MV Arcadia (2004)

MS Arcadia is a cruise ship in the P&O Cruises fleet. The ship was built by Fincantieri at their shipyard in Marghera, Italy. At over 84,000 gross tonnage (GT), Arcadia is the fourth largest of seven ships currently in service with P&O Cruises. The ship officially entered service with the company in April 2005 and was named by Dame Kelly Holmes.[6]

Arcadia in Tallinn, Estonia, 27 June 2017
History
United Kingdom
Name: Arcadia
Namesake: The region of Arcadia
Owner: Carnival plc
Operator: P&O Cruises
Port of registry:  Bermuda, Hamilton
Ordered: 2000
Builder:
Cost: US$400 million
Yard number: 6078
Laid down: 12 July 2003
Launched: 26 June 2004
Acquired: 29 March 2005
In service: April 2005
Identification:
Status: In service
Notes: [1][2][3][4]
General characteristics
Class and type: Vista-class cruise ship
Tonnage:
  • 83,781 GT[5]
  • 84,342 GT (since 1 March 2014)
Length: 289.90 m (951 ft 1 in)
Beam: 32.20 m (105 ft 8 in)
Draught: 8 m (26 ft)
Decks: 11
Propulsion:
Speed: 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Capacity:
  • 1,952 (regular)
  • 2,388 (maximum)
Crew: 976
Notes: [2][3][4]

Design and description

The cruise ship also sports a modified Queen Elizabeth 2-style funnel, with cowling removed instead of the traditional P&O style funnel found on the purpose-built Oriana and Aurora.[7] Arcadia along with Aurora are adult only ships.

Arcadia uses the ABB 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 excellent 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 propulsion coupling as electric power is provided by a cable connection only, from the diesel-electric generators to the electric motor installed in the gondola directly behind the propeller. Arcadia has two ABB "AMZ 1250ZM12 LAEZ" Azipod units, with a motor power of 17.6MW.

Construction and career

Arcadia was ordered by Holland America Line in 2000 as their fifth Vista-class vessel. In 2003 she was allocated to Cunard Line to become their Queen Victoria. Shortly before her launch the decision was made to transfer the ship to the P&O Cruises fleet.[2] As a result, Arcadia has a Cunard-style mast similar to those found on RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 and RMS Queen Mary 2.

Arcadia underwent a scheduled, 24-day refit at Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany in 2008. She underwent a major refit to the stern, with 34 cabins added.[8]

Arcadia was again refitted at Lloyd Werft in 2017.

2020 pandemic

During the 2020 coronavirus layoff, the vessel spent some time moored off Bournemouth and Southwold.[9]

See also

References
  1. "The "Arcadia" Launched at Venice-Marghera" (Press release). Fincantieri. 26 June 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  2. Micke Asklander. "M/S Arcadia (2005)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  3. Ward, Douglas (2005). Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships. Singapore: Berlitz. ISBN 978-9812467393.
  4. "Advanced Masterdata for the Vessel Arcadia". VesselTracker. 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  5. Equasis
  6. "Ship statistics: Arcadia". P&O Cruises. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  7. "QV History". chriscunard.com. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  8. "Arcadia Deck Plans after November 2008 refit". P&O Cruises. Archived from the original (pdf) on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  9. Cartlidge, Sarah (21 June 2020). "Ventura, Queen Victoria, Aurora and Arcadia ships off Bournemouth". Daily Echo. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
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