P & O Cruises
Arcadia Cruise Review
Baltic

Steven Walker
Age: 55
Occupation: Retired
Number of Cruises: 2
Sailing Date: August 19th, 2006

This was our second P&O cruise and we chose the ship as it was new and had received considerable UK press. Previously we had used Oceana and in common with others on the cruise, the lack of a dramatic atrium made our start a little flat, however the ship did grow on us.  We will use again particularly given its child free status. We were in cabin e34 which along with a very large room gave us an enlarged balcony over the cabins above us.

We found the staff excellent which made the trip however the facilities were marred by the Belvedere 'Tesco' style eating. In fairness it was the clientele who were perhaps more at home in this queuing up UK style that made matters worse but it does need some better structure otherwise guests end up with a tray but no seat. We as a result used the formal Meridian instead and would have liked a third option as provided on Oceana. We did not use the Rhodes or Orchid as did not feel paying extra was warranted over the Meridian which was top class with staff to match.

We felt the one let down was the costly New Horizons package; it was never fully clear from the daily newspaper what was free and what not, really we did not expect to have to pay for such facilities and would not in future.

The ship whilst having a superb theatre in the Palladium lacks the second option, again as on Oceana, as such the cinema is in a lecture room.

Overall an excellent ship. The staff were the real credit to P&O and they should look after them, hopefully they are not all reliant on tips, something I would like to know more about. Logistically though, P&O cannot be faulted and we were pleased to be on a 'British' ship with manners and conduct to match.

 

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