We have recently returned from a very enjoyable 19 night Cruise (J309) on Arcadia to Greece._x000D_ We enjoyed excellent weather – mercifully the heatwave had passed before we reached Greece, very good service and wonderful ports.
A big plus was the pool cover was open thoughout the cruise with the exception of the last two days unlike our Aurora cruise last year whenin similar weather it was closed on all 11 sea days creating stifling conditions._x000D_ It was good to be back to more normal crusing conditions compared to last year, with Captains and Peninsular Receptions around the pool._x000D_ We had interesting lecturers, entertainment was good on the whole although both comedians were poor, the second one just not funny and we and many others – both early and late shows – walked out._x000D_ Food was OK rather than great – sadly the days when meals were a cruising highlight seem to be in the past, menus still offer less choice than pre covid, fish portions were shockingly small and green beans and brocolli still seem to be the favoured vegetables but service in the Restaurants and Bars was prompt._x000D_ As always there are a few minuses.
The fabric of Arcadia is in very poor condition, lots of visible corrosion and rust, splits in timber, decking water dripping through ceilings, out of order signs on toilets, wash basins, washing machines – and we understand the refit is over 12 months away.
Some Costa Coffee machines were not working which can apparently only be reopaired in Southampton, so why did we depart with at least one out of action? Again there were no photographers on board and those useless online so called Port Guides fail to mention the landing limitations at Santorini.
Prior to departure almost all of the tours in Santorini were sold out but on enquiring at the desk re waiting lists were told there was availability on almost all.
Surely this additional capacity should be properly communicated to passengers, and of course still no Port Lectures nor even somthing on Cabin TV._x000D_ We were shocked to be asked for our dessert order when ordering the main meal but on enquiring after a couple of days the Restaurant Managers were (apparently) equally shocked this was going on ‘they have been told not to and will be reminded’.
Thereafter it happened a further four times (different tables) and each time we declined and at the end of the meal reported the table number.
Whilst the app seemed to work better than last year for some reason it was disabled for Freedom Dining_x000D_ Arcadia suffers from less ‘venues’ than the other ships and whilst the Theatre looks spectacular when empty the reality is around 1 in 3 seats has poor sight lines, whilst the second venue The Globe is much too small, seating less than 200 meaning when Pulse performed it was always full and standing._x000D_ We look forward to further cruises on P&O but perhaps not on Arcadia.