Arcadia - all the best bits request

[Capella Black]

I'm going to be cruising on Arcadia soon, and have never sailed with P&O at all before, though have done a number of other cruise lines. I've had trouble navigating the P&O website, so thought I'd come here and ask - what are all the best bits of Arcadia? Would love to know what to look out for in a positive way, any tips and tricks to get the best from my cruise. For example - sounds like there's some free spa access, but some paid for - is the paid for good or will I be happy with the free part? How are the bars? 

[Cathygh]

Pop up Glass House on some sea days. I liked the Spinaker Bar. Our waiter- Arman - was excellent. He was moving to Freedom dining but I believe you can ask for a table in his area. The panoramic lifts. The Captain, Wesley Dunlop,  was very friendly. Ocean Grill was excellent.

[Capella Black]

What's a pop up Glass House? Sounds interesting, and we have 2 sea days so lots of opportunity for this. 

 

And thanks, I'll see if we can get Arman!

 

Ocean Grill did look good - is the lobster worth the surcharge in your opinion? I'm a big lobster fan!

[Cathygh]

58 minutes ago, Capella Black said:

What's a pop up Glass House? Sounds interesting, and we have 2 sea days so lots of opportunity for this. 

 

And thanks, I'll see if we can get Arman!

 

Ocean Grill did look good - is the lobster worth the surcharge in your opinion? I'm a big lobster fan!

On the other ships Glass House is a wine bar/ tapas type place. On Arcadia they use one of the bars on deck 3 as a pop up, ie it's not permanent.

I can't say about the lobster, I had duck which was wonderful.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Cathygh

[snaefell]

Just now, Cathygh said:

On the other ships Glass House is a wine bar/ tapas type place. On Arcadia they use one of the bars on deck 3 as a pop up, ie it's not permanent.

I can't say about the lobster, I had duck which was wonderful.

My Wife had the Lobster twice,enjoyed it but the jury was/is out on whether or not it was worth it,the Lamb Cutlets were amazing though!

[davecttr]

1 hour ago, Capella Black said:

What's a pop up Glass House? Sounds interesting, and we have 2 sea days so lots of opportunity for this. 

 

And thanks, I'll see if we can get Arman!

 

Ocean Grill did look good - is the lobster worth the surcharge in your opinion? I'm a big lobster fan!

It opens at some sea day lunchtimes in Intermezzo opposite the Ocean Grill and uses the Grills galley. They only offered small plates and a limited selection of wines. I enjoyed it, you just walk up and ask for a table. Pity it is not open on all sea days.

[Dobbers]

Just come off Arcadia and really enjoyed ourselves. 
The staff were excellent and friendly. The ship is compact and easy to navigate with a full and proper prom deck for walking or just sitting and watching the waves. 
The Ocean Grill was very good and we wished we had booked more than 2 nights. Main dining was good, again no complaints. The buffet was hit and miss and very crowded at times, we only used for light lunches.

Entertainment was good and varied, plenty of daytime pub quizzes, bridge/dancing/craft lessons and guest speakers. Lots more which I’ve probably forgotten. We were never bored.

We would happily sail on her again, yes she is an older ship but we found nothing to complain about.

 

[Capella Black]

Thanks everyone. Re the Glass House - do the tapas plates cost much?

[jh1809]

5 hours ago, Capella Black said:

Thanks everyone. Re the Glass House - do the tapas plates cost much?

No, they are very reasonably priced, but I can't remember the exact cost.

[Valfan]

14 hours ago, Cathygh said:

The Captain, Wesley Dunlop,  was very friendly.

Is Wes Dunlop on Arcadia now?  I thought he just did Iona. I liked having him as Captain on my Iona cruises last year and this.  As you say, very friendly.  And good at giving updates on our progress each day, and letting us know in advance when we were going to be passing or berthed near to another P&O ship.

[Dobbers]

44 minutes ago, Valfan said:

Is Wes Dunlop on Arcadia now?  I thought he just did Iona. I liked having him as Captain on my Iona cruises last year and this.  As you say, very friendly.  And good at giving updates on our progress each day, and letting us know in advance when we were going to be passing or berthed near to another P&O ship.

It’s Martin Sharples on Arcadia at the moment.

[Chrisdriving]

Best bit is when you disembark the rickety old crate.

[Cathygh]

8 hours ago, Valfan said:

Is Wes Dunlop on Arcadia now?  I thought he just did Iona. I liked having him as Captain on my Iona cruises last year and this.  As you say, very friendly.  And good at giving updates on our progress each day, and letting us know in advance when we were going to be passing or berthed near to another P&O ship.

Sorry I was wrong, it was Christopher Bourne. Wes is on Iona. I've been on both ships this year, both very different experiences  but both had memorable captains

Edited November 3, 2023 by Cathygh

[Capella Black]

Thanks everyone. Any further info on the various spa facilities? Alternatively, any recommendations for nice drinks?

[heatherb1958]

Ocean Grill at £15 per person with some dishes at an extra charge was very good , our best meal on the ship back in July this year.

I hope you get fixed dining because freedom dining was the worst we ever experienced on any ship or cruiseline . The queues were horrendous . Unless you like to eat very late you'll have no chance eating early unless you share,  my top tip is ask for a small table if you are asked to share .

We liked to have post dinner drinks in the East bar , opposite Sindhu , nice and quiet with great service from Joyson and the female bar server called Kevin ! 😆. 

The Crows nest had live music from the orchestra some nights with a quiz like atmosphere , was fun . Great views but can be noisy... you access the Crows nest from the forward lifts .. 

The buffet is only small , Arcadia is only a small ship , we found it OK for breakfast  and light snacks but very poor for dinner choices . 

She is an old lady but we would sail on her again despite the main dining room  experience , we know now what to do in future if a fixed dining time isn't allocated .

[Nsm4771]

Currently on Arcadia as I write this.

So far cannot fault the ship one bit, everything seems to be clean, tidy and as it should be.

 

Meridian Restaurant:

We have opted for the freedom dining. So far no issues having to wait and have been seated within minutes. Usually we like to arrive around 1800-1810 around opening time. Most nights we manage to get a table for two but a couple of occasions we've been told it'll be a bit of a wait so have opted to share. Everyone we've sat with has been wonderful and friendly and the company has been a nice change and good to talk to others about new things etc.

The staff escort us to a table, seat us and serve water followed by a menu.

Minutes later they return with an offer of bread from a selection. Sometimes I've asked for another piece and they've been more than happy to oblige.

Not had an issue with staff one bit, everyone has been extremely polite, helpful and accommodating.

The food has been top notch every time, good quality, nicely presented and very tasty!

 

Belvedere Buffet:

Always very busy when we go for breakfast or lunch and quite rare to find a table to yourself.

Food has been a decent variety and always tasty. Only once so far have I been disappointed at the lack of appealing options as it was Fish, Lamb or vegetarian of which none appeal to me so I settled for cold meats, cheese and bread.

The staff are, as ever, very polite and helpful. Can't fault the food or staff, just a shame about seating situation but it is what it is.

 

Ocean Grill:

Absolutely fabulous.

Proper silver service, staff are very attentive constantly checking if you'd like more bread or drink etc.

Food was fantastic also. I had a beautiful 10oz steak and the wife had a lobster!

The calimari was very average but nothing to complain about, when we return I'll probably have the onion soup instead.

 

Sindhu:

Some of the best Indian cuisine we've ever had.

Flavours were lovely, the presentation was impeccable and the staff were knowledgeable and experienced.

I had a beef starter which was tender and flavoursome, and then the signature trio. Wife had the tiger prawns and... Lobster! 

Top quality, great flavours and all in all reasonable prices.

 

Entertainment:

Pulse are brilliant, as are the Headliners. Been seeing both most nights.

Only issue with entertainment has to be for this cruise that there are very limited daytime options to those who are younger than 50. Everything seems to be for the older generation with little to no thought for the younger guests.

Perhaps some more recent and interesting films would be a start?

Maybe an interactive session to join in performing with pulse or headliners?

Personally I'd settle for a stand up comedian who can perform and be relevant to under 50s.

 

All in all I think Arcadia is great. Captain Martyn Sharples is experienced and very informative.

The staff are so friendly and accommodating.

Really can't see what's not to like overall.

 

[snaefell]

Completely agree with the comments on Ocean Grill & Sindhu,my feelings are further endorsed by being reminded what great value for money they are.

We are booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise in April & are flatly refusing to book their Steak House option,Chops,we tried it on our last RIC cruise,the food & service were really good but the portions were rather meagre,they are priced at £90+,over 3 times the price of Arcadia's Ocean Grill,looks like we will be seeing a lot of Anthem Of The Seas' buffet!

[Son of Anarchy]

6 hours ago, snaefell said:

Completely agree with the comments on Ocean Grill & Sindhu,my feelings are further endorsed by being reminded what great value for money they are.

We are booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise in April & are flatly refusing to book their Steak House option,Chops,we tried it on our last RIC cruise,the food & service were really good but the portions were rather meagre,they are priced at £90+,over 3 times the price of Arcadia's Ocean Grill,looks like we will be seeing a lot of Anthem Of The Seas' buffet!

Ouch.  I'm too mean to even pay what Ocean Grill and Sindhu charge!

[snaefell]

34 minutes ago, Son of Anarchy said:

Ouch.  I'm too mean to even pay what Ocean Grill and Sindhu charge!

I agree to some extent,the prices RIC charge just show that when they are on a cruise some people seem willing to pay whatever silly prices the cruise lines want to charge.

Almost all the RIC shore excursion prices are well into 3 figures too,some are sold out,another offer I can refuse!😎

[gsmt47471015]

43 minutes ago, Son of Anarchy said:

Ouch.  I'm too mean to even pay what Ocean Grill and Sindhu charge!

You don't appear from your signature to be from Scotland or Yorkshire 😆🤣😂 

[Dobbers]

Ocean Grill booking before cruise was £12. per person. With our discount it was £10.80, great for a Yorkshire woman 🤣

[Son of Anarchy]

21 minutes ago, Dobbers said:

Ocean Grill booking before cruise was £12. per person. With our discount it was £10.80, great for a Yorkshire woman 🤣

Actually we're on Arcadia's worldie next year.  We probably will be making a couple of bookings taking advantage of the pre-cruise window.  Didn't realise it was as low as £12.  The only thing is it has to be the right menu as The Ole Lady is great with fish or fancy steaks, which can be a bit limiting if the "wrong" menu.  Hopefully we can find out menu rotation once on board and shift dates is necessary.   Less than two months to go now!