One other interesting observation. All the TV's are flat screen panels, even in the cheapest inside cabin. If this actually happens, I think it would be a first on any major cruise ship. I also wonder if that was something Cunard was planning as I don't see P&O going to the expense of having all flat screen TV's.

While I'm rather over these Vista Class clones, I do think ARCADIA is going to have attractive interiors from the little bit I have seen. Probably the best of the bunch so far, at least until QV2 is finished.

quote:

---

Originally posted by eroller:
I All the TV's are flat screen panels, even in the cheapest inside cabin.

---

My guess is they are still cost prohibitive but maybe that is changing. In any case, *if* ARCADIA actually debuts with them, I would be willing to guess she will be the very first major cruise ship with flat screen panels in every cabin.

There have been so many newbuilds lately, but none with flat screen panels in every cabin.

[ 08-10-2004: Message edited by: Keitaro ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by feargus:
Flat screen tv's also use much less electricity. over the life of the average tv the saving will more than cover the additional initial cost.

---

Not necessarily. Flat panel LCD screens use less electricity, but those TV's still cost a lot more than TV's with CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Flat screens such as Sony Vega*, JVC I'Art and Panasonic Tau, to name just a few. (The prices of flat panel plasma screens are still astronomical in comparison).

On QM2 most cabins have conventional curved surface CRT screens. Given the prices of CRT Flat screen TV's, they should have installed those rather than the curved screen sets that they did install. They would not have taken up any more room. The increased cost would have been a proverbial drop in a bucket on an $800 million ship. In addition to their lower price, a big advantage of CRT Flat screens over both LCD and Plasma screens is that the brightness and contrast do not change with viewing angle.

Brian

quote:

---

Originally posted by Onno:
No funnel pictures yet?!

---

[ 08-16-2004: Message edited by: Keitaro ]

I just can’t believe the cheapskates at Carnival! People can say as many times as they like that the general public does not care, but it are these sort of thing when don right will definably be noticed on a subconscious level.

Now if Carnival was truly brave they would dismantle all companies and sail all their ships under one name and brand. Who are they fooling anyway!

Want to bet that this ship will shift back to Canard in about five years!

Onno (really P….. Off)

I am surprised how awkward the forward mast looks as well. The QE2/QM2 style mast does not fit the ship's angular lines at all... again, terrible.

Finally, the white hull with its large aft openings is also odd. However, this is one part of the vessel that does seem connected to P&O... it looks like a modern version of the original Oriana's unique aft:

[ 08-16-2004: Message edited by: Fairsky ]

[ 08-16-2004: Message edited by: Fairsky ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fairsky:
The funnel is hideous in buff yellow, and won't fool anybody.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fairsky:
However, this is one part of the vessel that does seem connected to P&O... it looks like a modern version of the original Oriana's unique aft:

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

It will probably fool 95% of the people who will cruise on her!

---

True Malcolm. But then why bother with incorporating historical traits in the first place? Obviously Carnival Corp. was willing to do it with the funnel and mast for QV, so *someone* must notice? I guess they were just not willing to change it and adapt to P&O's style? Too bad for P&O, but welcome to the realities of one company owning too many brands.

Notice the mast is also "QE2 style".

The rest is nothing more than another Spirit/Vista Class clone. No surprises.

Ernie

quote:

---

Originally posted by chateausmith:
Hello Y'All I've allways thought P&O ships are registered in London and Bermuda, yet your pics show Arcadia--Nassau ?? Is this just while she's being built? Thanks.

---

Even the yellow seems to be verry verry bright.
I must agree with Onno inn 5 years she is back at Cunard.

Buth that said there is a danger that she showed up at Costa ore Carnival and even to HAL. O horrible what next.

I must confess I am not that shocked by the sight of the funnel in buff colours, it is perhaps ridiculous,
but I think the shape of a funnel is less important than the colors. Still this shape is not good for one colour.
At least the top of the funnel could be black.
I seem to remember some of the P&O Ships of the fifties had a heavy black top (not a band, but still,some kind of black "hat").

This whole tradition and retro thing is clearly a fake and a rip-off. If they want tradition, they should buy and restore Norway and restore QE2.
Why not be faithfull to ourselves and the future, and create a powerful modern funnel, that says, "I am Arcadia, from P&O, I am proud about sailing now, such a super cruiseship". This is rather cramped.
Look also at the problems they create - a copy cat QE2 funnel is now in P&O colours.

From the foto's I think cunard lovers should be grateful that, for the time being (?), they're spared to see such a ship under Cunard colours. Then the "Aquitania" from the other thread would be much and much better.

That stern, it is worse than the buff funnel, I think. The fantail and the terraced decks are some of the most enjoyable places on a ship, surely the one you can feel most you are on a ship and experience the romance of it (and this is all what cruising is about, now there is no real utilatarian use for passenger ships nowadays), and this area is also privatised - only some people on a whole shipload can enjoy it. A great pity, and an evolution which can be profitable in the short time, but surely not in the long term.

We'll see...

some opinions of mine