P&o Arcadia scores 96 after March 2026 health inspection
P&o Cruises' Arcadia scored 96 out of 100 in a March 2026 routine health inspection, even as inspectors found flies in food areas and problems with the ship's water system. The report also noted food-safety and maintenance lapses aboard the vessel, which is often docked in Southampton.
Arcadia's 96-point score
The inspection gave Arcadia a 96 out of 100 score, placing the ship near the top of the scale while documenting multiple failures in hygiene and upkeep. For passengers and crew, the result means the ship passed the inspection overall, but the report still recorded issues that had to be addressed in food service areas, food preparation spaces, and the water system.
Inspectors found the vessel's potable water system had not been sampled for Legionella at least every six months as required. Testing for Legionella was scheduled for May.
Food areas and equipment
Inspectors found flies in multiple food service areas, including buffet stations. In one pantry, four flies were seen around open containers of bread. The report also recorded a cracked filter inside a water dispenser that had allowed a build-up of beige residue.
A blast chiller used in food preparation had been out of service since February 28. The report also identified incomplete cooling records for beef lasagne and missing warnings advising passengers of the risks associated with consuming undercooked eggs.
Inspection findings on Arcadia
The inspection shows a ship can earn a strong overall score while still carrying specific sanitation and maintenance failures. On Arcadia, the detailed findings point to three areas that matter most to passengers: water safety, food handling, and the state of equipment used to keep food at safe temperatures.
Those issues were recorded in March 2026, and the scheduled Legionella testing in May is the clearest next step in the report. For anyone sailing on Arcadia, the practical takeaway is that the ship's headline score did not erase the need for follow-up on the problems inspectors documented.
