P&O to feature first-ever escape room experience aboard new ship Arvia

P&O Cruises new Excellence-class cruise ship Arvia will debut the cruise line’s first-ever escape room experience.

The multi-sensory escape room will be set underwater aboard a fictional submarine called Arvia II, with participants required to complete a series of live-action puzzles.

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The Mission Control escape room sees a character called Dr. Ryan lead an expedition that P&O Cruises says contains multiple storylines, suitable for all ages, with a “film-like plot of twists and turns including motion simulation”.

“Holidays are all about new experiences and the immersive escape room will create unforgettable action-packed moments with family and friends,” said Paul Ludlow, President, P&O Cruises.

“Mission Control will expand our onboard entertainment offering even further, giving guests an opportunity to create unique bonding experiences they will talk about for years to come,” he added.

Escape rooms are interactive experiences in which people are “trapped” in a room for a set period of time and can only “escape” by solving a series of puzzles.

They’re a fairly recent addition to the array of activities offered on large cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean offers escape rooms on eight of its ships, with space-themed puzzle games, underwater adventures, and futuristic settings.

Aboard Norwegian Encore, there’s a Spanish galleon-themed escape room, while passengers on Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess can take part in the “Phantom Bridge” escape room.

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Arvia is expected to enter service in December, 2022, she is a sister ship to Iona, but will feature a number of new experiences, such as the escape room, and the previously announced Altitudes, which will comprise a high ropes experience, mini-golf and a water splash zone.

Not much has been released about Arvia in terms of her interior design, amenities, experiences and facilities, but Iona carries 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew, and boasts a three-deck-high atrium with a grand staircase.

She also offers 17 restaurants, including 8 specialty restaurants, and 12 bars, an entertainment venue called The Skydome, featuring a retractable stage for shows, as well as a half-mile-long lanai deck with a covered promenade, with outdoor restaurants.

She is the eighth of a planned total of nine Excellence-class ships in the Carnival Corporation fleet and will be the second launched for P&O Cruises.