P&O Cruises' Arvia Expert Review
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From the ship, you'll get great views of Soberania National Park, a 55,000-acre area of protected rainforest that's home countless species of birds, mammals and reptiles. See if you can catch a glimpse of an orange-chinned parakeet or a white-faced capuchin monkey. If you choose the Saver fare you can still choose your preferred grade of cabin, but it will be a “guarantee” cabin meaning you won’t know it’s location until you board. If you decide on this fare (in actual fact whichever you choose), I do recommend, that you take out comprehensive travel insurance which covers you should you need to cancel. The most obvious change to come from the refurbishment, however, was the giant Union Jack livery that was painted on the ship’s hull as part of a fleet-wide branding. A not-so-subtle reminder of P&O Cruises' uniquely British brand of cruising.
Sundaes ice cream bar
All of our ships are fabulous for adults, because we provide plenty of opportunities for tranquil moments whilst children, if they are on board, are being kept fully entertained in their own clubs and activities. And out of school holidays, you will find few children travelling anyway. Having said this, we do reserve a few of our ships exclusively for adults. We realise that it’s not always possible to arrive at a scheduled time, especially if you’re travelling a long way, or are checking out from a hotel. So if you do arrive early, please rest assured that we will do our best to get you checked in and on board as soon as possible. There are refreshments available at the terminal and plenty of seating to make you comfortable should you have to wait.
Here's what our guests say about cruising from Southampton
You’ll be pleased to know that Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Britannia, Iona and Ventura sail from Southampton to wonderful destinations all over the world. So take your pick of our Southampton cruises and set sail. Whether you decide to travel by car, coach, train or taxi, Southampton is easy to reach by any mode of transport. From peaceful landscapes to bustling cities, this region is all about diversity. Explore the winding cobbled streets of Lisbon’s Old Town by tuk-tuk or set off on a rafting adventure in the heart of the Galician countryside.
Ventura Review
The latter’s flexitarian menu offers a mix of sushi and plant-based dishes. For families there's a new submarine-themed "Escape Room" experience called Mission Control. But despite the two 5,200-passenger cruise ships being structurally nearly identical, Arvia is by no means a carbon copy of Iona.
Fares on P&O Cruises
These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. To maximise the cost-effectiveness of your P&O cruise you will need to understand the fares and decide which represents best value for you. Families will love the flexibility of The Reef children’s clubs, which offer safe havens for teens and little ones alike. Note that passengers are almost exclusively British, with many so loyal they would not dream of cruising with another line. A mini-refit in 2015 saw Marco Pierre White's The White Room replaced by The Epicurean, a molecular gastronomy restaurant which debuted on Britannia.
With 3,100 passengers onboard, the ship can feel crowded -- especially on sea days when the sun loungers are packed tightly on deck -- exposing a real lack of shaded areas. However, passengers wanting a more luxurious experience can book themselves in to the much quieter Retreat (Deck 17, forward) --a private VIP area with comfier loungers and waiter-service. The Retreat is the line's take on the popular ship-within-a-ship concept that has become popular on both MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. A two-week pass costs £350 for two passengers, which is pricey enough to mean that it never gets too busy. At the heart of Arvia's deck plan is the all-new and lighter Grand Atrium with three-storey glass walls filling the space with bright, widescreen sea views. Arvia also has the first rum distillery at sea as well as two new restaurants, 6th Street Diner and Green & Co.
Set sail for less!
Alternatively there's also the adults-only Retreat -- an extra-fee outdoor sanctuary with loungers, two whirlpools, on tap refreshments and beautiful vistas. There are five P&O Cruises family cruise ships and each one is packed with amazing things to do. From escape room experiences and aqua zones to tranquil spas, infinity pools and cinemas, there’s something for everyone. The Reef children’s club offers zones for different age groups on each family-friendly ship, and there’s a world of dining and entertainment to enjoy, plus glittering stage shows, live music and even silent discos. The type of accommodation can be chosen when booking, and will vary depending on category. Generally, the more luxurious the cabin choice, the more facilities that are included.
What can you do on a P&O Cruises ship?
We met many guests who didn’t bother upgrading to a balcony for this reason and had no regrets. Also popular are Outside cabins on the lower decks 4 and 5, with very large windows, unobstructed sea views and tend to feel less movement. Our family-friendly ships all include children’s clubs with zones for different age groups. And if you look in more detail, you’ll notice the individual features that each ship has.
Life onboard revolves around the classy central atrium, from which Azura's many amenities -- including a lot of retail outlets -- can be reached. For those travelling on a fly-cruise, luggage restrictions apply. With our unlimited luggage allowance, you have the freedom to bring as many bags as you can comfortably fit into your cabin. Although no item of individual luggage should weigh more than 23kg. There are no size limits for liquid toiletries on P&O Cruises holidays from Southampton. This means you can bring all of your favourite full size toiletries.We allow guests to bring 1 litre of any alcohol, including spirits, per person on board.
Southampton is our home port and all our holidays that start in the UK sail from here. We also offer fly-cruises, though, so you might jet to a sunny destination such as Barbados, Valletta, Sydney, Tenerife or Dubai and set sail on your adventure from there. Our fleet of ships epitomises the best of modern British cruising and offers an unrivalled holiday experience. Night nurseries are also available at no extra charge. Usually the cheapest fare available if booking a long way in advance. You will have a guarantee cabin and can state your dining preference, but the latter isn’t assured until you are onboard.
While there are some cabins on Deck 16 (the same level as the Horizon buffet) the vast majority of staterooms are located on Decks 9 to 15. Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. Keep an eye on your inbox to verify your email, and for exciting offers and news. Wherever you go, you'll find that first-time feeling, every time.
P&O Cruises Australia Alcohol Policy - Cruise Critic
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That means you have at least a full day at sea to get used to your ship and have as much fun as you can squeeze in. A typical two-week cruise will have four formal nights and the rest will be 'evening casual', which is defined as open necked shirt and 'tailored trousers' or smart jeans for men; dress or casual separates for women. Elsewhere there's the Horizon buffet on Deck 16 as well as Deck 8's The Quays, a food court which offers small prepared plates alongside stands serving noodles, fish and chips and "Roast in the Quays". This is another new-to-the-line offering and is an original take on the traditional Sunday Roast -- dished up in a giant Yorkshire pudding instead of on a plate. No, though tips are included in the price of the cruise and you won't find the rampant upcharging you get on US lines. You'll pay extra for speciality restaurants, adults-only relaxation areas, the spa (treatments and thermal suite access), alcoholic and soft drinks.
Yes, there are still the over-60s that P&O is known for attracting, but also lots of families with children, especially in the school holidays. In fact, it is hard to find signs of traditional P&O Cruises in the hardware -- no card room for example (a mainstay on the older, smaller adults-only ships), no faux fireplaces or trompe d'oeil artwork to be found anywhere. There are also no art auctions, just a gallery with discreetly priced artwork. There's a casino onboard as well, albeit a small one. P&O cruisers veer on the side of smart during the evening (not Cunard smart, but certainly not casual or scruffy), with casual during the day -- shorts, T-shirts, baseball caps and flip flops are perfectly acceptable day wear. On elegant nights passengers tend to make an effort and you'll see a range of clothing from ball gowns and black tie to and dark suits and long dresses and heels.
Prices shown reflect the lowest price available for each cruise, are per person based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of cabin available within the applicable cabin type and are subject to availability. Arcadia and Aurora are our two ships that are exclusively for adults. There has never been a more stylish way to see the world! Nothing beats the feeling of stepping on board a new ship for the first time. Whether you're new to cruising, or a veteran of the high seas, your moments on board Britannia are sure to be truly memorable.
Arvia has a top deck mini golf and high-ropes course and swim-up bar -- firsts for P&O Cruises. The popularity of these amenities, however, has introduced some congestion to the top deck's wake pool area which tends to get crowded early on in the day. Thankfully the roof above its Sky Dome has been designed to retract, giving top decks an extra outdoor swimming pool. This is the price point many travel agents quote you initially. The Select Fare is all about choice and flexibility. You should note, however, that the Select fare isn’t ‘all inclusive’ and doesn’t include Wifi or drinks.
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