Cruising with kids, family, or just for a special holiday is about so much more than the ports you visit — it’s also about the incredible dining experiences on board and food is a huge part of the magic, whether you’re after a relaxed buffet breakfast, a family-friendly main dining dinner, or a special treat in one of the ship’s speciality restaurants.

If you’re planning a cruise with your family and want to get a taste of what’s on offer before you even step on board, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’re taking you through every type of dining on P&O Arvia, from the casual buffet and main dining rooms to the more exclusive speciality experiences. Along the way, we’ll share tips on what’s worth trying, insider hints on how to navigate seating, and ideas for getting the most out of your mealtimes with kids.

We’ve even filmed a full YouTube video walking through all the restaurants on board, so if you want to see the dishes, decor, and atmosphere before you go, check it out here: [Insert YouTube Link].

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a P&O Arvia veteran, this guide will help you plan your dining strategy, know what’s worth booking in advance, and make sure no magical bite is missed. So, grab your appetite — it’s time to eat your way around P&O Arvia!

The Buffet on P&O Arvia: What to Expect

If you’re used to cruising with lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, the buffet on P&O Arvia might feel very different. That’s because it’s designed primarily for the British market, serving classic favourites aimed at UK tastes. Think plenty of full English options, baked beans, sausages, and comfort food staples — perfect if you love traditional British cuisine.

That said, we found the quality and variety didn’t quite match what you might expect on other international cruise lines. While we were prepared for the UK-focused menu, the buffet didn’t quite hit the mark in terms of taste or presentation. It’s also worth noting that the experience itself can be challenging, particularly at breakfast. The area tends to get extremely busy, especially during peak times, which can make navigating the stations with children tricky and not particularly relaxing.

Lunch and dinner at the buffet follow a similar style — simple, familiar dishes rather than gourmet or highly diverse options. If you’re someone who enjoys more international flavours or creative presentations, you might find it a bit limited. However, for families who just want reliable, filling options for quick meals, the buffet will still do the job.

Tips for Using the Buffet on P&O Arvia

Timing is key: Avoid peak times (typically 8–9:30 am for breakfast) to make it more enjoyable.
Keep expectations realistic: This is a cruise geared toward UK tastes — don’t expect the extensive variety or presentation of other international cruise lines.
Plan main meals strategically: Consider using the buffet for breakfast or light lunches and saving your main dining or speciality restaurant bookings for dinners.

While the buffet wasn’t our favourite part of the cruise, it’s still a convenient and quick option for families, especially if you want to fuel up before a busy day in port or enjoy a stress-free breakfast.

Main Dining on P&O Arvia: Our Honest Take

For many cruisers, the main dining room is the heart of the onboard dining experience — a place to relax, enjoy a full meal, and soak up the atmosphere of cruise life. Unfortunately, on our Arvia cruise, the main dining experience fell short of expectations.

One of the biggest challenges was service. The ship appeared to be understaffed, and the dining team seemed stretched to the limit. Long waits for courses, missing utensils, and rushed table service meant that meals weren’t as smooth or relaxing as you might hope. For families with children, this can make a big difference — it’s not quite the stress-free experience you imagine when booking a cruise.

The menus themselves were very much in keeping with P&O’s focus on the British market. Think hearty classics and comfort food favourites — perfectly fine if you love British cuisine, but if you’re used to more international or creative menus on lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or MSC, the selection feels limited. While we were prepared for this, the overall quality just didn’t live up to other cruise lines we’ve experienced.

Olive Grove and Sixth Street Diner: A Twist on Main Dining

Thankfully, Arvia offers a couple of alternatives to traditional main dining, which are great options for a slightly different experience.

Olive Grove: This was a welcome break during the first week of our cruise. The food was of a good standard, offering slightly different dishes than the main dining room. However, we noticed that in the second week, service and quality dipped, depending on the rotational menu — so your experience could be a bit hit-or-miss.
Sixth Street Diner: This American-style diner with some menu twists in our opinion bridges the gap between main dining and speciality restaurants. It’s well-themed, has a different environment from the main dining room, and on our experience, offered very good service. The food was slightly more adventurous, making it a fun little treat without paying for full speciality dining.

Because of these alternatives and the speciality restaurants, we found ourselves spending more time outside the main dining room, as these options offered better experiences overall.

Tips for Families Using Main Dining

Manage expectations: P&O’s main dining is solid but not exceptional — especially compared with other international cruise lines.
Timing matters: Try earlier or later seating to avoid the busiest periods.
Use it strategically: Consider using the main dining room for convenience rather than a highlight of your culinary experience.
Speciality dining: If your budget allows, reserve at least one speciality dinner — you’ll likely find it far more enjoyable.

While the main dining experience on P&O Arvia didn’t wow us, it still provides a reliable option for full meals — families just need to know what to expect and plan accordingly.

Speciality Dining on P&O Arvia: Our Top Picks

While the buffet and main dining on P&O Arvia left us a little underwhelmed, the speciality restaurants were a completely different story — and honestly, they were a real highlight of our cruise.

Two stood out in particular:

The Glasshouse

This on-board tapas-style restaurant completely exceeded our expectations. With a focus on quality ingredients, small plates, and a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere, it’s perfect for families looking to try a variety of flavours without committing to a huge main course. The dishes were fresh, well-presented, and packed with flavour, making it feel like a real dining experience rather than just a meal at sea.

Sindhu

If you love Indian cuisine, Sindhu is an absolute must. The restaurant serves modern Indian dishes with a creative twist, offering something very different from the traditional British fare served elsewhere on the ship. For speciality dining that comes at an extra cost, the quality here more than justified the price. We genuinely didn’t expect it to be this good, but P&O really got it right — rich flavours, great presentation, and a memorable evening out.

We also tried all of the other speciality restaurants on board, each with their own style and menu. While we won’t go into detail here, you can see all the speciality dining options in our full YouTube walkthrough, where we show you the dishes, decor, and what makes each restaurant unique.

Tips for Speciality Dining

Book early: These restaurants can fill quickly, so reserve your table as soon as possible.
Try something different: Unlike the main dining or buffet, speciality dining is your chance to experience unique flavours and higher-quality dishes.
Family-friendly options: Many speciality restaurants offer dishes suitable for kids, or the staff can help adapt plates if needed.

If you want a memorable meal on P&O Arvia, speciality dining is where it’s at — high quality, variety, and a real upgrade from the standard offerings.

Final Thoughts on Dining on P&O Arvia

While the buffet and main dining rooms didn’t quite live up to our expectations, the speciality restaurants more than made up for it. Families cruising on P&O Arvia should go in with realistic expectations for British-focused dining but also be ready to enjoy some surprisingly high-quality speciality meals.

Whether you’re planning your first cruise or returning to try something new, knowing what to expect and planning your dining strategy will help you make the most of mealtimes on board. For a full guide to all the restaurants on Arvia check out our YouTube channel.

Bon appétit — your culinary journey on P&O Arvia awaits!

What is the Food Like on P&O Arvia? A Complete Family Cruise Dining Review