Home

Cruise Lines

Ports of Call

Reviews

Answers

News

Photos

Spirit of Adventure Cruises | Holland America Cruises | Yachts of Seaborne Cruises | Voyages of Discovery Cruises | Other Cruise Lines

Unique experience
Reviewed By: Geliot, Bournemouth on 5th Sep 2008
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises	Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Arcadia	Sailed: April, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 56-65

We had never cruised before and were perhaps apprehensive mainly about sea sickness but it was fine even going across the Bay of Biscay. There were 2 evening meal sittings where you were with two other couples (table of six). The times were 6.30 or 8.30. To be honest 6.30 was a bit early & 8.30 a bit late but there was always the option to eat in the self service but this could not compare with the wonderful individual service received in the restaurant proper! The food was superb and our dining companions were great fun although perhaps a few years older than us. Breakfast and lunchtimes in the restaurant were also most enjoyable with the opportunity of eating with different people each day. The food and service was superb. The cabin was very clean, comfortable with piped TV and a modest balcony (OK for two). The view was slightly hampered by the lifeboats above and below but sufficient to enjoy everything around at eye level and down to the sea. The entertainment was first class as was the choice of eating venues (four including the Gary Rhodes restaurant for which you paid extra). Cleanliness was abundant and staff would stand by the entrances to see that you cleaned your hands with the alcohol cleansers before entering the eating areas. Wide range of activity by day on sailing days including gym, deck cricket & tennis & quoits, cinema, talks on forthcoming ports of calls, internet cafe, pc training, hairdressing displays, dancing, and massages, sauna (at extra cost). We loved the formal nights and dressing up and the visits to so many places in such a short period of time but you do have to accept that visits are relatively short (5/6 hours) and should be considered superficial. It was cashless on board and you settle in the end. Over 15 nights we had a bill of £500 at the end comprising a couple of trips in the £20 or so bracket each, bottle of wine per night, occasional other alcoholic drinks, and a fair bit on photographs. On your first cruise the formal pictures are very good and tempting. All food, coffee, tea & soft drinks are free as is entertainment and gym/sports. You are charged for latte coffe etc but the pastries are free. We thoroughly enjoyed our first cruise including our daily jaunts round the prom deck (3 times equals 1 mile!) and can't wait to go again. But wait. It wasn't cheap and we couldn't afford to go every year (although we met lots of older folk who obviosly do go every year(.
Quality of Food
Main restaurant. Quality & service excellent
Entertainment
Comedian was very good but tailed off in extra afternoon performance
Shore Excursions
Best Lucca. Pity the worst was Rome (because it rained)!
Staff
All of the restaurant staff were first class
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins
No complaints
Overall Rating

Report this review

ASK A QUESTION

COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW

Opinion: Agree Comment by Jones, poole (06 Sep 08 09:53) about this REVIEW.

I would like to complement you on your review.It was excellent considering you are new to cruising.We have been cruising for over twenty years including a world cruise (104 nights) aboard P&O's Aurora.I am pleased you chose a P&O ship were the standards are still very high.When I hear of cruising being advertised in the "Sun" newspaper I despair.I am not a "snob" but I don't want their readers at my table! Also if prices drop too low,cruising will become like a holiday camp! Cruising has changed over the years.I just wish that the formal evenings on some ships would mean "formal".Some men can't be bothered to wear dinner suits and some on early sittings have been known to change and wear casual clothing!Our standards have dropped so much in this country in every way and now I see this happening on cruises too.I hope you will enjoy many more cruises and "Berlitz Guide to Cruising" offers some very good advice on the numerous ships.

ASK A QUESTION

COMMENT

Report this comment

Comment by Grinton, FLEET (10 Sep 08 15:00) about a COMMENT by Jones (06 Sep 08 09:53)

Totally agree.

ASK A QUESTION

COMMENT

Report this comment

Comment by McDonald, PRESTON (10 Sep 08 14:33) about a COMMENT by Jones (06 Sep 08 09:53)

How I agree with these comments about suitable attire in the evening! We recently went on a Celebrity cruise (Norway) and I was very disappointed in the more causal way people (mainly men!) dressed in the evening. After this cruise, Celebrity were changing to just formal and casual evenings - no informal. I can't understand this - they have fabulous elegant dining rooms and yet, given the opportunity some people want to dine in denims and shorts! Why don't they just go to the self service and allow us the pleasure of dressing up - I always thought that was part of the 'cruise experience'! Believe me, I have problems getting my other half into that dinner suit - but he does understand that this is part of the package! I won't be going with Celebrity again for just that reason.

ASK A QUESTION

COMMENT

Report this comment

Comment by LEROY, PORTSMOUTH (16 Sep 08 13:51) about a COMMENT by McDonald (10 Sep 08 14:33)

I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS ON DRESS CODE VERY MUCH, BUT THE THING I FIND EVEN MORE ANNOYING IS THAT THE MATRE D ALOWS PEOPLE IN THE RESTARAUNT ON FPRMAL NIGHTS IN WHAT I WOULD BE INCLINED TO CLL "A STATE OF UNDRESS", LONG LIVE FORMAL NIGHTS AQND IF THE CRUISE COMPANYS DONT WATCH IT THEY WILL LOSE A LOT OF CRUISERS UNLESS THEY LOOK AT THIS.!!!!!!!

ASK A QUESTION

COMMENT

Report this comment