Freakshakes, waffles & Buffalo Wings: Spotlight on Arvia’s 6th Street Diner

P&O Cruises is keen (wait for it) to push the boat out when it comes to cruise food on latest ship Arvia.

The vessel – available to book via travel agent Bolsover Cruise Club – launched in December 2022 and has been keeping holidaymakers’ bellies full ever since thanks to restaurants plating up everything from slow-cooked briskets and Sunday roasts to dark chocolate and beetroot pebbles.

A new and exciting concept onboard the newest P&O Cruises ship is 6th Street Diner – an included venue at no extra cost offering food, drinks and good ol’ American hospitality.

As Lukas Campestrini, Food and Beverage Director at Carnival UK – the line’s parent company – told Sailawaze: “6th Street Diner is an elevated step out of an American diner…it will have a range of dishes, featuring great classics plus some regional specialities from the States.”

With Mississippi mud pie, chicken and waffles and freakshakes in the offing, let’s have a closer look at the 6th Street Diner menu.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that American cuisine is both hearty and delicious when done well – and 6th Street Diner answers the prayers of all palettes, from savoury to sweet (although possibly not of those trying to lose weight).

Dietary requirements are also met thanks to a number of vegetarian, gluten-free and low-sugar menu items. So, what can you feast on?

6th Street Diner breakfast

The American joint serves breakfast all day every day – perfect for brunch lovers (read: anyone who fancies a lie-in). Tuck into such dishes as:

The All American
Streaky bacon, smashed sausage patties, eggs sunny-side-up, tater tots and smoky Boston baked beans

Breakfast Burrito
Spicy scrambled tofu, black beans, jalapeños, guacamole and pico de gallo

6th Street Hash
Choose from salt beef or halloumi served with home-style potatoes, fried egg, roasted bell peppers and griddled onions

Of course an American diner would be nothing if it didn’t serve pancakes and waffles – “They’re flipping great!” the all-day menu chimes” – so what’s on the 6th Street Diner menu in this department?

Buttermilk Pancake Stack
Choose from: streaky bacon, jammy blueberry or chocolate and torched banana all served with a maple syrup pot

Fried Chicken & Waffles
Butter and maple syrup

6th Street Diner lunch & dinner

Sometimes it’s savoury bites that call your name – and fear not, Arvia’s new eatery provides! Appetisers comprise:

Nachos
Rainbow corn tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeños, melty hot cheese sauce and lime crema

Tots & Poppers
Crispy tater tots, Cajun cauliflower poppers, smoky BBQ ketchup and a herby garlic dip

Buffalo Wings
Five crispy wings tossed in Buffalo sauce with a blue cheese dip

For full-sized mains, there are multiple classic and regional dishes to choose from in 6th Street Diner. Pick from such tasty options as:

BBQ-Glazed Flat-Iron Chicken
Kansas City dry rub, disco rice and corn relish

Shrimp Po’ Boy
Cajun-fried jumbo shrimp, lettuce, beef tomatoes and creole mayo in a hoagie roll with fries

California Club
Squashed avocado, spring onion rösti, tomato salsa, carrot ribbons, rainbow slaw and charred sweetcorn with fries and 6th Street dip

Sticky Pork Ribs
Fries, pickles, raw slaw and smoky BBQ dip

The Arvia restaurant also offers a salad for those who want to be healthier (good luck) and sides for those who want to order more (well done):

Shrimp Louis
Cajun jumbo shrimp, Romaine lettuce, cucumber, charred corn and Old Bay dressing

Loaded Fries
6th Street seasoning and sizzling cheese sauce

Cajun Corn Ribs
With coriander crema

6th Street Diner desserts

To finish off your meal there’s an excellent dessert selection so you may want to undo another notch on your belt! Sweet treats include:

Mississippi Mud Pie
Whipped cream and sticky chocolate sauce

Strawberry Shortcake
Fresh strawberries, shortcake, strawberry ice cream, meringue and whipped cream

Banana Split
Torched banana, vegan ‘nice’ cream and toasted almonds

Good Ol’ Fashioned Apple Pie
Served warm with whipped cream

It’s not just yummy soul food this Arvia restaurant provides cruisers, though – the spot commits to the classic all-American diner vibe, from ice-cold cocktails to great music.

“We’re really keen to deliver the heart and soul of the experience,” P&O Cruises F&B Director Lukas Campestrini told Sailawaze.

“There will be some great music on the jukebox and we’ll be giving our guests coins they can put in to choose their tracks.

“The music is great, the cocktails are excellent, there is delicious food and I expect it will be really popular with families.”

We’ll pack our eating pants!