Aurora & Arcadia - differences please.

Now that the Aurora is to become adult only, can anybody tell me the main differences between Aurora and Arcadia.

Aurora looks like a ship.

Arcadia looks like a floating block of flats.

So... While both carry more or less the same number of pax, Arcadia has literally hundreds more balconies. And very good they are too. Arcadia will seem more modern, big theatre, 2 tier MDR.

Aurora is more old fashioned but none the worse for that.

If both were doing the same itinerary that we wanted to do I really don’t know which one we would choose. Possibly Arcadia just because of the cabins.

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Arcadia is slightly bigger and the cabins are bigger and as has been said more balconies. Both have covered swimming pools. They both have a cinema although the one on Arcadia is very small. Aurora has more entertainment venues.

Their layouts are completely different.

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Thanks for that, having sailed on Arcadia, some years ago, I agree she does look big and bulky, but I found her very nice, lots of room, uncrowded. Haven't been on Aurora yet, but think she is pretty similar to Oriana, so I am sure we will enjoy her next April.

I've sailed on both, and I enjoyed both very much. For my own personal taste, I would describe Aurora as having more charm. She definitely feels more like as "ship," as has been mentioned.

I totally agree, The Aurora definitely has more charm than the Arcadia. Also it has more open decks, coming down from t(e Penant Bar. Also, not so much loud music. Next time I go on the Arcadia, I shall get ear plugs

For me, I prefer Arcadia. I’ve done two long cruises on Aurora and think Arcadia flows better. The “pub” on Aurora is far too small as the casino takes up so much space. The Glass House is underused as it seems to be on the way to nowhere. That may change when it becomes adult only after a refit. We'll see. Each to his own. At the end of the day, I just love cruising and am happy to go on any ship to anywhere if the price is right!,

I quite agree, I do prefer smaller ships and just love the days at sea.

Yes, we are left with Aurora, Oriana and Arcadia. The others are far too beg. Humungous to be truthful. Did one cruise on Azura and that was enough to tell us never again.

I also went on the Azura, just once. Too big and like the Arcadia too much loud music (so called). So many times I have complained about the volume but I am told “This is what the passengers want”

Oriana has the same problem. When the Headliners are in the Pacific Lounge we either leave or have our fingers in our ears. Talked to a couple of the Headliners who do notice when we have our ears plugged! One night in the theatre, the act was so loud we had to leave.

Jean, I like time on the open deck enjoying the sea, with a book, even though I spend more time looking at the sea than reading. Christine

We have sailed on the Aurora many times and on the Arcadia only once and never to be repeated for various reasons.

1.The air con in the cabin was very noisy, unlike on the Aurora which you can barely hear.

2.The Captain's cocktail party was held in the swimming pool area.

3.The Arcadia is not as seaworthy as the Aurora.

4The Arcadia does not have an Atrium.

5.The cinema on the Arcadia is a joke compared to the lovely Playhouse on Aurora.

6. The azipods on the Arcadia are not as effective for getting on and off the berth as the propulsion system on the Aurora.

The Aurora, and I have sailed on her many times outstrips the Arcadia every time. I cannot think of a single feature where the Arcadia came off best.

Yes I agree about the Captains party but it doesn't bother me that much. Woudn't mind if I didn't go.

Hols4

We prefer Aurora,it has better areas on the decks to sit against Arcadia and the MDR is midships so less movement at dinner. The crew are always polite and has been said the air-con is quieter on Aurora. We are going on her in October and after her refit to adult only next May.

Hols4

...and the MDR is midships so less movement at dinner...

Only if you book Freedom Dining. Club dining is in the Alexandria Restaurant at the stern. I have sailed on both and will happily sail on either again.

Personally, I feel the open decks on Arcadia do have a more 'open' feel to them than Aurora. Arcadia's Rising Sun Pub is definitely better than Aurora's Champions Bar. In general however, the entertainment venues on Aurora are better than those on Arcadia.

I have sailed on both several times, and my next two cruises are on those two ships. The Aurora wins it for me, although I do prefer the theatre, gym, and more balconies on Arcadia.