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Login Exclusively for adults only, Arcadia offers sophistication and relaxation when exploring new destinations. With its glass ceiling, the stunning atrium sets the tone for your voyage. Enjoy Palladium shows, Marco Pierre White's Ocean Grill, or the Thermal Suite. Every moment aboard Arcadia promises to be memorable.
This was our first time on Arcadia and we loved the ship. Staff were helpful and polite, always going the extra mile. We found the food lovely, but a bit more variety would have been nice in the buffet. We like our curries, although Sindhu fell a bit short for us in terms of portion size and flavour. The entertainment and the venue's on the ship were first class, the Globe and the Crows nest being two of our favourites. Theatre shows were brilliant, with a good choice. Also, our cabin was kept spotless throughout our cruise. Really our only gripe was on black tie nights. They are great on their own, but we felt a bit cheated due to the amount of restricted venue's we couldn't use on these nights. Overall a great experience on a great ship. We are back on Arcadia next year and looking forward to it already. Can't wait.
We chose this cruise for its well thought-out itinerary and reasonable fare-- and we were not disappointed. This was a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable voyage! This was our second P&O cruise-- the first being a rather unsettling post-covid 2022 cruise on Aurora-- and we have Celebrity, Azamara, and Holland & America experiences for comparison. This cruise stood out for the itinerary: cruising through Scottish isles during daylight will be a life-long memory. The mixture of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Scottish islands (Shetland, Orkney, and outer Hebrides), and three urban ports (Glasgow, Liverpool, and Belfast) were such contrasts, and yet together gave us a coherent, deeply satisfying UK cruise. The pacing was perfect, too: with some sea days sprinkled among the ports. Another surprising highlight was dining. We had taken a grin and bear it approach on Aurora with our freedom dining, but here on Arcadia, we had learned our lesson: we highly recommend the second seating for dinner. There was a mad scramble at embarkation of folks trying to change their seating to first seating or freedom dining. The result was that the second seating was wonderful-- the lovely combination of serene, uncrowded dining room with food served promptly and hot. We had two fantastic waiters, Thomson and Ujiwal, and they quickly memorized our preferences and night after night delivered a quality of dining that I have not experienced on any other liner. Our table was on a mezzanine of sorts, and the 6 other tables were occupied by pleasant and interesting couples. We all embraced on our final night, and realized we had enjoyed a really memorable dining experience together. I can't say the same thing about the Belvedere buffet breakfast and lunches-- in fact, half way through the cruise, we switched to having lunch in the dining room, because the quality was so much better. The buffet is boring, limited, lacking fresh fruit and vegetables, and disappointing with respect to salad bar, and bakery. It also lacked local dishes and locally purchased ingredients from our ports. We were in several ports that are known for their fishing industry, and yet, no local fish! I was also disappointed with P&O's decision not to have afternoon tea more frequently in the dining room (as Holland America does.) Instead, they simply put out some scones (always the same) and finger sandwiches on the Belvedere buffet, and you self serve the tea (and it's supermarket type tea). With all of P&O's illustrious history, they can't get out some three tiered trays and use waiter service to elevate the experience on sea days? Other highlights of the cruise: the fitness center and especially its staff, the classical pianist and soprano, and the cricket offerings on sea days. Now for the less stellar aspects: this ship skews quite old! There are a number of really elderly folks (80s and 90s) on board. Many of them were quite pleasant and interesting, but it does limit how truly active the ship can be. I have mixed feelings about the condition of the ship: as other reviewers have noted, the Arcadia IS showing its age, but the crew are taking really good care of it. The carpets are clean and not worn; our cabin was comfortable and extraordinarily spic and span; and the furnishings in the public rooms are comfortable and relatively new. Finally, the entertainment is middling, and most glaringly, the lectures were terrible. The resident ensemble of singers and dancers performed four times in the theater during the cruise, and while energetic and congenial, they weren't as talented as performers we've enjoyed on other lines (HAL and Azamara), and they had to perform to pre-recorded backing tracks, which rushed and straitjacketed their performances. But the real let-down were the lectures: there was one speaker on whales, but there were NO LECTURES relevant to the ports and regions we were visiting! (except, I should note, for one lecture which was supposed to be about Liverpool, but ended up being a bizarre ode to Elvis!) I would have really appreciated even just one onboard lecturer knowledgeable about some aspect of the UK-- history, archaeology, industry, art, nature, SOMETHING! So, in short, this cruise had so much going for it-- wonderful ports, scenery along the way, attentive and personable crew, truly enjoyable second seating dining-- that we had a fantastic time. I am haunted by the fact that with a few small changes-- afternoon tea, UK lecturers, local fish dishes-- it could have been a truly outstanding cruise. Good luck, P&O: you are providing something memorable and valuable in the cruise market, but it could be even better.
Obvious lower crew from 2018 when we last went on Arcadia; some dining crew looked tired or fed up; we felt hurried from Meridian every evening; we noticed crew doubling up in duties - our cabin steward was also in Meridian in the evening - she told us her contract was 10 months 7am - 10pm (with 3hr break) without a day off and lower pay than other cruise lines; cleanliness in public areas poor; badly stained seating in Belvedere; window sills filthy in Belvedere throughout cruise: Very few ports with shuttle buses; certainly not vfm in trips; prices in shops on board considerably higher than in ports so I imagine less sales: It felt like P&O were getting as much out of passengers and lower standards were ‘good enough’. If Arcadia was a hotel we would never return. Overall we enjoyed the cruise but were disappointed in how it felt - didn’t feel valued by P&O. Cutting costs is not doing them any favours.
Accommodation is a crucial part of every holiday. From a simple space to lay your head, to something a little more luxurious – everyone has their own style. We've got a range of accommodation on our ships to suit all travellers.
Explore delectable delights at sea
Arcadia is a paradise for lovers of good food and exquisite drinks. Savour Marco Pierre White's culinary artistry at Ocean Grill, where indulgent dishes take centre stage. Enjoy a pint or glass of something at the lively Rising Sun pub or sip refined cocktails while unwinding with panoramic views at the Crow's Nest.
Included restaurants - With so many delicious dining options already included in your holiday price, you'll be spoilt for choice at any time of the day.
Speciality restaurants - Indulge yourself in an extra-special culinary crusade - with exquisite menus and exceptional service - for a little extra.
Endless entertainment at anytime
From dazzling shows in the three-tier Palladium Theatre to captivating films in the intimate Screening Room, there's an entertainment venue for everyone on Arcadia. For those looking for live music, check out the Globe; the Monte Carlo Casino is a must for those who want to try their luck. With endless ways to unwind and have fun, every day and night on Arcadia promises unforgettable memories.
Make the night your own
Sometimes on holiday, planning your evening can be a bit of a challenge. What’s worth seeing and doing? Are you staying in the right part of town? Is it a taxi ride away? On a P&O Cruises holiday you can find your perfect night, every night. Be as spontaneous as you like whether it’s an intimate drink or a celebration with friends, a night to get glammed up or keep it casual; the choice is yours…
Feel rebalanced on board
Arcadia offers leisure and wellness at its finest. Bask by the Neptune or Aquarius Pools, indulge in ultimate relaxation at the luxurious Oasis Spa and Salon, or treat yourself to a shopping spree at the onboard boutiques. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, unwinding with a massage, or exploring stylish finds, Arcadia has everything you need to feel rejuvenated and inspired.
Spa and Wellbeing
Find your on-board sanctuary in the Oasis Spa, a haven of pampering and relaxation. Melt away into a blissful world of me-time. Choose from the most exclusive spa therapies, rejuvenating facials and massages, pick-me-up nail treatments, and feel-good hair styling. There’s plenty for those who want to stay active, too, from a high-tech gym and fitness classes to swimming pools and sports courts.
Sports, games and fitness on board
There's an energising activity for everyone on board a P&O Cruises holiday. From sports courts and fun-filled deck games to state-of-the-art gyms and invigorating fitness classes, discover the perfect way to work up a sweat and have fun.
As an adult only ship, Arcadia does not feature any Kids & Teens facilities.
