Fremantle Welcomes Largest Cruise Ship Ever Today
Date: February 12, 2009
Western Australia has welcomed the largest cruise ship ever to visit its shores today with the arrival of P&O Cruises UK’s superliner, Arcadia, in Fremantle.
Carrying 1950 passengers and 880 crew, the 83,000-tonne child-free ship, which is on her maiden 101-night world voyage, berthed about 8am and will spend the day in port before departing at 6pm for Albany.
Arcadia’s call is also set to stir up memories amongst the many Western Australians who will remember her namesake, P&O Cruises’ second Arcadia, which transported thousands of Britons to Perth as “10 pound pom” immigrants during the 1950s and 60s. The former Arcadia was also based in Australia as a cruise ship during the 70s, cementing her following amongst local holidaymakers.
The latest Arcadia is the fourth P&O ship to bear the Arcadia name. But whilst she is steeped in history she is also one of the most contemporary liners sailing from the UK.
The largest P&O Cruises UK ship ever to visit Australia, the latest Arcadia stretches 285 metres long and if tipped on her stern would be 36 metres taller than the Central Park Office Tower, Perth’s tallest building.
Her features include a range of innovations from external glass lifts overlooking the ocean to an indoor/outdoor swimming pool with retractable glass roof and a boutique cinema for 30.
She offers 1010 cabins and 11 passenger decks, with facilities including more than six dining options including the elegant Arcadian Rhodes created by UK celebrity chef, Gary Rhodes, 14 bars, a 700-seat three-tier theatre, two swimming pools, five whirlpool spas and a three-level atrium.
The ship’s one-day visit to Perth will inject more than $500,000 into the local economy through passenger spending, supplies and port fees.
Arcadia began her maiden world cruise in England in January and has already called at Majorca and Greece in Europe, Egypt and Oman in the Middle East, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
She will call at Albany tomorrow, Adelaide on February 16, Melbourne on February 18, Sydney on February 20-21, Brisbane on February 23 and Whitsundays on February 25.
She will then sail to Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Oman, Dubai and Egypt, before transiting through the Suez Canal to Libya, Portugal and Spain and returning to the UK in April.
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View Earlier EventsThursday 12 February
From 7am – Arcadia will make her way into Fremantle Harbour. She will dock at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal at 8am before departing at 6pm.
Monday 16 February
6.00am – Oriana will make her way into Sydney Harbour. She will dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay at 7am before departing at midnight.
From 7am – Arcadia will sail towards Outer Harbour, docking at 8am. She will remain in Adelaide until 6pm.
Wednesday 18 February
From 4.30am – Arcadia arrives into Port Phillip before docking at Station Pier at 8am before departing at 6pm.
From 7am – Oriana sails into Brisbane River, docking at Portside Wharf at 8am where she remains for the day. Oriana will depart Brisbane at 6pm.
Friday 20 February
6.00pm – Arcadia will arrive in Sydney Harbour, docking at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at 7.00pm. Arcadia will remain in Sydney over night, departing on Saturday 21 February at midnight. Please note: there will be no fireworks display as part of the visit.
Monday 23 February
From 7.30am – Arcadia sails into Brisbane River to dock at the Fisherman Island Wharf. Arcadia will remain in Brisbane for the day, departing at 6am.
Friday 27 February
From 7am – Aurora makes her way into the Brisbane River, docking at 8am. She will then depart Brisbane at 6pm.
Sunday 1 March
From 6.30am – Aurora will make her way into Sydney Harbour, anchoring at Point Piper Buoy at 7.00am then berth at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at 9.00pm. She will remain in Sydney overnight, departing on Monday 2 March at 6pm.