Just wanted a short break to take some non cruisers on a trial cruise...so we did a 3 nighter from Adelaide to Melbourne in 4 cabins. The ship was old and tired, the staff dis-interested and this reflected in the food, some surly waiters and the entertainment. After 3 days, everyone was more than happy to get off ! I dont think I could have handled one day more! So two formal dining rooms serving the same food, Horizon food buffet and 2 and half paid restaurants at £16 per person surcharge plus extras on some dishes eg. £2.50 for an angus burger... The food was lacking in variety and the quality was pretty poor. (I would say Holland America and Princess offer double the variety). Very little fresh fruit eg no bananas in site, salads lacked greenery (surely they could have picked up supplies in perth?). Meat was tough. One roast a night and they would cut two small thin slices! In three days: They could not confirm a golf simulator session. A pilates class was cancelled with no notice, a yoga class also cancelled with no notice and the painting session started half an hour earlier than advertised as they forgot to change their clocks for the half hour difference when crossing into Victoria from South Australia....so I missed that! The cabin was fine. Friendly cabin cleaners. Entertainment was endless quizzes. The stage was cramped .... Must however give a shoutout to the band Caravan who were fabulous. They also had a lady on who talked about the Oceans and the effect of humans on the oceans. Sooooo interesting. Some went to a talk about the Canning stock route but said the presenter was not good. Very limited staff at reception so when you had a question, they would page say the entertainment people who would not get back to them... My husband went back 4 times to ask about a golf simulator booking and he is stillllll waiting for a reply! Very few children but majority were of course British people, being a British ship and average age would probably be 65+ and many walkers, scooters etc In terms of atmosphere, there was none! Some ships just have a positive vibe....this was not one of them! One of our group had a pusher - and he found it easy enough to get around Read Less

We have just returned from a 3 night mini break from Adelaide to Melbourne via Kangaroo Island. The ship herself, is very dated , liked nannas house, only missing the plastic covers on the chairs ! On the positive side, there is a full length walking track on deck 7, a kettle in the cabin and the pressure in the shower is good. I also loved my balcony, sitting out there reading , listening to the waves or eating breaky was the highlight for me. The other thing that I really liked as there was not the constant pressure to buy things / sales/ spa treatments etc like I've found oppressive on the american ships. This was a standout for me, so thanks P&O , well done ! To be left in peace was much appreciated. On the negative, my cabin was under prepared with nothing in the mini bar but crumbs from the last occupants sandwich, the shower curtain was dirty as where the windows and glass screen on the balcony, the pamper pack had items missing, there were no pool towels or dish of sweets. The TV was tiny and reception poor. Some of the staff were fantastic, others I found were grumpy and seemed put out by even the most simple request. There seemed a lack of pride in the ship. I wasn't expecting gourmet food, but something edible would have been nice- simple food done well, however this expectation was not met. Many of our meals were sent back. Lunch I found the most challenging, wandering around the buffet looking for something edible. The food from the pool side grill was precooked (I think the year the ship was launched) and wrapped, and the dining room served what was on the the buffet. The only nice meal we had was at the Indian restaurant which was an extra charge. Room service breakfast is continental and very basic. The entertainment was also disappointing. I would have really enjoyed an in house cover band. Read Less

Sampler cruise to see what the newly refurbished P&O Arcadia was like. Looked hard but struggled to see exactly what had been refurbished? The buffet and perhaps the theatre? The cabins are a little tired and ours was quite dirty. On embarkation our bathroom floor and shower foot well had that much hair stuck to them I was in disbelief! Our balcony door lock did not work and the door swung open and banged constantly. Cabin steward said it had been reported but for the whole 4 days was not fixed. The toilet blocked up EVERY single use. We were forced to go downstairs to use the toilet and wait for maintenance. And no, we were not putting anything in there that did not belong in there, nor were we excessive with the toilet paper as blamed by reception every time we had to report another blockage. The buffet servery areas were extensive, running half the length of the ship yet the hot options offered were truly pitiful. The same salad bar every lunch and dinner with never more than 3-4 hot options of curry, curry or curry it felt like. I know the Brits like a curry and the rest of the world appreciate one every now and then but surely not every single meal service! Desert offerings were varied and nice. The main dining room was better certainly however some of the food left a lot to be desired. Pork Belly sans the actual pork bit or any crispy crackling, just four thin slices of fat on a plate. Even the waiter apologised. Service was friendly and efficient though. Service throughout the ship was friendly and never had to wait for anything. Our cabin E172 had an extra large balcony, twice the size of other cabins due to a cabin steward service room being next door. Nothing to do if you are under 60. Same activities of Bridge lessons and a garden talk day in, day out. The spa was one of the most expensive I have been to once you convert GBP to AUD yet the massage I had was horrendous, almost crippling. Touted as a fabulous new hot bamboo shoot massage, complete joke. Had better at an airport massage booth, full clothed! The spa treatment room creaked so loudly for the whole 90 mins with every wave that I thought the walls were about the collapse, as did the "therapist". Hardly relaxing with little to no ambience in the spa area. This cruise suits the elderly, specifically elderly Brits only. It does not cater for other nationalities, ages or global interests in my opinion. Certainly nothing wrong with that, the British market is entitled to it's own style of cruising as they are the home port of course. I am just pointing out this cruise is not particularly suitable for anyone else.   Read Less