P&O Arvia Cruise Review - Europe 2025: The Good, the Bad, and the Crowded
We’ve just returned from a 14-night sailing on board P&O Cruises' Arvia, and in this post I’m sharing my full, honest review of the ship, the itinerary, and the overall experience.
This wasn’t our first time on Arvia, we sailed on her in 2022, but this was our first time returning with a clearer idea of what to expect, and with two children, two prams, and about eleven teddy bears, which have somehow multiplied over the fortnight!
Here’s everything we noticed, loved, and think is worth considering before you book.
.png "P&O Arvia in port")
🛳️ The Basics
- 📍 Ship: P&O Arvia
- 🗺️ Itinerary: “Spain, France & Italy” – Southampton, A Coruña, Mallorca, La Spezia, La Seyne Sur Mer, Barcelona, Cadiz, Southampton
- 📅 Sailing Date: July 2025
- ⏳ Duration: 14 nights
- 🛳️ Embarkation Port: Southampton
📍 Itinerary Overview
This cruise was marketed as a Spain–France–Italy itinerary, with highlights including Barcelona, Palma, and La Spezia. However, there was a last-minute switch from Toulon to La Seyne-sur-Mer (after final payments for the cruise itself), with passengers asked to pay for a shuttle boat if they still wanted to visit Toulon. It felt a little like being charged to attend a party you’ve already RSVP’d to, and caused a few complaints online in advance of our trip.
Some ports required long transfers, and a few weren’t ideal for relaxed sightseeing, particularly if you're not keen on heat, queues, or coach tours. That said, La Seyne-sur-Mer ended up being a quiet gem, with beautiful walks and incredible street art.
🛠️ Ship Overview
Arvia is P&O Cruises’ newest ship (launched in 2022), and very much a modern mega-ship experience. Think light and bright shopping mall meets a five star resort.
There’s a strong emphasis on open space, natural light, and contemporary design, which works beautifully in sunshine, but feels crowded fast when the weather turns.
- 🏊 4 pools + a splash zone (a big hit with our toddler!)
- 🏟️ SkyDome indoor pool area
- 🏢 16 guest decks
- 🍽️ Wide range of restaurants (some included, some extra cost)
- 🎭 Multiple entertainment venues
- 👨👩👧 Family areas including kids’ club, mini golf, and night nursery
🍽️ Dining & Drinks
Dining on Arvia is a mix of included venues (buffet, main dining room, the Olive Grove, Sixth Street Diner etc.) and paid speciality options like Green & Co., Sindhu, The Keel & Cow and The Glass House.
The buffet and Main Dining Room were fine but nothing special, especially if you have dietary restrictions, where things can get repetitive.
The speciality dining, though, was excellent. We paid extra to dine at Green & Co. twice, and it really felt like a proper night out that you wish you could take your Mum friends to. If you’re a foodie, it’s worth the splurge.
I’ve got a full video all about the food on Arvia coming soon, including how they handled allergies, so subscribe on YouTube to catch it.
🎭 Entertainment & Atmosphere
Entertainment is a mixed bag. The theatre shows felt a bit tired; if you’ve cruised P&O before, you’ve probably seen most of them; I certainly remembered the “Festival” show from a few years ago and it hasn’t changed. On our sailing, the headliners included a juggler, a comedian, and a rather polarising Taylor Swift tribute act (who boldly skipped a couple of verses like we wouldn't notice…). She returned as P!nk a few nights later.
However, the entertainment put on for the children was brilliant. There were themed dinners (my eldest had tea with a T. rex) and two different shows throughout the fortnight; the first week was animal themed, and the second week was pop music themed. Our three year old loved them, although I think the engagement would drop off if your children were over 7 or 8 years old.
The atrium looks impressive but functions awkwardly; dining alongside loud shows and constant foot traffic isn't ideal, especially if you’re trying to keep a three year old focussed. At times, it felt more like an airport lounge than a relaxing venue.
The ship’s vibe is friendly and casual, but on grey days or sea days, all the spaces filled up quickly and the swimming pool in the SkyDome resembled an overcrowded fish tank.
😬 What Didn’t Work
- 🌧️ Overcrowding on grey days; indoor spaces got packed
- 🛗 Limited lift availability; especially difficult for those with mobility needs or prams
- 🧭 Accessibility quirks; no full circuit around the top deck, uneven pathways in places
- 🥗 Allergy handling; inconsistent and repetitive (more on this on my YouTube)
- 🚌 Port logistics; long walks and shuttles in multiple destinations
🌟 Highlights
- 🙌 Outstanding staff – they were always kind, attentive, and especially great with the children
- 🍣 Speciality meals – worth the extra cost
- 🧘 Lovely peaceful days on board – I’ve written a full post on why we sometimes don’t get off the ship
- 🛏️ Fresh and modern cabins – despite a few quirks
- 💦 Splash Zone – safe and fun
- 🎨 Unexpectedly lovely port stops – La Seyne-sur-Mer was a surprise gem
- 🧳 Embarkation/disembarkation – quick and well managed
🧾 Our Ratings
Overall Experience: 3.25 / 5
👶 Travelling with Kids?
If you're cruising with a baby or toddler and want to know what Arvia offers for little ones, I’ve written a dedicated family cruise review here:
👉 Arvia with Kids: What Worked, What Didn’t, and the Little Cruiser Score
🎥 Watch the Full YouTube Review
If you'd prefer to watch rather than read, here’s the video version:
▶️ Watch the full Arvia cruise review on YouTube
📲 Follow for More
- 📸 Instagram: @lisschatsship
- ▶️ YouTube: LissChatsShip on YouTube
- 📝 Blog: www.lisschatsship.com
- ✉️ Email: lisschatsship@gmail.com
💬 Have You Sailed on Arvia?
If you’ve cruised on Arvia (or are thinking about it) I’d love to hear your thoughts. Was your experience similar? Did you enjoy the itinerary? Would you cruise her again?
Or do you have other questions I haven’t yet answered? Let me know in the comments or come say hi on Instagram!
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