GEVANS Posted August 10, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Hi All Not sure if this is the right place for this, if not Admins please move or delete. We are recently back from our first ever cruise. So I thought some may be interested in a brief review. We booked P&O cruise J711 on Arcadia 7 nights to the Norway Fjords. It was absolutely brilliant, we had a great time and will certainly be cruising again sometime !! After we had booked I found this Cruise Critic forum site whilst doing some research, and was a bit concerned with some of the comments left about, embarkation times and delays, the tatty ness of the cabins, age demographic, level of service and choice in the buffet (Belvedere Restaurant),attitude of waiters in the Main Dining Room (Meridian Restaurant), disembarkation waiting times. Oh and moaners, more of that later. We found all the negative comments above, on our particular trip totally unfounded. We booked a deluxe balcony cabin on C Deck mid forward. We were allocated an embarkation time of 14.30. We arrived at 14.15, stopped as directed by CPS at Ocean Terminal, took our cases out gave them to a porter and off they went, had a receipt off the CPS attendant and they drove the car off. We walked straight upstairs to the check-in desk attendant, gave over our passports filled in the Health Questionnaire , about 3 questions I think, sorted the credit card and were given our cruise card. We must have been in our cabin by 14.45 with 2 of our 3 cases already there. Totally amazed, very efficient. Our 3rd case arrived 10 mins later at the same time our Cabin Steward he explained a few things and that if we required anything to let him know, throughout the cruise he was brilliant. We were very pleased with the cabin, no sign of tatty ness at all, the carpets and curtains were fine and the 32” Samsung TV great, although nothing in HD but then we did nt watch it much, only for the news and the ships location map on the information channel. At the Southampton sail away party it was quite obvious the age demographic was quite wide, there were quite a few youngsters on-board and lots younger than ourselves, early 60s, and some a lot older . With regard to the buffet in the Belvedere we certainly had no complaints, we used it for breakfast for all but 1 day and for a couple of lunches and we found the service and choice very good. We certainly did nt see any people stashing rolls etc away for their packed lunches as previously reported. Now, The C Restaurant was brilliant, one of the highlights of the cruise, well , probably second to the scenery !! We opted for Freedom Dining and usually turned up about 20.00 every evening after changing and a drink on the balcony,we were blessed with great weather ! A couple of times we were given a pager and had to wait in The Piano Bar sipping cocktails or a beer for 15 – 20 mins , such a shame, its a hard life as Rob Brydon says A nice touch on our first formal night, was The Captains Welcome, in the Neptune Bar on a very sunny Lido Deck, where we were all welcomed aboard with a glass of whatever you wanted , he gave a little speech and introduced some of his senior staff, a nice start to the evening. I think the dress code was generally adhered to, I was in my Dinner Suit and no one else seamed out off place with quite a few dark business suits. The service in the Meridian Restaurant generally, was perfect not too intrusive but someone always there to top you up as necessary. The menus were great with plenty of choice, with always a steak or chicken available if you did nt fancy anything else, like Arctic Char or Barramundi and lots of other exotic stuff, I was spoilt for choice as I like to try different things. Another nice touch was on the last night we were given a copy of all the evenings’ menus we had. So we can now see what we are missing ! Afternoon Tea in The Meridian was also a treat, yes they still do them, in addition to the Eric Lanyard paid for special, which we didnt try. Proper little sandwiches with crusts cut off, teacakes, crumpets,scones with plenty of jam and cream, plate of fancy cakes and plenty of tea or coffee if you preferred. My wife overheard the only moaning we encountered on the whole cruise, a lady on a table behind her complained to the waiter that her scones were too flat! WHAT some people ! On disembarkation day we opted for a 09.45 – 10.00 slot as we were not in a rush and fancied a leisurely breakfast, we were all finished by 09.15 so wandered to The Palladium as allocated, took a seat expecting quite a wait, but were called about 09.30 and were driving off to the M271 by 10.00,having had a really great cruise experience. I hope this review will allay any fears anyone has about booking their first cruise or any cruise on The Arcadia. Any questions please ask Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Presto2 Posted August 10, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Thanks for such a brilliant review. I always think that your first cruise is special . Your review celebrated why cruises are so special without moaning or looking at it through the eyes of those who have been there and done that and forgotten how fab some things really are. Would love to sail with you both any time. Sent from my SM-T310 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinsoldier Posted August 10, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Glad to hear you enjoyed your first cruise and thanks for taking the time to write about your experiences. It's always nice to hear when people go with an open mind and enjoy themselves. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis-The-Menace Posted August 10, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Thanks for the review Gevans, and great to hear you so enjoyed your first cruise. The only bad news, if there is any, is that cruising is very addictive so be prepared to have many more similarly brilliant experiences We also loved Arcadia and the Fjords - totally agree with your comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balernocalling Posted August 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Glad you enjoyed your first cruise! It really is a lovely way to see the world. We have been on Arcadia a few times and think she is great In fact we are on her in September so nice to know everything is good on board. Welcome to one of the biggest clubs in the world.......may well bump into you some time on a cruise.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowzz Posted August 10, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Thanks for a well balanced review. We are off to the Caribbean in November, and your comments are very reassuring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSEdiri Posted August 11, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thank you for your honest review. Some could be put off by comments made on petty things. Great to hear you enjoy your first cruise and the way to see the world. We are looking to take the Caribbean cruise early next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogemax Posted August 11, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 11, 2017 What a lovely review. I've got two cruises booked with P&O and agree with you about the miners and was beginning to wonder if we had chosen the right company. On Ventura on October and Arcadia next year to the Fjords. Thank you for your overview and putting my mind at rest. Sent from my SM-G935F using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarletgirl61 Posted August 11, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 11, 2017 We're going to the Fjords on Arcadia in September so thank you for sharing your positive comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiB Posted August 11, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 11, 2017 That sounds like the ship we have been on. :) Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandylennon Posted August 11, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thanks for a great review. I think some of the negatives from people is that they are always comparing one holiday to another and one cruise ship to another and people moan because things change, especially the boarding process which people have moaned at, but the staggered embarkation works well, in my opinion. We have yet to find the perfect holiday, but cruising comes pretty close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted August 11, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I love Arcadia - I think the last refurb was fab, she is a ship which has everything, and almost feels like a second home! if the buffet was as you say I am very happy! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annieuk Posted August 11, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thank you for taking the time to post your review. How refreshing to read sof someone's good experience. We took our first cruise back in 2003 as a one off special to celebrate our Silver Wedding anniversary. We now have our 25th coming up and will be celebrating our Ruby Wedding anniversary on Aurora next year! Some of the reviews I read are just full of moans, not so much on this site but certainly on others. People sound as if they have had a bad time from beginning to end. Well in all the cruises we've done we've never had a bad or even poor cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twogreynomads Posted August 11, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Great reveiw. Arcadia is our favourite ship and we have never had anything but a wonderful time. Counting the days, only 23 to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted August 11, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 11, 2017 That review sounds like all the cruises I have done. Can't wait for Sept 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare P&O SUE Posted August 11, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thanks for posting your review - I haven't been on Arcadia yet but all sounds good. Be braced - cruising is an expensive habit to get into! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakelandfox Posted August 11, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Great review, thanks, only 3 weeks and we're off on Arcading for the Fjords, can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosebuds Posted August 12, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Nice review, I like your style! A little bit of PMA really does go a long way, and anyway life really is too short to worry about the depth of a scone :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllieBallie Posted August 12, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 12, 2017 We did an equivalent cruise on Arcadia in 2014 and absolutely loved it too. So much to enjoy about the ship and the itinerary :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fue-fue Posted August 12, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Great review, thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailship Posted August 13, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Really great to hear such a positive review. We are sailing to the Baltic on Arcadia next week and can't wait! So excited for our first cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoe sproodle Posted August 15, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Arcadia will now be your favourite ship, if not in your head then in your heart! Our first cruise was on Ventura and although we've had better cruises on better ships (Arcadia included) there's always something special about returning to her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alto 2 Posted August 24, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Thanks for the lovely review. We go to the fjords on Arcadia on Sept 3rd - our first cruise too. Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandylennon Posted August 24, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Lovely review and so glad you enjoyed your first cruise. We went to the Fjords for the first time on Aurora this June and loved it so much we are going again next June but this time on Azura. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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