Arcadia Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We have just enjoyed a 12 night cruise onboard the Arcadia departing from Southampton , talking in Gibraltar, Cartagena, Valencia, Tangiers, Cadiz and Lisbon with a couple of sea days. We boarded with little fuss and realatively little waiting at Southampton, our slot was three but as we arrived early we actually managed to get on about one thirty, it would have been better to have arrived at our allotted slot as then we'd have gone straight on, note to self for future reference. The ship is slightly smaller and older ( although recently refitteed) than we are used to, not as flashy as many of the newer and bigger liners , but it has an intimacy that size doesn't allow. As this was an adults only ship cruising in November we expected an older age demographic on board ( we're in our late fifties ) so weren't surprised that the majority of the passengers were retirement age and we met many a sprightly eighty year old but also noticed younger couples ( we wondered if they may have found it a bit overwhelming to be surrounded by so many older people). We booked late and cheap so we didn't get our preferred 6.30 dinner slot, or the free time dining and had to be content with 8.30 ( very late for us ) but we survived and had excellent dinner companions which made up for it. The food and service onboard were excellent, I was absolutely sure we'd have put on weight but found that we had not, as everything was very healthy and as you can have pretty much whatever you want you naturally pace yourself.
The stateroom ( cabin ) was very nice, clean, with perfectly adequate facilities, we had the cheapest inside cabin, slightly smaller than we've had on our usual Princess cruise ships, but not significantly so, did panic slightly about where to put the empty cases but they slip under the bed so no problem. Nice flat screen tv with sky news, BBC news, several free film and tv channels and programs produced for the cruise itinary and information about the ships status.
The onboard entertainment program seemed OK but we tend to rest and read when not in port, we attended a dance show in the comfortable theatre and enjoyed that. We also took part in some late night quizzes which were fun.
Cabin Review
Inside Stateroom with Shower
Clean, comfortable, good size shower room, only one British power point, good wardrobe space, put suitcases under bed, air con or heating easily adjusted, good size tv, tea and coffee replenished daily, 6 large bottles of water ( £10 ) , mini bar ( fridge), hairdryer, lots of useful cruise information in the cabin including port maps, cabins are kept spotless and beds made twice a day ( or as often as you wish). Slightly smaller than on Princess ships but still enough room to move. Well lit area in shower room, plenty of soft white towels. Blue pool towels also provided. Beds either twin or double.
Port Reviews
Southampton
It's a great shopping centre, with plenty of eateries and museums ( particularly the Titanic exhibit).
Gibraltar
Took a mini bus from the dock into the town. Lots of shops both local small businesses and large brands ( like M&S and Debenhams) , alcohol is much cheaper than the UK , also cigarettes, electrical goods, perfume. The main town is quite compact, cramped even, narrow streets but not pedestrianised, clean public toilets in the square just off the main shopping street ( you go down some steps to an underground WC). Prices are in pounds so prices are very easy to understand and English money is accepted but change given is in Gibraltar pounds. We bought a radio for £170 that would have cost well over £200 in the U.K.
Cartagena (Spain)
Loved this beautiful clean port, simply get off the ship turn left at the end of the marina and walk into a very nice shopping area, don't miss the understated entrance to the Roman Theatre on your right as you approach the shopping area, this is the entrance to a well preserved and restored original Roman theatre, not just a mueseum and they really don't make a big effort to get that across at the entrance, once inside there are a few artififacts but pass them and you go up a few escalators ( or a lift ) and emerge in the actual theatre. I absolutely loved it, you can explore the area but be warned the steps are steep and without hand rails, you can however see a lot without leaving safe walking areas.
Valencia
We took the open top, "hop on hop off" historic bus tour which was a complete waste of time and money, as there was precious little to see from the bus that was historic. We caught the hop on hop off in the older part of the city ( we'd got there by a bus laid on by the ship it's self) so we could have seen anything historic simply by staying in the centre of Valencia. Actually we didn't like Valencia it's a modern city, nothing very interesting to look at all, so it might be an idea to look at the excursions and go somewhere else or stay on the ship.
Seville
No need to get a bus as the ship docks just off the main shopping area. Unfortunately it rained the day we visited after we'd been there an hour, so that cut our trip short. There are plenty of shops with prices similar to those in the U.K. , I did buy a bag but it wasn't particularly cheap I simply liked it. We felt a little uneasy at times that we were in danger of being targeted by puck pockets, but nothing actually happened. Not a port we'd go out of our way to visit again.