P&O Cruises has unveiled interior renderings of its new ship, Arvia – and announced some of the features passengers will enjoy, which include a swim-up bar, an infinity pool ‘with uninterrupted views of the ship’s wake’, and the first-ever high-ropes experience at sea.
The 185,000-tonne, 345m-long (1,131ft) Excel-class ship is due to be delivered in December 2022 and is being billed by Southampton-based P&O Cruises as the ‘epitome of a sunshine resort’.
The line says the high-ropes attraction will be called Altitude Skywalk and designed to appeal to all ages, with guests able to choose two courses while 54m (177ft) above the ocean.
P&O Cruises has unveiled interior renderings of its new ship, Arvia. Pictured here are the swim-up bar and infinity pool
Wave to go! P&O Cruises says the infinity pool will offer uninterrupted views of the ship’s wake
Altitude Minigolf, comprising nine mini-golf challenges, another P&O Cruises first, will be located below Altitude Skywalk.
Arvia, which will have 16 guest decks, ‘is designed to bring guests even closer to the sea, sky and shore, reflecting its name meaning [in Latin] “from the seashore”‘ and will also feature P&O Cruises’ first-ever zone with a retractable roof, ‘SkyDome’.
The line says: ‘SkyDome is a relaxed pool environment by day with dining and entertainment by night, including stunning aerial performances, theatre productions and blockbuster movies al fresco on SeaScreen.’
The 185,000-tonne, 345m-long (1,131ft) Excel-class Arvia is due to be delivered in December 2022
Arvia, which will have 16 guest decks, ‘is designed to bring guests even closer to the sea, sky and shore, reflecting its name meaning [in Latin] “from the seashore”‘
Arvia will boast the first-ever high-ropes experience at sea – Altitude Skywalk – designed to appeal to all ages, with guests able to choose two courses while 54m (177ft) above the ocean
This rendering shows SkyDome – P&O Cruises’ first-ever zone with a retractable roof. Here guests will be able to relax by a pool and enjoy aerial performances, theatre productions and blockbuster movies al fresco on a big screen
On the food front, there will be 12 restaurants joined by a further eight more casual places to eat.
One – ‘Green & Co featuring Mizuhana’ – will have a plant and fish-led menu ‘served in chic and elegant surroundings’.
Mizuhana is a brand new sushi bar created by P&O Cruises for Arvia and will be housed within Green & Co. Here, says the line, ‘guests can watch expert chefs at work while taking in sea views’ and ‘expert food-pairing advice and vibrant cocktails complete the experience’.
Also on board is 6th Street Diner, ‘informal by day with a sophisticated night-time vibe, featuring retro seating, atmospheric lighting and a jukebox – and serving all-American flavours including speciality fried chicken and waffles with bourbon mascarpone’.
This rendering shows Arvia’s Limelight Club. The ship is being billed as ‘the epitome of a sunshine resort’
The ship will be awash with entertainment for children, with one area featuring a ship-shape play area
Five-star opulence: Guests that splash out a bit extra will enjoy luxurious en-suites
P&O Cruises’ ‘distinctive signature restaurants’ Epicurean, Sindhu, The Glass House, The Keel & Cow and The Olive Grove, already across the fleet, will also feature on Arvia.
P&O Cruises’ Oasis Spa offering, meanwhile, will be present and correct but boasting new treatments exclusive to Arvia – two couples suites each with a hammam and steam room, a therapeutic cool room, a ‘restorative’ salt sauna and ‘an invigorating’ Kneipp Walk that combines a pebble foot massage with hot and cold water treatments to stimulate circulation and boost vitality.
The line added: ‘Similar to sister ship Iona, Arvia will be powered by liquefied natural gas as part of P&O Cruises’ ongoing commitment to sustainable travel. Building of the ship is already underway at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.’
Yum’s the word: 6th Street Diner, pictured, will be ‘informal by day with a sophisticated night-time vibe, featuring retro seating, atmospheric lighting and a jukebox – and serving all-American flavours’
‘Green & Co featuring Mizuhana’ (pictured) will have a plant and fish-led menu ‘served in chic and elegant surroundings’
P&O Cruises’ president, Paul Ludlow, said: ‘Arvia is the latest evolution in the P&O Cruises experience, embodying the newest trends in travel, dining and entertainment, and will be the epitome of a sunshine resort sailing year-round to the warmest climates.
‘New restaurant Green & Co featuring Mizuhana will have a plant-led menu reflecting the latest trends in vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian dining while Altitude Skywalk and SeaScreen will entertain all ages.
‘Arvia’s extraordinary features maximise views of the ocean, seashore and destinations from everywhere on board while guests enjoy the next generation of on-board entertainment.’
Last week P&O Cruises announced that it would offer, for the first time – a series of short break and week-long UK cruises that it’s billing as ‘the ultimate summer escapes’.
Life at sea on the Arvia will be full of drama – thanks to this amazing onboard theatre
P&O Cruises’ president, Paul Ludlow, said: ‘Arvia is the latest evolution in the P&O Cruises experience’
P&O Cruises’ Oasis Spa offering will be present and correct but boasting new treatments exclusive to Arvia
Pictured here is an aft suite lounge on the Arvia. Last week P&O Cruises announced that it would offer, for the first time – a series of short break and week-long UK cruises that it’s billing as ‘the ultimate summer escapes’
The cruises, which will sail from Southampton, will go on sale later in March.
The bad news, though, is that to free-up ships to sail around Britain, P&O Cruises is having to cancel some foreign voyages.
In normal times, all P&O Cruises sailings have international ports of call.
The cruise line said that all guests whose cruises have been cancelled would automatically receive a ‘Future Cruise Credit’ worth 125 per cent of what they paid.
Holidays on Arvia will go on sale shortly. For more information or to book a P&O Cruises holiday call 0345 3 555 111, visit www.pocruises.com. Pictured here is the ship’s swanky cocktail bar
This credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021, on any cruise on sale at the time of booking.
Alternatively, a 100 per cent refund is available through the form on www.pocruises.com and may be requested until December 2021.
Details of which ships will be used for the UK sailings and the itineraries have yet to be released.
The Department of Transport announced that domestic cruises are able to operate from May 17.
Holidays on Arvia will go on sale shortly. For more information or to book a P&O Cruises holiday call 0345 3 555 111, visit www.pocruises.com or contact a travel agent.