Well, this is a cruise ship move we definitely didn’t see coming. P&O Cruises’ much-loved Arcadia is leaving the fleet in 2029 and moving across to Holland America Line, where she’ll become the 12th ship in the Holland America fleet.
For regular P&O cruisers, this is going to feel like the end of an era. Arcadia has been part of the P&O Cruises fleet for more than two decades and has built up a particularly loyal following among British cruisers.
But while seeing her leave P&O will undoubtedly be disappointing for some, there’s a rather interesting twist to this story.
Arcadia might actually be a remarkably good fit for Holland America.
Arcadia will become a Holland America ship
Holland America Line has confirmed that Arcadia will transfer from P&O Cruises in 2029, increasing its fleet from 11 ships to 12 and adding capacity for more than 2,000 additional guests.
And this isn’t quite as unusual a move as it might initially sound.
Arcadia is built on the Vista Class platform, the same basic ship design used for Holland America’s Oosterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam.
In other words, she’s effectively joining some very close relatives.
That should make integrating Arcadia into the Holland America fleet much easier than transferring a completely different style of ship.
Arcadia will receive a major makeover
Don’t expect Arcadia simply to receive a fresh coat of paint and a Holland America funnel.
Before entering service, she’ll become part of the cruise line’s huge Holland America Evolution programme.
Evolution is Holland America’s multi-year project to substantially update several of its ships, introducing new restaurants, bars, accommodation and public spaces while keeping the smaller, more traditional ship experience that many Holland America passengers enjoy.
Some of the features already announced for other Evolution ships include the Grand Dutch Café, refurbished Ocean Bar, new Bridgeview Suites and Solo Verandah cabins.
Whether Arcadia receives exactly the same features remains to be seen.
Holland America says the venues and features planned for Arcadia will be decided over the coming months, so there’s plenty more news still to come.
What is Arcadia like today?
Arcadia currently carries around 2,094 guests and is one of P&O Cruises’ adult-only ships.
At 83,781 gross tonnes, she’s considerably smaller than ships such as Iona and Arvia, and that’s a big part of her appeal.
She has a more traditional, relaxed atmosphere, with features including her distinctive atrium, bars, spa and plenty of spaces designed for sitting back and watching the world go by.
She’s also been a familiar sight on longer cruises from Southampton, including lengthy Mediterranean adventures and epic world cruises.
For passengers who prefer traditional mid-sized ships rather than the enormous modern resort-style vessels, Arcadia has always occupied a rather special place in the P&O fleet.
When will Arcadia leave P&O Cruises?
Arcadia isn’t disappearing just yet.
She’ll continue sailing for P&O Cruises for several more years and will have a special farewell season before leaving the fleet.
Her final P&O Cruises season is currently scheduled to finish on 21 August 2029, after which she’ll transfer to Holland America Line.
That gives Arcadia fans plenty of time to enjoy another cruise or two aboard her before she changes hands.
And we suspect those final sailings could become rather popular.
Will Arcadia be renamed?
At the moment, Holland America Line is still referring to the ship as Arcadia, and no new name has been announced.
That doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll keep the name permanently, though.
There are still several years to go before the transfer, and Holland America has said further details about the ship’s design and future deployment will be revealed later.
So for now, this is very much a case of watch this space.
Why Arcadia makes sense for Holland America
Of all the Carnival Corporation brands Arcadia could have joined, Holland America arguably makes the most sense.
She already shares her underlying design with several Holland America ships, while her mid-sized dimensions suit the style of cruising the line continues to champion.
Holland America has also been investing heavily in longer, destination-focused cruises and expanding its European programme, including year-round European cruising.
A refreshed Arcadia could fit neatly into that strategy.
In some ways, she might end up feeling more at home in the Holland America fleet than you’d expect.
It’ll still be sad to see Arcadia leave P&O
For British cruisers, though, there’s no getting away from the sentimental side of this announcement.
Arcadia has carried generations of P&O passengers on everything from short European holidays to enormous round-the-world adventures.
Ships develop their own communities, and Arcadia certainly has hers.
Seeing that familiar P&O Cruises livery disappear is going to be strange.
The good news is that she isn’t heading for retirement. Instead, she’ll be getting a major investment and starting another chapter with Holland America Line.
And there’s another enormous part of this fleet reshuffle too.
Because while Arcadia is leaving P&O Cruises, the line is getting a rather surprising replacement.
Cunard’s Queen Anne is joining P&O Cruises.
Now THAT is going to be interesting.
Would you sail on Arcadia once she becomes a Holland America ship, or will you be booking one last P&O cruise before she leaves the fleet?