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Arcadia leaving Southampton
Career
Name:	Arcadia
Namesake:	The region of Arcadia
Owner:	Carnival plc[1]
Operator:	P&O Cruises
Ordered:	2000[1]
Builder:	Fincantieri, Porto Maghera, Italy
Yard number:	6078[1]
Laid down:	12 July 2003[1]
Launched:	May 2004[1]
Acquired:	29 March 2005[1]
In service:	April 2005[2]
Port of Registry:	Hamilton,  Bermuda
Status:	In service
General characteristics [1]
Class and type:	Vista class cruise ship
Tonnage:	86799 GRT
Displacement:	7200 DWT
Length:	289.90 m (951.12 ft)
Beam:	32.20 m (105.64 ft)
Draught:	7.80 m (25.59 ft)
Decks:	11[2]
Propulsion:	5 × Wärtsilä diesels combined 51840 kW
Speed:	22 knots
Capacity:	1952 (regular) 2388 (maximum)[2]
Crew:	976[2]

The Arcadia is a British cruise liner, the largest in the P&O Cruises 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. An earlier ship of the same name is now operating as the Ocean Village.

Arcadia was ordered by Holland America Line in 2000 as their fifth Vista-class vessel. In 2003 she was transferred to Cunard Line to become their MV Queen Victoria for. Shortly before her launch the decision was made to transfer the ship to the P&O Cruises fleet.^[1] 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.

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 gives 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 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 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.

• 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".

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 are 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, two to port and two to starboard

Arcadia in Eijford Norway 2006

• P&O Cruises Arcadia
• Arcadia's webcam
• Postcards of Arcadia
• ABB Azipod® Propulsion