Arvia

Theatre and Shows on Arvia Cruise Ship

Arvia's two-deck Headliner's Theatre is the main venue for big production shows as well as guest acts. This is the only place in the world where guests can now watch the brand-new stage musical "Greatest Days -- the Official Take That Musical". It's an adaptation of the acclaimed West End musical "The Band," where pop group sensation Take That's singalong hits are woven into a beautiful story written by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth. 

There are normally three shows a night in Headliner's but because Greatest Days has a longer running time of 60 minutes it only plays twice a night when it's on the bill. You need to book on the My Holiday app.

Another venue for shows is The Club House, a lounge which hosts game shows, tribute acts and themed music nights.

While scheduled acrobatic shows are regularly performed in the SkyDome, keep a look out for unscheduled, ad hoc acrobatic displays which take place in the atrium as a surprise for guests. Get lucky in the daytime and you might even catch acrobats rehearsing here.  

Daily Things to Do on Arvia Cruise Ship

Everything scheduled on Arvia is listed both in the Horizon programme (delivered to the cabin nightly) as well as on the app. There’s always plenty going on from line dancing classes to dance workshops to pub games to quizzes. There are informal table tennis meet-ups as well as archery sessions on the Sports Court. By 8 p.m. most of the activities turn to music, although there is the occasional ‘talk’ about rum in the Duty Free Shop or Jewellery in the Jewellery boutique. There are also screenings of three different movies a day in the ship’s boutique cinema. Listed occasionally are rum-blending classes (when Arvia’s sailing in the Caribbean) or gin-blending when it’s in the Med. There’s a small charge for this. 

Nightlife on Arvia Cruise Ship

Arvia comes alive with music at night; it's something the ship does really well. In the space of a single evening you can catch an unscheduled acrobatic show in the atrium, go for cocktails, have dinner, hit the silent disco, squeeze in a theatre production and enjoy a late-night set in Gary Barlow’s very popular 710 Club. After hours the Limelight Club turns into a nightclub with live music and dancing. There are also sometimes DJ sets out on deck under the stars or in the SkyDome.

Arvia has a large casino next to Brodie’s pub on Deck 7. Be warned, there’s a strong smell of smoke here and you’ll need to go up or down a deck if you want to avoid it as you leave the Headliner’s Theatre. The casino offers high-quality gaming for all levels of player, from slot machines to popular table games. Expert croupiers are on hand for interactive tutorials or to pit their luck against yours on a table.

Arvia's Bars and Lounges

Arvia is a trailblazer for P&O Cruises. As well as having the line's first ever swim-up bar, the ship is home to the first rum distillery at sea. When Arvia winters in the Caribbean this distillery makes Tidal Rum (served in certain cocktails on board) and when it summers in the Mediterranean the distillery turns its hand at making gin instead. On no other ship can you have a taste of the place in quite the same fashion.  If you know you're going to order enough drinks to make the

Ultimate Drinks Package

worthwhile, then it’s worth knowing that for a set daily fee you can enjoy pretty much anything you fancy, from alcoholic drinks to soft and hot beverages. Plus it entitles you to a 20% discount off all bottles of wine. NB: the drinks package does not cover wine tastings or cocktail masterclasses. 

Our Picks:

**For a drink in a swimsuit:  **The Infinity is P&O Cruises' first ever swim-up bar. It's on Deck 16, next to the wake infinity pool. There are only a dozen seats actually submerged in the water, so be sure to arrive early if you fancy a pew, especially on a sea day. Pina Colada is the most popular drink here and complements the wake view perfectly. 

For an unforgettable rum cocktail: The Amber Lounge in Arvia's atrium has a menu of rum-based cocktails, some of which include the Tidal Rum made on board. But for a glass of bittersweet, refreshing loveliness, order a Tortuga Cobbler, Arvia's most popular rum cocktail. 

For the perfect aperitif: The wines at the Glass House have all been personally picked by Food Hero and wine expert Olly Smith. While they go well with the venue’s light bites, they’re also delicious just by themselves. For the perfect, hot weather aperitif order a glass of the Canadian ice cuvee from Peller Estates.

For Something Elegant: The Crow's Nest is a P&O Cruises icon, forward on Deck 17 with gorgeous views and an elegant vibe. For something a bit different order its rhubarb Bellini. It’s packed with champagne, rhubarb puree and lemon sherbet and is a glass of fizzy deliciousness.

For Gin Lovers: An elegant cocktail lounge adjacent to the rum/gin distillery, Anderson's has a superb spirits menu and is a cosy spot for drinks by day and night. Whether the ship is sailing in the Caribbean or the Med, this is still the perfect place to sip some of the Marabelle Gin that's distilled on board. 

Pools, Hot Tubs and Sundecks on Arvia Cruise Ship

Arvia has four main swimming pools, five if you include the swim-up bar. The most popular (and where it’s always hardest to secure a sun lounger) are the two infinity wake pools at the aft of Decks 16 and 18. The third main pool is in the SkyDome which, thanks to its retractable roof, is largely used as an outdoor pool instead of an indoor one. And the fourth is the Beachcomber Pool which is found at the front of the ship on Deck 18. It's generally quieter at this end of the ship and easier to find a sun bed, whether by the pool or out on deck.

Altitude Skywalk, Altitude Mini-Golf and Mission Control on Arvia Cruise Ship

Arvia's Altitude Skywalk high ropes course, mini-golf and Mission Control Escape Room experience are all new-to-the-line amenities. All are beautifully designed, popular and busy throughout the day. The mini-golf is included in the fare and sits underneath the high ropes course on Deck 19, adjacent to the Sports Court. For the high-ropes course, however, there’s a small fee and it must be pre-booked. While there’s no age restriction, there is a minimum height requirement of 1. 4 metres. Under ‘18s need a guardian to sign them in.

Far from being gimmicky and throwaway, this high-ropes course is properly challenging and, at times, a little bit scary. If you suffer from vertigo this isn't for you. One section requires you to walk a plank cantilevered high above the sea and ring a bell from the end -- this is leg-trembling stuff. Another section involves scrambling across a giant spider's web. But the section we found the hardest to cross was a narrow beam topped by mini seesaws. Trying to balance as you navigate the ups and downs of the seesaws isn’t easy. This is hands-down one of the best high-ropes courses we've tried at sea. Believe us when we say that it’s absolutely worth it. Have a go; you’ll be proud of yourself.

Also new to Arvia is the submarine-themed escape room-style experience called Mission Control. It's billed as an "underwater challenge" and decked out like a proper submarine which even moves and vibrates. Thanks to an LED screen displaying sea-life swimming past, it does a great job of simulating being in the depths of the ocean. There is a challenge (all participants are given a role to do to help problem-solve) but none of us were really sure what the challenge was. 

Steering participants through the escape is the submarine’s Captain (a member of the ship's animation team) who drip-feeds information. We found this to be more about role-play than a sense of jeopardy or being up against the clock to escape. But it’s priced right and for families and children this could be a fun way to spend 90 minutes.

Sundecks on Arvia Cruise Ship

Our top pick for where to lounge for the day, however, is on the Promenade Deck. This is a quieter alternative to the busier top decks and, while there is no proper swimming pool, there are lots of small hot tubs dotted all the way around this deck as well as two large ones at the stern. Better still this deck has The Quays which offers all-day non-stop food to rival (if not better) the Horizon Buffet.

For a splurge: The Retreat is a sumptuous, pay-for, adult-only sanctuary at the front of the ship which has two hot tubs as well as on tap snacks and drinks (including alcoholic). Book pre-cruise for the best rates - if you’re not on a drinks package then the fee is worth it for the drinks alone.

Services and Wi-Fi on Arvia Cruise Ship

There are self-service laundry rooms on most cabin decks on Arvia complete with free-to-use ironing boards and irons. The ship’s Wi-Fi costs but there are packages available and, depending on where you are sailing (and how many people are using it at the same time) the connection is generally good. The My Holiday App can be uploaded onto your mobile at the start of the cruise via a QR code which is left in your cabin. On the whole it works well and is the best way to see what’s on and to make bookings for restaurants or shows.

Food on Ariva is more varied than on any other P&O Cruises ship thanks to the introduction of a couple of new restaurants -- 6th Street Diner and plant-based Green & Co. There's a good choice of included and speciality (fee) options with two main dining rooms (Zenith and Meridian) as well as the Horizon buffet and The Quays, a canteen-style venue on Deck 8. Here there’s another new-to-the-line offering with "Roast at the Quays", a novel take on the traditional British Sunday Roast. Food is generally of a good standard and Arvia's speciality dining ranges from sushi to steaks to Indian.

Free Restaurants on Arvia Cruise Ship

Meridian and Zenith restaurants

Arvia has two main dining rooms at the back of the ship: Zenith is on Deck 7 and Meridian is directly below on Deck 6. Both are elegant with floor-to-ceiling wake views and offer Freedom Dining. This means you can eat whenever and wherever you like, but they need to be pre-booked via the My Holiday app; alternatively the app allows you to join a virtual queue, which generally never takes long. If anything, the virtual queue usually ends up being quicker than expected. These two dining rooms offer plenty of options. Breakfast choices range from continental to a full fry-up (there's a vegetarian alternative too) or you can order kippers and eggs benedict. Healthy options include muesli, smoothies and smashed avocado on sourdough toast.

On the lunch menu you'll find daily specials plus British favourites like shepherd’s pie or bangers and mash. There are also lighter options like soup, salads, bagels and wraps as well as comforting deserts (think chocolate brownies or Bakewell tart.)   

Both main dining rooms also serve an Afternoon Tea of dainty sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam. 

Dinner menus are creative, with five courses spanning starters, soups, mains, desserts and a cheese plate. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are clearly marked. Expect dishes like Wild Mushroom Panna Cotta, Mint-Crusted Leg of Lamb, Miso-Glazed Tuna and Passion Fruit Pavlova. Always available dishes include prawn cocktail, cream of tomato soup, grilled salmon, chicken breast, sirloin steak and a fruit salad.

Suggested bottles of wine for each menu are reasonably priced at £18.95 a bottle. 

Once a week, there’s a gala dinner in both dining rooms, with the menu created by chef and restauranteur Marco Pierre White, one of P&O Cruises' "Food Heroes".  Starters might include Devonshire crab and Scallop Ceviche or Buttered Asparagus with a Soft Poached Hen's Egg. For mains expect dishes like Lemon Sole Meuniere or Beef Wellington. And after a baked blueberry soufflé or dark chocolate mousse there’s a selection of Regional British and Continental Cheese with biscuits. Even on Gala Nights the suggested wines are still priced at a reasonable £18.95 per bottle.

Horizon Buffet

The main buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late snacks. There's always plenty of choice, from full English breakfast, pastries and fruit in the mornings to a daily roast, fish, curries, pre-plated small salad bowls and beautifully presented desserts, including gluten-free, vegan and low sugar options.

Taste 360

This is one of Arvia's signature venues offering a street food style dining experience by the Sky Dome. Dishes here are created by various Food Heroes depending on where the ship is sailing. In Spain, you’ll find Spanish dishes by chef Jose Pizarro; in the Caribbean chef Shivi Ramoutar provides local flavours.

The Quays

This Deck 8 Food Court venue is a great alternative to the often crowded Horizon Buffet. Plus it offers al fresco seating outside. You’ll find small salad bowls alongside stands serving noodles, fish and chips, burgers, hot dogs and "Roast in the Quays". For now, this is exclusive to Arvia and is a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings dished up in a jumbo Yorkshire pudding.

6th Street Diner

This is brand new for P&O Cruises’ and, for now, exclusive to Arvia. It’s billed as an all-American diner, but if you’re imagining the average burger joint, think again. While it does resemble a typical 1950s style diner with its high bar stools, red leather banquettes and black and white chequered floor, its menu is incredibly tasty southern fare, from Buffalo wings, to sticky pork ribs with raw slaw, to Po-Boys. Top pick for us was shrimp Louis Cajun salad. For desert there’s Mississippi mud pie or good ol’ fashioned apple pie. Better still, it serves all-day breakfasts and pancakes which make this a great start-of-the-day alternative. The only charge is if you want to purchase quarters for the Juke Box.

Olive Grove

The Olive Grove is on Deck 8 and resembles an Italian trattoria with lots of sharing plates. Food here is Mediterranean with paella and lamb tagine firm favourites. Most of the dishes are free bar a couple of items on the menu which carry a small supplement. On Celebration Nights the restaurant offers an exclusive menu by Food Hero and Spanish chef Jose Pizarro.

Chef's Table

If you enjoy dressing up for fine dining in a more intimate setting than the main dining room, then this dining experience is for you. The Chef’s Table is a space cordoned off at the end of Horizon Buffet and serves an exclusive menu curated by Food Heroes Marco Pierre White and Olly Smith on selected Celebration Nights (usually once a week). Marco selects the food and Olly expertly pairs each course with wine. Food is included but there’s an extra cost if you choose the wine pairing.  

Top Tip: Reserve your spot by booking either pre-cruise or the moment you get on board. It’s very popular.     

What Restaurants Cost Extra on Arvia Cruise Ship?

P&O Cruises' regulars will find favourites like the Keel & Cow for steaks, Sindhu for Asian fusion, the Limelight Club for a supper club with a cabaret, and the fine dining Epicurean. Olly Smith’s wine bar and grazing spot, The Glass House, has a new and improved menu and there’s also a new and on trend plant-based and sushi restaurant Green & Co, featuring Mizuhana.

Tip: Book your specialty dining on the My Holiday app as soon as you get on board. The restaurants fill up very quickly.

The Glass House, $

The menu at Food Hero Olly Smith’s Glass House wine and tapas joint has been revised and is excellent for quick, light bites. Pricing is a la carte and as well as a selection of single plates (think Korean sticky chicken lollipops or prawn potstickers) there are now three-dish ‘Big and Bold’ medleys on offer. The seafood one is superb and comes with lobster mac, grilled tiger prawns and crispy Cajun soft shell crab.

Top tip: Wash it down with a glass of Chateau Miraval rose which comes from Brad Pitt’s Provencal vineyard. 

The Beach House, $

For a small fee this informal eatery dishes up southern and Caribbean cuisine at its finest. It’s located in a section of the Horizon Buffet and is where Food Hero Shivi Ramoutar showcases her Caribbean flavours with dishes like Jerk Chicken, shallow-fried plantain and hanging kebabs.  

Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea, $$

For one of the finest afternoon teas at sea book Eric ‘Cake Boy’ Lanlard’s afternoon tea at the Epicurean specialty restaurant. Waiters bring cake stands laden with sweet and savoury goodies like eclairs, scones, salmon tartlets and chocolate spheres sprinkled with gold dust. 

Green & Co, feat Mizuhana, $$

This new-to-the-line restaurant reflects the latest trends in vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian dining. A sushi bar sits alongside the main restaurant and the menu is split into ‘land’ and ‘sea’. You can stick to plant-based, sushi, or mix-and-match, depending on your taste. The blend works nicely.  There’s a small per dish charge. Standout starters include Cauliflower Popcorn Tempura, Sesame Crusted Crispy Fried Tofu and Nepalese Tofu Momos in soy broth. The sushi platters are excellent and for an inexpensive spicy treat order the Hot and Sour Dashi Ramen which is a meal in itself.

Sindhu, $$

For contemporary Indian fusion food with a British twist, Sindhu can’t be beaten. Served in opulent surrounds, the food it top notch, with an excellent and varied menu, from the Vegetarian Thali Plate to the Duck Tikka to the Lobster Thermidor main course which also works well as a starter. If you’ve room left, try the yoghurt cheesecake for afters.     

The Keel and Cow, $$

This popular, meat lover’s gastropub is a large space on the top deck of the atrium as opposed to an actual venue. It offers different cuts of steak, including a 32oz Tomahawk, complete with chunky chips, battered onion rings and Portobello mushrooms. The most ordered dish is the Prime Minister Burger, which comes with a side of fries and garlic mayo, but the night we were there the restaurant was extremely busy and this didn’t quite meet its normal, excellent standards.  If you want to save room for dessert, best not to order a starter. Be warned: Calorie–counters should steer well clear. Keel and Cow cannot be pre-booked and eating here requires joining a virtual queue.

Limelight Club, $$

This is P&O Cruises’ very successful and intimate Supper Club. Acts on the bill change from sailing to sailing, but drag queen La Voix was in residence during our cruise, emulating the likes of Dolly Parton and Shirley Bass with great pizzazz. The venue has an aura of glamour and exclusivity as wild mushroom arancini, sea bass and chocolate bombe are served alongside the entertainment. If you like the look of the act then book early for an evening you won't forget.

Epicurean, $$$

Classic British ingredients are given a modern twist in the Epicurean. It’s the most expensive of Arvia’s specialty dining restaurants, but presentation is exquisite and service attentive. Worth trying are the Dover sole and New England lobster. You can also order a 28-day-aged Cote de Boeuf for two. The sides seem to have shrunk in size. However, it was no problem to ask for extra.

Ripples Ice Cream Parlour, $

Ice cream fans will love Ripples on Deck 8. A mouth-watering array of hand-crafted artisan flavours can be served in a waffle cone or as a sundae. It also serves a special gelato afternoon tea which comes with mini gelato macarons, a gelato cookie and mini gelato cones.

Top Tip: One's enough to feed a family of four.

Cruise Critic Restaurant Picks on Arvia Cruise Ship

We were wowed by 6th Street Diner. Food here is seriously tasty and we couldn’t believe it was included in the fare, or that it was open for breakfast, too. For us The Quays is another game-changer for a quieter, all-day venue and meat-eaters must try the Sunday roast served in a jumbo Yorkshire pudding at least once. For a quick, tasty bite with great wines Olly Smith’s Glass House can’t be beaten and for date night head to Green & Co. feat. Mizhuhana -- its inventive plant-based cuisine and sushi are delicious.     

Dietary Restrictions on Arvia Cruise Ship

Vegetarian, gluten free and low-sugar dishes are regularly marked on menus, but waiters tend not to ask about allergies, so if you've a concern, you must take control and bring it up. They will then bend over backwards to accommodate.