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If the price is right. |
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Reviewed By: Beard, Newport on 30th Jun 2009
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| Cruise Line: P&O Cruises |
Times cruised before: 6-10 |
| Cruise Ship: Arcadia |
Sailed:
June,
2009 |
| Destination: Baltic |
Age: 46-55 |
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On reading reviews of Arcadia 'floating old folks home,''nothing to look forward to at evening dinner,''delays in walking through the ship due to the elderly.' We found that all these have a measure of truth, but a smaller measure than we were led to believe.
P and O proved on this cruise a good company to sail with. Sailing from Southampton -no flying - easy drop off and collection of car at port, meant on return we actually arrived home not tired after a 3 hour drive. The advantage of a 'no fly' cruise being greater than we thought.
The ship is not showing signs of wear and tear, and some areas delightful - crows nest for viewing, surprisingly warm swimming pools plus dance classes for learners on sea days. Many areas could be complimented on, but where were the weaknesses?
Yes it is an elderly passenger list. But that is not an issue as long as you know before hand, and when your knee joints start to go, and you need a stick to walk with, Arcadia is a must. But do not let that put you off today. All passengers were a delight, the seniors in conversation were good company. Yes, one or two bores, boasting only of where they have sailed, but you get that in any generation. So company good.
Food good. Choice of menu in main restaurent, very good.Lack of good fish courses, and nights of roast beef, lamb, pork and turkey a touch British and boring. Though the lamb was excellent. Desserts surprisingly good, salads whatever you want, soup always hot or warm even in June - alas no cold fruit soup. Arcadian Rhodes good for a tenner, not sure for £15 per head extra. Afternoon tea in the main restaurent well done. Nothing to complain about. Buffet, ok as far as these places go.
Entertainment. Headliners theatre group very good. Comedian very poor. Lady soloist - average. Sir Bernard Ingham - excellent, but hardly anybody there. Plenty to do during the day or night. Though locations of entertainment haphazard throughout the ship, and dance hall purists get use to a pitiful size of ballroom. Too much space given to an art gallery that could be housed elsewhere.
Drinks - prices very good on the whole, glass of wine too expensive.
Cleanliness. The ship appeared clean, but what do we compare to? This was the one area that gave concern. Plenty of gels to use prior to entering a food area. but nobody seen cleaning during the day. No charts within toilets to show that they had been inspected within the last hour and signed. They evidently were not, too many paper towel holders empty. Too many doors with glass and finger plates not cleaned during the day. That is the harshest comment.
The cruise overall - excellent. Would we sail Arcadia again? If the price is right, most certainly. The sea a mill pond from start to finish. Ports of call. Zeebrugge - Bruges very good, Copenhagen v good, Oslo good, Aarhus almost good, Bremherhaven ok, Amsterdam - stay on the ship next time.
Excursions - ignored the lot. Cheaper to do your own and never a problem on this cruise.
Value for money, good, if you do not pay brochure prices. Does anybody? Surely not.
The cleanliness was a greater issue in my humble opinion than average age of passengers. But the ship is clean it is just that......
If you see the right deal for Arcadia, book it. Ignore the critics.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Main restaurant not in the buffet. | | Entertainment | |
| Most enjoyable - Headliners.
Least - comedian. | | Shore Excursions | |
| We did our own. Best - Bruge. Worst - Amsterdam. | | Staff |  |
| Head waiter. Attention to detail was most impressive. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| Yes. We never watched a film, too much to do. | | Cabins | |
| Yes. Similar to other standards on ships. Tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin, plus fridge, chocolates every night a nice touch. No towels at poolside a pain. | | Overall Rating | |
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