Client P&O Cruises
Status Complete
Following the success of the new flagship Iona cruise ship, the historic British brand P&O commissioned Jestico + Whiles to deliver a sister ship called Arvia, which had its maiden voyage in December 2022. These new Excel-class ships are the first British cruise ships to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas and are the greenest members of the fleet.
The heart-space will again be the atrium, with spectacular views and natural light drawing passengers in from all routes through the ship and creating a lively focal point that encapsulates the spirit of the ship. This special space is also designed to ‘draw the outside in’ and so the sea becomes a hero of the space, allowing guests to connect with the seascape around them.
There are 5 venues designed by Jestico + Whiles around the atrium – Vistas café and the new Amber Bar on deck 6, the Keel and Cow gastropub on deck 8. The Glasshouse on deck 7 gets a full design update. Bold colour and a lively palette of terrazzo, terracotta and copper bring a sense of fun to P&O’s classic wine bar. The 710 Club remains a guest favourite from Iona, with its intimate scale and live music programme curated by Gary Barlow.
The atrium is itself a key entertainment space, meticulously designed to accommodate a wide variety of experiences, from musical performance to thrilling aerialists. Unlike Iona, the focus of entertainment shifts to the centre of the atrium, which both challenged and inspired our design. The oval performance space has a backdrop of the sweeping staircase and a crown of light - a magnificent modern chandelier comprising an array of 396 individual trumpet-shaped fixtures custom-made by Porcelanosa. The spirit of performance and movement is expressed in a bespoke artwork by Haberdashery, with its delicate champagne metal forms that dance around the staircase and deck edges. The unifying experience of the atrium is always the view to the sea that provides an enchanting, captivating backdrop to the activity within.
The elegant, gravity defying staircase forms the centrepiece of the atrium. Finished in silver facetted marble with bronze metal detailing and subtle wash lighting to evoke the glamour of the iconic cruise ships of the early 20th century. Just as Iona, the staircase is designed as a sculpture, its sweeping form leads guests on a journey through the decks offering ever changing views. The floor beneath the staircase is designed to invite dancers to their feet, and evokes the movement of water in a rippling gradient of wood tones. Whilst Iona’s atrium has an almost dazzling quality with light and bright finishes, Arvia dips into richer tones with the warmth of wood and brass alongside shades of amber and rust.
Jestico + Whiles has updated many of the food and beverage areas for Arvia, so guests who are familiar with Iona can delight in new experiences. The main dining rooms are refocused towards informal dining, and a refreshed and expanded Olive Grove hosts a new menu curated by Jose Pizarro. The design draws inspiration from around the Mediterranean with an abundance of texture and strong arched forms creating intimate zones and cozy niches. We also worked with P&O to create a new American diner concept - 6th Street Diner. With its classic diner motifs of red and chrome, there’s no mistaking the 1950’s influence. Bold neon artwork and a classic jukebox amplifies the fun element and complements the nostalgic atmosphere that appeals to all ages.
With more emphasis on casual and convivial dining options, the challenge remained to make these spaces sing on formal gala nights. Without the formality of starched linens, the finishes still had to strike an elevated note. Layering of thoughtful details and lighting helps to retain the sense of elegance that P&O guests will be accustomed to. Finally, Anderson’s bar again features an onboard distillery. Inspired by its Caribbean homeport of Antigua, rum takes centre stage. Guests can taste the signature ‘Golden Tide’ rum created especially for Arvia, and even take classes in rum tasting and blending within the custom-designed stills room.
