P&O Cruises’ newest ship, Arvia, has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda, where it will be homeporting until March 11.
The 5,200-passenger vessel is the largest cruise ship to ever visit the Caribbean destination.
The government of Antigua and Barbuda and Antigua Cruise Port held an official welcome ceremony to mark the occasion.
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Tourism minister Charles Fernandez said the visit is “a major development” for the cruise sector in the twin-island destination.
“We look forward to continuing homeporting operations with great anticipation as it forms part of the plan to expand Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise tourism platform,” he said.
“We anticipate that this activity will reap significant rewards for several of our stakeholders including our taxi operators.”
Arvia will be homeporting in Antigua and Barbuda every other Saturday until March 11. The ship will return for more homeporting operations in November 2023.
Arvia, meaning “from the seashore”, is P&O Cruises’ second LNG-powered Excel-class ship and the sister ship to Iona.
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