P&O Cruises to refurbish adults-only ships Arcadia and Aurora by 2025

The British cruise line P&O Cruises has announced that it will be updating guest areas on its adults only ships, Arcadia and Aurora.

The changes, which are due to be completed by May 2023, will include new balcony furniture, new chairs in cabins, as well as new furniture on the ship’s open deck areas.

On Arcadia, the Neptune Pool will also see considerable investment with new lounge chairs, sofas, tables and armchairs.

“Arcadia and Aurora are two of our most beloved ships in the fleet offering guests a more intimate experience in stylish surroundings,” said Paul Ludlow, President, P&O Cruises. “After a busy season hosting guests on longer duration itineraries and world cruises, we will be making sure that both ships look their absolute finest ahead of the summer season.“

Arcadia’s wider refit will take place in November 2024 and Aurora’s is scheduled for April 2025, according to P&O, which is owned by Carnival Corporation.

Aurora is the oldest cruise ship in the P&O fleet, having been launched in 2000. The 23-year-old vessel was last refit in 2019 when she was converted for adults-only cruising.

Arcadia was launched in 2005, and last refit and refurbished in 2017, when a new superstructure was installed on her upper deck adding 23 new balconied cabins and one suite, as well as a sun deck.

Additional catering and air-conditioning facilities were also installed during the refit at Llyod Werft.

P&O Cruises’ announcement that it is investing in the two oldest ships in its fleet will come as a relief to fans of the ship’s classic cruise experience offering, after P&O earlier this year confirmed that it is selling Oreana.

The cruise ship has been in P&O’s fleet since 2002, having formerly sailed under Princess Cruises as Ocean Princess, but was deemed an ill-fit for P&O Cruises future post-COVID cruise plans.

Those plans include trimming operating costs and consolidating capacity in its larger, newer and more efficient ships, led by P&O parent company Carnival Corporation, which has indicated it intends to cut at least 23 ships from its global fleet and pause future newbuilds through 2023.