P&O Cruises takes delivery of its...

The official handover ceremony took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany

P&O Cruises has officially taken ownership of Arvia, the latest addition to its fleet.

Similar to its sister ship Iona, the largest cruise ship ever built for the UK market, the line’s latest vessel weighs in at 185,000 tons and is 345 metres in length with 16 guest decks.

Built with sustainability in mind, Arvia is P&O Cruises' second ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the marine industry’s most advanced fuel technology to date. The vessel has an optimised hull design to minimise drag and is installed with the latest energy-efficient technology on board.

Speaking at the ceremony, P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow said: “Arvia, as the latest evolution in the P&O Cruises experience, embodies the newest trends in travel, dining and entertainment and is the epitome of a sunshine resort sailing year-round to the warmest climates.

"It takes its sister ship Iona’s design aesthetic and general arrangement but provides new and exciting outside and inside spaces which make the most of Arvia’s deployment to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean."

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Ludlow adds: “Arvia is a very evident symbol of optimism for the future of the cruise industry as we see a new generation recognising the value for money and individuality of a holiday at sea.”

Arvia’s maiden cruise will take place on 23 December 23 before she departs to the Caribbean on 6 January 2023 to embark on her winter season from Barbados.

For more information, visit www.pocruises.com