Arvia

The 2022-built MS Arvia cruise ship is P&O UK's second Excellence-class vessel, sistership to Iona. Both ships were built in Germany at Meyer Werft's shipyard in Papenburg. Arvia and Iona are currently the newest and largest cruise ships ever designed and constructed for the UK source market.

Other Helios-Excellence-class sisterships include Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023), Carnival Festivale (2027), Carnival Tropicale (2028), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), AIDAnova (2018), and AIDAcosma (2021).

The vessel (IMO number 9849693) is UK-flagged (MMSI 232040520) and registered in Southampton.

History - Construction and Ownership

P&O Cruises is a brand owned by Carnival Corporation and operates under two branches: P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P&O is the world's oldest cruise company, having started passenger operations in 1822 with routes linking England to Iberia (Portugal and Spain).

Arvia and Iona are part of Carnival Corporation's Excellence Class (also known as "Helios" or "Carnival XL"). The ship design was developed in collaboration with top maritime and interior design firms, including Meyer Werft (Germany), Jestico+Whiles (London-based studio), Richmond International (London-based hotel architecture), and Partner Ship Design (Hamburg-based specialists with experience in AIDA, Costa, P&O, and Carnival projects).

Hotel and interior services were developed with input from Richmond International, The Four Seasons Moscow, Langham Hotel, and Sandy Lane Hotel (Barbados). Cabins were designed by Partner Ship Design (Hamburg). Arvia introduces the fleet's first "Conservatory Mini-Suite" cabin category, featuring a conservatory-style lounge space with an L-shaped sofa. This flexible room connects to the suite's balcony and can be closed off for private gatherings or opened for extended relaxation space, with dedicated butler service available.

Decks and Cabins

MS Arvia has 18 decks (16 accessible to passengers, 11 with cabins), 2610 staterooms for 5204 passengers (max capacity 6264), and 1762 crew. Onboard amenities include 20 dining venues (12 restaurants and 8 food bars), 12 bars and lounges, 13 entertainment venues, 4 swimming pools (1 indoor, 3 outdoor including 2 infinity pools), 18 Jacuzzis, dedicated kids' zones (indoor-outdoor), and 22 elevators (located forward, midship, and aft).

The ship has 8 passenger laundrettes. The largest accommodations are the 2-Room Sky Suites (400 ft² / 37 m² plus a 110 ft² / 11 m² terrace). Stateroom breakdown includes 121 Suites, 1496 Balcony, 174 Oceanview, and 819 Interior cabins. There are also 32 studios (single occupancy) and 55 accessible cabins for guests with disabilities. Most cabins range from 135 to 170 ft² (13–16 m²). All non-Suite balconies are compact at 20 ft² (2 m²).

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

Arvia features 30 dining and beverage venues operating from morning to late night. Destination-inspired menus (Caribbean and Mediterranean) were developed in collaboration with chefs Shivi Ramoutar and Jose Pizzaro.

In addition to returning favorites like The Glass House, Epicurean, Sindhu, and Brodie’s, Arvia introduces "Freedom Dining" in all main dining rooms, allowing guests flexibility in seating and dining times.

"The Quays" on Deck 8 features a variety of self-service and takeaway food bars offering international cuisine such as American diner classics, Asian street food, Mediterranean platters, and fish & chips. Highlights include:

• "The Olive Grove" – Mediterranean dishes and sharing platters.
• "Hook Line and Vinegar" – British seafood specialties.
• "The Boardwalk Diner" – American diner fare.
• "Fusion" – Asian street food takeaway.
• Main Dining Rooms (Meridian, 6th Street Diner, The Olive Grove, Zenith) – All offer open-seating for all meals including Gala Nights with menus by Marco Pierre White.
• "Horizon Restaurant" (Deck 16) – Casual buffet serving all-day international cuisine with options for various dietary needs.
• "The Beach House" – Evening venue in the Horizon buffet’s forward section offering Caribbean- and American-inspired dishes.
• "The Limelight Club" (Deck 6) – Adults-only dinner and entertainment lounge with live music, dancing, and a full-service bar, transforming into a nightclub after shows.
• "The Glass House" (Deck 7) – Wine bar curated by Olly Smith offering tastings, wine-pairing dinners, and tapas by Jose Pizarro.
• "The Keel and Cow" (Deck 8) – P&O’s first gastropub with ocean views and hearty fare.
• "Andersons" (Deck 6) – Gin bar and library with the onboard Marabelle Gin distillery by Salcombe Distilling Co.
• "Brodie's and Casino" (Deck 7) – Classic British pub offering drinks, snacks, games, and live entertainment.
• "The Sunset Bar" (Deck 8) – Aft Promenade bar with shaded seating near The Club House.
• "The Gelateria" (Deck 8) – Italian gelato and premium beverages.
• "Sundaes" (Deck 16) – Complimentary ice creams in SkyDome.
• "Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea" (Deck 17) – British-style tea bar.
• "Beachcomber Bar", "Crystal Bar", and "Laguna Bar" (Deck 16–18) – Poolside bars with drinks and deck party support.
• "Sindhu" (Deck 8) – Authentic Indian cuisine.
• "Taste 360" (Deck 16) – Pizza and grill venue offering global street food and fresh oven-baked slices.
• "The Crow’s Nest" (Deck 17) – Observation lounge and piano cocktail bar.
• "The Epicurean" (Deck 17) – Gourmet fine dining with Chef’s Table option.
• "Green & Co" with Mizuhana Sushi Bar – Plant- and fish-based dishes prepared at live cooking stations.
• "6th Street Diner" – Retro American-themed eatery with jukebox and comfort food.

Guests can also create or purchase Marabelle Gin (42% ABV), exclusively crafted aboard Iona and Arvia using 18 botanicals including heather, mint, citrus, rose petals, kelp, and more. Marabelle Gin is now available fleetwide.

Celebrity chef partnerships include Marte Marie Forsberg (Norwegian-style dishes at "Taste 360" and MDR), Jose Pizarro (tapas for "The Glass House" and "Taste 360"), and Kjartan Skjelde (6-course menu for "The Epicurean").

During Arvia’s 2023 Caribbean season, dishes by Shivi Ramoutar were introduced in The Beach House and "Taste 360".

In April 2022, P&O partnered with The Tidal Rum to develop an exclusive rum blend for Arvia. Produced onboard in Anderson’s Bar, this premium rum blend is crafted from cask-aged rums (from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic) and is available fleetwide in bottles.

Shipboard Entertainment – Fun and Sport

SkyDome is Arvia’s signature venue, featuring a 41x34 m (134x111 ft) retractable glass roof designed by Martin Francis and engineered by Eckersley O'Callaghan. It houses a swimming pool with a retractable stage, whirlpools, and hosts a diverse lineup of live entertainment including DJ-led parties, laser shows, acrobatics, and movies.

By day, SkyDome provides a resort-like atmosphere with casual dining and leisure. At night, it transforms into a vibrant entertainment venue. SkyDome spans two decks: Deck 16 (with pools, bars, and food outlets) and Deck 17 (mezzanine seating and bar). An additional infinity pool is located aft on Deck 18.

On March 6, 2020, three aerial acrobatic shows were announced for MS Iona—also available on MS Arvia—titled Rise (bird-themed), Dream (magic-themed), and Triboo (battle between Moon and Sun tribes). Rise and Triboo are staged at SkyDome, while Dream is performed in the Atrium. Two additional aerial shows (Virtuosi and Spark), developed exclusively for P&O UK, are also presented on both Iona and Arvia.

The 3-deck-high Grand Atrium, located midship, features an open-floor design with natural light and floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Designed by architect and interior designer Jennifer deVere-Hopkins, the Atrium serves as a central entertainment venue, hosting events from morning coffee and pop-up talks to evening drinks and live performances.

"The Headliners Theatre" (Decks 6-7) is the ship's main show lounge, offering large-scale music and dance productions in the evenings. The venue features plush seating, state-of-the-art LED technology, and surround sound. During the day, it operates as a complimentary cinema and hosts matinees, port talks, lectures, and Q&A sessions. Evening performances include West End-style shows like "Festival", stand-up comedy, and cabaret.

• Exclusive to Arvia is the WaveLength gameshow—an interactive experience created by TV presenter Ben Shephard—where couples and families compete by trying to match each other’s answers.
• The Headliners Theatre also stages "Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical", an exclusive adaptation of the West End’s "The Band Musical", featuring a storyline by Tim Firth and Take That’s hit songs.
• All production shows onboard are performed by the UK-based Headliners Theatre Company.

Located on Deck 19, "Altitude" is Arvia’s family-focused outdoor adventure zone. It includes the Splash Valley aquapark, the ropes course "Altitude Skywalk" (a fleet first), and the tropical island-themed "Altitude Minigolf" course (open day and night with illuminated features).

"The 710 Club" (Deck 6) is a cocktail bar and live music lounge created under the direction of Gary Barlow. This adults-only venue features live acoustic sets by the resident band "The 710s" in an upscale atmosphere.

"Ocean Studios" (Deck 6) is a boutique cinema with plush seating and four screens showing a mix of classic films and new blockbusters throughout the day, equipped with the latest sound technology.

"The Club House" (Deck 8) is a multi-functional indoor/outdoor space. It hosts family games and entertainment by day and transforms into a music hall at night, featuring live performances by the ship’s resident band "Pulse".

"The Ivory Suite" (Deck 17, near Crow’s Nest and Epicurean) serves as the ship’s wedding chapel, used for ceremonies and vow renewals at sea.

Arvia's Kids Clubs are on Deck 17. "The Reef" is P&O’s complimentary youth program, offering age-appropriate activities for:

• Nursery (6 months to 2 years)
• Splashers (2–4 years)
• Surfers (5–8 years)
• Scubas (9–12 years)

• A secure outdoor splash park and indoor play areas are also available.
• The Night Nursery (open 6 pm–2 am) is complimentary for children ages 6 months to 4 years.
• Through a partnership with Aardman Animations, themed activities feature Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep characters, including dance classes, craft workshops, and the All-Hands-On-Deck signal experience.

"Scene" (Deck 6) is Arvia's teen lounge (for ages 13–17), which operates seasonally. During low seasons, it serves as an adults-only entertainment space.

The two-deck Oasis Spa & Health Club (Decks 5-6, forward) includes a Thalassotherapy Pool, Cool Therapy Room, Salt and Steam Rooms, 18 Treatment Rooms, The Salon (for grooming and beauty services), Spa Shop, Oasis Villa, 2 Wellness Suites (Steam Room and Hammam), 2 Thermal Suites for couples, and a Relaxation Lounge with heated loungers. Exclusive treatments include the Kneipp Walk. The complex also houses the fleet’s first Barber Station offering premium men’s grooming products by American Crew, Barbour Pro, Clarins, and Clinique for Men.

The Gym & Health Club features the latest Technogym equipment and Evolt 360 body composition scanners. Personal training and fitness classes (Body Sculpt Bootcamp, Tour de Cycle, Stretch, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning) are available, alongside wellness consultations on sleep, nutrition, and stress.

The Sports Arena is a full-size outdoor court for football, basketball, tennis, cricket, and other group games.

Beachcomber Complex (Deck 18, forward) includes an indoor pool (under SkyDome), sunbathing deck, 2 whirlpools, shaded seating, loungers, showers, and evening live shows with aerial performances and music. Adjacent is The Retreat—a VIP adults-only sundeck with two whirlpools, shaded cabanas, spa services, and alfresco dining, accessible via prepaid passes.

New entertainment concepts debuting on Arvia include Altitude Skywalk (twin ropes courses 54 m/177 ft above sea level), Altitude Minigolf (9-hole course with lighting and water features), Altitude Splash Valley (aqua zone with jets and shaded benches), and a stern-facing infinity pool with a swim-up bar (a fleet first).

"Mission Control" (Deck 8) is P&O’s first Escape Room. Designed for all ages, this immersive experience is themed around the fictional submarine "Arvia II" and features two interactive storylines. Developed by tennagels Medientechnik GmbH (Dusseldorf-based firm), the experience includes motion simulation, 3D visuals, sound effects, and live-action elements. Each session hosts up to 10 players.

The Avenue retail complex (1300 m²/14,000 ft²) includes an 800 m (0.5 mi) Lanai Promenade (Deck 8) with open-air bars, alfresco dining, and 6 Infinity Whirlpools (3 portside, 3 starboard) with ocean views.

Shipboard Shopping

Arvia's retail area "The Avenue" spans 900 m² (9700 ft²) of open-plan experiential shopping. Highlights include:

• Pandora Brilliance – the first onboard fine jewelry bar with customizable lab-grown diamond designs.
• Concept Store – offering Swarovski’s Wonder Lab jewelry collections by Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert.
• Dedicated stores for Apple, Mulberry, The White Company.
• 30 total brands, including 25 sustainable labels like Skin Regimen, Comfort Zone.
• New brands onboard: Cotswolds Distillery (spirits), Floral Street (fragrances and body care), RADO (Swiss watches).

The Photo Gallery & Shop includes professional photoshoots and a new “360” photo booth offering immersive scenic photography.

Itineraries

MS Arvia’s itinerary program began in December 2022 with her maiden voyage (December 23rd) from Southampton, England to the Canary Islands, followed by a Transatlantic crossing to the Caribbean.

Her inaugural Caribbean season featured fly-cruises from the UK with roundtrip voyages from Bridgetown, Barbados and St John's, Antigua. These 7-day Caribbean sailings could be combined into 14-day B2B cruises.

Ports of call on the Eastern-Southern Caribbean routes included: La Romana (Dominicana), Willemstad (Curacao), Fort-de-France (Martinique), Basseterre (St Kitts), Castries (St Lucia), Philipsburg (St Maarten).

14-day B2B voyages included overnights in Bridgetown. Fly-cruises departed from Barbados, Antigua, and Martinique.

Due to the pandemic, Arvia’s delivery was delayed from H1 to Q4 2022.

P&O Arvia cruises opened for booking on April 7, 2021, with highlights including:

• CANCELED – Maiden Voyage (December 9, 2022): 14-night Canary Islands roundtrip from Southampton
• Inaugural Transatlantic (January 6, 2023): 15-day cruise from Southampton to Barbados
• Fly-cruises: 14-day Caribbean B2Bs from Bridgetown, St John's, and Fort-de-France
• 7-day sailings between Barbados and Antigua

Her first cruise was rescheduled from December 9 to December 23 due to delayed delivery. The inaugural crossing departed January 6, 2023, from Southampton to Bridgetown (15 days), with an optional 22-day itinerary continuing to Antigua.

Currently under construction at Meyer Werft's shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, MS Arvia is the shipbuilder's 51st cruise liner. The vessel’s construction officially began on February 22, 2021, with the steel-cutting ceremony (hull S-716). The event was broadcast online via live satellite link and attended by Paul Ludlow (President of P&O UK).

The keel-laying ceremony (also known as the coin ceremony) was held on February 16, 2022. During the event, attended by Paul Ludlow, specially minted Barbados coins were placed under the first hull block. The keel block weighed 570 tonnes, measured 11.3 m (37 ft) in length, 42 m (138 ft) in width, and 11.8 m (39 ft) in height, and was lifted by an 800-ton gantry crane.

Iona and Arvia are P&O UK's largest ships ever constructed, each with a gross tonnage of over 180,000 and a maximum passenger capacity of nearly 6,300, plus approximately 1,800 crew. Arvia is also the largest UK-based passenger ship, permanently homeported in Southampton, England, and the second LNG-powered newbuild for the UK market after Iona. Her LNG engines supply electricity for both propulsion and hotel operations at sea and in port.

Like most largenewbuilds, P&O’s Arvia is LNG-powered, equipped with four engines producing a total output of 61.7 MW. Her propulsion system comprises two azimuthing thrusters with a combined output of 74 MW. The ship has three cryogenic steel LNG tanks with a total capacity of ~3,200 m³. Two tanks measure 35 m (115 ft) in length, 8 m (26 ft) in diameter, and hold 1,525 m³ of gas each. The third tank is 28 m (92 ft) long, 5 m (16 ft) in diameter, and holds 520 m³ of gas.

Arvia’s SkyDome features a 970 m² (10,440 ft²) glass roof composed of 340 pieces and weighing 105 tons. For installation, Meyer Werft utilized a Liebherr LTM1750-9.1 (750-ton mobile crane).

P&O officially announced the ship's name—Arvia—on February 18, 2021, in a one-minute YouTube video. According to the company, Arvia means “from the seashore” and continues the tradition of all P&O UK ship names ending with "A".

Next is the P&O UK's timelapse video showcasing the construction of the Iona and Arvia ships.

The vessel was floated out from drydock (Building Dock II, Hall 6) on August 27, 2022. The float-out began at 9:00 am local time (7:00 UTC). Following the maneuver, the ship was moored at the outfitting dock for funnel and mast installation and continued interior work.

After Arvia’s undocking, the floating engine room unit (FERU) for Carnival Jubilee (CCL) was moved into the now vacant Building Dock II, where the forward section of the CCL vessel had already been assembled. Jubilee’s FERU, built by Neptun Werft in Warnemunde, had been delivered to Papenburg the previous week.

Arvia’s Ems River conveyance from Papenburg to the North Sea began on November 5th at 7:00 UTC. The ship was towed stern-first, passing Friesenbrücke/Weener (11:45 am), Jann-Berghaus-Brücke/Leer (3:00 pm), Ems Barrier/Gandersum (6:30 pm), and the Ems River barrier (10:30 pm), before arriving in Emden, Germany at 12:45 am and Eemshaven, Netherlands on November 6th at 1:30 UTC. Sea trials (from Eemshaven) were successfully completed between November 17-24. Arvia departed Eemshaven on December 14th, arrived in Bremerhaven on December 15th, and reached the UK for the first time in Southampton on December 18th at 11:35 UTC.

The delivery, originally scheduled for December 9, 2022, was postponed to December 23rd, but Arvia was officially handed over to P&O on December 15th. The ceremony was held at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, while the Delivery and Acceptance Protocol was signed by Paul Ludlow in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Arvia’s Godmother was revealed on March 2, 2023—Nicole Scherzinger (born 1978 in Honolulu, Hawaii, as Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente). A singer, dancer, actress, and TV personality, she is best known as a judge on talent shows including The Sing-Off (2009–2010), The X Factor USA (2011), The X Factor UK (2012–2013, 2016–2017, 2019), and Australia's Got Talent (2019).

The christening ceremony took place on March 16, 2023, in Bridgetown, Barbados. The event was held in two locations—onboard the ship and at Heywoods Beach. It was hosted by English DJs and broadcasters Sara Cox (Sara Joanne Cyzer, born 1974) and Trevor Nelson (Trevor Ricardo Nelson, born 1964). Trevor Nelson hosted the Skydome bottle-smashing ceremony, while Sara Cox hosted the beachside celebration broadcast live on YouTube and featuring live performances by Olly Murs. Both DJs also hosted late-night deck parties during the March 11th voyage. The ceremony featured the world’s largest bottle of rum—Mount Gay Rum's Black Barrel—in a specially crafted 15-liter glass demijohn, a replica of which remains on board.

Captain Robert Camby was announced as Arvia’s Master in October 2021. A London native, he began his career in 1995 through the P&O Princess Cruises Cadet Program at South Shields Marine School (South Tyneside College). Between 2005 and 2008, he served as Navigator aboard RMS Queen Mary 2 with Cunard Line. He became Captain in 2011 and joined P&O UK in 2012, commanding ships including Oriana (now Piano Land), Azura, Arcadia, Aurora, Oceana, Ventura, Britannia, and Iona. He also captained Cunard's Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2. Arvia’s alternating Master is Captain Paul Brown.

In July 2018, it was announced that KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH (a subsidiary of the German KfW banking group) would finance ~EUR 786 million (~USD 951 million) for Arvia’s construction. KfW IPEX-Bank acted as book runner, MLA (mandated lead arranger), facility agent, and export credit agency. The 12-year financing (starting from the delivery date) was backed by Hermesdeckung—an export credit guarantee from the German Federal Government.

On July 29, 2021, P&O UK announced the successful installation of Arvia’s FERU (floating engine room unit) at Meyer Werft Papenburg. Manufactured by Neptun Werft in Warnemunde-Rostock, the FERU houses the main engines and LNG tanks. It measures 140 m (460 ft) in length, 42 m (138 ft) in width, and weighs ~12,000 tons. Once floated into the shipyard’s construction hall, it served as the base for mounting all subsequent prefabricated hull and superstructure blocks.

Inaugural Cruise Itineraries 2022–2023 (Canaries, Caribbean)

Bookings for Arvia’s cruises opened on April 7, 2021.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE / First Cruise 2022) 14-day Canary Islands (GBP 1445 / EUR 1680 / USD 2055)

Note: Due to a delivery delay, the maiden voyage was rescheduled from December 9 to December 23. One 14-day Canary Islands cruise was canceled.

(Inaugural Westbound Transatlantic Crossing / 2023) 15-day UK to Caribbean (GBP 1330 / EUR 1545 / USD 1890)

(Inaugural Caribbean Voyage 2023 / B2B) 14-day Eastern Caribbean from Barbados (GBP 2195 / EUR 2555 / USD 3120)

(Inaugural Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing / 2023) 15-day Caribbean to UK (GBP 1300 / EUR 1510 / USD 1845)

Godspeed!