P&O Cruises has celebrated a key milestone in the construction of Britain’s most environmentally friendly cruise ship, Arvia. The team at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg have marked the landmark with a traditional coin-laying ceremony. This event is a long-held shipbuilding tradition that brings good luck to the ship and its crew during construction and its future at sea.
Speaking at the ceremony, P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said, “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, two biowaste dryers and the latest technology for its four main engines.
“Our guests will enjoy holidays on Arvia, as they have done and continue to do on Iona and on the other ships in the P&O Cruises fleet. They will holiday in the Mediterranean in the summer and in the warmth of the Caribbean throughout the winter as Arvia will be our ‘sunshine’ ship.
“The coins that are laid under Arvia’s keel today will be the embodiment of that warmth and sun as they are currency from our winter homeport of Barbados, an island which has had a special place in our heart for over 20 years. These coins, with the workmanship and skill of everyone gathered today - and so many more - will keep and protect all on board this spectacular ship.”
Arvia is due to be delivered in December and will sail her maiden voyage to the Canary Islands followed by a winter season in the Caribbean. We can’t wait to meet her!
