P&O Cruises has laid out exactly how its adult-only ship Arcadia will bow out, and fans of the 2,094-passenger vessel have a narrow window to sail on her before she swaps brands. Parent company Carnival confirmed Arcadia transfers to sister line Holland America Line in August 2029, joining its Vista-class ships after a drydock refit and rebrand. Her place in the P&O fleet will effectively be taken by Cunard's Queen Anne, which moves in the opposite direction.
The farewell programme opens with a 16-night Atlantic islands cruise departing 21 December 2028 — timed so passengers spend both Christmas and New Year aboard, with a New Year's Eve call in Madeira timed for the island's famous Funchal fireworks, one of the world's most celebrated displays.
The big-ticket item follows on 6 January 2029: a 126-night World Cruise with maiden calls at Nosy Be in Madagascar, Hiroshima, Mahé in the Seychelles, Kochi, Osaka and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. Early Saver fares start from £18,499 per person, based on two sharing a balcony cabin — serious money, but a full circumnavigation with overnight stays in major cities.
After that, the swansong gets shorter and closer to home. A 21-night Mediterranean sailing departs 4 June 2029, followed by a 14-night Baltic voyage from 25 June, a 16-night British Isles cruise on 9 July, and finally a 22-night central Mediterranean cruise on 30 July 2029 — the last time she'll sail under the P&O flag.
The itineraries form part of P&O's wider winter 2028/29 programme covering 130 destinations. Also new: fly-cruise Canary Islands trips on Azura that call at Agadir in Morocco, and a USA-and-Caribbean season aboard Aurora. Booking opens with pre-registration from 8.30am on 13 October to 8pm on 19 October 2026, with general sale from 21 October 2026. A 10 percent discount applies to select winter 2028 sailings booked by 16 December 2026.
Why it matters: Arcadia has built a loyal following since launching in 2005 as one of P&O's quieter, adults-only ships — no kids' clubs, no waterslides, more lounge-and-observation-deck cruising. If that style appeals, these sailings are the last chance to book her in British branding, and the shorter British Isles and Med options make that feasible without committing five figures. World cruise fans, meanwhile, may want to compare this against how the ship is priced and positioned once she appears in the Holland America brochure.
