The ship was built in the Italian shipyard Fincantieri in Marghera ( Venice ) under hull number 6078. The construction contract was originally awarded by Holland-America Line , but before the keel was laid , the ordered ship was sold to Cunard Line , which had it continued to be built under the intended name of Queen Victoria . The ship was sold to P&O Cruises even before completion.
On May 26, 2004 the ship floated up in the construction dock and completed the first test drives in December 2004. After a construction period of 20 months and about 200 million pounds cost of construction the ship was delivered on 24 March 2005 and on April 12 in Southampton from the two-time Olympic champion Kelly Holmes on the name Arcadia baptized. The maiden cruise ran from Southampton to the Mediterranean on April 14, 2005 .
From November 26th to December 20th, 2008 the Arcadia was rebuilt at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven . Among other things, 34 additional cabins were set up in the stern area. Thus the capacity of the ship increased to 2,016 passengers in 1,010 cabins.
