P&O Cruises aims for more Arcadia-style ships

Monday, 08 Apr, 2005 0

P&O Cruises’ new adults-only vessel Arcadia will be the forerunner for further similar cruise ships for the line in the future.

On board the stylish £200 million vessel in Southampton prior to its formal naming next week, the line’s managing director David Dingle told TravelMole: “Arcadia marks a clear direction for the future for P&O Cruises, although any further ships will be larger.”

He revealed that the 1,952-passenger ship was 90% sold for 2005 and 85% sold for January-March 2006. The ship’s April-December 2006 programme – which was brought forward for sale by two months from June – sold 10% of capacity in the first two days of being available.

Mr Dingle attributed the popularity to the fact that new ships are always create demand but also because of the line’s “value pricing” system which provides discounts at launch rather than only at the last minute.

Purpose-built for the UK cruise market, Arcadia is designed to attract younger cruise passengers and includes a restaurant developed by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes an alternative entertainment venue, coffee bar, internet centre with WiFi capability and a range of health, beauty and exercise options.

P&O Cruises has developed a virtual reality tour of the vessel on a new section of its website at www.pocruises.co.uk/arcadiaexperience. The site also provides an online booking capability.

The ship departs on its maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on April 14, two days after being named by Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes.

Arcadia, which has balconies on 685 of its 976 cabins, will be joined in June by smaller, more traditional vessel Artemis.

Report by Phil Davies

Phil Davies

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