We travelled on the new (2005)child-free Arcadia from Southampton down to Lisbon calling at Vigo,La Rochelle and Brest. The embarkation,as with all P&O cruises was smooth and very rapid and with the minimum of fuss. THE SHIP; As has been mentioned before,Arcadia is less spectacularly appointed than other ships in the fleet and has a more modern and contemporary feel to the decor. However we liked the muted colors of sage,cream and taupe which runs throughout the ship and also into the cabins,creating a calm and soothing atmosphere. We had a balcony cabin at the stern of the ship on deck 8 (Australia}with a vast balcony well able to entertain a dozen or more people! The cabin was of an average size for a stateroom,although the doorway was very narrow and a certain amount of juggling had to be done with the bathroom door and wardrobe doors which were directly opposite each other. There were no drawers in the cabin just two large ones in the base of the sofa. The wardrobe was very dark -an interior light might have illuminated the Stygian gloom! However,these cabins are invariably designed by men who have no concept of how to struggle into a ballgown in a 3ft space whilst trying to find one's evening sandal at the back of a wardrobe by touch alone! FOOD; The main formal restaurant,The Meridian had reasonably good food,which tended to arrive tepid. There were also 2 additional restaurants on board-Gary Rhodes and the Orchid which served Asian food. There was a cover charge for both venues and they were excellent,but book early on the cruise as there is great demand for tables.
ENTERTAINMENT; We are not huge fans of cruise type shows,but if you like old comics,a few hoofers and lots of dry ice,you will not be disappointed! We also had twin illusionists "THE TWINS" who were doubly awful. The usual teeth whitening seminars and TANZANITE-mysterious gem of Africa enlivened sea days,along with those impossibly dreadful art auctions selling daubs by bad artists to punters who have no idea what they are purchasing! The one entertainer we did enjoy was a very talented guitarist who played in solitary splendor in The Crows Nest Bar to a small select band of us who were prepared to go up to the eleventh deck! PORTS OF CALL: All were fine,but we couldn't dock at Brest due to a force 8 gale and so benefited from another sea day of line dancing teeth whitening seminars and Snowball bingo! Happy Cruising!