5 Things We Love About P&O Arvia: An Honest Ship Guide
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 21 October 2026
Tom standing on the quayside alongside the impressive bow of P&O Arvia while docked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Is P&O Cruises' sunshine ship really a step above her sister ship Iona, or is she just another oversized mega-resort at sea?
We spent 14 nights exploring every deck, venue, and pool aboard P&O Arvia. At 184,700 gross tonnes and accommodating up to 5,200 guests at standard occupancy, she is one of the largest ships tailored specifically for British cruise passengers. Having sailed on her sister ship Iona as well, we were keen to see how the onboard layout and outdoor spaces evolved.
After dozens of cruises and hundreds of days at sea across various lines, we have learned that modern ship design can be a mixed bag. Yet, Arvia genuinely surprised us with clever outdoor enhancements, warmer public areas, and fantastic dining flexibility.
Our Quick Verdict: Our review of the top things we love about P&O Arvia highlights her vastly improved three-deck Grand Atrium, the family-friendly Altitude activity zone on the top deck, panoramic infinity pools and whirlpools, the versatile retractable SkyDome, and an impressive variety of included dining choices like the 6th Street Diner and The Olive Grove.
1. The Grand Atrium: A Warmer, Smarter Entertainment Hub
First impressions count, and Arvia's Grand Atrium delivers a cracking welcome.
Spanning Decks 6, 7, and 8, this three-tier central space features floor-to-ceiling glass offering spectacular sea views. What impressed us most is how P&O refined this area compared to Iona. The colour palette feels noticeably warmer, creating an inviting lounge atmosphere rather than a drafty walkthrough corridor.
It functions as the beating heart of the vessel throughout the day and night:
Daytime Lounging: You can sit back with a coffee in the Amber Lounge, enjoy a drink at the bars, or simply gaze out at the ocean.
Dining Enclosure: Surrounded by popular venues such as The Glass House and The Keel & Cow, you are never far from food or a glass of wine.
Evening Transformation: At night, the atrium turns into a proper performance venue. Be sure to look up, as aerial acrobats perform breathtaking routines suspended directly above the lower deck.
Because it acts as the primary thoroughfare, seating fills up fast before evening shows. We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes early if you fancy securing a low sofa with an unobstructed view of the aerial acts.
More from Tom and Dom Travel
What we LOVE about P&O ARVIA Review!
To celebrate the P&O Arvia naming ceremony with Godmother Nicole Scherzinger, we have created our Top 5 things we loved about Arvia. We sailed on Arvia for 14 nights and this gave us a unique opportunity to explore the ship in detail. We have put together our top 5 features of Arvia. If you find any of the information useful please like, subscribe and comment.
Tom victoriously ringing the bell after braving the Altitude Skywalk high-ropes course on P&O Arvia
2. Altitude: The Ultimate Top-Deck Adventure
Positioned high up on Deck 19, Altitude is an entirely new outdoor precinct built specifically for Arvia's warm-weather cruising identity.
The star attraction here is the Altitude Skywalk. This adrenaline-pumping high-ropes course suspends climbers 54 metres above the ocean.
Taking on the SkyWalk while moving at sea is an exhilarating experience. While Dom found looking down completely terrifying, Tom absolutely loved tackling the rope bridges and balance beams. If you fancy giving it a go, booking a slot on a calm sea day is ideal, though braving it with an evening breeze adds an extra dose of excitement.
Beyond the high ropes, Altitude offers plenty of faff-free fun for all ages:
Altitude Minigolf: A beautifully themed 9-hole tropical island mini-golf course that was bustling with activity throughout our voyage.
Sports Arena: A full-sized netted court hosting football, basketball, and tennis tournaments.
Splash Valley: An interactive water splash zone with shaded seating, ideal for cooling off on sunny sea days.
While the Altitude Skywalk high-ropes course now carries a small nominal booking fee, the surrounding mini-golf, sports court, and Splash Valley remain completely free of charge, offering great outdoor value for families.
3. The Pools and Infinity Whirlpools
Finding poolside relaxation on a mega-ship can sometimes feel like a chore, but Arvia offers a well-distributed array of swimming spots.
The standout highlights are the two aft infinity pools located on Deck 16, offering uninterrupted vistas over the ship's wake. Sitting right along the glass edge with a cool drink while sailing away from port is worth every penny.
Equally impressive are the infinity hot tubs positioned along Deck 8:
Infinity Spas: Cantilevered whirlpools that extend slightly over the ship's side, giving you a front-row seat to the waves below.
Multiple Options: Plentiful whirlpools dotted around both open sun decks and covered areas.
The Beachcomber Pool: Located forward, this turned out to be our favourite daytime spot. It tends to be noticeably quieter than the aft pools, complete with submerged ledge seating in the water where you can cool off while soaking up the sunshine.
For adults seeking peace and quiet away from the main bustle, finding a sun lounger near the Beachcomber pool early on a sea day is our top recommendation.
Celebrating New Year's Eve beneath the open retractable glass roof in the lively SkyDome aboard P&O Arvia
4. The Retractable SkyDome
The SkyDome on Decks 16 and 17 is one of Arvia's most versatile multi-functional zones.
The defining feature here is the 970-square-metre glass roof. Unlike Iona's fixed dome, Arvia's roof retracts on warm days to let in the sea breeze and Mediterranean sunshine.
When the roof is closed, it acts as a sheltered pool haven on cooler sea days, complete with large whirlpools, loungers, and poolside dining at Taste 360. When the roof slides back, the space opens up completely, and the sound quality during performances improves substantially.
The SkyDome packs in an incredible variety of facilities:
A large central swimming pool with a retractable stage floor.
Three individual bars and quick casual food options.
A giant SeaScreen showing films and live sporting events.
High-energy production shows and guest artist cabaret performances.
By night, the SkyDome transforms into a lively open-air party venue. Celebrating New Year's Eve under the open dome with live music and the pool stage illuminated was a true highlight of our voyage.
5. Food Choices: Unrivalled Included Variety
If you enjoy variety on a cruise, Arvia's food selection is one of the most generous in the British cruise market.
P&O made a clever structural change when designing Arvia. While sister ship Iona features four standard main dining rooms, Arvia reduced this to two (Meridian and Zenith). The remaining space was dedicated to two casual, included alternative dining venues:
6th Street Diner: A retro all-American diner serving fried chicken, buttermilk pancakes, waffles, and stateside milkshakes.
The Olive Grove: An intimate Mediterranean restaurant offering fresh pasta, tapas sharing plates, and regional dishes, included in your cruise fare.
Beyond the traditional restaurants and the Horizon buffet, casual dining shines at The Quays on Deck 8. This multi-counter food hall serves freshly battered fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding roast dinner wraps, and Asian noodle bowls with zero surcharge.
For special evenings, you have excellent speciality dining options like Epicurean (classic British cuisine with a modern twist), Sindhu (contemporary Indian cooking), The Glass House, and Green & Co featuring Mizuhana sushi. And if you get hungry late at night, the midnight buffet in the Horizon provides a spot-on late-night snack.
Planning Your Meals Onboard?
If you want a complete, dish-by-dish look at every single eatery across the ship, including full menus, dietary tips, and booking rules, check out our Ultimate P&O Arvia Dining Guide before you sail.
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Dom enjoying an evening of contemporary Indian fine dining at Sindhu aboard P&O Arvia
Was It Worth It?
Sailing on Arvia proved to us that large-ship cruising can feel dynamic rather than overwhelming when outdoor spaces and dining options are well planned.
She is a sunshine ship through and through. The outdoor deck design, infinity pools, and retractable SkyDome work exceptionally well for Mediterranean and Caribbean itineraries.
Who P&O Arvia suits best:
Families and multi-generational groups looking for top-deck activities like high ropes, mini-golf, and splash zones.
Food lovers who want a broad variety of included, flexible dining without feeling forced into paying extra speciality cover charges.
Travellers who enjoy a lively, sociable atmosphere with varied entertainment options across multiple decks.
Who might want to look elsewhere:
Cruisers who prefer traditional, quiet mid-sized ships with fixed-time evening dining.
Anyone who dislikes navigating large deck plans or walking long shipboard distances.
Arvia offers tremendous value for money, combining modern resort amenities with British comforts like kettles in cabins and complimentary dining variety.
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Tom enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail inside the vibrant, retro-themed 6th Street Diner on P&O Arvia
Conclusion
Our 14-night voyage aboard P&O Arvia proved that her subtle design upgrades over Iona have made a genuine difference. From the warmth and spectacle of the Grand Atrium to the afternoon wake views at the infinity pool, the ship knows how to keep you entertained.
If you are boarding Arvia soon, our single best piece of advice is to log onto the My Holiday web app on day one to book your complimentary evening tables at The Olive Grove and 6th Street Diner, as popular dining times book up quickly.
Before you go... check these out next:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main things we love about P&O Arvia?
Our top five features are the three-deck Grand Atrium, the top-deck Altitude activities, the infinity pools and cantilevered hot tubs, the retractable SkyDome, and the wide range of included dining choices.
Is the SkyDome roof on P&O Arvia retractable?
Yes. Unlike her sister ship Iona, Arvia features a 970-square-metre retractable glass roof over the SkyDome that opens up during warm weather itineraries.
Are The Olive Grove and 6th Street Diner free on P&O Arvia?
Yes. Both The Olive Grove and 6th Street Diner are included in your standard cruise fare, though a few premium speciality dishes carry a small supplement.
How many pools are on P&O Arvia?
Arvia features four main swimming pools: two aft infinity pools on Deck 16, the central SkyDome pool, and the forward Beachcomber pool, alongside numerous infinity hot tubs.
Is there an extra charge for the Altitude Skywalk on P&O Arvia?
Yes, there is a small additional charge to use the Altitude Skywalk high-ropes course and slots must be booked via the onboard digital planner. However, the surrounding Altitude Minigolf course, sports court, and Splash Valley area are completely free to enjoy.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
