem to feel that this was a missed opportunity and an important part of any ship that was missing.

3) The Crow's Nest is not that great. I agree. The one in AURORA, for example, with its tiered seating and layout creates a much better atmosphere and is a much better place to visit and spend time in. the one on ARCADA is a bit sterile. 4) The ship was too big, and takes too long to walk from the back to the front....

We did, however, think the ship is fantastic. And would go back on it in a flash.

Meridian Restaurant - On 2 levels, at the back of the ship, it has an open and bright feel with lots of windows and very striking and unusual light fittings. The food was excellent, and service outstanding.

Belvedere Self Service - We usually do not like the lido style places on ships, but we liked this one. It was much better decor than the usual, something most people commented on. The seating runs along large windows on either side of the ship offering great views. It was very large with spread out counters all themed on different types of food, and open 24 hours. The layout meant much less queuing than in many lido style places on ships we have been on so far. We used it much more than we have ever on other ships.

Arcadia Rhodes and Orchid Restaurants - These are the 2 alternative dining options where you pay a surcharge. Both are lovely rooms. We went to the Gary Rhodes one. It was a nice evening - but to be honest the food in the main restaurant was so good and varied that we did not really think it worth the extra cost and so did not go back. It seemed to be fairly empty, although later in the cruise it did get busier we believe.

Cabin. B059 - Hong Kong Suite - We were in this suite on B deck. It was fantastic. It is large (over 500 square feet including the expansive balcony). It has a great seating area with large sofa and chairs. There is a small dressing room, and bathroom with separate shower and "Jacuzzi" bath and 2 basins. The bed was very comfortable and huge - especially when together as they make a king size at least. It has a flat screen TV and DVD player, and piles of storage (we took loads of clothes and stuff and did not even use all the storage).

It had butler service (which I still do not really understand!! Perhaps it is just that we don't use them enough as all he really did was bring canapes, our breakfast a few times and chatted to us!)

Saying all the above, I am not sure the cost of a suite on the ship is worth it. I think a mini-suite would be very good indeed, and from what we saw the staterooms were a great size and had decent sized balconies. I will go for one of these 2 options next time

The Palladium Theatre - Wow! Over 3 levels this is huge. It is hard to remember that you are on a ship. The stage has all sorts of fancy features like in the West End.

The shows ranged from a Cirque style show (which was VERY impressive), Andrew Lloyd Weber Best of, West End Favorites, Flashback Review of 60s - 90s. The cabaret was an old TV personality from the UK TV shows "Catchphrase" which was not our taste and a Violinist Showman who we did not go and see.

Saying that, I thought the shows were better than we had seen on the QE2 in December by a long way!

The gym is very large and overlooks the bow of the ship. Bright with wide range of machines and free weights. A good number of classes were on offer.

An adults only ship, it had mostly I guess a mid 30s plus crowd.