P&O has held the traditional coin-laying ceremony for the new P&O Arvia at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The coin-laying ceremony is an ancient shipbuilding tradition meant to bring good luck to the ship and its crew throughout construction and into its future at sea.
“This is a new milestone in the history of P&O Cruises new builds. The Arvia will be our second ship powered by liquefied natural gas as part of P&O Cruises’ ongoing commitment to sustainable travel,” said P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow during the ceremony. “You’ll spend your holidays in the Mediterranean in the summer and in the warmth of the Caribbean during the winter, as the Arvia will be our ‘sunshine ship’… The coins placed under the Arvia’s keel today come from Barbados, our winter homeport, an island that has held a special place in our hearts for more than 20 years,” Ludlow added.
The next steps are completing the assembly of the ship's stern section at the dock, as well as the subsequent outfitting of the vessel. The Arvia will be delivered in December 2022 and will make its maiden voyage to the Canary Islands, followed by a winter season in the Caribbean.
The ship has 16 decks and will feature the Altitude Skywalk, a unique high ropes course experience, a swim-up bar and infinity pool, the new Mission Control, a multi-sensory escape room, a new Green & Co restaurant with Mizuhana serving a plant and fish-based menu, the Ocean Studios cinema, 1,300 square meters of shops and the Oasis Spa and Health Club.
