Reviews
![2023-02-15 20:07:08]()
Reviews
![2022-12-24 12:50:26]()
Our first cruise on Arcadia, though not the first on P&O. We prefer to travel on an adults only basis, which Arcadia is. We also prefer traditional ships, they are usually a bit more quirky, and Arcadia had a lot of character. She was also in need of a refit, especially the cabins, which seemed dull and a bit shabby, although certainly being of a good size and quite comfortable. (We could envisage having enough space in our balcony cabin to cope with a longer cruise on this ship). Freedom dining was problematical, and some other dining venues weren't open on our cruise, due we believe to logistical problems after bringing the ship back into service after a long hiatus. No reason to assume this will be the case in future. The food was great in the main dining room, not so brilliant in the self-service venue. Public rooms are really good - lots of bars with differing atmosphere, and pianists in most, which was very good. Enjoyed the shows and lots of space available in the theatre at the late show, never too crowded. Itinerary was good, but on a longish trip with not too many ports of call, missing out on one of the Greek Islands was hard to take. Deck space is largely around the pool (OK but no views) or at the stern (frequent loud music). There is quiet space toward the front of the ship (but no shade from the sun). We only took 1 shore trip which took us to a resort where we were then on our own: very good, lots of time available to spend at the resort and reasonable price. We bought the full drinks package which was the right thing to do on a trip where a high percentage of the holiday were sea days and if you are likely to drink 6+ alcoholic drinks over the course of a 24 hour period (which actually isn't many, especially if you also add in other drinks such as hot chocolates etc) Overall, we liked this ship and would consider travelling on her again if the itinerary was right.
Reviews
![2022-12-10 02:06:01]()
We were expecting more out of the cruise regarding views and scenery but that wasn’t p os fault,overall it was a good price and rest.
Reviews
![2022-12-09 13:54:16]()
Reviews
![2022-11-11 18:36:36]()
Although we had to change destination from Bruges to Amsterdam, a very enjoyable trip. Cabin looked a bit dated but comfortable. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. Food was very good and lots of choice in the restaurant. Didn't use the buffet always busy though. Shows we're professional especially the magic show.
Reviews
![2022-11-10 10:12:48]()
Arcadia showed extreme signs of being underfunded, one specialist restaurant was totally out of commission, food unfortunately was mediocre, entertainment was patchy, comedian good, general singers & dancers at best OK & the Rod Stewart tribute was a joke. The price was low & at that I suppose we got "value for money". The staff could not be faulted.
Reviews
![2022-11-09 20:13:23]()
A lovely cruise adults only. Arcadia is a slightly older ship but comfortable and clean. We had to do a self-assessment covid test and sign a form to say we had a negative result. The cabin was fine not plush but ok, all the crew wore face masks the whole cruise we wore them the whole time we were in public areas (our choice) but surprised as a majority of the passengers did not and I think this is why towards the end of the cruise that a lot of the COVID isolation cabins started to be occupied and this could not be blamed on P&O if passengers are complacent about covid.
The food was nice but not as good as other cruises with P&O we have been on possibly due to cutbacks. We were on freedom dinning so used the app to be put on the main restaurants waiting list, but this worked fine. As my wife is a vegetarian we did have an issue with the menu choice for a few days as there was not enough vegetarian choices but we filled in a feedback form put in our cabin after a couple of days asking for initial thoughts about the cruise and mentioned the menu problem ad we had a phone call from the head of the restaurant who sorted this out and my wife was then approached each evening meal by a waiter with other options and could choose what she would like for the next day by being provided the next day's menu but if there was not a suitable choice the staff went out of their way to help her. The food in the buffet was ok but again less choice to what we have experienced before. We also booked the shows we saw via the app but it was not required as there were spare seats each time, we thought the shows we watched were very good. Tall but one shore excursion was good, the one we were not happy with and gave our feed back to the excursions desk on board the ship and they were happy with this feedback as a lot of passengers do not do it, we also go a part refund for the excursion. We did miss one port due to bad weather, but no big deal and our excursion booked for that port was refunded.
Overall, a lovely cruise but I think it was slightly overpriced, but you cannot fault the politeness and willingness of the ship's crew.
Reviews
![2022-11-09 18:45:30]()
Reviews
![2022-10-24 20:03:14]()
Reviews
![2022-10-24 19:04:01]()
Noisey ship, balcony doors wind whistling ,. No bar menu on tables, no receipts given. no port .lectures . Sunday port day not much open (why Sunday in port ) 10 pound a day for WFI scandalous . senior officers .obviously told to you'd to stay out the way due to covid very poor show as all 2,000 passengers can take the risk so can senior officers . Supposed to go baltic next may on aurora not sure now .
Reviews
![2022-10-04 00:05:02]()
Very good cruise a few issues with excursions but overall good. A few issues with dinning due to vegetation options but all sorted. Staff a very helpful and lovely and polite.
Covid did spread onboard ship as a lot of passengers did not feel the need to wear a face mask until told to do so.
Reviews
![2022-09-02 09:35:31]()
We should have gone to Norway .Iceland .and belfast.two out of three at bad.Norway was cancelled.because of the weather.I get that.but no body got any money back for not going to norway?.instead we went to the okney.island .that was a load of rubbish.went on a walking your that was £40 each .a waste of money.will never go on again.entertainment nil.service slow.leaving the ship when we got back to southampton.rubbish.thank you John.
Reviews
![2022-08-04 20:00:44]()
Very disappointed with this cruise and certainly did not get value for money, lots of issues around the food, cold in buffet, no real choice, small portions in dining room, large queues for freedom dining. First time ever on a cruise I asked for something at breakfast and was denied!! No speciality restaurants open. Bar service slow in some areas and the waiters in others constantly circulating and every time passing the table lifting the glass/tins/bottles to see if they are empty, tipping in without asking thus drowning the drink. Not very hygienic apart from being very annoying when you are trying to talk to other people. Music in bars when the 'Busker' and the duo on, music was so loud that it was impossible to talk, my husband wears hearing aids and was completely cut out of all conversation due to this. It is NOT acceptable to have to constantly 'go somewhere else' when these acts are on, after all WE are the paying customers and they should cater to that. Felt that as there was an obvious lack of staff they should have cancelled this cruise. I could write a book so will just add that we are seasoned P&O cruisers and will certainly NOT be going back with them in the foreseeable future. We were not the only ones who felt like this. We felt that they no longer want to cater for our age group and would prefer to concentrate on families and the bigger ships
Reviews
![2022-08-04 17:56:04]()
First cruise for this ship since the pandemic. It was clean and smart, however, a lot of the crew were new and the lack of training showed! This cruise did not come up the the standards and expectations we have for P & O Cruises. The food was below par and limited choices. Some of the wines were not available. Speciality restaurants not open some entertainment poor. On the plus side, the headliners were excellent and the crew did seem to be trying hard.
Reviews
![2022-08-04 17:38:04]()
Reviews
![2022-08-04 16:45:19]()
