P&O Cruises: What to do on new cruise ship Arvia from spa days to shopping sprees

P&O Cruises added new ship Arvia to its fleet in December 2022 with its wealth of amazing experiences available onboard receiving lots of attention, from West-End-worthy shows and VR games to mouth-watering meals.

However, should you fancy something more low-key there are plenty of chilled ways to spend your time onboard – in fact, you might not realise the full extent of what there is on offer. From R&R at the spa to retail therapy to art seminars, there are oodles of relaxing activities to enjoy on Arvia cruises.

We’ve had a look at just some of these amazing experiences to get you inspired to book.

Cruise vacations can be high energy what with exciting ports of call, fast-tempo music nights and thrilling games with the gang, but sometimes you just need to indulge in a spot o’ me-time.

That’s where a trip to the spa comes in – Arvia’s Oasis Spa & Health Club, offering an array of traditional and cutting-edge wellness therapies and beauty treatments, is the place to relax, rejuvenate and recharge.

The only conundrum you’ll face here is what treatment to have and what wellness zone to escape to – and you’re not short of choice! There’s an invigorating Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy with heated and cooling chambers, heated lounge chairs and a soothing pre-treatment Relaxation Lounge. Lovely! There’s also The Retreat, an outdoor sanctuary just for adults complete with loungers, a pool, refreshments and blissful vistas.

Want to ramp up the relaxation? There are 18 individual treatment rooms designed to soothe, complete with ocean views where you can give yourself over to the hands of the wellness pros to soothe away stress and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul (as if we needed persuading). These expert therapists offer a wide choice of body treatments, anti-ageing facials, facial rejuvenation and traditional Chinese medicine therapies.

On the menu during Arvia cruises are deep-tissue bamboo massages, aroma stone therapies and restorative salt stone massages – unique treatments that harness the healing power of warm blocks of mineral-rich Himalayan salt – to name a few. Gosh, we feel relaxed just hearing about it.

Suffering from aching joints, backs and muscles? Try the warming body balm and cooling seaweed mask of R3 Pain Management Therapy – Relax, Repair, Relief – which helps to ease inflammation and swelling. Ahhh that’s better.

There’s plenty of excuse to get glammed up on a P&O Cruises sailing and Arvia’s Oasis Spa & Health Club makes you fabulous on the outside too, with the Salon offer premium beauty and grooming services for women and men. Expect a speciality color bar, advanced technology, luxurious Kérastase hair treatments and expert technicians with beauty treatments ranging from blow-dries and beard trims to manicures and waxing.

Perhaps you want to keep tabs on your fitness while away? Easily achieved on Arvia! The Gym & Health Club boasts state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and plenty of gym classes to choose from, such as Tour de Cycle, Body Sculpt Bootcamp, Pure-Form Pilates and Yoga and Functional Stretch.

What’s more, the gym boasts the latest Evolt 360 body scanning technology so you can get a unique 360-degree picture of your physical conditioning to help set individual goals.

You don’t just need to rely on tech, though. Make the most of expert fitness guidance from professional personal trainers while wellbeing consultants can look after both mind and body, advising on nutrition, sleep and stress management. We might go home a whole new person at this rate!

Of course for some people the best therapy of all is retail therapy – and Arvia is here to deliver.

The Avenue boasts over 900sqm of open-plan shopping space showcasing premium fashion, accessories, fine watches, jewellery, beauty and wellness and more.

If you love your labels you’ll relish the presence of more than 200 brands including Mulberry, The White Company, RayBan, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Pandora, Apple, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford, and there are 25-plus sustainable brands, too.

Arvia will also feature more experiential shopping zones, including an infinity table that showcases the latest in tech at sea and luxurious ‘try before you buy’ bars in beauty and liquor stores.

That’s not the only way you can get personally involved – there’s a fabulous ‘design your own’ fine jewellery bar; along with Pandora Brilliance’s lab-produced diamonds and the first-at-sea Swarovski ‘Wonder Lab’ Concept Store.

Dudes don’t worry, you’re far from forgotten – no need to trail behind awkwardly clutching your partner’s handbag here; there’s a new dedicated men’s area on Arvia where you’ll find a barber station and male grooming collections from leading brands such as American Crew, Clinique for Men, Barbour Pro and Clarins for Men.

Want to admire beautiful things but without the temptation of spending? Head to arty hotspot Whitewall Galleries which features a glut of original artwork, limited editions, sculptures and books.

Expect guest favourites such as Sherree Valentine-Daines, Fabian Perez and Philip Gray, as well as newer faces including Mr. Brainwash, Patrick Rubinstein and The Connor Brothers.

Art will be showcased at various events but you’ll also get a chance to learn more at seminars such as ‘Why Do People Spend Millions On Art?’ ‘Street Art; From Banksy to Mr. Brainwash,’ and ‘L.S. Lowry; 20th Century British Master.’

Fancy meeting the maker? On select Arvia cruise ship sailings in 2023 contemporary artists will come onboard to showcase bespoke collections as well as perform live painting demonstrations.

Perhaps you’d rather be in the finished product? The 21st century equivalent of Jack painting Rose, the Photo Gallery on Arvia lets you capture your special vacation moments. Guests can treat themselves to an exclusive photoshoot with a professional photographer who will take you to the best spots onboard and work with you to create a bespoke shoot.

There will also be a photographer around the ship on Celebration Nights and at dinner on Arvia cruises, so if you want your photo taken – simply ask!

There’s also a new 360 photo booth which captures the moment with stunning scenery as an immersive backdrop if you prefer something more fun and casual.

Lastly, you can spend your time on an Arvia cruise planning your time off it. While excursions are best booked ahead of the cruise, you can visit P&O Cruises’ onboad shore experiences team who can help you find and book your perfect day out. Whether you seek high-octane thrills or want to dive into a country’s history, there will be a trip that suits you.

On a Caribbean cruise? In St. Lucia you can take a speed boat to admire the magnificent Pitons before tucking into a barbecue lunch, while in Antigua you can explore the island’s markets and street-food culture on a walking tour.

In the Mediterranean with P&O Cruises? Explore the walled historic heart of Tuscan city Lucca by bike or see Barcelona from a fresh perspective on a coastal stand-up paddleboarding adventure.

Cruising the Canary Islands? Meet some of Tenerife’s most famous chefs and winemakers or take a horse-riding expedition in Gran Canaria.

Whatever you fancy, the P&O Cruises shore experiences team will help you make it happen. And then you can hit the spa on your return.