A Day Onboard P&O Arvia

Recently my five‑year‑old daughter, Nixie, and I were lucky enough to spend a full day onboard P&O’s Arvia to get a real feel for what she is like for families. We weren’t sailing anywhere, this was purely a chance to explore, poke our noses into all the family areas, and imagine what a holiday here would be like.

Spoiler: Nixie gave Arvia a straight 10 out of 10. Happy kids, happy parents.

First Impressions: Light, Modern and Very “New”

From the moment you step onboard, Arvia feels fresh, modern and uplifting. The décor has that high four‑star hotel feel: big, airy spaces, lots of light and a stylish, contemporary colour palette.

The grand staircase you see when you first walk in is a real eye‑catcher, with calming soft pinks and lilacs. Around it, there are lots of different bar areas and seating zones that have been cleverly broken up so you can always find your own little corner to relax in, whether that is with a cocktail, a coffee or a juice with the kids.

I was also really impressed with how “new” everything felt. Although Arvia is not brand new now, she still feels like a newer ship, which is very reassuring when you are thinking about comfort for the whole family.

The Reef Kids’ Clubs: Thoughtfully Designed For Each Age

We started our day in the kids’ clubs because, let’s face it, that is often the make‑or‑break for a family cruise.

Arvia’s children’s facilities are grouped together in one area of the ship, then split into different clubs by age. I really liked this layout: it feels safe and self‑contained, but each age group still has its own space and activities.

• The Reef is where I spent most of the time with Nixie. This is the club for younger children.
• There are then dedicated spaces for older children and teenagers, which we also went to have a look at.

In The Reef, Nixie loved getting stuck into activities. She made a captain’s hat, played Jenga and explored the soft play areas. It has the feel of a really good quality UK family club, so little ones feel comfortable and at home straight away.

The teen area, which we just visited, had table tennis and gaming stations: exactly the sort of thing older kids and teens gravitate to. It felt like somewhere they would be happy to hang out without feeling like they were in a “babyish” kids’ club.

Overall, I felt the children’s areas were really well thought through for different ages, which is so important if you are travelling with siblings.

A Very British Touch: The Pub

One thing that really stood out to me was the fantastic British‑style pub onboard. With P&O being a British cruise line, it feels very natural, but it genuinely worked so well.

It had a warm, welcoming atmosphere, proper pub styling and, when we were there, the football was showing on the TVs. It felt comfortingly familiar, and I know for many families that bit of home will be a big plus, especially if you are travelling with multi‑generations.

Outdoor Decks & Pools: Space For Everyone

Up on deck, Arvia really comes into her own. She has clearly been designed with sunshine destinations in mind, like the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and that shows in how much outdoor space there is.

The main pool area has a retractable glass roof, so it can be open to the sky in warm weather or closed if the weather turns. This space also includes a stage and big screen for outdoor entertainment and movies, which I can imagine being a real focal point on sea days.

What I personally loved most was the feeling of space:

• Plenty of sunbeds without feeling crammed in.
• Other pools dotted around the top decks, so you can find a spot that suits your mood.

For me, on a family holiday in a hot climate, having multiple outdoor areas to move between makes a huge difference. It means you are not all fighting for the same sunbeds around a single pool.

Infinity Pools With Caribbean‑Ready Views

Right at the back of the ship there are stunning infinity pools. You can just picture it: floating in the pool, looking straight out to sea with the Caribbean or Mediterranean stretching out behind you. It is a really special setting and one I think parents will love in particular.

Splash Park & Adventure Activities For Kids

Nixie’s personal highlight was the little splash park. It is perfect for younger children, with:

• A safely enclosed layout
• Protection from the wind
• A shaded area above to keep the sun off

As a mum, I really appreciated the way this space is designed so little ones can enjoy the water without you worrying about too much sun or it being too exposed.

For slightly older and more adventurous kids, the top deck climbing and ropes course looks incredible. Quite a few people tried it while we were onboard in Southampton and said it felt quite scary in the wind, so I can only imagine how thrilling it must feel when you are walking high above the ocean in the Caribbean or Med.

There is also Mission Control, an interactive submarine‑themed game that blends elements of an escape room with an immersive mission. Unfortunately the minimum age is six, so Nixie and I could not try it this time, but everyone I spoke to who had done it said it was brilliant. This is definitely one to flag for families with slightly older children.

Dining & Bars: Choice For Every Mood

Even in just a day visit, it was clear that Arvia has a huge amount of choice when it comes to food and drink, which is ideal for families with fussy eaters or different tastes.

• The buffet restaurant is enormous, with a big variety of dishes as you would expect on a modern cruise ship.
• There are numerous bars and lounges, each with its own character, so you can choose anything from a relaxed coffee to a more sophisticated cocktail spot once the kids are in bed or at the evening club sessions.

I felt that P&O really looked after us and the overall standard of food and service came across very well, even in the short time we were onboard.

Cabins: Comfortable And Nicely Finished

We were able to see some of the cabins too. They are done very nicely: modern, comfortable and practical for families. Storage is always a big consideration when you are sharing a cabin with children and although we did not stay overnight, I got a positive impression of how they are laid out.

Again, everything felt more “new ship” than you might expect from a ship that has now been in service a little while, which I think will reassure parents who want somewhere comfortable to retreat to at the end of a busy day.

Final Thoughts: Is Arvia Right For Your Family?

Based on our day onboard, I would definitely recommend Arvia as a fantastic family cruise ship, whether you are:

• First‑time cruisers, a bit unsure but keen to try a family‑friendly ship, or
• Seasoned cruisers wanting a newer, feature‑packed ship that works beautifully for all ages.

For us, the highlights were:

• Thoughtfully designed kids’ clubs with clear age separation
• Plenty of outdoor space and different pool areas, including that gorgeous aft infinity pool
• A safe, shaded splash park that little ones like Nixie will adore
• Adventure options like the ropes course and Mission Control that will really appeal to older children and teens
• A very British feel in places, like the pub, which many families will find comforting and familiar

Most importantly, Nixie absolutely loved it. Her verdict was a very decisive 10 out of 10, which, as any parent knows, is the review that really matters.

Not Just For Families: Great For Adults Too

Although we went onboard very much with “family ship” in mind, I actually think Arvia works brilliantly for adults as well. Those beautiful infinity pool areas feel incredibly relaxing and grown‑up, and there are adult‑only spaces around the ship where you can switch off completely. I loved the pool bars with seats in the water, which give you that real holiday feeling as you sit with a drink, still dipped in the pool. In the evening, the entertainment really comes into its own. The show we watched was absolutely amazing, and there is lots of family entertainment across the ship too, so you can do as much or as little as you like. So yes, I would absolutely recommend Arvia not only for families, but also for adults travelling without children, whether that is couples, friends or mixed‑age groups who want a fun, relaxed ship with plenty going on.

If you would like to know more about Arvia, talk through whether she is a good fit for your family, or start planning your own cruise holiday, I would be delighted to help.