Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England.
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British Isles
Arcadia, P&O Cruises
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Arcadia
Departure: 25/05/2026
Duration: 17 Nights
Roundtrip from Southampton
Itinerary
British Isles
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Day 1 Southampton, England 25 May 2026 (Monday)
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Day 2 Cobh, Ireland 27 May 2026 (Wednesday)
Cork City's nearby harbor district has seen plenty of history. Cork Harbour's draws include Fota Island—with an arboretum, a wildlife park, and the Fota House ancestral estate—and the fishing port of Cobh.
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Day 3 Holyhead, Wales 28 May 2026 (Thursday)
Once a northern defense post against Irish raiders, Holyhead later became best known as a ferry port for Ireland. The dockside bustle is not matched by the town, however, which maintains just a small population. Nonetheless, thousands of years of settlement have given Holyhead rich historical ruins to explore, with more in the surrounding hiking friendly landscape.
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Day 4 Killybegs, Ireland 30 May 2026 (Saturday)
Killybegs The days start early in Killybegs, as this quiet fishing town rumbles to life, and ships with red and blue paint peeling from their hulls quietly depart, ready for a morning's hard work at sea. Located in a scenic part of County Donegal, Killybegs is Ireland's fishing capital, and the salty breeze and pretty streets serve as a revitalising medicine for visitors. The town is also your gateway to some of the country's most majestic coastal scenery, which is dotted with flashing white lighthouses, keeping watch over invigorating seascapes. Killybegs enjoys a privileged position on the coast of north west of Ireland, close to the spectacular Slieve League - a titanic mountain, which explodes upwards from frothing ocean. Walk as close as you dare to the coastline’s sheer drops, or admire the folding cliffs from the best vantage point, down on the water.
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Day 5 Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland 01 Jun 2026 (Monday)
In bustling Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, there's plenty to see in the narrow, winding streets extending from the harbor. The cathedral and some museums are highlights.
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Day 6 Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland 02 Jun 2026 (Tuesday)
Founded by Dutch fishermen in the 17th century, Lerwick today is a busy town and administrative center. Handsome stone buildings—known as lodberries—line the harbor; they provided loading bays for goods, some of them illegal. The town's twisting flagstone lanes and harbor once heaved with activity, and Lerwick is still an active port today. This is also where most visitors to Shetland dock, spilling out of cruise ships, allowing passengers to walk around the town.
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Day 7 Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland 04 Jun 2026 (Thursday)
Tour description Stornoway, Scotland The Isle of Lewis and Harris is the northernmost and largest of the Outer Hebrides-the Western Isles in common parlance. The island's only major town, Stornoway, is on a nearly landlocked harbor on the east coast of Lewis. It's the port capital for the Outer Hebrides and the island's cultural center, such that it is. Stornoway has an increasing number of good restaurants. Lewis has some fine historic attractions, including the Calanais Standing Stones-a truly magical place. The Uists are known for their rare, plentiful wildlife. Stornoway. Besides being the island's main entry point for ferries, Stornoway is also Lewis's main arts center. You'll find some good restaurants in town if you want to have lunch off the ship. The town can be explored by bicycle if you are so inclined. Local rental shops can give you advice on where to ride, including a route to Tolsta that takes in five stunning beaches before reaching the edge of moorland. An Lanntair Arts Centre. The fabulous An Lanntair Arts Centre has exhibitions of contemporary and traditional art, as well as a cinema, a gift shop, and a restaurant serving international and Scottish fare. There are frequent traditional musical and theatrical events in the impressive auditorium. Kenneth St.. Black House. In the small community of Arnol, the Black House is a well-preserved example of an increasingly rare type of traditional Hebridean home. Once common throughout the islands-even into the 1950s-these dwellings were built without mortar and thatched on a timber framework without eaves. Other characteristic features include an open central peat hearth and the absence of a chimney-hence the soot and the designation black. On display inside are many of the house's original furnishings. To reach Arnol from Port of Ness, head south on the A857 and pick up the A858 at Barvas. Off A858, 21 mi southwest of Port of Ness. Admission charged. Calanais Standing Stones. These impressive stones are actually part of a cluster of several different archaeological sites in this area. Probably positioned in several stages between 3000 BC and 1500 BC, the grouping consists of an avenue of 19 monoliths extending northward from a circle of 13 stones, with other rows leading south, east, and west. Ruins of a cairn sit within the circle on the east side. Researchers believe they may have been used for astronomical observations, but you can create your own explanations. The visitor center has an exhibit on the stones, a gift shop, and a tearoom. On an unmarked road off A858. Admission charged. Dun Carloway. One of the best-preserved Iron Age brochs (circular stone towers) in Scotland, Dun Carloway dominates the scattered community of Carloway. The mysterious tower was probably built around 2,000 years ago as protection against seaborne raiders. The Dun Broch Centre explains more about the broch and its setting. Off A857. Gearrannan. Up a side road north from Carloway, Gearrannan is an old black-house village that has been brought back to life with a museum screening excellent short films on peat cutting and weaving. For a unique experience, groups can rent the restored houses. Leverburgh. At Leverburgh you can take the ferry to North Uist. Nearby Northton has several attractions; St. Clement's Church at Rodel is particularly worth a visit. MacGillivray Centre. Located in a round building overlooking the bay, the MacGillivray Centre gives insight into the life and work of William MacGillivray (1796-1852), a noted naturalist with strong links to Harris. MacGillivray authored the five-volume History of British Birds. This is a great location for a picnic (there are tables for just such a purpose). A walk to a ruined church starts at the parking lot. A859, Northton. Seallam! Visitor Centre and Co Leis Thu? Genealogical Research Centre. The center is where you can trace your Western Isles ancestry. Photographs and interpretive signs describe the history of Harris and its people. The owners organize guided walks and cultural evenings weekly between May and September. Off A859, Northton. Admission charged. St. Clement's Church. At the southernmost point of Harris is the community of Rodel, where you can find St. Clement's Church, a cruciform church standing on a hillock. This is the most impressive pre-Reformation church in the Outer Hebrides; it was built around 1500 and contains the magnificently sculptured tomb (1528) of the church's builder, Alasdair Crotach, MacLeod chief of Dunvegan Castle. Rodel is 3 mi south of Leverburgh and 21 mi south of Tarbert. A859, Rodel. Port of Ness. The stark, windswept community of Port of Ness, 30 mi north of Stornoway, cradles a small harbor squeezed in among the rocks. Butt of Lewis Lighthouse. At the northernmost point of Lewis stands the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, designed by David and Thomas Stevenson (of the prominent engineering family whose best-known member was not an engineer at all, but the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson). The structure was first lighted in 1862. The adjacent cliffs provide a good vantage point for viewing seabirds, whales, and porpoises. The lighthouse is northwest of Port of Ness along the B8014. Shopping Harris tweed is available at many outlets on the islands, including some of the weavers' homes; keep an eye out for signs directing you to weavers' workshops. Harris Tweed Artisans Cooperative. The Harris Tweed Artisans Cooperative sells stylish and quirky hand-crafted tweed clothing, hats, accessories, all made by artists belonging to the cooperative. 40 Point St., Stornoway. Borgh Pottery. At Borgh Pottery, open from Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 6, you can buy attractive hand-thrown studio pottery made on the premises, including lamps, vases, mugs, and dishes. Fivepenny House, A857, Borve.
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Day 8 Greenock, Scotland 06 Jun 2026 (Saturday)
Trendy stores, a booming cultural life, fascinating architecture, and stylish restaurants reinforce Glasgow's claim to being Scotland's most exciting city. After decades of decline, it has experienced an urban renaissance uniquely its own. The city’s grand architecture reflects a prosperous past built on trade and shipbuilding. Today buildings by Charles Rennie Mackintosh hold pride of place along with the Zaha Hadid–designed Riverside Museum.Glasgow (the "dear green place," as it was known) was founded some 1,500 years ago. Legend has it that the king of Strathclyde, irate about his wife's infidelity, had a ring he had given her thrown into the river Clyde. (Apparently she had passed it on to an admirer.) When the king demanded to know where the ring had gone, the distraught queen asked the advice of her confessor, St. Mungo. He suggested fishing for it—and the first salmon to emerge had the ring in its mouth. The moment is commemorated on the city's coat of arms.The medieval city expanded when it was given a royal license to trade; the current High Street was the main thoroughfare at the time. The vast profits from American cotton and tobacco built the grand mansions of the Merchant City in the 18th century. In the 19th century the river Clyde became the center of a vibrant shipbuilding industry, fed by the city’s iron and steel works. The city grew again, but its internal divisions grew at the same time. The West End harbored the elegant homes of the newly rich shipyard owners. Down by the river, areas like the infamous Gorbals, with its crowded slums, sheltered the laborers who built the ships. They came from the Highlands, expelled to make way for sheep, or from Ireland, where the potato famines drove thousands from their homes.During the 19th century the population grew from 80,000 to more than a million. And the new prosperity gave Glasgow its grand neoclassical buildings, such as those built by Alexander "Greek" Thomson, as well as the adventurous visionary buildings designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and others who produced Glasgow’s Arts and Crafts movement. The City Chambers, built in 1888, are a proud statement in marble and gold sandstone, a clear symbol of the wealthy and powerful Victorian industrialists' hopes for the future.The decline of shipbuilding and the closure of the factories led to much speculation as to what direction the city would take now. The curious thing is that, at least in part, the past gave the city a new lease of life. It was as if people looked at their city and saw Glasgow’s beauty for the first time: its extraordinarily rich architectural heritage, its leafy parks, its artistic heritage, and its complex social history. Today Glasgow is a vibrant cultural center and a commercial hub, as well as a launching pad from which to explore the rest of Scotland, which, as it turns out, is not so far away. In fact, it takes only 40 minutes to reach Loch Lomond, where the other Scotland begins.
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Day 9 Belfast, Northern Ireland 07 Jun 2026 (Sunday)
Before English and Scottish settlers arrived in the 1600s, Belfast was a tiny village called Béal Feirste ("sandbank ford") belonging to Ulster's ancient O'Neill clan. With the advent of the Plantation period (when settlers arrived in the 1600s), Sir Arthur Chichester, from Devon in southwestern England, received the city from the English Crown, and his son was made Earl of Donegall. Huguenots fleeing persecution from France settled near here, bringing their valuable linen-work skills. In the 18th century, Belfast underwent a phenomenal expansion—its population doubled every 10 years, despite an ever-present sectarian divide. Although the Anglican gentry despised the Presbyterian artisans—who, in turn, distrusted the native Catholics—Belfast's growth continued at a dizzying speed. The city was a great Victorian success story, an industrial boomtown whose prosperity was built on trade, especially linen and shipbuilding. Famously (or infamously), the Titanic was built here, giving Belfast, for a time, the nickname "Titanic Town." Having laid the foundation stone of the city's university in 1845, Queen Victoria returned to Belfast in 1849 (she is recalled in the names of buildings, streets, bars, monuments, and other places around the city), and in the same year, the university opened under the name Queen's College. Nearly 40 years later, in 1888, Victoria granted Belfast its city charter. Today its population is nearly 300,000, tourist numbers have increased, and this dramatically transformed city is enjoying an unparalleled renaissance.This is all a welcome change from the period when news about Belfast meant reports about "the Troubles." Since the 1994 ceasefire, Northern Ireland's capital city has benefited from major hotel investment, gentrified quaysides (or strands), a sophisticated new performing arts center, and major initiatives to boost tourism. Although the 1996 bombing of offices at Canary Wharf in London disrupted the 1994 peace agreement, the ceasefire was officially reestablished on July 20, 1997, and this embattled city began its quest for a newfound identity.Since 2008, the city has restored all its major public buildings such as museums, churches, theaters, City Hall, Ulster Hall—and even the glorious Crown Bar—spending millions of pounds on its built heritage. A gaol that at the height of the Troubles held some of the most notorious murderers involved in paramilitary violence is now a major visitor attraction.Belfast's city center is made up of three roughly contiguous areas that are easy to navigate on foot. From the south end to the north, it's about an hour's leisurely walk.
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Day 10 Liverpool, England 08 Jun 2026 (Monday)
From world-class attractions and sports to legendary music, Liverpool offers old-world charm with modern sophistication, underpinned by a rich cultural history.
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Day 11 Southampton, England 10 Jun 2026 (Wednesday)
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England.
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Single Cabin
These spacious cabins are perfect if you want a more economical way to travel and prefer to be out and about experiencing the ship or reclining up on deck by the pools.
Single Cabin
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Inside Cabin
These spacious cabins are perfect if you want a more economical way to travel and prefer to be out and about experiencing the ship or reclining up on deck by the pools.
Inside Cabin
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Sea View
These spacious cabins are perfect for passengers who want a more economical way to travel. These air-conditioned outside cabins have two lower beds that are convertible to one king-size bed with wardrobe and drawer space. The bathroom has a shower, or a shower over bath, and a WC. There is a writing desk and TV. Outside cabins may have a window or a porthole.
Sea View
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Balcony Cabins
There's nothing quite like opening your patio style doors onto your own private balcony, especially to take in the fresh morning air or to enjoy a spectacular sail in to your next destination.
Balcony Cabins
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Mini-Suites
These fully air-conditioned suites feature two single beds, convertible to one king-size bed. The bathrooms boast a whirlpool bath, shower, dual sink vanity unit and a WC. Suites include a complimentary premier pamper pack with bathrobe & slippers. Additionally there is an iron & ironing board, trouser press and a hairdryer.
Mini-Suites
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Suite
Fully air-conditioned suites enjoy two lower beds convertible to king-size bed. Bathrooms boast a whirlpool bath , shower and plus luxurious premier pamper pack, bathrobe & slippers. Additionally there is a useful walk-in dressing area with a hairdryer.
The lounge has a sofa & chairs plus dining table and chairs, with a mini stereo and a TV plus and telephone, writing desk, refrigerator and tea/coffee making facilities. There is also a safe. Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors lead to your balcony with loungers, chairs and table. Suites have an optional butler service, magazine and newspaper selection, atlas and binoculars, plus fruit basket, mineral water, flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival.
Suite
Restaurants
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Neptune Grill
Enjoy a variety of snacks including burgers, hot dogs and fish and chips (this dining option is included in the price of your holiday).
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Belvedere Restaurant
No matter what time of day it is, if you fancy a good meal you'll always get one on board Arcadia. The Belvedere food court offers informal dining around the clock. With a wide choice of menus from Oriental and Italian to bistro-style dishes and a delicatessen counter, this stylish and modern venue is the place to go for casual dining any time of the day or night. So if you've just returned to the ship after a shore excursion and have worked up a late afternoon appetite you can still enjoy a great meal.
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Meridian Restaurant
Featuring a two-tiered layout and refined décor, every night will be an occasion in the Meridian Restaurant. Enjoy the special ambience and sociable atmosphere of a main dining room, with a five-course menu (six-course on Gala Nights).
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Sindhu Restaurant
Showcasing a menu which is a triumph of perfectly balanced spices, delicate flavours and wonderful aromas, Sindhu has become a firm favourite with many. Dishes such as pan-roasted beef tenderloin and spiced mash vie for your attention, alongside ginger and mint tiger prawns and the signature dish – a trio of fragrant curries. So why not take a seat amidst the opulent decor and experience a treat for your senses?
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The Ocean Grill
Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White is the spot to savour mouth watering steaks and seafood. As you would expect from one of the world’s leading chefs, attention to detail is paramount and provenance and quality are key. The dishes, while simple, are masterfully presented, delivering exceptional flavours. And in the spirit of all great London grill restaurants, the ambience is relaxed yet sophisticated.
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Cafe Vivo
Just a few steps away from Arcadia's shops, this fantastic coffee shop is a great place to take a break and people watch.
Located on the starboard side of Promenade Deck, between the Library and The Screening Room, is Caffè Vivo. Adorned with brown leather sofas, high tables and stools and wooden floors, Caffè Vivo takes its cues from the warmth and vibrancy of the Mediterranean and provides a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Relax over a delectable cookie or pastry with a magazine, refresh your palate with a smoothie or freshly squeezed juice, or opt for a lunchtime snack. With anything from salads and bagels, to crostini and noodles on the menu, Caffè Vivo is much more than simply a coffee bar.
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Room Service
Morning, noon, and through the night, if you fancy a bite to eat in your cabin, you’ve a mouth-watering room service menu to choose from… meals, desserts, snacks and drinks, all prepared with care and delivered with a smile. A small supplement applies to each item, apart from breakfast, which is included in the price of your holiday.
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Afternoon Tea by Eric Lanlard
As you’d expect from the imagination of master pâtissier Eric Lanlard, there are some delicious surprises waiting to be plucked from each tempting cake stand. Prepare yourself to be tempted by treats such as savoury Porcini and pancetta éclairs, pistachio petit choux with red berries, marble swirls red velvet cake pops and orange blossom and bee pollen scones. Eric’s unique twist on this classic British institution elevates the humble afternoon tea into something utterly decadent.
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Main Restaurant
Chatter and laughter fills our main restaurant venues, with friendly waiters to greet guests and prepare tables ahead of a tasty breakfast, relaxed lunch, or sublime evening meal. Expect to find British classics on the menu as well as exotic flavours for the more adventurous. On every cruise you’ll also be wowed by an extra special, five-course Gala Dinner devised by the legendary godfather of British cooking, Marco Pierre White.
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Poolside Grill
When you’re lying on a lounger and feeling peckish, choose a freshly made snack from the mouth-watering selection at your ship’s poolside grill.
Bite into a juicy burger with a patty made to a special recipe exclusively for our grills. Or make a hot dog even more delicious with your favourite tasty toppings.
Our ever-evolving menus feature Flavours of the Day that change throughout your cruise, and each dish is crafted from fresh, quality ingredients. It’s the perfect option if you fancy a light bite or you’re dashing to your next adventure and need to grab your lunch and go. Even better, it’s included in the price of your holiday!
Deckplans
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Sky Deck
- Sports Court
- Sindhu
- East Bar
- Sports Court
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Sun Deck
- The Crow's Nest
- Retractable Roof
- The Retreat
- Viceroy Room/Wedding Venue
- Mini-Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Single Balcony Cabins
- Single Inside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- The Crow's Nest
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Lido Deck
- Gym
- Treatment Rooms
- Oasis Spa & Salon
- Hydro Pool
- Steam Rooms
- Sauna
- Salon
- Neptune Pool
- Neptune Bar
- Neptune Grill
- The Belvedere
- Aquarius Pool
- Aquarius Bar
- Gym
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A Deck
- Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Inside Cabins
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B Deck
- Suites
- Mini-Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- Suites
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C Deck
- Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- Suites
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D Deck
- Suites
- Mini-Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- Suites
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E Deck
- Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabin
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Prom Deck
- The Palladium
- Shopping
- Horizon
- The Screening Room
- Caffe Vivo
- Library
- Emporium
- The Piano Bar
- Meridian Restaurant
- The Palladium
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F Deck
- The Palladium
- Monte Carlo Casino
- The Rising Sun
- The Globe
- Art Gallery
- Ocean Grill
- Intermezzo
- Spinnaker Bar
- Meridian Restaurant
- The Palladium
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G Deck
- The Palladium
- Reception
- Tours Office
- Atrium
- Loyalty And Cruise Sales
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- The Palladium
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