Surprisingly good cruise
Arvia Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 27
Review summary
Lots of sea days , very relaxing. And plenty to eat and drink . if you avoid the sky dome , very very loud ll the time)Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
I found the food to be very good generally . We avoided the push and shove ( horizon buffet) so can’t really comment on that too much but used on embarkation day lunch and 1 solo breakfast only . We did breakfast , lunch and many dinners in the main dining rooms . Never had a bad meal and service was fast friendly and efficient . I’d certainly recommend quite happily.
We like tablecloths on table so used zenith most of the time , Meridian when zenith not open or available . We had booked 6.30pm 2 weeks before , being the latest pre book time lowed before boarding . We did change a few and had left a few dates open and used the app to book/ cancel easily. This made everything so much easier . I pre booked epicurean ( best meal of the cruise). Sindhu. Most disappointing of the cruise . Enjoyed sindhu 5 years ago last sailed with p and o but the menu now for my tastes has little taste and spice and too contemporary . Along with olive grove ( small portions) . The keel and cow was excellent . The prime minister burger was a little underwhelming after all the hype . The pecan desert was outstanding . 6 street diner ok but just ok .
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
The headliners were very talented (. Shame about the Digital production not the talent) ODYC acapello group and the soul Motown group Flyrights we’re both really fantastic. All the entertainers were very good . My one and only , and it’s personal as I’m sure in their own right very talented but there was a flamenco dancer / guitarist duo on in the Amber lounge , I think for 11days out of the 14 2 or 3 times a day !
I didn’t understand why a taste of Spain as it was portrayed was needed when we had left Cadiz and next stop Southampton yet still carried on. As someone else put it the “constant Irate woodpecker in the Amber Lounge” was annoying and almost comical .
Service and Staff
I found most of the staff friendly , but stretched as the ship is clearly understaffed vs the number of pax . I still got drinks ordered and delivered in reasonable time frames and more often or not delivered with a smile . They really are worked very very hard so be considerate !
Ship Quality
It’s a large ship but very easy to navigate once you get the hang of it and interactive screens all around to help
Cabin / Stateroom
Cabin is standard but was clean and had everything needed. USB under wall lights didn’t work, night light in bathroom brighter than usual . Actually found the wardrobe and cupboard space quite adequate , despite so many comments otherwise. Moved the lifevests under bed and we got everything in from our 3 large suitcases . Did not miss drawers . You get more on a shelf anyhow ( I know as I design bedrooms ! ) the only design fault was end wardrobe door doesn’t fully open due to bedside unit and that wardrobe has the safe in too so access has some small restrictions . Bathroom very spacious compared to some other ships.
Ship tip
Pre book before as much as you can before you go
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
A lovely city but allow min 2 hrs of your shore time in doing transfers etc. getting the shuttle is with huge queues and drop off still another bus / taxi / 30 min walk to old town .
Stayed on board as been before , plus it was Catalan day which was total chaos with huge numbers demonstrating
Disembarkation
We had 10.10 disembarkation but we’re off 9.20