ARCADIA will sail a farewell season with P&O Cruises ending on 21 August 2029 before joining Holland America, which will then have 12 ships. The move adds more than 2,000 berths to Holland America's capacity and gives the Seattle-based premium line another platform for its Holland America Evolution upgrade programme.

ARCADIA was delivered by Fincantieri in 2005. She is built on the same Vista-class platform as Holland America's OOSTERDAM, NOORDAM, WESTERDAM and ZUIDERDAM, which makes her a natural fit for the fleet.

"Holland America Line continues to see strong demand from guests seeking immersive travel experiences, genuine hospitality, and perfectly sized ships," said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. "As a Vista Class ship, she is a natural fit and an exciting extension of Holland America Evolution, the largest guest experience transformation in our 153-year history."

Holland America Evolution is a multi-year investment that brings new venues, restaurants and cabins to the line's mid-sized ships, along with features from its newer Pinnacle-class ships. Upgrades announced so far for OOSTERDAM and ZUIDERDAM include:

• the Grand Dutch Café
• a renovated Ocean Bar
• Bridgeview Suites
• dedicated Solo Verandah cabins

OOSTERDAM will emerge from her conversion in autumn 2027, followed by ZUIDERDAM in April 2028. The features to be added to ARCADIA will be decided in the coming months.

According to Holland America, the transfer offers a faster route to growth and greater deployment flexibility, while complementing its long-term fleet modernisation strategy. Bodensteiner described the addition as "one chapter in a larger story", adding that the company's broader plans include the consideration of newbuilds.

QUEEN ANNE to introduce a new class at P&O Cruises

QUEEN ANNE will stay with Cunard through her 2028/29 World Voyage, which departs in January 2029. Before that, she will take a central role in the Four Queens celebration in Liverpool in May 2028. She will then undergo an extensive reimagining and be renamed, before entering service with P&O Cruises in May 2029.

"Queen Anne was created as a bold and contemporary expression of Cunard," said Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK, P&O Cruises and Cunard. "Those qualities give her a natural affinity with the modern P&O Cruises holiday experience. Following her reimagining, she will introduce a new class of ship to the P&O Cruises fleet and broaden the choice available to guests through a different scale, style of onboard experience and range of itineraries."

The change leaves Cunard with a three-ship fleet of QUEEN MARY 2, QUEEN VICTORIA and QUEEN ELIZABETH. Ludlow said the decision does not change the company's commitment to the brand. He added that a major upgrade of the flagship QUEEN MARY 2 will be completed next year.

Of ARCADIA, Ludlow said she "has been a much-loved part of P&O Cruises for more than two decades". He added that the company was pleased she would continue her career within the Carnival Corporation family.

All currently published voyages before the transfer dates will operate as planned. Details of ARCADIA's farewell season will be announced shortly. Information on QUEEN ANNE's new name, onboard product and inaugural P&O Cruises programme will follow at a later date.

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