The Arcadia is completing its 20th year of service for P&O Cruises this month after being delivered by the Fincantieri shipyard on Mar. 24, 2005.

With a unique background, the 83,000-ton vessel was originally ordered for a different Carnival Corporation brand, Cunard Line.

As part of the company’s 165th anniversary celebrations, the ship was set to be named the Queen Victoria.

In late 2004, however, Carnival decided to transfer the newbuild to P&O Cruises as part of a wider fleet optimization strategy.

Following a slight modification of its project, the vessel was then completed for its new operator as the Arcadia.

Upon sailing to its homeport in Southampton, the 1,968-guest ship was christened by Olympic medalist Dame Kelly Holmes before kicking off its maiden voyage on April 14, 2005.

During its inaugural season, the Arcadia offered cruises to a wide range of destinations, including the Mediterranean, the United States, the Caribbean, the Baltic and the Atlantic Islands.

After sailing from Southampton earlier this year, the adults-only ship is currently offering P&O’s 2025 world voyage.

The 99-night cruise includes visits to 30 ports of call in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean and Africa.

Upon returning to the UK, the ship is scheduled to offer itineraries departing from Southampton to destinations in Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Baltic, Iceland and the Canary Islands.

In September, the Arcadia is also scheduled to offer a 24-night cruise to Canada that features destinations in Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and more.

Featuring scenic cruising at the St. Lawrence Seaway, the itinerary sails to nine ports of call in North America.

In early 2026, the Arcadia embarks on P&O’s “Epic World Explorer” cruise, which will sail to 30 destinations around the globe.