Thankyou so much for watching and i hope you found this video useful. Dont forget to click the link for more content . Holly :-) ➡ www.youtube.com/@hollydaysatsea?sub_confirmation=1
Just got home from 15 Nights on Arvia arriving home from Barbados 2 hours ago. It was our first cruise so have nothing to compare it with but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We heard people moaning and groaning but whilst it was the maiden transatlantic voyage and some little things were bound to go wrong . My only criticism would be the policy for reserving sunbeds, quite honestly I thought I was back in Spain in the 80's and the place was full of Germans lol. I think reserving beds should not be allowed and it did cause a few problems. The staff were mmagnificent and a credit to the company
I am so pleased you had a great time, a valid point regarding the sunbeds, this does need to be monitored strictly. The staff onboard are fantastic, and so lovely to hear your positive comments x Question is will you be booking another? :-)
Hi holly, were on the same time has you, spotting you so many times can is say kevin simm was amazing at the limelight club and the food was really good .
@@notyah2411 apologies, with your response I think we have our wires crossed. Can you explain a little more from your first comment please? Thankyou :-)
We have just booked a 2 week caribbean cruise for next year 2024. Apparently you cannot book any entertainment or speciality restaurants until 2 weeks before you travel, which is fine. Can you tell me if you are told when the celebration nights are, as I would not like to book a speciality restaurant or entertainment at the same time? Thank you
Hi Denise, celebration nights are on sea days and when you check each port of call it will tell you whether it is a celebration night or not. The celebration night on our cruise was The first sea day (Sunday) the first week and Tuesday the second week. It will definitely show on your planner the celebration night under each port before your dining experiences can be booked. :-)
You use your camera from your phone to scan the qr code. You cannot do this if making a call on your phone but you can just go into your camera app scan the code and then it will take you to the app x is this what you meant?
Great video. We are travelling with 2 other couples but will not get our cabins assigned until nearer the time. If we want to book things in advance can we book as a six?
You can only book as a 2 but all couples will all have to access your my P&O cruises account at the same time and book your dining excursions etc together so you all get the same time slot date etc xx for normal dining or for anything else when you are on board especially dining the my holiday app will know you are all travelling together and will allow you to choose a table of 2 or 4 or 6 just make sure wherever you booked your cruise your bookings are linked together x even though you don’t have your cabin numbers you can still link your bookings .
Hi Holly, please can you give some advice on what is required to enter certain islands of the Carribean i,ve tried looking on line but seem to be getting more confused, i,m aware you need to fill in a form to enter Barbados and i think also St Lucia[3 days before arrival which means being done on board] but do you need vaccinations[ yellow fever] or any other jabs, hoping you might know.thanks in advance
Hi Martin, are you cruising with P&O?, if you are then all passport and visa requirements will be on your P&O cruise account together with inoculations. When I was there last year it was just the form for Barbados and my passport. Vaccinations are recommended but nothing compulsory . For recommended jabs speak to your gp as I did. Mine was most helpful or you can look under the appropriate country. To save you time though just go to the passport and visa section on your P&O cruises account :-) have a wonderful time x
@@hollydaysatsea it was lovely to meet you in the Limelight after Mary Mac and share our thoughts about Arvia and how your vids helped us get the best out of our first cruise.
It was lovely to meet you both too. I am so pleased you enjoyed your first cruise, I am missing the Sauvignon blanc and the crew already. I hope you had a safe journey home too:-) best wishes Holly
Hi does it usually take so long to be able to book shore excursions? Been trying for months to book Pisa it’s now 9 months before we cruise? Wa hoping to book sooner but still not available?
It is usually 6-9 months before so they should be showing very shortly. Keep checking your planner, or call them and they can give you a more specific date hopefully :-)
Hiya mark, you only have to wear a suit and tie on celebration night if you intend to eat in any of the waiter service restaurants. If you don’t wish to wear a suit then you eat in he buffet restaurant called horizon on deck 16. Other nights are smart casual eg long trousers and T-shirt polo shirt normal shirt no jeans or trainers . I hope this helps :-)
Hi, could you give people an idea how to work out the bed position in cabins, ie bed near wardrobe of bed near balcony, thank you. Would you know where the bed is in 10505. Thank you.
Hi Geoff, I am looking into this as the question is asked a lot. Your cabin is a single sofa bed plus pull down bed . I was in 12445 and the beds were by the balcony. I’m researching this and will be putting on you tube when I know more x
Holly would you recommend The Retreat for married couple in 50s doing first cruise? Do you know if it includes any alcoholic drinks? I thought this might be better option than drinks package. Loving your channel x
Hiya, Thankyou so much for your lovely comments. Yes I would recommend it if you are not having the drinks package but only if you are happy with beer/lager wine and soft drinks. If you prefer to drink other things then maybe not worth the £429pp for 14 days if you are relying on taking advantage of the drinks included. If you don’t take the drinks package and like wine or beer then yes worth it in my book :-)
Hiya and Thankyou, the size of the ship are the same and the layout very similar. Arvia has more dining venues and of course Mission Control and the high ropes. The cabins together with layout are very similar too :-)
Hi is it possible for you to film an accessible cabin on Arvia as I am a full time wheelchair user and will need plenty of room and a second person sharing with me to help shower etc thank you
Hi Linda, Thankyou for your question. Unfortunately the ships are going out full at the moment so we have no access to accessible cabins when on board as they are occupied. There are a couple of really good videos on RUclips showing iona accessible, Arvias sister ship if this helps. They are 307 square foot and a perfect size and bathroom for full time wheelchair users.
Hi, if you don’t go ashore are the bars open , also is there anything else going on on the ship , for those who stay on boards please ? Xx cruising on Arvia in Sept , yeah can’t wait thanks for the cabin vlog xxx
Hi Kathleen, cabin Vlog on my channel, everything open if you stay on the ship. Entertainment programme including quizzes , talks , all restaurants open , which are fab , Mission Control , skywalk etc. lots to do. I’m back on Arvia in September for the med cruise and I’ve been to some Ports before so I’ll be onboard making the most of having the ship to myself.
The infinity pool and bar is open until 9.30 deck 16 aft the other outside bars on deck 18 are open until until 7.30. Sunset bar on deck 8 is open u til 10pm. Many thanks Holly :-)
Many people when they have young children prefer not to have a balcony cabin so If this is you then go for a large inside cabin OA grades just give you the extra room. If you do like a balcony cabin then go for a superior deluxe or an standard extended balcony cabin . I’d look for a cabin near to the children’s clubs maybe so deck 14 or deck 15 so the children’s facilities are near you x
@@hollydaysatsea Hi Holly thanks for your quick replay do these ones have a window? We would like a window but not a balcony. Which ones would be good for kids? Ages 4, 8 please .
Thankyou for your question. Chefs table is included and is a separate area of Horizon Court Buffet Restaurant. Horizon is open until 1.30am for late snack. No other venue is open that late. Room service maybe an option too for you but may have a charge. :-)
Hi holly we are going on two p& o cruises . Don’t know why but checked in my cruise for 2024 but I am going 2023 and I have tried to book in but I Can’t do it do I need to ring P& O up to sort it . Thank you 😊
@@hollydaysatsea I booked in for next year by mistake . But I wanted to book in for this year Oct halfterm . So I can book meals drinks before I go I think they are getting confused . .
Just call 0330 303 8490 and a cruise specialist will talk you through everything. Also my new video coming out next Friday shares the best time to book.
Hi Susan, if this is your first cruise you have no expectations on locations of a cabin which is a positive. Everyone’s preference is personal to them. You may like a location that someone else doesn’t. A GB grade is a great start for your first cruise. Please just enjoy your holiday and you decide your own preferences when on board. :-) I hope this puts your mind at rest.
You will love it Susan, I am posting videos every week of ideas for Arvias Caribbean ports if you are interested. Honestly you will have the most amazing time please don’t worry regarding your cabin. A GB grade is a great cabin. Anything you need let me know .
Are there tea and coffee making facilities in your room. Kettle etc. We are booked on a 14 day med cruise from 16th April in a balcony room. Up- graded to the top B grade.
Yes there are, that’s what is great about cruising with P&O cruises, tea and coffee milk and biscuits in your room and topped up daily too. I took decaf tea bags with me too .
Expensive for the 14 days but great as a day pass! I will try and book a couple of day passes when onboard if available but yes would be nice to use especially for the sea days.
Hi. Travelling on Arviva in a couple of weeks. We probably won't do the drinks package , but have seen there is a "wine package" listed . How does that work and how and when do you order that ? Can you choose the wines within the 2 lists or are they random from that list? Thanks
Hiya, quite a few people do the wine package , you choose 6 bottles of wine from the list they give you and then you just order a bottle for dinner if you don’t drink it all then you can take the bottle with you when you leave the restaurant. You order the wine package on the day of embarkation or you may be able to do it from your cruise personaliser. I have never done the wine package but I believe this is what you do. :-) when do you go?
@@hollydaysatsea Thanks. We will consider the wine package for sure. It looks like you can do 6 or 12 bottles from two lists ( one more expensive). It was just the ordering process. It would be nice if it was on the Web to do before hand as we want to avoid long queing at reception. We go in just over 2 weeks for 2 weeks of Caribbean crusing ( My first cruise !)
Yes you can choose from house wines to premium wines. I know of many people who have taken this rather than the drinks package :-) Have a wonderful cruise I embark on Friday :-)
Hi we have just booked our cruise for the beginning of next year, we are intending to buy the ultimate drinks package, they are giving us £300 on board spending money each, do you think it is better to put that towards the drinks package and anything else pay for as extra
We’re booking our 1st ever cruise tomorrow as per ive left it until the last minute to do my research so were a family of 4 with a normal cabin and have been advised to have the drinks package worth 1k over 14nights we think with the kids wanting drinks all day the drinks package sounds great?as for the cabin where don’t we want to be as i have disabilities?and any other advice anyone can offer 🙏
@kevcockayne3636 I have done a video on my channel on choosing the perfect cabin on Arvia. This will certainly help you make the right decision on where to be :-) also when you book make sure you speak to a specialist cruise consultant who can help you choose the right cabin too!
A litre of spirits for each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit, or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time only. Alcohol over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. X
Thankyou so much for watching and i hope you found this video useful. Dont forget to click the link for more content . Holly :-)
➡ www.youtube.com/@hollydaysatsea?sub_confirmation=1
Just got home from 15 Nights on Arvia arriving home from Barbados 2 hours ago. It was our first cruise so have nothing to compare it with but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We heard people moaning and groaning but whilst it was the maiden transatlantic voyage and some little things were bound to go wrong . My only criticism would be the policy for reserving sunbeds, quite honestly I thought I was back in Spain in the 80's and the place was full of Germans lol. I think reserving beds should not be allowed and it did cause a few problems. The staff were mmagnificent and a credit to the company
I am so pleased you had a great time, a valid point regarding the sunbeds, this does need to be monitored strictly. The staff onboard are fantastic, and so lovely to hear your positive comments x Question is will you be booking another? :-)
@@hollydaysatsea Absolutely and we live in Southampton so couldn't be better placed !!!
Hi holly, were on the same time has you, spotting you so many times can is say kevin simm was amazing at the limelight club and the food was really good .
@@caroleroscoe1274 what a trip we all had . So sorry we didn’t meet but I am so pleased you had the best time :-)
What if you don’t have a phone for messages.
If you don’t have a smart phone then no problem all communication will be via email
How if you have no way to receive them.
@@notyah2411 apologies, with your response I think we have our wires crossed. Can you explain a little more from your first comment please? Thankyou :-)
We have just booked a 2 week caribbean cruise for next year 2024. Apparently you cannot book any entertainment or speciality restaurants until 2 weeks before you travel, which is fine. Can you tell me if you are told when the celebration nights are, as I would not like to book a speciality restaurant or entertainment at the same time? Thank you
Hi Denise, celebration nights are on sea days and when you check each port of call it will tell you whether it is a celebration night or not. The celebration night on our cruise was The first sea day (Sunday) the first week and Tuesday the second week. It will definitely show on your planner the celebration night under each port before your dining experiences can be booked. :-)
@Hollydaysatsea Thank you will look out for that!
Just a quick note on using the app saying that you will be given a qr code to scan .. how is that possible if your on phone already.. thanks
You use your camera from your phone to scan the qr code. You cannot do this if making a call on your phone but you can just go into your camera app scan the code and then it will take you to the app x is this what you meant?
sorry if i asked before,[age thing]
Great video. We are travelling with 2 other couples but will not get our cabins assigned until nearer the time. If we want to book things in advance can we book as a six?
You can only book as a 2 but all couples will all have to access your my P&O cruises account at the same time and book your dining excursions etc together so you all get the same time slot date etc xx for normal dining or for anything else when you are on board especially dining the my holiday app will know you are all travelling together and will allow you to choose a table of 2 or 4 or 6 just make sure wherever you booked your cruise your bookings are linked together x even though you don’t have your cabin numbers you can still link your bookings .
Hi Holly, please can you give some advice on what is required to enter certain islands of the Carribean i,ve tried looking on line but seem to be getting more confused, i,m aware you need to fill in a form to enter Barbados and i think also St Lucia[3 days before arrival which means being done on board] but do you need vaccinations[ yellow fever] or any other jabs, hoping you might know.thanks in advance
Hi Martin, are you cruising with P&O?, if you are then all passport and visa requirements will be on your P&O cruise account together with inoculations. When I was there last year it was just the form for Barbados and my passport. Vaccinations are recommended but nothing compulsory . For recommended jabs speak to your gp as I did. Mine was most helpful or you can look under the appropriate country. To save you time though just go to the passport and visa section on your P&O cruises account :-) have a wonderful time x
Surely tap water is readily available to anyone free of charge?
Thanks for the tips. Looks like we will be shipmates, as we are on K304 in mid-February.
Yes it does , 3 weeks today we will be in Barbados 🥰
Me too
I hope you are having a fab time x
@@hollydaysatsea it was lovely to meet you in the Limelight after Mary Mac and share our thoughts about Arvia and how your vids helped us get the best out of our first cruise.
It was lovely to meet you both too. I am so pleased you enjoyed your first cruise, I am missing the Sauvignon blanc and the crew already. I hope you had a safe journey home too:-) best wishes Holly
Hi does it usually take so long to be able to book shore excursions?
Been trying for months to book Pisa it’s now 9 months before we cruise?
Wa hoping to book sooner but still not available?
It is usually 6-9 months before so they should be showing very shortly. Keep checking your planner, or call them and they can give you a more specific date hopefully :-)
The drinks package has now changed they no longer do the kids package the cheapest package is now £9.59 if booked before and £10.95 if booked on board
You are correct thankyou, i just need to amend the video
Is it true that i have to wear a suit on celebration night or any other night for that matter. As i don't own a suit would you suggest i buy one?
Hiya mark, you only have to wear a suit and tie on celebration night if you intend to eat in any of the waiter service restaurants. If you don’t wish to wear a suit then you eat in he buffet restaurant called horizon on deck 16. Other nights are smart casual eg long trousers and T-shirt polo shirt normal shirt no jeans or trainers . I hope this helps :-)
Hi, could you give people an idea how to work out the bed position in cabins, ie bed near wardrobe of bed near balcony, thank you. Would you know where the bed is in 10505. Thank you.
Hi Geoff, I am looking into this as the question is asked a lot. Your cabin is a single sofa bed plus pull down bed . I was in 12445 and the beds were by the balcony. I’m researching this and will be putting on you tube when I know more x
We have booked cabin GF 15240 next cabin is a large . It will be over looked . Upset 😢
You won’t be overlooked By the cabin next door , it’s the cabin on the other side that will be overlooked. When do you sail?
Holly would you recommend The Retreat for married couple in 50s doing first cruise? Do you know if it includes any alcoholic drinks? I thought this might be better option than drinks package. Loving your channel x
Hiya, Thankyou so much for your lovely comments. Yes I would recommend it if you are not having the drinks package but only if you are happy with beer/lager wine and soft drinks. If you prefer to drink other things then maybe not worth the £429pp for 14 days if you are relying on taking advantage of the drinks included.
If you don’t take the drinks package and like wine or beer then yes worth it in my book :-)
Can I ask if Arvia and Iona are the same? You seem to have great content on arvia and I wondered if it was applicable to both?
Hiya and Thankyou, the size of the ship are the same and the layout very similar. Arvia has more dining venues and of course Mission Control and the high ropes. The cabins together with layout are very similar too :-)
Hi is it possible for you to film an accessible cabin on Arvia as I am a full time wheelchair user and will need plenty of room and a second person sharing with me to help shower etc thank you
Hi Linda, Thankyou for your question. Unfortunately the ships are going out full at the moment so we have no access to accessible cabins when on board as they are occupied. There are a couple of really good videos on RUclips showing iona accessible, Arvias sister ship if this helps. They are 307 square foot and a perfect size and bathroom for full time wheelchair users.
Excellent information thank you 👏😍
Thanku xx
Hi, if you don’t go ashore are the bars open , also is there anything else going on on the ship , for those who stay on boards please ? Xx cruising on Arvia in Sept , yeah can’t wait thanks for the cabin vlog xxx
Hi Kathleen, cabin Vlog on my channel, everything open if you stay on the ship. Entertainment programme including quizzes , talks , all restaurants open , which are fab , Mission Control , skywalk etc. lots to do. I’m back on Arvia in September for the med cruise and I’ve been to some
Ports before so I’ll be onboard making the most of having the ship to myself.
I’ve been told that the outside bars shut at 6:30 in the evening?? Surely this can’t be true
The infinity pool and bar is open until 9.30 deck 16 aft the other outside bars on deck 18 are open until until 7.30. Sunset bar on deck 8 is open u til 10pm. Many thanks Holly :-)
*great presentation - very informative and worth watching. Much appreciated prior to joining Arvia shortly.
Thankyou John and have a great cruise :-)
What are the best cabins when you children ages 8 and 4 the 4yrs old abit of a handful can’t sit still. Thanks Chris
Many people when they have young children prefer not to have a balcony cabin so If this is you then go for a large inside cabin OA grades just give you the extra room. If you do like a balcony cabin then go for a superior deluxe or an standard extended balcony cabin . I’d look for a cabin near to the children’s clubs maybe so deck 14 or deck 15 so the children’s facilities are near you x
@@hollydaysatsea Hi Holly thanks for your quick replay do these ones have a window? We would like a window but not a balcony. Which ones would be good for kids? Ages 4, 8 please .
Is the chef table included?
Also is there a late night cafe that has included cake / snacks. Or is it just horizon buffet at late night
Thankyou for your question. Chefs table is included and is a separate area of Horizon Court Buffet Restaurant. Horizon is open until 1.30am for late snack. No other venue is open that late. Room service maybe an option too for you but may have a charge. :-)
Drinks packages: I presume if you buy on the second day you only pay for those days and not embarkation day
Hi Martin, yes that is correct :-)
Who is singing that song at the start of the video?
It is Tim mcmorris :-) my themed song for all my RUclips videos x
what are smoking rules
Deck 18 aft is the smoking area and no vapes on board or in cabin either. I’m not sure of any other smoking areas on board x
Hi holly we are going on two p& o cruises . Don’t know why but checked in my cruise for 2024 but I am going 2023 and I have tried to book in but I Can’t do it do I need to ring P& O up to sort it . Thank you 😊
Hi Gail, what are you trying to book in for?
@@hollydaysatsea I booked in for next year by mistake . But I wanted to book in for this year Oct halfterm . So I can book meals drinks before I go I think they are getting confused . .
Yes you can book speciality restaurants 2 weeks before together with entertainment and I certainly recommend you do :-)
Love the video :) Does it cost extra to have breakfast sent to your room?
HI Molly, Thankyou and yes it does it costs £2.50 to have breakfast delivered to your cabin :-)
I’m new to P&O cruises and don’t know how to book for next year.
Just call 0330 303 8490 and a cruise specialist will talk you through everything. Also my new video coming out next Friday shares the best time to book.
Thank you so much, when iv had a good look I’ll be calling that number.
A wee bit nervous, booking GB cabin and overwhelmed with the good/bad cabin advice. 1st cruise,
Hi Susan, if this is your first cruise you have no expectations on locations of a cabin which is a positive. Everyone’s preference is personal to them. You may like a location that someone else doesn’t. A GB grade is a great start for your first cruise. Please just enjoy your holiday and you decide your own preferences when on board. :-) I hope this puts your mind at rest.
When do you go?
Jan 24, Caribbean :)
You will love it Susan, I am posting videos every week of ideas for Arvias Caribbean ports if you are interested. Honestly you will have the most amazing time please don’t worry regarding your cabin. A GB grade is a great cabin. Anything you need let me know .
Are there tea and coffee making facilities in your room. Kettle etc. We are booked on a 14 day med cruise from 16th April in a balcony room. Up- graded to the top B grade.
(GBgrade
Yes there are, that’s what is great about cruising with P&O cruises, tea and coffee milk and biscuits in your room and topped up daily too. I took decaf tea bags with me too .
Have a fabulous holiday :-)
I have just posted a balcony cabin video too which shows the kettle etc
Hi, what are your thoughts on The Retreat?
Expensive for the 14 days but great as a day pass! I will try and book a couple of day passes when onboard if available but yes would be nice to use especially for the sea days.
Hi. Travelling on Arviva in a couple of weeks. We probably won't do the drinks package , but have seen there is a "wine package" listed . How does that work and how and when do you order that ? Can you choose the wines within the 2 lists or are they random from that list? Thanks
Hiya, quite a few people do the wine package , you choose 6 bottles of wine from the list they give you and then you just order a bottle for dinner if you don’t drink it all then you can take the bottle with you when you leave the restaurant. You order the wine package on the day of embarkation or you may be able to do it from your cruise personaliser. I have never done the wine package but I believe this is what you do. :-) when do you go?
@@hollydaysatsea Thanks. We will consider the wine package for sure. It looks like you can do 6 or 12 bottles from two lists ( one more expensive).
It was just the ordering process. It would be nice if it was on the Web to do before hand as we want to avoid long queing at reception. We go in just over 2 weeks for 2 weeks of Caribbean crusing ( My first cruise !)
Yes you can choose from house wines to premium wines. I know of many people who have taken this rather than the drinks package :-)
Have a wonderful cruise I embark on Friday :-)
Hi we have just booked our cruise for the beginning of next year, we are intending to buy the ultimate drinks package, they are giving us £300 on board spending money each, do you think it is better to put that towards the drinks package and anything else pay for as extra
Hi Mike, that is what I have done! I purchased the drinks package and had £280 obc so used that towards my drinks and paid for everything else x
@@hollydaysatsea hi Holly did you have to Wait until you were on board before you can do this option
Yes you can only do this on board! Purchase the drinks package on board and the on board credit will come off your final bill x
We’re booking our 1st ever cruise tomorrow as per ive left it until the last minute to do my research so were a family of 4 with a normal cabin and have been advised to have the drinks package worth 1k over 14nights we think with the kids wanting drinks all day the drinks package sounds great?as for the cabin where don’t we want to be as i have disabilities?and any other advice anyone can offer 🙏
@kevcockayne3636 I have done a video on my channel on choosing the perfect cabin on Arvia. This will certainly help you make the right decision on where to be :-) also when you book make sure you speak to a specialist cruise consultant who can help you choose the right cabin too!
Hi, Sorry I want to know neck strap bought from Cruise ? If yes how much pls ? Thanks
Hello, This was given to me from P&O cruises but you can purchase them on board.
Useful thank you
Thankyou x
what drink can i take on board on embarkation day 🍷😀
A litre of spirits for each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit, or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time only. Alcohol over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. X
FYI I’m taking a litre of pink gin on my cruise xx
Hay holly I was just wondering Is the retreat open most hours? Or is there only certain time please.
Hiya , the retreat is open from 8am until 8pm every day :-)
@@hollydaysatsea thank you so much 👍