Inside the entertainment on P&O Cruises’ Arvia – from Take That to escape rooms

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.

Cruise ship Arvia, which launched back in December 2022, with sailings available through Bolsover Cruise Club, boasts similarly amazing entertainment offerings to keep passengers toe-tapping all cruise long.

We’ve had a peek at the brilliant entertainment you can experience onboard…

– READ MORE: What are the best cruise lines for entertainment? –

Theatre on Arvia

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

Stage musical Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical is performed exclusively at sea aboard Arvia. The show 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 standout production is Festival, packed with feel-good anthems, festival vibes and no mud in sight. And for a global virtual journey, Sky’s The Limit uses cutting-edge visuals to whisk guests from New York to Beijing — all without leaving your seat.

These shows are staged in the Headliners Theatre, a state-of-the-art venue with LED screens and a two-deck-high auditorium on decks 6 and 7. Thanks to plush seating and immersive effects, it’s one of the best spots onboard to soak up Arvia’s signature entertainment.

– READ MORE: Which is the best P&O drinks package for you? –

Music on Arvia

Gary Barlow

You know how Take That famously sang they could rule the world? Well, lead singer Gary Barlow is doing just that at sea as Music Director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona. This intimate venue showcases acts hand-picked by Barlow, with a focus on musicianship and storytelling.

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.

Adults-only on Arvia

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!

Fun for kids

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.

Silent disco on Arvia

There’s even a silent disco onboard if you and your pals don’t share the same music taste. Pick a playlist, help yourself to headphones and delight in dancing to the beat of your choosing in Arvia’s atrium. Such an event could cost as much as £50 back in the UK but here on Arvia it’s all included!

Now let’s see if you and your loved ones can time your dance moves to Beyoncé and Fleetwood Mac simultaneously.

– READ MORE: How good is P&O Cruises with children? –

Live performances on Arvia

SkyDome shows

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 and guest tribute acts.

P&O Cruises has even partnered with international entertainment company Creativiva to create bespoke, original shows designed specifically for SkyDome. Expect acrobatics, aerial acts, physical theatre, dance, and music plus all manner of flamboyant costumes, impressive sets and more.

Cinema on Arvia

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!

Impressive venues

Elsewhere, Arvia’s Grand Atrium offers guests dining and entertainment against a backdrop of gorgeous widescreen ocean views. The dramatic triple-height space is the epitome of elegance – check out the striking installation of metal champagne-coloured ribbons framing the great staircase (go on, take a photo for Instagram). According to P&O Cruises, this celebration of curves captures the movement, freedom and spectacle of the ocean.

The buzzy ambience in the atrium will be enhanced by exciting entertainment – think cocktail demos and daring artists performing aerial vignettes under the dramatic chandelier! Just remember not to give the feats a go yourself after one too many Tequila Sunrises…

Magicians on Arvia

Over in Amber Lounge, you’ll be treated to a full programme of live events and entertainment including magicians who will have you ooh-ing and aah-ing as they unveil their incredible tricks. (OK, we support you giving these a go yourself, although perhaps save pulling a rabbit out of a hat until you get home).

Guests can also enjoy local buskers, pop-up talks about the destinations visited and pianists in the lounge.

– READ MORE: What to do during a sea day on Arvia –

Activities on Arvia

Arvia escape room

For a sailing day with a twist, Arvia is home to Mission Control – the first escape room experience at sea.

A unique immersive experience offering two one-hour escapades to choose from, P&O Cruises entertainment venture Mission Control blends an escape game with multimedia simulation and an intense live-action story to create a gripping underwater odyssey.

No longer just a regular holidaymaker, you’ll become an intrepid adventurer of the deep as you form a team of marine explorers and underwater detectives and board the fictional submarine Arvia II.

Amidst incredibly realistic 3D surroundings (think ocean canyons, sunken cities and underwater creatures) and with live actors egging you on, you’ll work to overcome danger and solve puzzles and problems as you try to crack the code and save the day. Expect motion simulation, fully interactive consoles and 3D surround sound to complete the immersive experience.

There’s real science behind it all, too. To create an authentic experience, the developers at Düsseldorf-based technology company, Tennagels, had to understand the controls and technological functions of a real submarine and build these into Arvia II to create a compelling story.

Arvia mini golf

Fancy some fresh air? Arvia’s mini golf course means business. Up on deck 19’s Altitude – the destination for fun and outdoorsy adventures for all the family – you’ll find tropical island-themed mini golf complete with hippos, water hazards and tiki huts. You don’t need Caribbean sunshine to play, though – the nine-hole course is illuminated in the evenings, so there’s even more time to perfect your putts.

We like to embrace P&O Cruises’ entertainment theme by sipping on a Pina Colada while golfing, you know, to help our swing.

– READ MORE: What’s dining like on P&O Cruises ships? –

Why choose Arvia for cruise entertainment?

Whether you’re travelling with teens, escaping as a couple or sailing solo, Arvia delivers a packed schedule of West End-calibre shows, immersive venues, cutting-edge tech and live acts every night of the cruise. It’s one of the most entertainment-focused ships in the P&O Cruises fleet.

– READ MORE: Inside P&O’s adults-only holidays –