Arcadia

The 2005-built Arcadia cruise ship is one of P&O UK's adults-only vessels, alongside fleetmate Aurora (since 2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9226906) is currently Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310459000) and registered in Hamilton.

History - Construction and Ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary brand of Carnival Corporation, with two main divisions: P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became part of P&O Princess Cruises, which later merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P&O is the world’s oldest cruise line, having started passenger shipping in 1822, operating routes between England and the Iberian Peninsula.

With a capacity of around 2000 passengers, Arcadia was once the largest custom-built vessel for the British market until Ventura joined the fleet in April 2008. Arcadia was not originally intended for P&O Cruises. Carnival Corporation had planned her as Cunard’s Queen Victoria, but later reallocated her based on brand suitability. As a result, some P&O fans may find Arcadia’s international style slightly different from the traditionally British ambiance of other P&O ships like Oriana. Nonetheless, Arcadia is praised for its high cleanliness standards and seamless onboard operations, hallmarks of excellent organizational execution.

Decks and Cabins

P&O Arcadia staterooms (1,050 total in 17 grades) include 62 Suites, 652 Balcony, 72 Oceanview, 162 Inside, and 6 Single cabins. Most cabins are sized between 170-195 ft² (16-19 m²), with balconies averaging 55 ft² (5 m²). The largest accommodations are the Aft Balcony Suites, measuring 450 ft² (42 m²) with a 300 ft² (28 m²) terrace.

The vessel has 11 passenger decks, 7 of which contain staterooms.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

The Meridian Dining Room spans two decks and features a glass design with a grand central staircase. It is complimentary and serves high-quality meals. Breakfast offers a variety of choices, from healthy options to traditional British fare. Lunch is à la carte, with soups, light meals, and pies. Afternoon Tea includes sandwiches, scones, and cakes. Dinner follows the traditional two-sitting schedule with assigned seating, while the upper level operates under the Freedom Dining concept for flexible dining times.

Full list of Arcadia dining venues:

• Meridian Restaurant (two-level main dining room, breakfast 7:30-9 am, lunch 12:15-1:45 pm, 3-course menu)
• Ocean Grill Restaurant and Bar (specialty dining by chef Marco Pierre-White; dinner only 6-10 pm, reservations required; also serves breakfast to Suite guests)
• The Belvedere (buffet-style restaurant, complimentary; breakfast until 10:30 am, brunch, lunch, dinner 6:30-10 pm; themed buffets included)
• Neptune Grill (complimentary fast food)
• Caffe Vivo (light snacks and coffee bar, complimentary)
• “East” Restaurant (Asian specialty venue by Atul Kochar; Indian, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese dishes; 4-course menu; open 6:30-9:30 pm, reservation recommended; surcharge applies)

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

The two-level Palladium Theatre features live entertainment including bands, comedians, and musical revues tailored to British tastes. Two shows are presented nightly (8:30 pm and 10:30 pm) to match the dining schedule. Daytime activities include traditional games like deck quoits and shuffleboard, destination lectures, and general interest presentations. Afternoon music by the pool and cocktail parties also add to the onboard fun. Other amenities include 24-hour complimentary room service, WiFi/Internet access, and self-service laundromats.

Full list of Arcadia entertainment venues:

• Arcadia Atrium (two-deck social hub)
• The Palladium Theatre (736 seats, spanning 3 decks; performances by “Headliners Theatre Company”)
• Spinnaker Bar (nautical-themed, opens at 3 pm)
• Intermezzo Bar (Champagne and cocktail bar)
• The Rising Sun Bar (English-style pub), Piano Bar, The Orchid Bar, Anderson’s
• Monte Carlo Casino, Electra Disco and Nightclub, Art Gallery
• Emporium Shop, Celebrations Shop, Piccadilly Shop, Photo Gallery and Shop
• The Library (with Internet computers), Card Room, Horizon (Internet lounge), The Screening Room (30-seat cinema)
• Aquarius Pool, Neptune Pool (served by Neptune Bar), 2 Jacuzzis
• The Retreat (relaxation area with wooden floors for Yoga, Tai Chi, ballroom dance classes)
• Oasis Spa and Health Club (Thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, steam rooms, beauty salon)
• Gym (free-use equipment; yoga and Pilates classes at extra charge)
• The Crow’s Nest Lounge (live music, dance floor, panoramic views; hosts daytime activities like art classes, quizzes, cooking demonstrations)
• Jogging Track, deck games area (chess, quoits, shuffleboard), Sports Court (football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cricket), Table Tennis, 2 Golf Net cages

Itineraries

P&O Arcadia’s itinerary program is mainly based on roundtrip departures from Southampton. The ship offers annual World Cruises, Transatlantic crossings to the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean, as well as regional itineraries in Europe. These include the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea (including Norway Fjords), the British Isles, Iceland, Norway, and Western Europe (including short UK-Belgium mini-cruises).

Operations were paused through March 2022 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

MS Arcadia is one of P&O's adults-only liners, alongside Oriana. The vessel was originally ordered as a Vista-class ship for Holland America Line. During construction, shipowner Carnival Corporation reallocated her to Cunard Line under the planned name MS Queen Victoria. However, just before her 2004 launch, Carnival decided to transfer the vessel to P&O UK.

P&O Arcadia was built by Fincantieri at the Marghera shipyard (hull number 6078). She is powered by Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 16ZAV40S and 12ZAV40S) with a combined output of 63.36 MW.

Due to these pre-launch changes, Arcadia features Cunard’s mast (similar to RMS Queen Mary 2) and a modified funnel instead of P&O’s traditional design. She is a sistership to Queen Victoria, and also to Coral Princess and Island Princess, and partially to Costa Cruises' Luminosa and Deliziosa. These are Panamax-class vessels, meaning they can transit the original locks of the Panama Canal.

Arcadia was delivered to P&O UK on March 24, 2005, and christened on April 14 by Godmother Kelly Holmes (British athlete, born 1970). The ship underwent a major refit in Q4 2008 at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany, during which 34 new staterooms were added and the stern was extensively remodeled.

Besides Arcadia, P&O ships operating annual World Cruises from Southampton include Aurora and Oriana.

Arcadia World Cruise 2026 (Epic World Explorer)

The following table shows the 2026 itinerary:

The 99-day itinerary was also offered in segments:

22 days (Southampton–Cape Town), 39 days (to Fremantle), 43 days (to Adelaide), 45 days (to Melbourne), 48 days (to Sydney), 56 days (to Auckland or from Adelaide), 25 days (Sydney–San Francisco), 26 days (Cape Town–Sydney or San Francisco–Southampton), 60 days (Fremantle–Southampton), 51 days (Sydney–Southampton), 54 days (Melbourne–Southampton), 43 days (Auckland–Southampton).

Arcadia World Cruise 2025

99-night/100-day “Epic World Explorer” (booking code J501), roundtrip from Southampton:

Segment options included:

• 22 days (to San Francisco)
• 42–54 days (to Auckland, Sydney, or Brisbane)
• 24 days (San Francisco–Sydney)
• 51–58 days (Auckland or Brisbane–Southampton)
• 15–36 days (Singapore to Cape Town or Southampton)
• 21 days (Cape Town–Southampton)

Arcadia World Cruise 2023

99-night/100-day “World Cruise 2023” (booking code J301), roundtrip from Southampton:

Segment options included:

• 38 days (Fort Lauderdale–Sydney)
• 58 days (Auckland–Southampton)
• 23–52 days (Sydney–Singapore or Southampton)
• 50 days (Brisbane–Southampton)
• 29 days (Singapore–Southampton)
• 18 days (Dubai–Southampton)

Prices started at GBP 10,780 (approx. EUR 12,560 / USD 14,900) per person based on double occupancy.

World Voyage 2023 was also offered for booking in smaller segments.

• (Jan 13) 38 days from Fort Lauderdale to Sydney, Australia
• (Feb 14) 58 days from Auckland to Southampton
• (Feb 20) 23 days from Sydney to Singapore
• (Feb 20) 52 days from Sydney to Southampton
• (Feb 22) 50 days from Brisbane to Southampton
• (Mar 15) 29 days from Singapore to Southampton
• (Mar 26) 18 days from Dubai to Southampton

P&O Arcadia Refurbishments Review

The ship is currently scheduled for a major drydock refurbishment in November 2024.

Arcadia's 2023 renovation project (April–May) included new chairs in all passenger staterooms, new balcony furniture in all cabins, and new deckchairs and furnishings across all open deck areas. The Neptune Pool sundeck was enhanced with new garden furniture, including loungers, sofas, tables, and armchairs.

The following deck plan changes were made during the 2017 drydock refurbishment (November 1–14) at Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany:

• All Suites, public areas, bars, and restaurants were redesigned by RPW Design, a London-based interior design firm. Upgrades included new carpeting, new furniture, refreshed soft furnishings, and updated color schemes.
• The Aquarius Pool and Bar (aft on Lido Deck 9) received new furnishings, color scheme, chairs, sofas, bar stools, coffee tables, signage, and wall tiles.
• The three-deck-high Atrium, including the ship’s Reception area, was updated with new carpets and furniture (chairs, banquettes, cushions).
• Oasis Spa’s Reception (forward on Lido Deck 9) received new carpets and blinds, and all loungers and armchairs were refreshed with added cushions.
• Intermezzo Bar (midship starboard on Deck 2) was renovated with a new color scheme, carpeting, blinds, and furniture (chairs, sofas, stools, coffee tables, lampshades).
• All Suites were enhanced with new designs, color schemes, furniture (sofabeds, armchairs, coffee tables, lamps), curtains, bed cushions, and throws.

The 2013 drydock (November–December) included the following updates:

• 24 new passenger cabins were added (including 6 single-occupancy cabins). All existing cabins received new carpeting and flat-screen TVs.
• The Globe Lounge was converted into the Electra Disco.
• The Orchid Restaurant was rebranded as “East.”
• The Crow’s Nest Lounge was refitted and a new bar was added.

The 2008 drydock (24-day refit at Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany) included:

• A stern refit that added 34 new passenger cabins, including 10 singles, 23 balcony rooms, and 1 suite.
• The Cyb@Study Internet center was transformed into The Screening Room (cinema), with Internet stations relocated to The Library.
• The Ocean Grill Restaurant was renovated and the Aquarius Bar was enlarged.

An additional Sun Deck area of 75 tons (5920 ft² / 550 m²) was also added during the same refurbishment.