Arvia

The 2022-built MS Arvia cruise ship is P&O UK fleet's second Excellence-class boat, with sistership Iona. Both vessels are Germany-built (at Meyer Werft's yard in Papenburg). P&O's Arvia and Iona are currently the newest and largest passenger liners designed and built for the UK source market.

Other Helios-Excellence-Class vessels (Arvia sisterships) include Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), AIDAnova (2018), AIDAcosma (2021).

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

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which in 2003 merged with Carnival Corporation. P and O is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia (Portugal and Spain).

P&O Arvia and Iona ships are from the Carnival Corporation's Excellence Class (aka "Helios" and "Carnival XL"). The vessel design was developed in collaboration with renowned maritime companies and interior design firms, including Meyer Werft (German shipbuilder), Jestico+Whiles (London-based hospitality design studio), Richmond International (London-based hotel architecture), Partner Ship Design (Hamburg-based maritime architecture specialist with several Carnival Corporation projects - including AIDA, Costa, P&O, CCL-Carnival).

For cruise liner's hotel facilities and amenities were contracted the companies Richmond International (London UK), The Four Seasons Moscow, Langham Hotel, and Sandy Lane Hotel (Barbados). Passenger cabins were designed by Partner Ship Design (Hamburg Germany). The ship also introduces the fleet's first "Conservation Mini-Suite" cabin category. The stateroom features a separate, conservatory-style area as a cabin extension. Offering more flexibility, this lounge room is furnished with an L-shaped sofa and can be left open or closed off. The conservatory opens out fully and leads directly onto the suite's balcony. It also can be used for private parties and celebrations with an in-cabin beverage service by a dedicated butler.

Decks and Cabins

MS Arvia has 18 decks (16 passenger-accessible, 11 with cabins), a total of 2610 staterooms for 5204 passengers (lower berths/max capacity is 6264) served by 1762 staff-crew, 20 dining venues (12 restaurants plus 8 food bars, including 10 breakfast-serving, 8 coffee-serving, 5 Afternoon Tea-serving, 9 specialty restaurants, 4 MDRs/dining rooms), 12 bars and lounges, 13 entertainment venues (including adults-only), 4 swimming pools (1 indoor plus 3 outdoor/2 infinity), 18 outdoor Jacuzzis (large whirlpool hot tubs), kids-dedicated zones (indoor-outdoor facilities and sundecks/playgrounds), 22 elevators (passenger lifts located forward-midship-aft).

The boat has 8 laundrettes (self-service laundry rooms for passengers). The largest passenger accommodations are the 2-Room Sky Suites (400 ft2 / 37 m2 plus 110 ft2 / 11 m2 terrace/step-out balcony). Staterooms include 121 Suites, 1496 Balcony, 174 Oceanviews/Seaviews, 819 Interior. P&O Arvia has a total of 32 studios (single-occupancy cabins) and 55 wheelchair-accessible/handicap cabins (for disabled passengers). Most cabins are sized between 135-170 ft2 (13-16 m2). Excepting the Suites, all cabin balconies are very small - sized just 20 ft2 (2 m2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

With a choice of 30 venues, Arvia has many food and beverage bars open from early-morning until late-night. The destination-inspired (Caribbean and Mediterranean) dishes in the menus were created via a partnership with Shivi Ramoutar (Trinidad-born chef and TV personality) and Jose Pizzaro (owner of London's prestigious restaurants "Jose", "Pizarro" and "Jose Pizarro").

The new venues join P&O UK's favorites, such as The Glass House, Epicurean, Sindhu, and Brodie's, from the long list of restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges, self-service choices. Not traditionally for P&O UK, Arvia offers exclusively "Freedom Dining" (aka "Flexible Dining") in all main dining rooms. The policy allows passengers to choose where, when and with whom they prefer to eat.

Arvia ship offers P&O UK's newest "food market" dining concept. "The Quays" piazza (Deck 8) has a great number of takeaway and self-service food bars. The Quays restaurants and eateries offer international food, including American diner classics, Asian street food, Mediterranean sharing platters, fish & chips, Italian gelato, the new "Olive Grove", "Hook Line and Vinegar", "Boardwalk Diner", "Fusion".

• "The Olive Grove" is an intimate restaurant serving lunch and dinner, with a menu focusing on traditional Mediterranean dishes and sharing platters.
• "Hook Line and Vinegar" is a self-service, all-day restaurant for traditional British seafood specialties - battered fish, fish burgers, scampi, calamari, crab cakes.
• "The Boardwalk Diner" is a self-service, all-day food bar for classic American cuisine, which menu includes burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, eggs over easy,
• "Fusion" is a takeaway, all-day Asian food bar.
• The cruise liner has four Main Dining Rooms (MDRs) named Meridian, 6th Street Diner, The Olive Grove, and Zenith. Located on decks 6-7, all main restaurants offer "Freedom Dining" (open-seating) breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea service, and dinner. Gala Nights (formal dinner events) are also hosted there, with a special dinner menu by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. The largest MDRs (Meridian and Zenith) are located aft on decks 6-7 and interconnected, to make one large 2-level restaurant.
• "Horizon Restaurant" (Pool Deck 16) is the ship's Lido Buffet with all-day self-service. The Lido restaurant is casual (as dress code), with flexible dining and a wide range of dishes - from traditional British to world foods. It also caters to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and healthy food options.
• "The Beach House" is an informal Select Dining venue that in the evenings comprises Horizon buffet's forward section. The menu is inspired by British, American, and Caribbean cuisines, offering steaks, grills, ribs, hanging kebabs, burgers, sharable sides, and gourmet desserts.
• "The Limelight Club" (Deck 6) combines gourmet food with top-quality entertainment, exclusively for adults. The lounge offers live performances by popular guest entertainers, as well as by the ship's resident performers, accompanied by Arvia cruise ship's own music band. Here are also hosted daily dancing classes and music events. The club lounge is served by its own full-service Bar. After the evening show, Limelight Club transforms into Disco Nightclub.
• Deck 6 (Grand Atrium area) houses "The Vistas Cafe Bar" (patisserie with a menu by Eric Lanlard), "Amber Lounge" (living-room-like premium cocktail bar), live pop-up entertainment in mid-morning (musical performances, buskers) and early evening starting aerial acrobatics (circus performances).
• "The Glass House" (Deck 7, Atrium area) is via a partnership with Olly Smith. Premium wines are served here by the glass. The Cellar Door at the Glass House offers tastings, wine talks, and wine-pairing dinners. Passengers can relax and watch aerial and circus performances in the unique 3-story high space. Here guests can also enjoy Jose Pizarro's tapas.
• The all-day open "The Keel and Cow" (P&O's first-ever "gastropub") is on Deck 8, overlooking the Atrium and also with ocean views. The menu has traditional favorites, sharing platters, aged steaks.
• "Andersons" (gin bar lounge on Deck 6) doubles as Library/relaxation lounge. In the evening, Andersons serves with alcoholic drinks the nearby MDR restaurants. Lounge's focal point is the Marabelle Gin distillery (via partnership with Salcombe Distilling Co Ltd), gin tastings, and workshops (master classes).
• "Brodie's and Casino" (Deck 7) is a classic British pub bar with ship's largest selections of UK and international bottled beers, ales and ciders, drafts (draught beers), extensive wine menu, traditional British pub snacks (pork scratchings, crisps, peanuts). During the day, the pub offers live sports, bingo, quizzes. By night, here are offered live entertainment, quiz games, game shows, karaoke. The adjacent Casino features the latest gaming technologies and various gambling games, for novices and experts alike.
• "The Sunset Bar" (Deck 8, Promenade's aft) provides easy access to The Club House. By day, it provides canopies (shaded seating) to relax with a drink and enjoy the sea views.
• "The Gelateria" (Atrium's top-level on Deck 8, at the entrance to The Quays) provides access to Promenade Deck. here are offered scoops of Italian gelato ice cream, premium teas, and coffees.
• "Sundaes" (Deck 16, in the SkyDome) offers complimentary ice creams.
• "Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea" (Deck 17) is the ship's classic British tea bar.
• "Beachcomber Bar" (Deck 18) serves with beverages the Beachcomber pool deck and offers plenty of sunbathing space and shaded seating.
• "Crystal Bar" and "Laguna Bar" (Deck 16, in the SkyDome) are outdoor poolside bars offering non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Fun activities here include the sail-away deck parties.
• "Sindhu" restaurant (Deck 8) offers authentic Indian food.
• "Taste 360" Pizzeria and Grill (Deck 16) offers complimentary fresh oven-baked pizzas by the slice, as well as grilled food (top-quality burgers, classic fish and chips), worldwide street foods.
• "The Crow's Nest" (Deck 17) is an observation lounge with floor-ceiling windows and comfortable seating, In the evenings it transforms into a cocktail lounge with live grand piano performances.
• "The Epicurean" restaurant (Deck 17, adjacent to Crow's Nest) is a specialty / fine dining venue with Select Dining, impeccable service, top-quality dining amenities, gourmet food, and premium wine list. Dishes are prepared with freshest and finest local produce. A private dining area and "Chef's Table" (capacity 8 guests) provide options for private parties and special celebrations.
• Part of the "Green & Co" restaurant (new for P&O / introduced on Arvia) is the Mizuhana Sushi Bar with an open kitchen (live cooking stations) and a menu of plant- and fish-based dishes.
• Another new (Arvia exclusive) dining venue is "6th Street Diner". The casual restaurant features mood lighting, retro seating, an authentic jukebox (automated music-playing device), American food favorites.

Through the partnership with Salcombe Distilling, on Iona and Arvia ships guests can purchase and even create their own Marabelle Gin (42% ABV/alcohol by volume). The exclusively created for P&O Cruises alcohol is produced only Iona and Arvia. For the unique gin recipe are used 18 herbs - including Iona Island's heather (calluna vulgaris), mint, citrus, blackberry, green apple, rose petals, kelp (seaweed). Since Iona ship's inauguration (2021), Marabelle Gin (trademarked brand) is also available fleetwide - served across P&O UK's fleet. The produced on the cruise ship gin is bottled and labeled, with bottles available for purchase.

Via partnership with three celebrity chefs (Marte Marie Forsberg, Jose Pizarro, Kjartan Skjelde), P&O UK upgraded Iona and Arvia ships' dining to offer the fleet's most diverse culinary experiences. Chef Forsberg designed the menu of "Taste 360" (street-food-style dining) and MDR's (dining room's) Norwegian-inspired dishes. On itineraries to Iberia (Portugal, Spain) and the Canaries, tapas dishes-based menus are specially created by Chef Pizarro for the restaurants "The Glass House" and "Taste 360". On Norwegian Fjords itineraries, the menus are upgraded by chefs Skjelde and Forsberg. Skjelde developed a special 6-course Norwegian food tasting menu for "The Epicurean" restaurant.

In November 2021 P&O UK announced that during MS Arvia's inaugural Caribbean season (Barbados fly-cruise January-March 2023) will debut dishes by Shivi Ramoutar (Trinidad-born chef and author, assigned as a "Local Food Hero") famous for her Caribbean fusion food recipes. Ramoutar's dishes were included in the menus of The Beach House (Horizon buffet) and "Taste 360".

In April 2022, P&O signed a partnership with The Tidal Rum (produced by the Shorts Boy Distillery founded by Ben Clyde-Smith and Harry Coulthard) to create an exclusive rum blend for MS Arvia's Caribbean cruises. The Tidal Rum is a blend of cask-aged Caribbean rums (produced in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Dominicana). Via the partnership, The Tidal Rum is produced on the ship (in Arvia's Anderson's Bar, the first at sea rum distillery) and also available for purchasing (in bottles) fleetwide.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

SkyDome is one of the boat's signature attractions and the largest onboard entertainment hub. SkyDome is named the pool deck which is covered with a retractable glass roof (sized 41x34 m / 134x111 ft, designed by Martin Francis from Eckersley O'Callaghan / structural and facade engineering firm) and consists of a large swimming pool (with retractable stage) and Jacuzzis (whirlpool hot tubs), SkyDome also serves a unique live entertainment program with performances and DJ-led deck parties, regardless the weather.

During the day, SkyDome serves resort-style leisure activities and offers entertainment and casual dining. The night entertainment includes on-roof media projections, laser shows, aerial acrobatics performances, DJ disco parties, theatrical productions, movies (on a large LED screen).

Note: SkyDome actually sits on two decks - Deck 16 (midship resort-style swimming pool with food and drink options, aft-located Infinity Pool/resistance swimming pool with stern views and Infinity Bar/swim-up bar) and Deck 17 (mezzanine level with a bar and outdoor seating). A second Infinity Pool is located aft on Deck 18.

On March 6, 2020, were announced three aerial acrobatic shows designed for MS Iona (available on MS Arvia too) - Rise (birds-themed), Dream (magic-themed) and Triboo (battle between the Moon and Sun tribes). Rise and Triboo are performed at the SkyDome, while Dream is at the Atrium. Two new for P&O UK aerial shows (Virtuosi, Spark) were developed for MS Iona and available on Arvia too.

The 3-deck high Grand Atrium is located midship and has an open-floor design. All Atrium levels have natural light and offer floor-ceiling sea views. Arvia's Grand Atrium is a new concept for P&O (created by architecture and interior designer Jennifer deVere-Hopkins) and the ship's key entertainment space that hosts from morning coffee to evening drinks, daily live events (like pop-up talks) and entertainment (performers, magicians).

"The Headliner's Theatre" (decks 6-7) is the ship's main show lounge for grand-style music and dance productions in the evenings. The theater has comfortable plush seating and the latest LED and sound technologies. The 2-deck-high auditorium during the day serves as a complimentary Cinema and also offers matinee performances and fun activities (Q&As, port talks, lectures). In the evenings, full-scale productions offer West End-style shows (including "Festival"), stand-up comedy, and cabaret performances.

• Exclusive to P&O Arvia is the WaveLength gameshow (interactive theatrical experience created by Ben Shephard/1974-born English TV presenter) that gives families/couples the opportunity to find out how well they know each other by trying to match the partner's answers.
• Arvia's Headliner's Theatre also hosts "Greatest Days - The Official Take That Musical". The exclusive to the ship stage show is an adaptation of West End's "The Band Musical" that features a story by Tim Firth (Olivier Award-winning writer) and Take That's best songs (Relight My Fire, Back for Good, Greatest Day, Never Forget, Shine and Rule the World, The Flood, A Million Love Songs).
• All shipboard show productions are by the UK-based Headliners Theatre Company (casting agent for P&O UK's production shows' artists/singers and dancers).

(Deck 19) Arvia's "Altitude" is a top-deck located outdoor adventure zone designed for families. The activity deck comprises the aquapark "Splash Valley", the ropes course "Altitude Skywalk" (P&O fleet's first), and the tropical island-themed "Altitude Minigolf" course (open through the day and nightly illuminated).

(Deck 6) "The 710 Club" has a stylish cocktail bar lounge served by professional mixologists. This sophisticated music bar offers live acoustic performances by top-quality artists. The venue was crafted to the vision of Gary Barlow (1971-born English singer, songwriter, actor, TV personality, also P&O Cruises' Music Director). Live musical performances are by "The 710s" (the lounge's resident band).

(Deck 6) "Ocean Studios" is a boutique cinema with comfortable plush seating and 4x screens running throughout the day classic movies and recently released blockbusters. The Cinema is fitted with the latest surround sound technology.

"The Club House" (Deck 8) is a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor space for families to enjoy afternoon entertainment and play fun games. In the evening, it becomes a late-night "music hall" for dancing and live performances by Arvia ship's band (named "Pulse").

"The Ivory Suite" (Deck 17, adjacent to Crow's Nest and Epicurean) is the ship's chapel - a dedicated venue for weddings and vow renewals at sea.

MV Arvia's Kids Clubs are on Deck 17. "The Reef" is P&O UK's complimentary onboard program for children, served by a crew of qualified Reef rangers and offering age-specific activity entertainment. The program is divided into Nursery (toddlers 6-months to 2-years-old), Splashers (ages 2-4 years), Surfers (ages 5-8 years) and Scubas (ages 9-12). A secure outdoor playground area and splash pool park are available for all age groups.

• There is also a spacious indoor playground.
• Parents benefit from the company's "Night Nursery" (complimentary for kids ages 6 months to 4 years, opening hours between 6 pm - 2 am each night).
• P&O partnered with Aardman Animations Ltd (Bristol-based animation studio) to offer kids activities themed on Aardman's popular plasticine characters Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, including craft workshop, dance class, All-Hands-On-Deck (as a signal, OHOD is used on ships for calling everyone to come help in a particular emergency).

"Scene" (Deck 6) is the liner's teen club (hang-out lounge for teenagers 13-17 yo) which is separated from the kids' club. It operates only during the high-peak season. During low season, the Scene teen club functions as an adults-only entertainment venue.

Oasis Spa & Health Club (2-level wellness complex located forward on decks 5-6) has a Thalassotherapy Pool, Cool Therapy Room, Salt Sauna Room, Steam Rooms, 18x Treatment Rooms (for massages), The Salon (beauty and grooming services for women and men), Spa Shop, Oasis Villa (spa lounge), 2x Wellness Suites (one with Steam Room and the other with Hammam Room/Turkish bath), 2x Thermal Suites for couples (each with Steam Room and Hammam Room), Wellness Relaxation Lounge (with heated loungers). New (Arvia ship exclusive) treatments include Kneipp Walk (pebble foot massage combined with hot-and-cold water treatments). Part of the wellness complex is also the fleet-first Barber Station (haircuts/male grooming collections from the premium brands American Crew, Barbour Pro, Clarins for Men, Clinique for Men).

The ship's fitness center (Gym & Health Club) is fitted with the latest Technogym equipment and served by personal trainers. Fitness classes include Body Sculpt Bootcamp, Tour de Cycle, Functional Stretch, Yoga and Pilates, spinning. The Gym also features the latest Evolt 360 (advanced body composition scanners) generating unique 360-degree pictures of the body's physical conditioning in order to set individual goals. Professional well-being consultants provide advice on sleep, stress, and nutrition management.

Sports Arena is named the outdoor full-size, multi-sports court suitable for playing football, basketball, tennis, cricket, and other group games.

The Beachcomber complex (forward on Deck 18) features an indoor swimming pool (covered by a SkyDome/round-shaped glass roof) and a spacious outdoor Sundeck (sunbathing space with shaded seating, 2x outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpool hot tubs, padded chaise lounges, deckchairs, showers). During the day, the Beachcomber hosts pool deck activities, while in the evenings, the sundeck transforms into an entertainment venue with aerial acrobatic performances and live music, also hosting deck parties under the stars.

Adjacent to the Beachcomber (at the bow on Deck 18) is The Retreat - an adults-only VIP Sundeck with 2x outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpools. This is the ship's "spa terrace" with several shaded private cabanas (available for rent). The VIP sundeck (accessed via prepaid day- or voyage-long passes) is inclusive of alfresco dining, Spa massages, dedicated staff service (chilled drinks, cold flannels, light snacks).

New for P&O UK entertainment options (currently planned only for MS Arvia) include Altitude Skywalk (two different Ropes Courses positioned 54 m/177 ft above sea level), Altitude Minigolf (9-hole Mini-Golf Course under the ropes course/featuring water hazards, tiki huts, night-time illuminations), Altitude Splash Valley (outdoor aqua-zone with cooling water jets, Canopy-shaded seating/benches, enclosed by a high-glass wall), as well as the aft-located/stern-facing infinity swimming pool (sundeck with a raised swim-up bar /fleet's first).

(Deck 8) Arvia's "Mission Control" is another P&O UK's fleet first. The "Escape Room" is suitable for all ages. This is a group gaming experience based on motion simulation technology and interactive consoles. The underwater adventure is set onboard the fictional submarine "Arvia II" and led by Dr Melissa Ryan. Gamers (max capacity 10 people per session) have to solve "puzzles" with two live-action-packed storylines. The 3D gaming experiences feature surround sound, stunning underwater scenery, sunken cities, real and fictional sea creatures. The simulators were developed by tennagels Medientechnik GmbH (1999-founded, Dusseldorf-based company specializing in creative media systems).

PO Arvia ship also features The Avenue (shopping zones sized 1300 m2/14000 ft2) and an 800 m ( 0,5 mi) long outdoor Promenade Deck (named "Lanai Deck") wrapping around the entire Deck 8. The Lanai is much wider than the industry's standard and lined up with open-air bars and alfresco dining venues. In the Promenade's forward section are positioned a total of 6x Infinity Whirpools with glass walls facing the ocean (3x portside and 3x starboard).

Shipboard shopping

MS Arvia's "The Avenue" combines several experiential shopping zones (including 900 m2/9700 ft2 open-plan retail space).

Pandora Brilliance (P&O brand's first fine jewelry bar) offers design-your-own jewelry items and showcases a new range of lab-grown diamonds.

Also new (first at sea) is the Concept Store (selling Swarovski's Wonder Lab jewelry and the brand's latest crystal collections by Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert (Swarovski Group's Global Creative Director).

The ship's shopping complex also includes dedicated retail stores selling products by Apple Inc (consumer electronics, software), Mulberry (fashion, luxury leather goods, particularly women's handbags), and The White Company (retailer selling homeware, clothing, fragrances).

Arvia's shopping options include 30x total brands including 25x sustainable (like Skin Regimen and Comfort Zone) as well as the new to P&O UK Cotswolds Distillery (crafted spirits), Floral Street (fragrances, bath and body products, homeware, gift sets) and RADO (Swiss watches).

The Photo Gallery & Shop sells exclusive photoshoots (made by the ship's professional photographers) and also includes the new "360" photo booth (for making photos with attractive surrounding scenery).

Itineraries

MS Arvia ship's itinerary program started in December 2022 with the maiden voyage (Dec 23rd) out of the UK homeport Southampton England to the Canaries, followed by a Transatlantic crossing to the Caribbean..

Arvia's inaugural cruise season (in the Caribbean) was based on P&O fly-cruise deals from the UK (roundtrip UK-Barbados-UK flights included in the fares) and roundtrip voyages from the Caribbean homeports Bridgetown Barbados and St Johns Antigua. The 7-day Caribbean itineraries can be combined into 14-day B2Bs (back-to-back cruises).

The Eastern-Southern Caribbean itineraries visit as call ports La Romana Dominicana (maiden for P&O UK port), Willemstad Curacao, Fort-de-France Martinique, Basseterre St Kitts, Castries St Lucia, Philipsburg St Maarten. The 14-day B2Bs include an overnight in Bridgetown. Fly-cruises from the UK are with departures from either Barbados (Bridgetown), Antigua (Saint John's) or Martinique (Fort-de-France).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the vessel's construction was delayed and its delivery was postponed from 2022-H1 to 2022-Q4 (December).

P&O Arvia cruises were open for booking on April 7, 2021, featuring:

• CANCELED (Maiden Voyage/December 9, 2022) 14-night Canary Islands roundtrip from Southampton
• (inaugural Transatlantic crossing/January 6, 2023) 15-day from Southampton to Bridgetown Barbados
• (flight-cruises from the UK) 14-day Caribbean B2Bs leaving from Barbados (Bridgetown), Antigua (St John's), and Martinique (Fort-de-France).
• 7-day Caribbean itineraries between Barbados and Antigua.

In October, Arvia’s first cruise was rescheduled from December 9th to December 23rd (due to delayed delivery). The Transatlantic crossing (RepositionCruises.com) from Europe to the Caribbean (departure January 6, 2023) was from Southampton to Bridgetown Barbados (15-day), and to St John's Antigua (22-day).

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

The ship's keel-laying ceremony (aka coin ceremony) was held on February 16, 2022. During the ceremony (attended by Paul Ludlow), under the first hull block were placed specially minted Barbados coins. The keel block had weight 570 tonnes, length 11,3 m (37 ft), width 42 m (138 ft) height 11,8 m (39 ft), and was lifted by an 800-ton gantry crane.

Iona and Arvia are P&O UK's largest vessels ever constructed - with GT tonnage 180,000+ tons and max passenger capacity of nearly 6300 (plus ~1800 crew). It is also the biggest UK-based passenger ship (permanently homeported in Southampton England) and the UK market's second (after Iona) newbuild powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas). The liner has LNG engines that provide electricity for the propulsion system both in ports and the open sea.

Like most large-sized newbuilds, the P&O ship Arvia is LNG-powered, with 4x engines generating combined output 61.7 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters with combined power output 74 MW. The vessel has 3x LNG tanks (cryogenic steel) with total capacity ~3200 m3. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m / 115 ft, diameter 8 m / 26 ft, gas capacity 1525 m3), while the 3rd tank has length 28 m (92 ft), diameter 5 m (16 ft), gas capacity 520 m3.

Arvia's SkyDome (970-m2 / 10440-ft2 glass roof cover) consists of 340 pieces and weighs 105 tons. For the mounting operation, Meyer Werft uses a Liebherr LTM1750-9.1 (750-ton mobile crane).

P&O revealed the "Arvia" name for the new ship on February 18, 2021, in a 1-min YouTube video. According to the company's press release, Arvia means "from the seashore". The name also keeps the tradition all boats in the P&O UK fleet to have names ending with "A".

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

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock (building dock II's Hall 6) on August 27, 2022. The float-out started at 9 am Germany time (7:00 UTC) and after the maneuver's completion, the vessel was moored at the yard's outfitting dock for loading the funnels and masts (by a crane) and continuing interior works.

After Arvia's undocking, the FERU (floating engine room module) for Carnival Jubilee (CCL) was maneuvered into the free-now building dock II as the CCL ship's front part was already been built there. Carnival Jubilee's FERU was constructed at Neptun Werft in Warnemunde and was transferred to Papenburg in the previous week.

The vessel's conveyance along Ems River (from Meyer Werft Papenburg to the North Sea) started on Nov 5th (at 7 am UTC). The ship was tugged backward, passing Friesenbrucke/Weener (11:45 am), crossing Jann-Berghaus-Brucke/Leer (3 pm), passing Ems Barrier/Gandersum (6:30 pm), passing the Ems River barrier (10:30 pm), arriving in Emden Germany (at 12:45 am) and in Eemshaven Netherlands on the next day (Nov 6th, at 1:30 UTC). North Sea trials (roundtrips from Eemshaven) were successfully conducted in the period Nov 17-24th. Arvia left Holland/Eemshaven on Dec 14th, arrived in Bremerhaven on Dec 15th, and docked for the first time in the UK (Southampton) on Dec 18th (at 11:35 UTC).

Arvia's delivery was initially planned for December 9, 2022, (later postponed to December 23rd) but she was officially delivered to P&O on December 15th. The ceremony was held at Meyer Werft's Papenburg shipyard, while the Protocol for Delivery and Acceptance was signed by Paul Ludlow in Bremerhaven Germany.

The name of Arvia's Godmother was revealed on March 2, 2023 - Nicole Scherzinger (1978-born as Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente in Honolulu, Hawaii USA). Nicole Scherzinger is a singer, dancer, actress and TV personality, best known as a judge on TV talent shows 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).

MS Arvia's christening ceremony was held on March 16, 2023, in Bridgetown Barbados. The naming ceremony was held at two locations - onboard and at Heywoods Beach. The event was hosted by the popular English DJs and broadcasters Sara Cox (Sara Joanne Cyzer/1974-born) and Trevor Nelson (Trevor Ricardo Nelson/1964-born). Trevor Nelson was the host at Skydome (where was held the traditional bottle-smashing event) while Sara Cox hosted the beachside event (at Heywoods Beach/broadcasted live on YouTube, also featuring live performances by Olly Murs). Both DJs also attended the March 11th voyage and hosted late-night deck parties. Arvia's naming ceremony was remembered for the breaking (in the hull) of the world’s largest bottle of rum - Mount Gay Rum's Black Barrel - in a specially made 15-liter glass bottle. A replica of the 15L Black Barrel (demijohn bottle) remained on the liner.

In October 2021 was announced the ship's Master - Captain Robert Camby. Born in London, he started his career by signing into P&O Princess Cruises' Cadet program (at South Shields Marine School/South Tyneside College) in 1995. As Navigator on RMS Queen Mary 2, he was employed by Cunard Line in the period 2005-2008. He became Captain in 2011 and joined P&O UK in 2012 as Captain of Oriana/now Piano Land. In the following years, he captained P&O boats (Azura, Arcadia, Aurora, Oceana, Ventura, Britannia, Iona), as well as Cunard's Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2. The liner's alternating Master is Captain Paul Brown.

In July 2018 was announced that KfW IPEX Bank GmbH (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German banking group KfW) provides ~EUR 786 million (~USD 951 M) in financing for Carnival Corporation's newbuild for P&O UK (Arvia), scheduled for delivery in 2022. KfW IPEX Bank handled the newbuild's entire financing acting as book runner (lead underwriter), MLA (mandated lead arranger/investor), facility agent (primary point of contact) and ECA (export credit agency/providing trade financing and insurance). KfW's financing had a 12-year term (from the vessel's delivery date/2022) and was backed by export credit insurance with Hermesdeckung (Hermes cover) - an ECG (export credit guarantee) by the German Federal Government.

on July 29, 2021, P&O UK announced that Arvia ship's FERU (floating engine room unit) has been installed at Meyer Werft Papenburg. This hull section (manufactured by Neptun Werft in Warnemunde-Rostock) houses all main engines and the LNG tanks, has length 140 m (460 ft), width 42 m (138 ft), weight ~12,000 tons. Once floated in the Papenburg shipyard's construction hall, the FERU served as a base platform for installing all the other prefabricated blocks (hull and superstructure) which are mounted onto the FERU.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022-2023 (Canaries, Caribbean)

P&O opened Arvia's cruises for booking on April 7, 2021.

Next tables show the inaugural itineraries as call ports and times, with prices per person with double occupancy.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE/first cruise 2022) 14-day "Canary Islands" (GBP 1445 / EUR 1680 / USD 2055)

Note: Due to delayed delivery, the inaugural cruise was rescheduled (from Dec 9th to Dec 23rd) and one 14-day voyage to the Canaries 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 the UK (GBP 1300 / EUR 1510 / USD 1845)

Godspeed!