Arvia vs Iona - 10 Key Differences Between P&O Cruises New Ships
10 Key Differences Between P&O Cruises Arvia & Iona
Arvia vs Iona: A Comparison 2022/2023
P&O Cruises new ship Arvia - sister ship to Iona - debuts in December 2022. They share many similarities, but there are also some differences. Check out these key features/highlights on P&O Arvia.
New Features on P&O Arvia
P&O Cruises have hit on a magic formula for building fabulously family-friendly cruise ships with contemporary appeal for adults. Current flagship Iona entered service last year (2021) and quickly became a firm favourite. Now new ship P&O Arvia is on the horizon and people are asking are the sister ships twins. I’m here to answer this for you - yes and no. However, whilst there are lots of familiar family traits, there are some sensational features belonging to Arvia alone. Let’s take a look at what sets P&O Arvia apart from Iona.
Vital Statistics
P&O Iona (top) and P&O Arvia (Bottom) Exterior Views. What are the differences? Images: P&O Cruises
Both Iona and Arvia are Excel Class ships with 19 decks, lengths of 345 m/1132 ft, beams of 42 m/138 ft each with capacity of 5206 - 6264 guests, Arvia is marginally heavier, however at 184700 GT compared with Iona’s 184089 GT- not much difference, but she is a heavyweight in other ways too.
2. Swim up Bar
Swim-up Pool on P&O Arvia - Render Image: P&O Cruises
Both Iona and Arvia offer a plethora of pools, with Iona’s aft infinity pool being a huge draw. However, Arvia boasts the fleet’s first swim-up bar, with a very sociable amount of water seats - 12 to be precise, with additional seating at the edge of the pool where you can enjoy your cocktail.
3. Sky-Dome
Retractable SkyDome on P&O Arvia (Render) Image: P&O Cruises
What, I hear you say? But Iona debuted the Sky-Dome! Indeed, but this new iteration on Arvia is RETRACTABLE! That means, of course, that when the weather is good the roof can open up to offer alfresco dining, open-air cinema and entertainment.
4. New Dining options
Arvia, like sister ship Iona, will offer Freedom Dining so you are free to eat where and when you choose. There are some of our firm favourite restaurants - Sindhu for example- and venues that debuted on Iona such as Keel & Cow and the familiar options at The Quay; but Arvia has some culinary surprises in store. Arvia knows a thing or two about tempting our palates, such as Green & Co featuring Mizuhana, new restaurant exclusive to Arvia offering guests exquisitely crafted fish and plant-based dishes. Then there is the all-new 6th Street Diner new for Arvia which is an all-American diner serving breakfast, brunch, dinner and sweet treats, accompanied with great music and ice-cold cocktails. Bound to be a huge favourite with Arvia’s Brit guests is Roast at The Quays offering traditional lunches served with a modern twist, including a jumbo Yorkshire pudding filled with Sunday roast favourites. Yummy!
5. An Escape Room Experience
Mission Control - New Escape Room Experience on P&O Arvia Image: P&O Cruises
We all like to escape on a cruise - but on Arvia this takes on a whole new meaning with new attraction, Mission Control. Mission Control is the first ever escape room at sea, a unique immersive experience, combining an escape game with multimedia simulation and a live-action story. Arvia offers two, 2-hour experiences - a family-friendly adventure suitable for all ages and an adventure designed for adults. This is bound to have a huge appeal.
6. Greatest Days
‘Greatest Days, The Official Take That Musical’ Image: P&O Cruises
That’s not to say that the days on Iona are any less great - this is the title of a brand new feel-good musical exclusive to Arvia. Iona may very well boast the talented Mr Gary Barlow as Brand Ambassador and Musical Director, but Arvia is to have ‘Greatest Days, the Official Take That Musical’, an adaptation of The Band Musical which has been created in collaboration with members of Take That and featuring many of their greatest Songs. I think this show is set to ‘shine’ - it will definitely relight my fire, that’s for sure.
7. Tidal Rum
P&O Cruises exciting collaboration with The Tidal Rum on Arvia Image: P&O Cruises
Iona may have her Mirabelle Gin Distillery, but Arvia boasts the first rum distilliery at sea. P&O Cruises has formed an exclusive partnership with award-winning pioneer of British coastal rum, The Tidal Rum which will create a unique rum blend especially for Arvia’s Caribbean sailings. The rum’s maiden production will take place on board Arvia in the first rum distillery at sea in Anderson’s Bar.
8. High Jinx with Altitude
Whilst kids are very well catered for on Iona with various kids clubs, on Arvia literally the sky’s the limit. A high ropes experience, tropical themed mini-golf and water splash zone will all form part of a new top deck Altitude experience on Arvia when she launches in December. The ship will include a number of “adventure firsts” set high up on the top deck. There is even a new sports arena where kids of all ages can play football, basketball, short tennis or cricket.
9. SPAr-Via
Arvia Spa Thermal Suite - Image Credit Richmond International
The Oasis Spa is essential for some indulgent R&R on both Iona and Arvia, and includes a range of facilities and treatments common to both. They each have a thermal suite with sauna, sensory steam room, experiential showers and hydro-therapy pool. Arvia, however, has a few extra indulgent surprises for us, with two VIP couples suites featuring their own private hammam and sauna. Additionally, she boasts a therapeutic cool room, a wonderful salt sauna and the ‘Kneipp Walk’, where a pebble foot massage combines with hot and cold-water treatments to rejuvenate your feet and boost your circulation.
10. Itineraries
Martinique - One of Arvia’s Caribbean Ports of Call Image: P&O Cruises/Getty
Whilst Iona is currently home-ported in Southampton year round, with itineraries predominantly including the Norwegian Fjords, the Western Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, Arvia will be more of a gadabout. Following some initial inaugural cruises to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, Arvia will head west in early 2023 transatlantic to reposition for some Caribbean itineraries, before returning later in the year to offer some Mediterranean cruises from Southampton.
And that One Similarity…?
… the fact that both P&O Arvia and Iona benefit from outstanding contemporary design which maximises bringing the outside in.
So whilst Arvia may have a different look and feel to Iona, being built to sail in the sun, the inherent DNA is the same. What I can say in all certainty, is that whatever the differences, whichever ship you choose (and I’d recommend trying both), you are bound to have a fabulous time as each will provide an elevated experience for you to enjoy.