In my blog earlier this month I talked about green shoots of hope for the future. From a cruise business perspective there’s nothing which is a more visible and evident signal of hope and prosperity than that of a new ship being built.
This week is a milestone in our future as we name P&O Cruises second LNG-powered Excel class ship and begin the build in Meyer Werft in Germany.
This ship, which will join Iona as an innovative and future-focused ship offering an outstanding, varied and contemporary holiday is to be named Arvia.
Arvia, meaning “from the seashore”, will join the fleet in December 2022 and holidays on Arvia will go on sale next month.
Arvia has been designed to travel to the sun year-round and to maximise views of the ocean and the seashore from everywhere on board.
Whilst we had a long list of other names, and it’s always a lively discussion, it seemed to be a very fitting name and one which will reflect the experience for guests on board.
The seashore is known for its relaxing properties and tranquillity and a holiday on Arvia will, indeed, celebrate this and have relaxation at its heart. The rejuvenating and restorative qualities of a walk on the beach and invigorating sea air will be reflected in the experiences both on board and on shore as well as the vast space on board which has enabled us to include a number of new and extraordinary features.
The name is unveiled today to our guests, travel agents, business partners and media through the above video, with the reveal made up of outlining the letters in the name in various different locations, all relating to the beach and the seashore.
There’s certainly a long way to go until she becomes a reality and more detail of Arvia’s steel-cutting ceremony will be unveiled early next week. I would like to take this opportunity though to thank the huge number of you who have been involved in her design and build to date.
To Arvia – may God bless her and all who build her.