Arvia Caribbean Cruise Jan 2023 Part 1 Kaz & Nige

Our cruise videos are different! We are not professional 'vloggers' - whatever that means!! We take you on the whole cruise experience from check in to check out and everything in-between.
Come cruise with Kaz and I on our latest adventure on P&O's newest and largest cruise ship Arvia. We travel from Gatwick North Terminal on a P&O Chartered Flight in the TUI Premium Cabin after a night at the very posh Sofitel Hotel.
Flying on a Boeing Dreamliner our flight to Barbados leaves on the Saturday morning at 11:20 giving us time to experience the even posher Clubrooms Lounge. At £40 per person it's the most expensive lounge option but was it worth it?
Fly with us across the Atlantic checking out the Premium in flight service.
Transfer with P&O direct from the Barbados Grantley Adams Airport tarmac to the ship in Bridgetown.
First impressions of Arvia with a tour around some of the public areas, lunch and dinner followed by a day at sea.
Part 2 is under construction which will start with us going ashore in Tortola with the most beautiful beach stop amongst the boulders on Virgin Gorda.
Come cruise with Kaz and I - it's like you're crusing with us!!

[@jonneym]

Going this coming January. You video has given us a fantastic insight of what to expect, thanks

[@kazandnige]

Thank you very much John, we are glad you enjoyed our video and wish you an amazing cruise.

[@mazzaw859]

Great video guys. Thank you for taking the time to film and post. I feel you really captured the ambience of the ship. It’s definitely on my list now. ❤

[@kazandnige]

Thank you, you're very welcome. Arvia has a great choice of restaurants and some nice public spaces. Not the 'entertainment' experience of Royal Caribbean and certainly aimed at the British market.

[@angelahorton5745]

Great video with brilliant coverage of the ship areas. Many vloggers film at the crack of dawn when the ship is empty which gives a false impression. Seeing how busy it is will help me manage my expectations when we board Arvia in June. I appreciate your honesty with the forward facing balcony, it's not one I'd choose. Thank you!

[@kazandnige]

Thank you Angela that's very kind. We try to create the real cruise experience! It's great for us too look back on, especially when we cruise with friends.

[@stacey5890]

The reason they flim at the crack of dawn is to give people their privacy, people are on holiday and don't want to be filmed. I certainly don't want my children's faces all over KZbin. I don't think it gives a false representation at all. I think a few people in this video felt uncomfortable with the filming, it's hard to get the right balance of showing ships at capacity or nearly full and protecting people's privacy.

[@angelahorton5745]

@@stacey5890 I absolutely agree with you. I wouldn't want to be filmed.

[@topscooby]

Ok, I blame you for sharing an excellent vlog…we have just booked this cruise for December 24 🤩…And we leave in two weeks time for the Mediterranean cruise on Arvia too 🛳👍 Just need to phone them to upgrade the seats on the flights 🤞And now to watch Part 2 … 🌍🇬🇧👍

[@kazandnige]

We are very jealous! 😆 Loved our Caribbean cruise, we saw some amazing places. Premium Economy was well worth the upgrade but spaces are limited. We are sailing next on Spectrum of The Seas (don't tell P&O) Have a great cruise! 🚢 .

[@michaelryan2562]

My partner and I are going for the Christmas 2 weeks cruise sure we will love it. Have seen some streams giving very negative views of arvia and some more truthful with good and bad, but on the whole mostly good reviews on KZbin, if you follow all reviews we would never go anywhere lol.

[@gucci690]

Thanks for doing this video, you both made me laugh with your banter 😂😂 We have just booked for on Arvia for 2 weeks. It’s a year away but I’m counting the days and prepping 🎉

[@kazandnige]

Thank you, how do we put up with each other 😅. It's exciting having a cruise yo plan for. A bit too early to pack though. We are off to Singapore with Royal Caribbean in Feb 24 so very very excited.

[@jeanheaphy2222]

You will love it, we came off on 11/11 after 15 nights

[@sallyrobinson4626]

I enjoyed your video I am going on first cruise with my husband we are in our 70s thanks

[@kazandnige]

Thank you Sally. Hope you have a lovely time - what ship are you going on?

[@michaelryan2562]

Same her we are going this Christmas 2 weeks so looking forward to it, we went for a suite as a special retirement treat, so expensive but it will a once in a lifetime treat so hey. Next time we will go cabin deluxe I think, if we have a second one, though I’ve heard once you try a cruise it’s addictive my sis and hubby go twice or three times a year med and Caribbean. But they are loaded can afford it we can’t, but we sure will make the most of it.😂😊

[@mrskint55]

I hope you enjoyed your cruise on Arvia . Me and my family were on the maiden cruise and were not overly impressed. I hope the have ironed out the problems.

[@kazandnige]

We enjoyed Arvia, probably mainly due to the itinerary. Deck 8 aft sunset bar was our favourite location but we did feel the ship (like Iona) lacked a central outside entertainment area. Loved the choice of restaurants and didn't come across many problems.

[@dino-1960]

Good video, next instalment please

[@kazandnige]

Thanks very much Dean! Nearly ready with part 2 that has some great port visits including the very beautiful Virgin Gorda.

[@jonsteward9383]

@@kazandnige We head out Saturday hope its ready before we go :)

[@jenniferclark3125]

Exactly the same as Iona, but Arvia has Gold , rather than the siver / platinum . Enjoyed that cruise , now very excited about going on this one 🙏

[@kazandnige]

Yes pretty much identical, restaurants have been stopped around a bit with some additional choices - 6th Street was fun for lunch.

[@Mark_Lewin]

Fantastic video as usual Nige, can I ask you a question? Were there any issues with the Row 9 TUI premium economy seats with the toilet behind you? Thanks for your time.

[@kazandnige]

Thank you very much! We really appreciated our Premium Economy seats, you did notice people waiting for the toilets at times but it wasn't a deal breaker. We liked the fact we could recline our seats and not worry about anyone behind. We are off to Singapore next week with Royal Caribbean. Flying Premium Economy Singapore Airlines so we be excited to see what that's like. Front row seats this time!! 😊

[@Mark_Lewin]

@@kazandnige Have a fantastic cruise in Asia and can’t wait for the videos 🙂

[@nigelhodson2628]

Great video we are going next February what camera do you use is it strapped on to you or hand held

[@kazandnige]

Hi Nigel, great name! Thank you!! We mainly use the DJI Pocket 3. It’s handheld with a mechanical stabilisation. For more adventurous excursions we use the GoPro 12 as it is a bit more rugged and waterproof.

[@penallywill]

when did u get ur flight info we are on the 6th of jan cruise but not had the info yet or is it done after full payment in October? love watching these videos to learn what i need to know for the cruise :)

[@kazandnige]

Thank you penallywill, the flight was a charter with TUI, details from memory were after final payment. We pre booked premium economy when we booked the cruise. Worth double checking for details with your TA. Have an amazing cruise!

[@jeanheaphy2222]

Two weeks before you sail

[@lmilloyuk]

Thanks for your blog, very informative. Can I ask a question about drinks packages? Did you both have one and does it need to be the same one for each of you?

[@kazandnige]

Hi! Thank you very much ❤. We didn't have the drinks package as you can't buy just one. We did try and buy one alcohol package as Kaz doesn't drink but they wouldn't let us. Apparently if there is a medical reason you can do this but need evidence from a doctor.

[@annestephenson1548]

Great tour around the ship. Thanks for posting. Am thinking of booking next year. How did you find fly & cruise? Would you do it again? Did you buy a drinks package in the end?

[@kazandnige]

Hi Anne, thank you! We booked direct with P&O this time but sometimes use a TA such as Iglu or Viva Voyage. (Viva have consistently been cheaper). We love the ease of cruising direct from Southampton but you are limited to where and when you can travel. A fly cruise was the only option for the winter sunshine. We didn't get a drinks package as Kaz doesn't drink and even asking on ship they didn't allow one alcohol and one non alcohol option.

[@marciawilson1953]

Thank you for your video. I could not hear your voice too clearly as it was low, which is a shame. ❤

[@kazandnige]

Thank you for watching. We are definitely not professional vloggers, whatever that means 😊. We are on a cruise around Asia in February and have a new DJI camera so will be interesting to see if the audio improves.

[@philipscott9859]

Thank you Nige for all your cruise videos . Did you have to pay extra to choose your seats numbers in advance for the 2 tui flights ? Thanks

[@kazandnige]

Yes we did around £38 each to reserve the seats. Probably could have gambled and not chosen a seat as everyone we spoke to were sat together regardless of pre booking.

[@samb4680]

Fab video, we're booked but not til 2025! The cost if premium seats, was £200 per person for the return flight or £200pp each way?? Just trying to weigh up the price if its worth it!

[@kazandnige]

Thank you very much 😊 It's great having a cruise to look forward to. Seats are £199 per person each way. Very expensive but lovely treat. We really enjoyed the extra space.

[@HazelBarr-fz6ot]

Fun vlog .Booked Arvia for Xmas, when could you book your seats on the plane ?

[@kazandnige]

Thank you Hazel, we upgraded to Premium when we booked the cruise with a Travel Agent. We had to wait a bit until we could book the actual seats. Your TA should be able to let you know when they are bookable. Well worth the upgrade.

[@jeanheaphy2222]

You can book seats two week before, when they allow you to go into site

[@ajsadventures3241]

Great video and makes us want to do the same .... How did you book the flight upgrade as on the P&O website it only seems to let me select economy.

[@kazandnige]

Thank you. We had to call to upgrade to premium. Either the P&O number or from memory there is a direct number for flights on your P&O booking page.

[@jeanheaphy2222]

When you get off your flight how do your immigration forms??

[@kazandnige]

We completed the form using the below link. Very easy and didn't need to show anyone. travelform.gov.bb/

[@mybikeridecouk]

Watched your vlogs a few times and always full of info. Do you remember who you booked the atv from, I didn't notice you saying who it was. Also do you just use your mobile data whilst over on arvia on the land.

[@kazandnige]

Thanks Andy, we used Sunny Blue Rentals, great service and they picked us up from the ship. Our data roaming cost £6 every 24 hours in the Caribbean then we can use it as if at home. That will depend on your phone contract. www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sca_esv=558107811&hl=en-GB&cs=0&sxsrf=AB5stBjX4W7QnUIzkhRND_xAdrpFc7jB4Q:1692362833890&q=Sunny+Blue+Scooter+Rental&ludocid=3185237141432688276&ibp=gwp;0,7&lsig=AB86z5UwymPophm6FSLJ9GxwpDHY&kgs=3767d6f017a94de6&shndl=-1&shem=lbse,lsp&source=sh/x/kp/local/m1/4

[@mybikeridecouk]

That's great news. Thanks for the info much appreciated We're on 1st march

[@rodnewman6519]

Did you have to collect your luggage from the Airport or do they automatically transfer it to the ship?

[@kazandnige]

Hi Rod, it's all taken automatically from the plane to the ship, it ends up outside your cabin door.

[@rodnewman6519]

@@kazandnige great news, thanks for that confirmation.

[@zeldasikweyiya5012]

They'll be sad if I dont try it 😂

[@kazandnige]

What could go wrong 😃

[@petersmith5163]

I think the sound is out of sync when you enter the terminal in Barbados ;)

[@kazandnige]

Thanks! Something has gone wrong since an edit on KZbin studio. We are working on it 😃

[@traceyb3805]

i love kazs green jeggings which she travelled in! where did she buy them from. Great video

[@kazandnige]

Hi Tracey, thank you! They are from QVC and the brand is White Stuff, janey colour crop jegging. Xx

[@harvey_holt3854]

What Time was your flight out?

[@kazandnige]

Hi, We flew out around 10am. Its a P&O charter flight so all onboard on the cruise. We couldn't pick a flight time. There was one slightly earlier and also just after us.

[@markhenry1530]

Hi guys. Loved the video. Just one quick question: When did you fill in your visa, and was it hassle free?

[@kazandnige]

Thank you 😊 We didn't need a visa but had to complete a Barbados Immigration form, very basic and free to complete online. Think it had to be done a couple of days before we travelled. travelform.gov.bb/

[@41djbrooks]

did they have those suits on deck 8

[@kazandnige]

Deck 8 is virtually the same layout as Iona. It has balcony cabins as well as the conservatory mini suite. Great to walk around but a bit odd watching people walk past your balcony.

[@janesdresser8843]

Why do you point the camera at other people, i would be so annoyed if i saw you filming me. Why not film yourselves 😮

[@jonsteward9383]

I think your editing has made the audio out of sync with the video

[@kazandnige]

Just seen that. Appears to be a common youtube studio issue, trying to find a fix 🤔

[@kazandnige]

Hopefully we have fixed it?

[@jonsteward9383]

@@kazandnige Yes all good now thanks. Look forward to part 2 :)

[@sedwards8121]

Uncomfortable to watch when the privacy of other passengers is being invaded so much. Many bloggers manage to post excellent cruise footage without dwelling on images of their fellow passengers.

[@kazandnige]

It's always in our mind and a difficult compromise. This is our holiday video not a vlog and it is shared by almost 6,000 others 😀 We do not purposely film others but it is impossible not to when recording our cruise. We also only film in public spaces where there is no expectation of privacy. A good talking point?

[@kazandnige]

*we have reviewed the footage and edited out the flight walk around - on consideration of your comment we feel people seated in the plane can't really avoid us! We do appreciate you're time to comment and we read them all, as long as they are polite 😀

[@jenniferclark3125]

Everyone these days take photos or record ? Not a problem at all .

[@jenniferclark3125]

Great Video , Thankyou both so much . We will be on Arvia soon , seems almost identical to the Iona , that we also loved 👌❤️❤️ Thankyou guys

[@kazandnige]

@Jennifer Clark thank you very much Jennifer. We loved our cruise on Arvia and were very lucky to be able to get away for a cruise. Have a lovely time on Arvia, bring some expandable clothing! 😆

[@declanmcalinden2387]

Rude partner

[@kazandnige]

Oh no😮which one?