P&O Cruises new ship Arvia, it’s second Excel-class cruise ship, will homeport in Barbados and Antigua from January, 2023, offering Arvia Caribbean fly-cruise packages for the UK cruise market.

Arvia is a sister ship to Iona and will spend her maiden season cruising the Caribbean out of Barbados, visiting new ports of call for P&O, such as feature La Romana in the Dominican Republic, as well as old haunts like Curaçao; Martinique; St Kitts; St Lucia and St Maarten.

P&O Cruises’ new LNG mega ship Iona, sister ship to Arvia.

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The ship is due for launch in December, 2022, and will head directly for the Caribbean, sailing her winter cruise program from January to March before repositioning to Southampton.

Arvia Caribbean cruises will be available as 7-, 14- or 22-night itineraries. The 7 and 14-night itineraries both include overnight calls in Barbados, while the 22-night itineraries is a two week Caribbean cruise followed by a trans-Atlantic repositioning voyage.

Bridgetown, Barbados

P&O Cruises has not announced when tickets will go on sale, but has promised it will be very soon.

“We cannot wait to bring our newest ship to our glorious home port of Barbados and also to Antigua, which will be a first-time turnaround port for P&O Cruises,” said Paul Ludlow, President, P&O Cruises.

“The Caribbean is the optimal maiden season destination for Arvia; a ship where every facet, including unique retractable roof SkyDome and Altitude Skywalk high ropes, is designed to provide exceptional views of the ocean, seashore and surrounding destinations.

Rendering of Arvia at sea.

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“From the very initial concept Arvia has been created to be the epitome of a sunshine resort, developed to be an ideal way to enjoy the Caribbean’s turquoise waters and white sandy beaches like never before,” he added.

P&O haven’t yet revealed much about Arvia’s features and amenities, but we do know she will carry 5,200 passengers and is likely to feature many of the same amenities that have made her sister ship, Iona, such a highly anticipated addition to the British cruise market.

These include her massive atrium, the SkyDome entertainment venue on decks 16 and 17 with a retractable stage, and 7 complimentary restaurants, including 8 specialty restaurants, and 12 bars.

A half-mile-long lanai deck with a covered promenade will offer seaside dining and drinking, along with a range of retail options.