The REAL P&O Arvia Mediterranean Cruise Experience!

The REAL P&O Arvia Mediterranean Cruise Experience!

hi everyone today I’m going to share my recent experience aboard the P Ando Avia on a Mediterranean Cruise now I’ve got to be honest there were some highs and lows on this trip and I want to give you all a fair and balanced review so if you’re considering booking a trip on the Avia stay tuned because you’ll want to hear this let’s start with one of the best parts of any Cruise the ports of Co my Mediterranean Journey took us to some incredible destinations first up was La karuna where I explored the beautiful old town and visited the Tower of Hercules a must do if you visit Laruna Laruna is easy to get around as the ship docks right in the Heart of the City the coastal views were absolutely stunning and a perfect way to kick off the trip in MCA I opted for a beach day in palman Nova if you’re looking for a relaxed day soaking up the sun this is the perfect spot the beach was beautiful with soft sand and Crystal Clear Water it was a great change of pace from all the sightseeing you can also get the shuttle bus from the ship to Palmer it stops near the cathedral next we visited Las beia which I used as a gateway to Florence Florence was everything you’d imagine rich in history art and of course amazing food it’s easy to navigate and wander the cobblestone streets the dwomo was certainly a highlight as well Florence’s Old Bridge or the Pont becko in Italian is a medieval pedestrianized bridge at the southern edge of the city’s historical Hub it is one of Florence’s most photographed sites it was a packed day but totally worth it other options from Las beia include a visit to chiner Barcelona was another highlight there’s just so much to see and do I hit the mustsee spot of lasr familiar but honestly just wandering around and taking in the atmosphere was a joy including wandering down L ramblas and visiting the L boqueria Market but be careful as I was warned before visiting several times about pickpockets in Barcelona the city’s vibrant energy is contagious I stayed on board instead of getting off in Marseilles and made the most of arvia being quieter and got an infinity pool to myself however there is a shuttle bus that will drop you off and several people I spoke to said that they enjoyed Mars I had heard mixed reviews previously have you been let me know in the comments if you think it’s a good Port of call K is offered a mix of history and charm the old town is picturesque with its narrow streets and lovely squares the Old Port is gorgeous and I had an amazing time exploring the nearby neighborhoods with their mix of cultures and flavors it’s a bus rling city with a lot to offer each of these stops brought something unique to the table and they were definitely the highlights of the cruise now let’s talk about those seven days at Sea personally I loved having so much time to just unwind and enjoy the ship there’s something incredibly peaceful about being out on the open water with nothing but the Horizon in sight it gave me time to read relax and really disconnect from the usual hustle and bustle that being said I know 7 C days might not be for everyone if you’re someone who craves constant activity or new experiences every day it could start to feel a bit monotonous but for me it was a perfect way to recharge let’s start with one of the biggest challenges I faced finding a sunbed on a sea day now I’ve been on Plenty of cruises but this was something else the ship was absolutely packed with over 6,000 on board and securing a sunbed felt like a competitive sport by 8m most of them were already reserved with towels even though no one was actually using them and let me tell you the search didn’t get any easier as the day went on it was frustrating to say the least and definitely not the relaxing experience you’d H for on holiday p and O really needs to sort this out maybe by enforcing their no reserving policy more strictly or adding more sunbeds where possible otherwise it’s just a scramble and you have no chance of finding a suned by a pool unless you get up early the pools themselves on a Cay were also too small for the number of people on board if you don’t mind not having a sunbed then there are seats available but not necessary near the pools I needed to head to the Sunset Bar at the back of decade great views and comfy chairs another issue I encountered was the of Staff the ship felt seriously understaffed especially in the bars and dining areas on more than one occasion I was left waiting far too long for service and it seemed the crew will run off their feet I know this isn’t the staff’s fault they were doing their best but it’s something P Ando needs to address to keep up with passenger expectations when you’re on holiday the last thing you want is to feel like you’re waiting ages for a drink or a meal so this was a bit of a let down one of the major downsides was just how full the ship was it often felt overcrowded especially during peak times getting from one place to another could be a bit of a challenge with the sheer number of people on board the elevators were often packed and navigating through the ship sometimes felt more like a chore than a leisurely stroll this overcrowding definitely took away from the overall experience and speaking of crowds the main dining areas and buffets were often overwhelmed which leads me to my next point now let’s talk about the food in the main dining room and Buffet I have to say the quality seems to have gone downhill compared to previous P cruises I’ve been on the menu options were limited and the dishes themselves often lack the flavor and presentation I’ve come to expect the buffet was a bit Hit or Miss to with some items tasting a bit Bland or overcooked it’s disappointing especially when you know how good it can be that said there was still some decent meals but overall it didn’t quite hit the mark this time around now if you’re like me and love a good swim or soak in the hot tub you’ll want to know when’s the best time to enjoy the pools with the ship being so full the Pools and Hot Tubs were often busy especially during the afternoons but I found that early mornings and late evenings were the best times to have a quiet more relaxing experience if you’re up for an early start you can have the pool almost to yourself and it’s a great way to kick off the day alternatively after dinner when most people are at the shows or winding down the Pools and Hot Tubs are a lot less crowded but it’s not all doom and gloom there were definitely some food highlights starting with the keys this casual dining area was fantastic great variety and the food here was consistently good it was a breath of fresh air compared to the main dining room synu was another standout the Indian Cuisine here was absolutely delicious with rich flavors and a great atmosphere and let’s not forget about six Street this is a great addition to AIA but book early to avoid disappointment as this was one of the restaurants that proved the most popular so would I recommend the Pio Avia it’s a bit of a mixed bag if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere with some great dining options like the keys CNU and Sixth Street you’ll find it here the ports of call were absolutely fantastic offering a mix of culture relaxation and adventure and for those who love Cay there’s plenty of time to unwind but if you’re after a more relaxing Cruise experience the overcrowding service issues and declining food quality in the main dining room might put a damper on things p and O has some work to do to bring the Avia up to par with its other ships but there’s still potential here thanks for watching everyone if you found this review helpful don’t forget to give it a thumbs up and subscribe for More Travel content have you been on the Avia or planning a cruise soon let me know in the comments below I’d love to hear your thoughts until next time happy cruising

Thinking about booking P&O Arvia for a Mediterranean cruise? In this honest review, I’ll show you what it’s really like onboard — from the pools and dining options to entertainment, crowds, and my honest thoughts after sailing Arvia around the Med.

If you’re wondering whether Arvia is worth it in 2025, or how it compares to Britannia, Iona, and other P&O Cruises ships, this video covers everything you need to know before you book.

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00:00 – Intro
00:32 – Ports of Call
03:08 – Sea Days
03:46 – Sunbeds
04:58 – Lack of Staff
06:00 – Food
06:39 – Pools & Hot Tubs
07:52 – Would I Recommend Arvia?