J625 SPRIT OF THE CARIBBEAN P & O'S ARCADIA PT
Review of P&O Cruises Arcadia by DaiB (29 Dec 06)
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Overall Rating
Hi All,
Here is the first part of our cruise report on J625 on the wonderful Arcadia.
Before the Cruise
For the first time we flew down to Southampton. Normally we go by car but because we would be flying back from Barbados we decided to travel with Flybe. This part of the journey went very well with my wheelchair assistance working well. The irritations came with the restrictions on what we could carry, but that is the same for everyone.
We stayed for one night at the DeVere in Southampton, a good choice. We had an executive room with a large balcony looking directly towards The Mayflower Terminal with Oriana berthed, ready to sail at 17.00. The balcony also gave us excellent views of Oriana moving down the Hamble later in the afternoon.
We dined at Ennios. Here we had excellent food and good service. However they were rather full that night and everything was not going well. Which, resulted in, not everyone having our good experience.
The next morning after a late rise and a long breakfast we assembled in the hotel foyer waiting out taxi. There were about 10 fellow cruisers including June Sadler and her mam. We talked cruses and CC and everyone was full of anticipation.
The taxi came and off we went. On arrival at the terminal the driver pulled up by one of the hatches and before he was paid the luggage had gone. We strolled into the terminal and joined the very small queue to the left for gold/premium passengers. Formalities completed quickly, including checking in my credit card, then we were through security and sitting waiting for the call. Embarkation was not as quick as it had been for some recent cruises although we had been told this slight delay by letter.
We embarked just after 13.00 and were shown to Arcadian Rhodes where we were given afternoon tea with bucks fizz. Not a complaint but perhaps a change of menu for such an early embarkation would be in order. Then it was off to our cabin, sorry suite.
Accommodation
We had, as you may know, booked a mini-suite and then got the call with the offer of a suite for a small extra charge. So here we are with all the goodies champagne, chocolates, fruit, Moulton Brown toiletries, bathrobes, trouser press, iron and ironing board, large balcony and of course our butler. Satya was excellent and our enjoyment of the cruise was enhanced by his presence.
He brought us canapés at six when he also refreshed the ice bucket and brought fresh lemon slices for our G & T’s, which he poured. We would then have a chat when he would ask us what else we would like. We could have had evening meals in the cabin, but we did not want this but we did have a number of breakfasts, English, which we found very decadent.
We had our table in for a drinks party in the second week and Satya produced canapés for all as well as nibbles. He also welcomed our guests and poured the drinks and made sure we were all settled. The drinks do turned out to be a celebration as Rachael and Andrew announced their engagement and so we had the bottle of champagne which was in our cabin.
Jude our steward kept the cabin spotless and was very efficient whenever we required anything.
The suite we had was B74, next to the lift, but we never felt any problem with being overlooked. In fact it was ideal for me, being next to the lifts, as I have problems in walking distance. If we ever go for a suite again we would have this one. Or one very close to it.
Main restaurant
We had a table for 8 on the second sitting in the lower part of the Meridian Restaurant. It was number 65. We had excellent companions, Pete and Cheryl from Guernsey, Barry and Linda from Birmingham, Rachael and Andrew from Whitley Bay. Rachael is a contributor to the CC site and Andrew lives not half a mile from us in Whitley Bay. How weird, what!
As I said above Andrew did the romantic thing and popped the question on a Caribbean beach much to Rachael’s surprise and delight. A ring was produced and the celebrations never stopped until the cruise ended. It was a pleasure to share this happy time with the pair of them. Mind you Rachael did spend most of the time flashing her third finger, left hand and saying “Did you know we got engaged”
The table was excellently served by Alberto and Kamlesh with the wine being delivered by Michelle.
The food was excellent throughout with a good choice and a wide variety of Veg. They produced the P & O favourites in deserts of flaming cherries and Crepes Suzette also flaming.
The formal dress code was very well observed with only one table of 4 where the men were following there own code. Happily they were in the corner out of the way. Tropical night was well observed with the whole dining room looking very colourful, our table in particular.
On the 25th of October we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary with champagne and cake and balloons and singing at the table.
The rest will follow
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