P&O Arvia Food and Drink FAQ
P&O Arvia Dining
All you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions - Restaurants & Bars on P&O Arvia
(Updated July 2023)
All you need to know about Food & Drink (Restaurants & Bars) on P&O Arvia
For me, dining is one of the things I look forward to most on a cruise. In this post, I will cover some of the most frequently asked questions about food & drink on P&O Arvia: from which restaurants are included in your Arvia cruise fare to the cost of the various drinks packages; or whether there is Freedom Dining on Arvia and what the dress code is onboard.
The food on a cruise can make or break it for me - It’s the first thing I check out after my cabin choice. I have had some wonderful dining firsts on P&O Cruises: my first escargot; my first frogs’ legs (sorry to my vegan friends); my first lobster and, back in the day, my first (and last) grand “midnight buffet” complete with ice sculptures. Dining at sea has changed immeasurably since our first cruise, when choice of restaurant was main dining at a set time with a group of strangers, or the buffet. Now our expectations have risen and I am happy to say P&O Cruises have pulled out the stops on their new ship Arvia to surpass them, including some fabulous contemporary venues.
How Many Restaurants are there on P&O Arvia Cruise Ship?
The Quays on P&O Arvia. Image: P&O Cruises
There are around 30 restaurant, bar and lounge options onboard new ship P&O Arvia. P&O have classified the restaurants on Arvia to make it easier to choose the right venue to suit your needs - some tick multiple boxes of course:
Horizons Restaurant is included on P&O Arvia Image: Partner Ship Design
Keel & Cow Select Restaurant on P&O Arvia Image: P&O Cruises
Fresh & Informal (think delicious buffets, snacks, food on the go, etc.)
From buffets to poolside snack bars, these casual spots are the perfect places to stop by and tuck into a tasty bite on Arvia. With options available all day and even late at night, you can enjoy delicious dishes whenever you feel peckish.
Contemporary Flavours (whatever your appetite you will find light bites or full multi-course meals focussing on modern British favourites)
From light bites to decadent dinners, there’s a menu for every appetite. You’ll find traditional British favourites and exotic world flavours available throughout the day, as well as special dishes created by P&O Cruises Food Heroes.
Served with Entertainment (unique venues offering cabaret style dining with entertainment)
Visit one of these unique venues on Arvia and you might be treated to the sounds of a lively cabaret band or a solo singer during a sumptuous three-course dinner. Or you could hear secrets from the career of a famous chef while watching them create a mouth-watering meal.
Chic & Special (indulgent restaurants with the X-Factor - perfect for special occasions or just because you deserve it
Whether you’re celebrating a certain occasion or simply keen to indulge in an extra-special foodie experience, these restaurants have the wow factor. Settle into chic surroundings, enjoy flawless service and take your pick from delicately crafted, delectable dishes.
Family Favourites offering something for the whole family to enjoy.
Perfect for the whole family - promising great food and good times. Munch on burgers and hot dogs by the pool, sit down for a family meal to mark a special occasion, or head to the early children’s buffet tea to enjoy healthy options and treats for all tastes.
Is there Freedom Dining on P&O Arvia?
Yes - in fact, in a first for P&O Cruises, there are no set dining times on Iona. Instead all restaurants exclusively offer Freedom Dining between 6-9 pm. At busy times you may be offered a pager which will alert you when your table is ready. You can of course reserve the same table each night, with the same people if that’s what you prefer which can be done through My P&O or your cruise personaliser.
Can Dining Venues be Pre-booked for whole cruise?
You can usually book your dining options via My P&O or your cruise personaliser about three months in advance of your cruise. Alternatively, you can contact each venue by phone or in person once on board, and the restaurant managers will be happy to accommodate you. We have often done this after our first night onboard and requested the same table at same time every night.
Which Meals/Food Are included onboard Arvia?
You could actually eat 24 hrs a day if you had the appetite/stamina! Choose from a complimentary room service breakfast or grab and go, to a full English in either the buffet or main dining rooms; delicious mid-morning snacks; a light lunch or a three course hearty meal: afternoon tea and/or poolside grills; children’s tea; early or late formal or informal dinner, and late night nibbles. Throw in complimentary ice cream and everyone is happy!
Which Restaurants are Free onboard Arvia?
The following restaurants are complimentary and included in your cruise price on P&O Arvia:
Horizon Restaurant
The Quays including:
Roast
Hook, Line & Vinegar,
Fusion
The Boardwalk Diner
The Main Dining Rooms:
Coral
Opal
Aqua
Pearl
The Chefs Table
6th Street Diner
Taste 360
Grab & Go Bar
Poolside Grill
Poolside Pizzeria
Children’s Tea
The Olive Grove (although some dishes carry supplement)
More details on specific restaurants can be found in my related post HERE.
What is Select Dining and Is There Select Dining on Arvia?
Select Dining refers to the speciality restaurants (those attracting a supplement). There are several of these onboard (see below) offering lots of variety. Whilst included dining on Arvia is exceptional, sometimes you may want something a little different (especially on longer itineraries), or somewhere extra special for a celebration. Select restaurants can usually be booked in advance via your cruise personaliser.
Is Room Service Included on Arvia?
A small supplement applies to each item ordered on room service, apart from breakfast, which is included in the price of your holiday.
What Speciality (Select) Restaurants are there on P&O Arvia?
The following restaurants are at additional cost (or ‘a little extra’ as P&O word it), either by dish or a one-off supplement:
NEW Green & Co feat. Mizuhana,
The Keel & Cow (Items individually priced)
The Epicurean (from £28 pp)
Sindhu (Items individually priced)
The Glass House (Items individually priced)
The Limelight Club (from £25 pp)
Vista’s Café Bar (Items individually priced)
Ocean Grill
The Cookery Club (supplement)
Afternoon Tea (various venues - free in Horizon
Eric Lanlard’s Afternoon Tea £17.50 pp
The Beach House (from £7.50 pp)
Ripples (Ice Cream/Gelato)
Find out more detail in my related post HERE.
Is Afternoon-Tea included on Arvia?
Afternoon Tea is complimentary in many restaurants onboard including Horizon Restaurant and Meridian, Zenith etc. For something a bit special it is worth splashing out on the Eric Lanlard Afternoon Tea in Epicurean.
Is Ice-cream free on P&O Arvia?
No, there are no free self-serve ice cream stations on Arvia. However, if you can wait until 5pm for your sweet chilly treat, free ice cream is available in Horizon Restaurant during the Children’s Early Tea. Or why not treat yourself in Ripples?
What is the dress code in restaurants on Arvia? Is There a formal Night on Arvia?
In the daytime guests can wear their normal holiday/resort clothes (other than swimwear) in any of the venues. Footwear is also required.
In the evenings, there are essentially two dress codes for adults (over 18s) effective after 6 pm - 'Evening Casual' and 'Black Tie'. For most evenings Evening Casual applies: think trousers or smart dark denim with open- necked shirts, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits etc. but no joggers or sportswear. In hot climates smart tailored shorts are also acceptable in the buffet restaurant. Of course you are welcome to dress up to the nines if you prefer. ‘Formal Nights’ have been rebranded ‘Black Tie’ and include Celebration or Gala Night, when guests are expected to dress appropriately in most restaurants. Tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with ties; cocktail dresses, or even your most glamorous ball gown are suitable options. Whilst formal National dress or military uniforms are also acceptable attire, there is no place for fancy dress. The exception to the above are P&O Cruises themed nights - 70s disco, 80s pop, colourful tropical or splendid black and white nights - and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas..
There are usually one-two black tie/gala nights on a 7 night cruise and up to four on a fourteen nights cruise.
Is Drinking Water Free on P&O Arvia?
Filtered drinking water is complimentary in dining venues - either via a self-serve dispenser, or served at the table in other restaurants. Bottled still or sparkling water is charged for, unless you have a soft or alcoholic drinks package,
Is Tap Water Safe To Drink on Arvia?
Tap water is perfectly safe to drink on Arvia, having been through a thorough filtration and treatment process.
Are Drinks Included With Meals on P&O Arvia?
Drinks are not included with meals apart from juice at breakfast together with filtered “tap” water, tea & coffee. In the Horizon buffet you can also get self-serve squash-type drinks. You will also be served iced water in restaurants. You can purchase a range of drinks packages - alcoholic and non alcoholic, should you wish (see below). Drinks menus are priced in £ Sterling.
How much are the Drinks Packages on P&O Arvia? (Updated July 2023)
Unlike some cruise lines, P&O Drinks Packages do not vary by itinerary or length of cruise. Here are the current prices* for the various packages (past-P&O Cruisers please note that the drinks packages have had a huge makeover):
The Refresh drink package replaces the Childrens' Drinks Package offering a selection of soft drinks - Price before holiday: £9.85 | On-board price: £10.95 (per person, per day)
• The Alcohol-free drink package is an improved Non-Alcoholic Drinks Package. With this package, guests get an enhanced range of soft drinks, non-alcoholic beers, non-alcoholic wines and non-alcoholic spirits, and selection of Costa Coffee (small). Price before holiday: £22.45 | On-board price: £24.95 (per person, per day)
• The Classic drink package offers a wide range of soft drinks, hot drinks, beers, 175ml wines, 125ml prosecco, selected range of cocktails and selected 25ml spirits including P&O Cruises exclusive Golden Tide Rum and Marabelle Gin. Price before holiday: £40.45 | On-board price: £44.95 (per person, per day)
• The Deluxe drink package offers everything from the Classic and more! This includes 25ml and 50ml measures of most spirits, a wider selection of wines by the glass (including 250ml), a further selection of cocktails and the full range of Costa Coffee. Price before holiday: £49.45 | On-board price: £54.95 (per person, per day).
To find out what’s Included in the Drinks Packages on P&O Arvia see my related guide HERE
Where Do you Purchase a Drinks Package on Arvia?
You can buy packages at any bar on board until midnight on night two of your cruise and you can use your package in all the restaurants, bars and cafés on board.
Any loyalty discount will be applied when purchasing a drinks package.
Can you pre-purchase drinks packages on P&O Cruises?
You can pre-purchase in advance of your cruise via My P&O Cruises.
How Many Bars Does Arvia Have?
There are thirteen fabulous bars onboard P&O Arvia - you definitely won’t go thirsty!
How Much do Drinks Cost on Arvia
Drinks on Arvia are very reasonable - similar to pub prices (at least for a Southerner).
As an indication of prices, draught beer is around £4.75 per pint; Wine by the glass costs from £5.25 for 175cl; Bottles of wine start at around £18.95 (Bottle of Prosecco £23); cocktails range from around £4.95; spirits range from £3.75 for a single; draught soft drinks (mixers) £2.25. All prices correct at time of writing (Sept 2022.
Can you take your own drinks onboard Arvia?
You may take unlimited soft drinks and water onboard at embarkation, and if over 18 years of age, up to 1 litre of alcohol per person (this can be spirits or wine/champagne). If you purchase any alcohol ashore at ports of call, this will be taken and stored for you until you disembark at the end of your cruise (remember any bags go through a scanner when you come back onboard so there is no hiding place!)
What Beer is Served on Arvia?
Each bar menu differs slightly, with some varied options. There really is an extensive range onboard. You can find real ales such as Bateman xxxB & Adnams Ghost Ship; popular draught beers such as: Stella, Fosters, Peroni and John Smiths. If you have a bitter drinker in your party, there are many options from the common Old Speckled Hen and Fuller’s London Pride to more contemporary choices such as BrewDog.
What bars/lounges are On P&O Arvia
The Glass House Wine Bar on P&O Arvia Image: P&O Cruises
At every turn you will find a delightful watering hole - no need to ever go thirsty. Choose from:
Deck Bars - if you are lucky with the weather enjoy a refreshing drink on deck or by the pool.
Sunset Bar - ideal for a sundowner at the end of the day but equally it’s the perfect spot to chill out in the day.
Vistas Cafe Bar - patisseries, Costa coffee and Teapigs! What more do you need!
Ripples - gelato afternoon tea or a simply delicious cone.
The Glass House - Wine Bar
The Keel & Cow - Gastropub
Emerald Bar - Exploratory cocktails with a twist.
Anderson’s Bar - gin bar with its own distillery
Crow’s Nest - fabulous views and signature cocktails.
The Club House
The 710 Club - Sophisticated vintage style music bar
Brodie's - lively British style pub vibe
The Limelight Club - Supper Club
P&O Cruise Favourites:
Sky Bar
Laguna Bar
Crystal Bar
Beachcomber Bar
Panorama Bar
Infinity Bar
Sundaes
What is Arvia’s Speciality Marabelle Gin And Where Is It Made?
Marabelle Gin by Salcombe Distillery Co onboard P&O Arvia Image: P&O Cruises
Marabelle Gin is a new boutique blend of gin created specifically for P&O Cruises by the Salcombe Distillery Co. Not only is it bespoke to P&O Cruises, it is actually distilled on board (the first distillery at sea was on Iona in fact). The working copper distillery celebrates artisan gin and rum. Situated to the side of the bar in Anderson’s Bar and, it’s the focal point for master classes and tastings. Connoisseurs will also love the bar’s enviable collection of boutique gins and rums.
You can find out more information about P&O cruises newest ship by visiting my ‘All Things P&O Arvia’ page, or better still subscribe below.
Drinks on a bar. Image: Rebecca Orlov | Epic Playdate on Unsplash