Arcadia (cruise ship)
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| Arcadia | |
| Status: | In service |
| Placed in Service: | April 2005 |
| Tonnage: | 83,000 gross tons |
| Length: | 935 feet |
| Draft: | 26 feet |
| Speed: | 22 knots |
| Complement: | 2,388 passengers, 880 crew |
| Registry: | Bermuda |
The Arcadia is a British cruise liner, the largest in the P&O fleet. She was built by the Fincantieri company of Italy in a period of just twenty months. She was launched in April 2005 and named by Dame Kelly Holmes.
Arcadia was originally intended to be a Holland-America Vista Class vessel, before initially being transferred to Cunard to become the Queen Victoria for Cunard Line. She was however, finally transferred to P&O Cruises during construction. As a result, Arcadia has a Cunard-style funnel and mast similar to those found on the QE2 and the Queen Mary 2 instead of the traditional P&O-style funnel found on the purpose built Oriana and Aurora.
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[edit] Propulsion
Arcadia uses the Azipod 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 the ship outstanding 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 to provide 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 coupling as electric power is provided by a cable connection only, from the diesel-electric generators (Arcadia has six) to the electric motor installed in the gondola directly behind the propeller. Arcadia has two ABB Azipods.
[edit] Interesting facts
- Arcadia is home to some 3000 works of modern British art
- Arcadia travelled a total of 105,196 miles (91,335 nautical miles) during her maiden season
- At 285 metres in length, Arcadia is 17 metres longer than Tower Bridge
- An image of the ship was used on promotional material (posters and website) for the 2006 film "Poseidon".
[edit] Facilities
On board the ship boasts:
- 11 Passenger decks
- Three-deck atrium
- 14 bars
- Main (Meridian) restaurant on two levels, 24-hour food court (The Belvedere), two further restaurants (The Orchid & Arcadian Rhodes), poolside grill (Neptune) and coffee bar (Caffe Vivo)
- One outdoor pool, one indoor pool with retracting roof and seven Jacuzzis (two of which for exclusive use of the ship's company)
- Three-tier theatre The Palladium
- The Globe - intimate cabaret lounge
- Monte Carlo Casino
- Electra Nightclub
- Library
- Observation lounge Crows Nest
- Internet Cyb@centre
- spa and hair beauty salon
- Relaxation lounge and art gallery
- 14 passenger lifts, including four glass lifts on the exterior of the ship 2 Port 2 Starboard
