Carnival
This small ship is for adult-only cruising and is well suited to British tastes
The Ship. The ship has an all-white hull and superstructure. There’s no walk-around promenade deck, although you can stroll on open decks on the port and starboard sides. The lido (pool) deck has reasonable sunbathing space. Sadly, there are no wooden decks outdoors; they are covered by a sand-colored rubberized material instead.
There may not be marble bathroom fittings or other expensive niceties, but Adonia is a pleasant ship, best suited to British couples.
Last in a series of eight almost identical ships originally built for the long-defunct Renaissance Cruises in 2001, Adonia is well proportioned, and has the feel of an informal country hotel. The interior decor, designed by Scotsman John McNeece, is a throwback to the heavy hardwood style of the ocean liners of the 1920s and 1930s. It includes detailed ceiling cornices, real and faux wrought-iron staircase railings, wood- and leather-paneled walls, and trompe l’oeil ceilings.
Public rooms are spread over three decks. The reception hall has a staircase with intricate, real wrought-iron railings (a copy of the staircase aboard SS Titanic), but these are cleverly painted on plexiglas panels on the stairways on other decks.
Anderson’s, the social hub of the ship, is a rather delightful, wood-paneled lounge with a fireplace, a long bar with bar stools, and the feel of a traditional country club.
The Library is a delightful, restful room, designed in the Regency style. It has a fireplace, a high, indented trompe l’oeil ceiling, books, plus comfortable wingback chairs with footstools, and sofas to fall asleep on.
A Crow’s Nest Lounge has great views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and comfortable seating. A long bar faces forward, which gives the bartenders the best view. There is a small central bandstand and wooden dance floor forward of the bar.
Although children over eight are allowed on board, there are almost no facilities for them. The ship is staffed and operated by P&O Cruises.
Accommodation. There are six basic cabin size categories, in many price categories. Some cabins have interconnecting doors, and 18 cabins on Deck 6 have lifeboat-obstructed views. All grades have tea/coffee-making facilities. There are two interior accommodation passageways.
Standard outside-view and interior cabins are compact units, and tight for two. They have twin or queen-size beds, with good under-bed storage, personal safe, a vanity desk with large mirror, and reasonable closet and drawer storage in rich, dark woods.
Balcony cabins have sliding glass doors. Some 14 cabins on Deck 6 have lifeboat-obstructed views. The tiled-floor, plain wall bathrooms are compact, but include a shower stall with a removable hand-held shower unit, wall-mounted hairdryer, cotton towels, toiletries storage shelves, and retractable clothesline.
Six Owner’s Suites and four Master Suites provide abundant space and are worth the extra cost. They are located in the forward and aft positions. Particularly nice are those overlooking the stern, on decks 6, 7, and 8. They have extensive balconies that cannot be overlooked. There is an entrance foyer, living room, bedroom (the bed faces the sea), audio unit, bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, and small guest bathroom.
Dining. There are three restaurants, plus a casual self-serve buffet-style venue and an outdoor grill: the Pacific Restaurant, in the aft section, has 338 seats, a raised central section, large ocean-view windows on three sides, and several prime tables overlook the stern. Dining is at assigned tables, in two seatings. The noise level can be high, the result of a single-deck-height ceiling and noisy waiter stations. Curries and other Indian-style dishes are heavily featured, but, overall, the cuisine is just so-so. Adjacent to the restaurant entrance (it forms part of it) is a Club Bar – a cozy, open lounge and bar, with a fireplace.
An L-shaped Ocean Grill has ocean-view windows along one side, and aft. There is a cover charge, and reservations are required.
The Glass House features light, trendy fare, with wine and food pairings by TV personality (and wine expert) Olly Smith – but there’s not a decanter in sight.
The Conservatory, with indoor and outdoor seating, is a casual self-serve eatery, while a Poolside Grill is for casual fast food and grilled food items.
Entertainment. The Curzon Lounge is a single-level room, with a large bar at the back (the bartender probably has the best views of the stage).
Spa/Fitness. The Oasis Spa has a fitness room with some muscle-toning equipment, a large hot tub, steam rooms for men and women (but no saunas), treatment rooms, and a beauty salon. A spa concession provides beauty and wellness treatments and exercise classes – some of which may cost extra. On deck are a small swimming pool, two hot tubs, a jogging track, a golf practice net, and shuffleboard courts.