 Arcadia in Tallinn, Estonia, 27 June 2017 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Bermuda | |
| Name | Arcadia |
| Namesake | The region ofArcadia |
| Owner | Carnival plc |
| Operator | P&O Cruises |
| Port of registry |  Bermuda,Hamilton |
| Ordered | 2000 |
| Builder | |
| Cost | US$400 million |
| Yard number | 6078 |
| Laid down | 12 July 2003 |
| Launched | 26 June 2004 |
| Acquired | 29 March 2005 |
| In service | April 2005 |
| Identification | |
| Status | In service |
| Notes | [1][2][3][4] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Vista-classcruise ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 289.90 m (951 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 32.20 m (105 ft 8 in) |
| Draught | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Decks | 11 |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 22knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 866 |
| Notes | [2][3][4] |
MSArcadia is acruise ship in theP&O Cruises fleet. The ship was built byFincantieri at their shipyard inMarghera,Italy. At over 84,000 gross tonnage (GT),Arcadia is the second smallest of seven ships currently in service with P&O Cruises. The ship officially entered service with the company in April 2005 and was named byDame Kelly Holmes.[6]
The cruise ship also sports a modifiedQueen Elizabeth 2-stylefunnel, with cowling removed instead of the traditional P&O style funnel found on the purpose-builtOriana andAurora.[7]Arcadia along withAurora are adult only ships.
Arcadia uses theABBAzipod system which is an azimuthing electric propulsion drive where the propulsion motor is installed inside a submerged azimuthing (unlimited 360 degrees) pod and coupled directly to an extremely short propeller shaft. The variable speed electric (AC/AC) drive produces smooth torque over the entire speed range including zero speed. The Azipod propulsion system gives the ship excellent manoeuvring capabilities. It allows full turns at high speed with a radius of less than a ship length. Almost equal speed can be achieved ahead and astern.Rudders as well as stern thrusters are obsolete if an Azipod propulsion is installed astern as it is capable of providing full thrust in all directions by setting the unit's direction angle simply with the vessel's steering control. The Azipod unit has no mechanical propulsion coupling as electric power is provided by a cable connection only, from the diesel-electricgenerators to the electric motor installed in the gondola directly behind the propeller.Arcadia has two ABB "AMZ 1250ZM12 LAEZ" Azipod units, with a motor power of 17.6MW.
Arcadia was ordered byHolland America Line in 2000 as their fifthVista-class vessel. In 2003 she was allocated toCunard Line to become theirQueen Victoria. Shortly before herlaunch the decision was made to transfer the ship to theP&O Cruises fleet.[2] As a result,Arcadia has a Cunard-stylemast similar to those found onQueen Elizabeth 2 andRMS Queen Mary 2.[8]
Arcadia underwent a scheduled, 24-day refit atLloyd Werft shipyard inBremerhaven, Germany in 2008. She underwent a major refit to the stern, with 34 cabins added.[9]
In 2017,Arcadia received a second refit at Lloyd Werft.
During the2020-21 coronavirus layoff, the vessel spent some time moored offBournemouth,Southwold andTorbay.[10][11]
