Discover P&O Arvia: The Ultimate Guide to the Sunshine Ship
As one of the most exciting additions to the P&O Cruises fleet, the Arvia (Latin for "from the seashore") is designed to chase the sun. Launched in late 2022 as the sister ship to the Iona, this Excel-class vessel brings a new level of contemporary luxury, family-friendly adventure, and innovative dining to the seas. Whether you are sailing the Caribbean in winter or the Mediterranean in summer, Arvia is built to connect guests with the ocean and the outdoors.
Unrivaled Entertainment & Activities
Arvia takes onboard entertainment to dizzying new heights—literally and figuratively. There is something to thrill every age group, from high-adrenaline outdoor sports to immersive, high-tech indoor experiences.
The SkyDome
The beating heart of Arvia is the SkyDome, a stunning pool environment by day featuring a retractable glass roof to let in the Caribbean sunshine. By night, this versatile space transforms into a vibrant entertainment hub hosting aerial acrobatics, live bands, DJ sets, and theatrical shows.
Altitude Activity Zone
If you want to get your heart racing, head up to Deck 19. The Altitude zone features P&O Cruises' first-ever high-ropes experience at sea, the Altitude Skywalk. You'll also find a tropical-themed mini-golf course, a sports arena, and the Altitude Splash Valley—an interactive aqua zone perfect for families.
Mission Control
Exclusive to Arvia, Mission Control is an immersive, multi-sensory escape room experience. Guests board a fictional submarine and work together to solve live-action puzzles to complete an underwater mission. There are different storylines available, ensuring both adults and families can join the fun.
P&O Arvia The SkyDome
P&O Arvia Altitude Activity Zone
Dining & Bars: A World of Flavor
With over 30 places to eat and drink, Arvia offers one of the most diverse culinary landscapes at sea. Whether you want a quick poolside bite or a decadent multi-course meal, the options are endless.
Included Dining Highlights:
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6th Street Diner: An all-American, retro-style diner serving up classics like fried chicken, waffles, and sticky ribs. Complete with a jukebox and pastel decor, it’s a massive hit for brunch and dinner.
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The Quays: A lively multi-venue food piazza offering quick bites. Grab classic fish and chips at Hook, Line & Vinegar, Asian street food at Fusion, or a traditional roast dinner wrapped in a giant Yorkshire pudding at Roast.
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The Olive Grove: A Mediterranean-inspired eatery offering delicious sharing platters and regional specialties.
Specialty Dining (Additional Charge):
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Green & Co. feat. Mizuhana: A sleek, contemporary restaurant focusing on exquisite plant-based dishes and fresh, expertly rolled sushi.
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Epicurean: The pinnacle of fine dining on board, offering modern British cuisine in a highly sophisticated setting with sweeping ocean views.
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Sindhu: P&O’s signature Indian-British fusion restaurant, delivering rich, aromatic flavors in an elegant environment.
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The Keel & Cow: An authentic gastropub where you can enjoy dry-aged steaks and what is widely debated to be the best burger at sea.
When the sun goes down, you can grab a craft cocktail at the Amber Lounge, enjoy tapas and wine pairings at The Glass House, or settle into The 710 Club, an intimate, vintage-style live music venue curated by Gary Barlow.
P&O Arvia
P&O Arvia Dining
Accommodation: Your Home at Sea
Arvia features 2,642 guest staterooms designed with modern British flair, emphasizing light, comfort, and functionality.
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Inside Cabins: The perfect, cost-effective base camp for those who plan to spend their days exploring the ship and the ports.
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Sea View Cabins: Featuring large windows or portholes to let the natural light pour in.
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Balcony Cabins: Connect with the ocean from your own private outdoor space. These make up the majority of the rooms on board.
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Conservatory Mini-Suites: An innovative cabin style introduced on the Excel class. These feature an additional lounging area with floor-to-ceiling glass doors between the main cabin and the balcony, allowing you to bring the outdoors inside.
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Suites: For the ultimate VIP experience, Suites offer expansive space, luxurious bathrooms with full-size whirlpool baths, exclusive access to dedicated breakfast restaurants, and the services of a personal butler.
P&O Arvia Inside Cabins
Is P&O Arvia Right for You?
If you are looking for a vibrant, modern resort at sea that caters beautifully to multi-generational families, couples, and solo travelers alike, Arvia is a fantastic choice. With its focus on outdoor living, incredible dining variety, and world-class entertainment, a cruise on Arvia ensures your time traveling between ports is just as thrilling as the destinations themselves.
P&O Arvia Suites
Insider Tips for Cruising on P&O Arvia
While the Arvia is built to handle over 5,000 guests seamlessly, knowing how to navigate the ship’s systems and schedules can elevate your holiday from great to spectacular. Here are our top insider secrets for mastering the Arvia:
1. Master the "My Holiday" App Early
P&O relies heavily on their digital portal, "My Holiday," which connects via the ship's free intranet Wi-Fi. Do not wait until sailaway to log on. As soon as you board the ship and connect to the Wi-Fi, open the portal. This is your golden window to book highly sought-after dining reservations, theatre shows, and slots for the Mission Control escape room before they fill up.
2. The 710 Club Strategy
Curated by Gary Barlow, The 710 Club is arguably the best live music venue on the ship, offering an incredible vintage vibe and fantastic cocktails. However, it is deliberately small and intimate.
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The Hack: Reservations for the evening sets disappear on the app within minutes of being released. If you miss out, don't panic. Head to the venue about 15–20 minutes before a set starts and join the standby line. There are almost always no-shows, and walk-ins are frequently let in just before the music begins.
3. Skip the Buffet for Breakfast
The Horizon Restaurant (the main buffet) gets notoriously busy during peak breakfast hours. For a much more relaxed start to your day, head to The Quays on Deck 8. It’s included in your fare, much quieter, and serves up excellent hot breakfast options, fresh pastries, and great coffee with fantastic ocean views.
4. Cracking the 6th Street Diner Queue
The retro 6th Street Diner is incredibly popular, especially on sea days, and it does not take traditional advance reservations. Instead, it uses a "virtual queue" system on the My Holiday app.
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The Hack: Don't walk all the way to the diner to find out there is a 45-minute wait. Log onto the app from your cabin while you are getting dressed for the evening, join the virtual queue remotely, and just head down when the app alerts you that your table is ready.
5. Timing the Infinity Pool
The swim-up bar and infinity pools at the aft (back) of the ship offer some of the most Instagram-worthy views on Arvia, but they are no secret. On warm sea days, the loungers here are claimed early.
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The Hack: To enjoy this stunning spot without the crowds, visit during "port hours" (when most guests are off exploring a destination) or in the late afternoon around 5:00 PM, when the early dinner crowd starts to head back to their cabins to change. The sunset views from here are unmatched
6. Pack Layers for the SkyDome
Even though the Arvia is a "sunshine ship" designed for warm climates, the SkyDome's retractable glass roof remains closed on cooler evenings or when the ship is sailing fast and generating strong winds. Because it's a massive space, it can feel a bit breezy during the spectacular evening acrobatics shows, so always bring a light sweater or wrap to evening performances.
