Arcadia Cruise Reviews - Reviews

Arcadia is an adult only ship and therefore it is no surprise most passengers are much older than other ships. As such the entertainment is mostly geared up for those passengers with much more easy listening music and shows. The plus side of course is that it is a much quieter and sedate experience. If you want a lively atmosphere and modern pop music this isn't the ship for you. I've seen a few bad reviews from those on the preceding cruise (99 night World cruise), reporting widespread sickness and very poor food. I can happily report I didn't experience either on this 19 night itinerary. Yes there were a lot of coughs and colds, but no more than you'd expect amongst 2000 older passengers at this time of the year. Food was no different to the other P&O ships I've been on (Ventura, Brittania and Aurora). The buffet is somewhat limited in choice and not always brilliant quality, but it's ok. The poolside grill offers burgers, chicken goujons and fish and chips cooked fresh to order. There is also a made to order sandwich bar. Both compliment the buffet at lunch times well. The menu in the MDR has plenty of options, but too often all the choices on a particular evening are too samey (ie lots of fish choices, or all quite fussy or rich dishes). That said, there is always plain sirloin steak, salmon or roast chicken. It's also possible to get a simple omelette if you want it. Portion sizes are on the small side. Same as most lines these days, but when serving fish and chips, 5 small chips are not enough! The waiters are always happy to bring you more and the simple solution is to order extra potato or veg in the first place. I even ordered two currys for myself one night as I knew the portion would be small and it was my favourite dish. Not a problem at all, the waiters couldn't be more accommodating. We always asked for the next night's menu to check there were choices for everyone in my group. If there wasn't, it was possible to pre-order a dish from the lunch time menu instead. So there's not really an excuse to go without or be unhappy with your food choices; just ask for what you want. The ship is 15 years old now and despite a minor refresh in 2017, some areas do show their age. A lot of public spaces have been spruced up and the decor is in keeping with newer P&O ships. Most carpets have been replaced but some are stained, as are some wall panels in accomodation corridors. The ship does creak and groan quite badly in anything more than a slight sea. It was particularly bad on B deck, port side around B58-B52. The roof over the midship pool was out of action on this cruise and was being repaired by contractors for most of the cruise. It should be fixed by now, but it was a real shame as the weather was rubbish and if they had been able to close it, it would have made the solarium a nice place to relax. There are some rather unpleasant smells around the midship atrium at times, but this isn't just an Arcadia problem. I've experienced it on many ships. There did seem to be quite a lot of leaks all over Arcadia with blowers, towels and buckets often dotted around. The windows in the Crows Nest leak badly in severe weather resulting in damp smells in places and sections being cordoned off. The weather during this cruise was diabolical. Can't blame P&O for that! The Med can be unpredictable at this time of year, but the Captain kept telling us Arcadia copes well in rough seas, but I wasn't so sure. Admittedly we were sailing through extreme conditions - force 11-12 winds (yes, really!) and the ship did keep going, but it wasn't comfortable. A gust of over 100 mph caught us on the starboard side at one point causing a severe and sustained list to port. The Captain came on to reassure us everything was ok and the ship soon came back under control. It was a little concerning, but it was good that the Captain reassured us. I experienced something similar on an RCI ship and there was no mention of it by the Captain. The itinerary was pretty good and I was glad that the Captain ploughed on through the bad weather to get us to all the ports on time. The staff were all very good at their jobs and friendly enough. There was a sense that everyone was overworked and didn't seem to have time to fully engage with passengers. Probably a sign that the ship is understaffed. All in all Arcadia isn't going to be for everyone. If you like a quieter ship and enjoy the company of mostly senior citizens, along with all the usual P&O Britishness, then you might just enjoy it.

This was the last leg for us in the RTW Southampton/Southampton Cruise

I live travelling across the pacific by ship divine

Currently doing the Southampton to Sydney leg of the 2019 world cruise. Get me off!!! 2 days of being on the ship I saw the doctor because I was in pain with a chesty cough. I was healthy when I got on! He diagnosed pneumonia! Then my husband had peel your own prawns from the buffet and had such a severe reaction, never been allergic before! He had to have 2 rounds of steroids intravenously. Our shower had to be re-grouted whilst we’ve been onboard because it was mouldy it’s also often too hot to use safely! Unfortunately we’ve had to make many complaints. The food, well, I’ve had better in roadside cafes. I’ve been posting on Facebook and Instagram where everyone agrees the presentation and content are disgusting. Our mini suite isn’t a bad size, the balcony is a good size. Our room steward is lovely but hasn’t cleaned the drain on the floor for maybe a year! The medical staff are outstanding. The production shows are great,

From start to finish the western navigation was doomed. We had technical problems which meant an overnight stay in Southampton, where I live! Within 2 days I had caught everyone’s cough after 5 days, I went to the doctor onboard whilst we were in port, Madeira. I was too unwell to get off. He diagnosed pneumonia! I was shocked. I’m very healthy. So I had 11 boring sea days, I don’t sunbathe, until St Lucia. If you like to knit and natter or do endless quizzes or play bridge, then this ship is for you. My husband became very ill from bad prawns consumed from the buffet. He had to have IV steroids for 2 days. We missed a number of ports because of bad weather. The food was disgusting. Never ever again with P&O

First cruise we have been on in bad weather and being one that gets sea sick easily the Stability of Arcadia was impressive Enjoyed the cruise even though we never got to Brugge

Disappointing cruise overall. Dining room staff, with a few exceptions, miserable. Food often served just warm. Cabin was not clean and balcony and furniture was filthy. Headliners group excellent but rest of entertainment poor or mediocre. Have booke the same cruise for next year on Arcadia but will probably cancel. We have a cruise on Ventura in February and depending on how that goes will make a final decision on the October one

Just spent 17 nights on this lovely ship around the med. All of the crew were excellent. Food very good. The theatre entertainment was wonderful you must watch Mr Tinkertons Circus It is a fantastic show. The only thing was the average age on this longer cruise was 74 but we met some lovely people. Excursions were great but a bit like a scrum at times and found it quite extraordinary that some older people lack manners. However the whole experience was wonderful.

Lovely to be back on Arcadia. She is so easy to get around and love her prom deck where you can walk right around without having to negotiate steps or ladders. Child free too which was a bonus.

Our first experience and not going to be the last, already booked for next year back on the Arcadia, can"t wait.

Great first experience-mid sized ship so all the facilities but not over crowded. I would certainly re-book a P&O and Arcadia cruise.

Loved the stability of the ship and the crew were great. However, something needs to be done about the plumbing in public areas and 'The Arcadia Whiff'

The fine weather, interesting itinerary, excellent service & very enjoyable food & drink made for great cruise!

We have also just done back to back cruises on Arcadia. This was our 4th time on her. Unfortunately on this time there were quite a few issues with water problems & leaks, this was due to poor workmanship during refit & not to do with ship herself. We found the quality of food in buffet ok, but it wasn’t always hot. We enjoyed our time aboard, the shows were excellent. We have booked the same cruise next year & 14 nights on Azura in 2019.

Had a lovely time but disappointed at losing 3 out of our 7 ports. P & O did give us adequate monetary compensation and free alcohol but we will never get this trip of a lifetime back....I can accept these things happen and felt sorry for the Captain who did his very best for us.

Thoroughly enjoyed our 'maiden' cruise, and YES, we'll be back for another cruise ... when we've saved up. Great effort and service by everyone at P&O - happy to fully recommend them.

Just retuned from 14 nights in the Baltic on this ship it is our first P&O ship in almost 10yr and well the ship is in need of some major works on her there can be damp smells in some common rooms and bars especially the crows nest and the spa area nr to the hydro pool Also the main pool is staring to look tatty with tiles missing etc The ship is having her 5 yr dry dock later this yr so I hope they fix the issues as she is a lovely ship The biggest let down is the atrium area very disappointing and nothing like the Cunard atriums on there ships of the same class But as an overall she is a nice ship with everything you could want on a ship for adults only Will I sail on her again well yes we have already booked.

Just returned home after 14 nights on this lovely ship although we like this ship for its homely atmosphere it was spoilt by the amounts of buckets scattered about catching leaks.....such a shame that such a lovely ship should be allowed to get into this state.....please P&O can you please sort this before I go back on next year.

Short cruises are different to longer cruises, more parties which took over pool areas (seemed the casual night could have been themed as we had plenty of Hawaiian outfits.

A great family holiday in a beautiful area, and loved cruising through the fjords at night when it never really got dark. We found that "Adults only" ships are not for us, even though I am 74. We find that a broader age mix provides a more pleasant and lively atmosphere. Freedom dining, for us, was also an experiment that failed. Back to second sitting club dining next year. We tried the element of "Freedom" by turning up at the restaurant at various times, but invariably we were given a pager and sent away. So we would go to a bar, order drinks, and then as soon as the drinks arrived the darned pager would sing out its not so jolly beeps. It was only after 2030 that we could reasonably expect to get a table immediately. On that basis we shall return to second sitting club dining next year. We shall then be able to go confidently for pre-dinner drinks at 2000ish, then toddle off to the restaurant for 2030, to be greeted by the same waiters each night, and to be seated at the same table. Each to his own of course, but I know which option is the more relaxing for me.