Having been and thoroughly enjoyed Arcadia 3 times before, we were keen to see all the enhancements she had had since her extensive refit as well as to introduce her to some great friends of ours who were first time cruisers. We - and especially them - were not disappointed! Arcadia is a wonderfully proportioned ship and being a 'Vista' Class vessel has the real wow factor from the outside with a decent bow, impressive glass fronted lifts, her gently tiered stern along with her 'proper' Cunard style funnel and mast. Inside she is quietly understated with gentle touches of class and elegance throughout without all the fake glitz and palm trees of some other vessels I know...

Arcadia has many special and redeeming features. Firstly - she is child free! Hurrah! As a result she has a grown up feel about her and any spaces that would normally be used for children's areas are utilised for more 'adult' purposes. Her two tied restaurant is unique to her in the P&0 fleet and as such really brings a sense of occasion to meal times. Her completely re-worked crows nest is simply gorgeous. Using - and we thought even improving upon - Britannia's Crows nest as a template, this space is located at right above the bridge and is the perfect place for whiling away the hours or meeting friends for pre or after dinner drinks. Talking of bars, Arcadia has a good selection of bars through the ship including 'The Rising Sun' - a relaxed English themed pub (left from her Cunard spec.) which works so much better than the equivalent bars on Azura, Ventura and Britannia, Intermezzo and the Piano Bar are lovely places to sit located around the Atrium along with other bars located by her middle and aft pools are all worth a visit or two.

Its such a shame, P&O didn't see fit to give her Atrium a little update. It's not huge (but not exactly tiny as some would have you believe), spans 3 decks and has an impressive illuminated coloured ceiling but really lacks something - perhaps a modern piece of art/sculpture rising from the floor up a couple of decks. This would be similar to what Holland America do in there same vessels (Arcadia's original destination) and would really give her a true heart. Come-on P&O sort it out! Read more