Arvia Review

P&O Cruises' second Excel-class ship and follow up to Iona will be named Arvia and debut in December 2022 with a host of new-to-the-line features.

Work began on the 184,700-tonne ship at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, in February 2021.

Arvia will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), making it one of the cleanest vessels at sea.

Arvia, meaning "from the seashore", will sail year-round to the sun, with the line promising views of the ocean and shore maximised from every location onboard.

The 5,200-passenger ship is structurally identical to Iona, though Arvia will offer a number of new features and venues.

These include a 54m-high ropes course called Altitude Skywalk that will offer two different experiences; a swim-up bar and a new restaurant concept, Green & Co featuring Mizuhana, offering a plant-based and fish menu with a sushi bar.

Arvia will also feature another first for the line: Altitude Minigolf, a nine-hole course located below Altitude Skywalk.

The swim-up bar will form part of an infinity pool with uninterrupted wake views.

We also know that Arvia will feature the 970-sqm SkyDome that debuts on Iona, to offer a day-to-night venue for relaxing and entertainment, with a pool and stage featuring aerial performances, movies on SeaScreen and theatre productions.

Arvia will be home to 20 dining options (12 restaurants and eight more casual venues), including 6th Street Diner, a retro venue with a juke box, serving American dishes such as speciality fried chicken and waffles with bourbon mascarpone.

Popular P&O Cruises’ venues Epicurean, Sindhu, The Glass House, The Keel & Cow and The Olive Grove will also be onboard.

Additional features include Ocean Studios Cinema, 1,300sqm of shopping space and the Oasis Spa and Health Club. The spa will feature two couples’ suites, each with a hammam and steam room, a therapeutic cool room, a restorative salt sauna and an invigorating Kneipp Walk, which combines a pebble foot massage with hot and cold water treatments to stimulate circulation and boost vitality.

Arvia will offer a total of 2,614 cabins.

Itineraries for Arvia’s inaugural season go on sale in March 2021.