Inside the star-studded, music-packed entertainment on new P&O Cruises ship Arvia

P&O Cruises entertainment ranges from breathtakingly talented, all-out evening shows you’ll always remember to live musicians tinkling on the ivories as you sip your cocktail.

New cruise ship Arvia, which launches in December with sailings available through Bolsover Cruise Club, will boast similarly amazing entertainment offerings to keep passengers toe-tapping all cruise long.

Hot on the heels of P&O Cruises revealing the Take That musical will show on Arvia, we’ve had a peek at the brilliant entertainment you can experience onboard when she sails come winter and beyond (you just need to have a little patience…).

Theatre on Arvia

There is cruise ship entertainment galore onboard Arvia, with the latest announcement revealing the arrival of Take That’s biggest hits on the high seas.

Stage musical, Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical, is an adaptation of West End musical The Band, featuring the songs of Britain’s all-time most successful boy band, with a story by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth.

The show follows a group of girls who reunite after 25 years apart and try to fulfil their dream of meeting Take That. Never Forget your teenage crushes, right?

Another production among the entertainment on P&O Cruises ship Arvia is Festival, which promises epic artists along with tents, wellies and feel-good anthems. Yup, all the fun of the fair without any mud, unpleasant portaloos and ungodly queues for a pint. Win.

P&O Cruises entertainment such as these top-drawer theatrical performances on Arvia take place in Headliners Theatre, a classic and contemporary space for entertainment on Arvia cruise ship offering plush, comfortable seating and the latest LED technology.

A huge plus? The two-deck-high auditorium on decks 6 and 7 ensures everyone gets a good view (which you can’t guarantee at Glastonbury, let’s face it).

Music on Arvia

You know how Take That famously sang they could rule the world? Well, lead Singer Gary Barlow is pretty much ruling the seas when it comes to his partnership with P&O Cruises.

Not only are Barlow’s bangers (ahem) lighting up the theatre, but the hitmaker is also Music Director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona, ensuring cracking entertainment on P&O Cruises ships.

The 710 Club is the place to head onboard for all things Gazza – it serves up a raft of musical genres that have inspired the Back for Good singer and the sophisticated bar has been crafted to his creative vision (gosh, wonder what a bar would look like with our creative vision…).

Another music venue onboard for cruise ship entertainment is The Limelight Club featuring ticketed events exclusively for adults. Expect intimate low lighting, some of Britain’s best-loved performers and a fabulous three-course culinary experience (no Barlow included). Sign us up!

It’s not just grown-ups who get their own cool spot for cruise ship entertainment, though. Scene is a chilled games and entertainment hangout for teenagers aged 13 to 17.

Those interested in music can play their favourite bands on the jukebox, learn to DJ or even record a radio broadcast (watch out Roman Kemp). Alternatively, teens of a sporting bent can play football, pool or games consoles; or, dare we say it, simply chat with their newfound pals IRL.

SkyDome

The SkyDome became an iconic look when P&O Cruises unveiled Iona in 2021 and the one onboard Arvia is even better – it’s retractable! The natty sports car of cruise ships if you will!

The multipurpose P&O Cruises entertainment venue hosts myriad amusements for Arvia guests of all ages. There’s everything from family shows, game shows, interviews and cookery demonstrations to live music, guest tribute acts and dazzling aerialists.

Movie lovers will enjoy SkyDome’s open-air cinema SeaScreen – settle in to watch a blockbuster or warm up the vocal cords for classic movie sing-alongs.

Remember though, you can catch a flick any time of day at Ocean Studios, a four-screen cinema complex on Arvia, whether you’re sailing the Canary Islands or Curacao. Screenings run throughout the day catering for all ages, and there’s popcorn, ice cream and snacks to keep you fuelled up.

The fun continues well into the night at SkyDome, too, with dancing and late-night DJ sets under the stars. Celebration Nights even see cocktail parties hosted here. Better pack the fancy frock!

Is Arvia a new ship?

Arvia is a brand new ship which joined the P&O Cruises fleet in December 2022. The name means “from the seashore” and the vessel will be the sister ship to Iona.

According to P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow: “Arvia has been designed to travel to the sun year-round and to maximise views of the ocean and the seashore from everywhere on board.”

Where will Arvia be sailing?

Arvia is offering a series of Mediterranean cruises for the summer of 2023.

In October 2023, Arvia will then return to the Caribbean operating its first full season of fly-cruises from home port Barbados until the end of March 2024.

Is Arvia an adult-only ship?

No, Arvia is not an adult-only ship – the vessel is family-friendly, as are fellow ships Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura.

P&O Cruises’ adults-only ships are Aurora and Arcadia.