The year has got off to a great start onboard Arvia, with lots of brilliant crew experiences taking place. Here’s a look at what the team has been up to.
The team proudly celebrated International Women’s Day with their largest turnout yet – around 60 crew members gathered in the Olive Grove on March 8 for an afternoon of music, appreciation, and camaraderie.
The event opened with a performance by Caribbean duet Chryston Floyd & Jason Fridge, followed by an inspiring speech from HR Manager, John White. Crew Welfare Officer, Ana Maria Ramirez Rodriguez then led a speech, quiz, and raffle.
Support from across the ship helped make the event special. The Food & Beverage team provided snacks, drinks, and pink cupcakes, Communication Manager Stacey created the invitations. The Photo Department captured pirate‑themed and group photos. Entertainment Manager, Fi Mackenzie assisted with the quiz and Learning Development Officer, Ben Hammond and Spa Manager, Amit donated raffle prizes. A great example of team work.
During Caribbean season crew had the opportunity to explore some of the region’s most stunning destinations through a variety of exciting crew tours.
Before the transatlantic crossing, the team travelled across the Caribbean, visiting remarkable places such as Virgin Gorda in Tortola, The Flying Dutchman in St. Maarten, the Atlantis Submarine experience in Barbados, thrilling ziplines in St. Lucia, the iconic Maho Beach plane‑spotting viewpoint in St. Maarten, and a breathtaking catamaran trip to the Pitons in St. Lucia.
On February 11, Arvia proudly stepped back onto the cricket field for a long‑awaited match against Marella Explorer. Crew members were buzzing with energy, ready to showcase their skills in one of the most beloved sports across the maritime world.
Played under the warm St. Lucia sun, the match delivered two and a half hours of pure intensity, teamwork, and sporting spirit. By the end of the match, Arvia celebrated a spectacular win, scoring over 100 runs against Marella Explorer. Even though Marella didn’t take the trophy this time, the match was a perfect opportunity for everyone involved to stay active, socialise, and enjoy a friendly competition far from ship life. Both teams are hoping for a rematch in the future – because nothing brings crew together quite like cricket, camaraderie, and a little friendly rivalry.
Night‑shift crew members at sea often miss many onboard activities due to their unique schedules and limited availability. Recognising this, the team has made it a priority to create dedicated opportunities and spaces that allow our night workers to relax, socialize, and fully enjoy life onboard.
Recently Arvia have hosted a variety of events tailored especially for them- including Night Workers Bingo, sports competitions, wellbeing activities, and most recently, an open crew deck party that brought plenty of fun and connection across departments.
For some crew members, it was their very first-time enjoying Arvia’s swimming pool. Others have joined crew tours, and several took part in our wellbeing walk on February 8 at the Botanical Gardens in Tortola.
The team have also been busy marking globally recognised days. On 26 January, the Medical Team, together with the Crew Welfare Officer, hosted a Sexual Health Campaign onboard Arvia. The initiative created a welcoming and educational environment where crew members could learn about three key topics: contraceptives, types of STIs (including AIDS), and how to properly check their breasts, chest, and testicles for early signs of changes.
To make the session engaging and interactive, the team introduced a fun approach- asking crew members questions and rewarding correct answers with sweets or condoms. Regardless of nationality or background, the event helped break down the stigma surrounding conversations about sexual health. 
On 5 February, Arvia proudly joined the fleet‑wide celebration of Time to Talk Day, a moment dedicated to encouraging open conversations and supporting crew wellbeing. Together with Crew Welfare Officers across the fleet, they designed a series of meaningful activities to help crew members connect, unwind, and look after their mental health.
One of the highlights onboard Arvia was the wellbeing walk to the Botanical Gardens in Tortola, a peaceful and refreshing escape from ship life. Thanks to SWC support, the activity was fully subsidized, allowing crew to join for free.
In addition to the walk, Arvia launched the Challenge of the Day on the M1: a month‑long encouragement for crew to practice simple acts of kindness. Some line managers incorporated the challenge into their musters, inspiring their teams to focus on wellbeing and positive connection throughout the month.
Well done to everyone who helped organise these events. It’s great to see so many different experiences on offer. If you’ve got a story you’d like to share get in touch at Internal.Comms@carnivalukgroup.com
1 Comment
A lovely reflection of our time in the Caribbean with a mixture of work rest and play.