Mediterranean Cruise - Two weeks on P&O Arvia
Today we are embarking on a two week cruise of the western Mediterranean on P&O Arvia leaving from, and returning to Southampton.
This will be my second time on Arvia, but my daughter’s first. My wife and I sailed in the Caribbean on Arvia in January of this year so we know what to expect.
Arvia, the “warm weather” sister ship of Iona is currently the newest and largest ship in P&O’s fleet. These large ships can be a little overwhelming if you’re not familiar with cruise ships in general, but you soon feel comfortable.
Some facts about Arvia
1. Launch Year: Arvia is P&O Cruises’ newest ship, launched in December 2022.
2. Ship Class: It is a part of the Excel class, the same class as the Iona, another P&O Cruises ship.
3. Passenger Capacity: Arvia can accommodate around 5,200 passengers, making it one of the largest ships in the P&O fleet.
4. Power Source: The ship is powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), making it more environmentally friendly compared to older cruise ships.
5. Facilities: Arvia features a variety of amenities, including a SkyDome, a retractable glass roof over a pool area, multiple dining options, entertainment venues, and a high-ropes course.
6. Itineraries: The ship primarily sails in the Caribbean during the winter and the Mediterranean during the summer.
7. Special Features: Arvia includes new entertainment options like the first escape room experience on a P&O Cruises ship and the Altitude Skywalk, a thrilling ropes course.
My daughter is a wheelchair user, and the huge attraction to us cruising as a family is the accessibility features - particularly on the more modern fleet.
I’ll be adding to this blog as we head off on our adventure. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any updates!
Day Two
Or is it day one? First day after leaving Southampton
Leisurely start to the day (apart from me knocking half a glass of coke on the floor). Coffee and breakfast in the cabin with the balcony doors open and the sound of the sea. Spotted some dolphins off the stern (how do you tell if it’s a dolphin or a porpoise?). Weather overcast but warm. Headed for a walk on the promenade deck before the Headliners Theatre to watch the Basil Brush Show!
P&O Arvia continues to rate very highly for accessibility - with lovely wide corridors on the cabin decks, and throughout the ship. The headliners theatre situasted at the front of the ship on Decks 6 & 7 is readily accessible for anyone with mobility issues. There are plenty of dedicated wheelchair spaces, and also room to park wheelchairs at the end of rows.
Really quite disappointed that one of the speciality restaurants on board Sindhu is unable to accommodate my special needs daughter with her dietary requirements. She doesn’t have any allergies, and would prefer plain food (such as plain pasta with some olive oil or cheese). They are unable to accommodate this simple request so we’ve had to cancel our booking with them.
Never had an issue in any other P&O restaurants so this is really disappointing - I can’t understand this other than a choice not to accommodate this. Poor show P&O!
