The main Arcadia cabins to avoid are those directly below the Lido Deck pools and buffet, cabins close to late-night bars and the theatre, the obstructed-view sea view cabins on E Deck, and balconies that are steel-fronted, overlooked by the bridge or glass lifts, or visible from above. For most people the safest choice on P&O Arcadia is a midship balcony cabin on C, D or B Deck with cabins above and below it. Arcadia is adults-only and is due to leave P&O Cruises in August 2029, so the cruises still on sale are among her last with the line.
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This guide explains how the ship is laid out, which cabin types suit which travellers, and the specific locations worth checking twice on the deck plan before you pay a deposit.
Arcadia at a glance, and her move to Holland America Line
Arcadia entered service in 2005 and is the mid-sized ship of the P&O fleet: around 83,800 tonnes, roughly 2,094 guests and 866 crew. She is adults-only, which makes her popular with couples and friends who want a calmer ship, and she has long been P&O’s go-to ship for world cruises and longer voyages from Southampton.
In October 2026 Carnival Corporation announced a fleet reshuffle. Arcadia will finish a farewell season with P&O Cruises ending on 21 August 2029 and then transfer to Holland America Line, where she will be updated under that brand’s fleet programme. In return, Cunard’s Queen Anne will join P&O after her final Cunard world voyage in early 2029, with a refit and a new name that had not been revealed at the time of writing. You can read more about the Carnival fleet shuffle that sends Queen Anne to P&O and Arcadia to Holland America.
What the move means if you are booking Arcadia now
- Your cruise still goes ahead. P&O has said all currently published Arcadia sailings before the handover will operate as planned.
- The farewell season is on sale. Highlights include a 126-night world cruise departing 6 January 2029, with early fares reported from £18,499 per person in a balcony cabin, followed by Mediterranean, Baltic and British Isles cruises until a final 22-night Central Mediterranean voyage from 30 July 2029.
- Expect strong demand. Farewell and world cruise sailings tend to attract loyal guests, so the best-located cabins can go early. If you have a shortlist, book sooner rather than later.
- Do not assume the ship will stay adults-only. Holland America welcomes families, and the new owners have not yet detailed what the ship will look like after 2029.
Arcadia cabin types compared
Arcadia has around 1,000 cabins, and roughly two thirds of them are balcony cabins, which is a high proportion for a ship of her age. The figures below are approximate and taken from published deck plans and cabin guides, so always check the exact grade when you book.
| Cabin type | Approx. size | Where you find them | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | 16 to 20 m² | Most decks; larger insides on G, C, A and Sun Deck | Location matters more than size; some are under busy public areas |
| Sea view | 16 to 19 m² | G Deck and C Deck (standard), E Deck (obstructed) | E Deck sea view cabins look out onto lifeboats or safety equipment |
| Deluxe balcony | about 19 m² plus a 5 m² balcony | A, B, C, D, E and Sun Deck | Steel-fronted, overlooked or forward balconies |
| Mini-suite | about 27 m² plus a 9 m² balcony | B, D and Sun Deck | Limited numbers, so book early |
| Suite (including aft suites) | 35 to 42 m², aft balconies up to about 28 m² | A, B, C, D and E Deck | Tiered aft balconies can be seen from above |
| Single (inside or balcony) | about 16 m² | Sun Deck | Very few cabins; sell out quickly |
Understanding the Arcadia deck plan
P&O names Arcadia’s decks by letter as well as number, which is worth knowing because cabin numbers start with the deck letter (for example, C123 is on C Deck):
- Deck 1, G Deck: the lowest passenger deck, with sea view and inside cabins.
- Decks 2 and 3, F Deck and Prom Deck: the main public rooms, including the Meridian Restaurant, the Palladium theatre, bars, shops, the atrium and the Ocean Grill. Very few or no passenger cabins here.
- Deck 4, E Deck: the first deck of cabins above the public rooms, including the obstructed-view sea view cabins.
- Decks 5 to 8, D, C, B and A Deck: the main accommodation decks, mostly balcony cabins and suites.
- Deck 9, Lido Deck: pools under a retractable roof, the Belvedere buffet and the Neptune Grill.
- Deck 10, Sun Deck, and Deck 11, Sky Deck: some cabins on Sun Deck, plus open decks and the Sindhu restaurant higher up.
The simple rule when reading any Arcadia deck plan: look at what is directly above, below and beside your cabin. A cabin sandwiched between two cabin decks is almost always quieter than one next to a public area.
P&O Arcadia cabins to avoid
None of these cabins is a bad cabin for everyone. They are simply the ones where it pays to know what you are buying, especially if you are a light sleeper or you are paying extra for a view.
1. Cabins directly below the Lido Deck
A Deck cabins sit directly under the Lido Deck, home to the pools, the Belvedere buffet and the Neptune Grill. Crew set out and stack sun loungers early in the morning and late at night, and you may hear chairs or trolleys overhead. Midship A Deck cabins under the pool area are the ones most often mentioned. If you love A Deck for its height, choose a cabin further forward or aft that has cabins above it on the plan.
2. Noisy cabins near bars, the theatre and late-night venues
E Deck sits directly above the Prom Deck public rooms, so some E Deck cabins can pick up music, applause or bass from below in the evening, particularly those above the theatre and the bars. Cabins on G Deck at the very front and back of the ship can also be noisier, from the anchor area forward and from engine and thruster vibration aft. Passengers’ reviews of noisy cabins on Arcadia tend to point to these areas, so compare your cabin number against the public rooms below it.
3. Obstructed-view sea view cabins on E Deck
P&O lists the sea view cabins on E Deck as obstructed view, because they look out over or onto lifeboats and safety equipment. Some see only a strip of sea, while others look straight at the side of a lifeboat. They are cheaper for a reason. If daylight is all you need they can be good value, but if you want to watch the sea, choose a standard sea view grade on G or C Deck, or a balcony.
4. Steel-fronted balconies
Most Arcadia balconies have glass panels, so you can see the sea while sitting down. Some balconies have a solid steel front instead, and the official deck plan marks them with a separate symbol. A steel front gives more privacy, but from a chair you will mainly see steel and sky, so you need to stand to get the full view. If a seated sea view matters to you, check the legend before you accept a cabin.
5. Overlooked balconies
The deck plan also flags three privacy issues:
- Forward balconies can be overlooked by the bridge.
- Some midship balconies are overlooked by the ship’s glass lifts.
- Balconies visible from above or from neighbouring balconies, which includes many of the tiered aft cabins and suites, where the balcony below sits in view of the decks above.
Aft balconies are still much loved for their wake views and shelter from the wind, but they are not the place for complete privacy.
6. Cabins without a bath
Suites and mini-suites have a full bath and a separate shower. Many balcony cabins also have a bath with a shower over it. Adapted cabins have a shower only, and so do the single cabins and some inside and sea view grades. If a bath is important to you, check the grade description or ask your travel agent to confirm before booking.
Best cabins on Arcadia by type
Best inside cabins
Look at the larger inside grades on C Deck and A Deck, ideally midship and away from lifts and stairwells. C Deck inside cabins are well placed for both the Lido Deck and the main public rooms, and have cabins above and below, which helps keep them quiet. The larger inside cabins on G Deck can be good value too if you prefer being low and stable in rough seas.
Best sea view cabins
The standard sea view cabins on C Deck are the most sought after because they give an unobstructed window without the lower position of G Deck. G Deck sea view cabins are close to the waterline, which many people enjoy, but avoid the very forward and aft ends if you are sensitive to noise or motion.
Best balcony cabins
Midship deluxe balcony cabins on D, C and B Deck offer the best balance of stability, quiet and access. Check that your chosen cabin has a glass front, is not marked as overlooked, and is not directly under a public area. Aft-facing deluxe balconies are a good alternative if you like watching the wake and accept that they can be seen from above.
Best suites and mini-suites
Mini-suites on B and D Deck give extra space and a bigger balcony for a smaller step up in price than a full suite. Of the full suites, the aft suites with their large wraparound balconies are the stand-outs, while the midship suites on B Deck are the choice for anyone who wants space and less movement. Suite guests also get butler service and other extras, which P&O lists with each fare.
How to choose a good cabin on Arcadia
- Download the latest deck plan from P&O Cruises and read the legend, which marks steel-fronted balconies, overlooked balconies, interconnecting doors and adapted cabins.
- Check above, below and beside. Avoid cabins under the Lido Deck pools and buffet, next to service areas or above late-night public rooms if you sleep lightly.
- Choose midship and lower for motion. On longer voyages such as world cruises, which can include rougher ocean crossings, a midship cabin on C or D Deck will feel the movement less than a high forward cabin.
- Weigh up guarantee fares. A guarantee cabin is often cheaper, but you give up control over location, which is how many people end up in the cabins listed above.
- Ask about pull-down beds. In twin cabins with a pull-down upper bed in use, the lower beds cannot be made into a double.
The same approach works across the fleet. If you are also comparing P&O’s other adults-only ship, see our guide to P&O Aurora cabins to avoid and the best cabins on board, or browse more adults-only cruises from the UK.
FAQs
Which cabins should I avoid on P&O Arcadia?
The ones most worth avoiding, or at least checking carefully, are A Deck cabins under the Lido Deck, cabins above or beside late-night venues, the obstructed-view sea view cabins on E Deck, and balconies marked as steel-fronted or overlooked on the deck plan.
Is Arcadia leaving P&O Cruises?
Yes. Arcadia’s farewell season with P&O ends on 21 August 2029, after which she transfers to Holland America Line. Published sailings before then are going ahead as planned, and Cunard’s Queen Anne is due to join P&O in 2029 under a new name.
Is Arcadia an adults-only ship?
Yes. Arcadia is one of P&O’s adults-only ships for as long as she sails with the line. Holland America has not said how she will operate after 2029.
Which deck is best on Arcadia?
For most travellers, C and D Deck midship are the best all-rounders, with cabins above and below for quiet, less motion than the higher decks, and easy access to the public rooms and Lido Deck.
Do Arcadia balcony cabins have a bath?
Many deluxe balcony cabins have a bath with a shower over it, and suites and mini-suites have a full bath plus a separate shower. Adapted and single cabins are shower only, so check the grade description if a bath matters to you.