P&O Cruises celebrated a key stage in the construction of its newest cruise ship at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The team building the 184,000-ton ship Arvia celebrated the milestone with the traditional coin ceremony. This event is a long-held ship-building tradition which is said to bring good luck to the ship and its crew through construction to the future at sea. Like its sister ship Iona, Arvia will be powered by liquefied natural gas.
Specially selected Barbados coins were placed under the block, following which the block was lowered onto the coins. The keel laying block weighing 570 tons, was 11.3 meters long, 42.10 meters wide and 11.81 meters high, and had to be lifted by an 800-ton crane. The next steps in the construction include the completion of the block assembly of the aft part of the ship in the dock as well as the further outfitting of the ship.
According to Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises’ president, “This is yet another landmark in P&O Cruises new build history. Arvia will be our second ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas as part of P&O Cruises’ ongoing commitment to sustainable travel. Other world-class environmentally friendly innovations include shore power connectivity and the latest technology for its four main engines.”
Arvia will be delivered in December 2022 and will sail on its inaugural voyage to the Canary Islands followed by a winter season in the Caribbean. The ship has 16 decks and will offer Altitude Skywalk, a high ropes experience; a swim-up bar and an infinity pool; Mission Control, a multi-sensory escape room; a new restaurant Green & Co featuring Mizuhana serving a plant and fish-based menu; Ocean Studios cinema; 13,993 square feet of shopping spaces; and the Oasis Spa and Health Club.
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