Review
of Arcadia deck 2 (F)
- Palladium Theatre (level 2)
- Monte Carlo Casino (50+ slots, gambling tables - two roulette and three blackjack, complimentary gambling classes, open from 8:30 p.m.)
- The Rising Sun Bar (English pub with indoor-outdoor seating, jukebox, stage for live music performances, karaoke, trivia games shows, quizzes, multiple TVs, open from 11:00 a.m. until late). Decorated with musical and sporting memorabilia, it offers a selection of on tap and bottled beers.
- Art Gallery (no art auctions; Arcadia ship has 3000+ art works on display)
- Electra Disco & Nightclub (former “The Globe Lounge” area for karaoke, private parties, DJ programme each night). The area has been completely closed off to improve sound quality inside and reduce level of noise outside. After any daytime activities, Electra is open in the evening from 7:00 p.m. until late.
- Ocean Grill (dinner only specialty restaurant by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White/seafood, steakhouse; reservations recommended, open 6-9:30pm/depending on cruise length surcharges PP apply - GBP12.95-22.95 PP). Starters include quail eggs with hollandaise, deep-fried soft shell blue crab, potted duck rillettes, creamed cauliflower soup. Portion sizes are large for a fine dining restaurant. Typical mains include rack of lamb, lobster, Gloucester Old Spot pork chops, 16oz T-bone steak (GBP5.50 supplement). Additional side orders include tomato and red onion salad, roasted vegetables, buttered French beans with shallots.
- Intermezzo Bar (specialty cocktails and Champagne bar, open from 5:00 p.m. until late). This classy bar is richly decorated in deep blue and red shades and is ideally placed for a pre-dinner cocktail. Drinks are reasonably priced and don't incur additional service charge. A glass of wine starts at GBP3.75, draught beers like John Smith's and Carling are GBP3.85 per pint, and the majority of cocktails are GBP4.50.
- Spinnaker Bar (starboard location, nautically themed, opens 8am until late). The bar features steel, chrome and wood, along with ship memorabilia and porthole style mirrors. As the ship's most spacious bar is next to the lower level entrance to Meridian Restaurant, it gets quite busy around dining times.
- Meridian Restaurant (2-tiered aft Dining Room; level 1 is open for Breakfast 7:30-9am portdays, 8-9:30am seadays, and Lunch 12:15-1:45pm/with 3-course menu). The Meridian serves good-quality food. Breakfast features from full-on British fry-up to light and healthy options. Lunch is a la carte with dishes like soup, lighter dishes and pies while afternoon tea includes sandwiches, toasted tea cakes, cakes and scones. At night the Meridian features the familiar dining system of 2 sittings, where guests dine at the same table each night. Restaurant's upper tier is for those who have opted for Freedom Dining, meaning you can turn up at any time. However, many people go at around 8:00 p.m., which leads to a wait for tables. Tables are for 2, 4, 6 or 8 people (tables for 10 are available upon request). The main dinner menu features starters like wild mushroom risotto or chicken liver parfait. Mains include a vegetarian option and British staples like roast pork, beef in Guinness or plaice with crab souffle. Desserts include choices like sticky toffee pudding, ice cream and fruit meringue. The menu includes P&O's "Classic Favourites" with the accent on retro. This is where guests will find tomato soup, egg mayonnaise, prawn cocktail and melon to start, a featured daily dish like lamb hot pot, and the always available mains of steak and mushrooms, chicken breast, salmon with hollandaise sauce. To follow there might be bread and butter pudding or fruit salad and cream. The Meridian also provides full vegetarian menu in case guests place their dinner order the day before. Culinary highlights come on formal nights, that feature "Marco's Menu", with dishes normally found in the for-fee Ocean Grill, like lobster. The menu often includes fresh asparagus spears with poached egg and white wine soup for a start, followed by breast of Gressingham duck with black cherry sauce, twice-baked goats' cheese souffle and mint-crusted lamb. Chocolate mousse cake and pear tart tartin are among the desserts. Wine is very affordable, starting at GBP15.50 for Barbera del Monferrato Italian red and GBP16.50 for Australian Chardonnay, up to GBP42.50 for Lanson Champagne.
