Ports Visited on P&O Arvia Transatlantic from Barbados

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After a fabulous stay at The Barbados Beach Club and a delightful flight on British Airways, I finally arrived at the Barbados port! Feeling completely refreshed and excited, I can't wait to share my amazing experience. Check out my reviews through the links!

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Though I'm travelling solo, I'm lucky to have friends on board that I have met on previous cruises. Check out my review of the ship through the link.  On board Arvia.

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Once we left Barbados that evening, the adventure kicked off with an epic Sail Away party! Up on deck, the atmosphere was electric with cocktails in hand, vibrant music pumping, the sun was shining, and everyone dancing around the pool. 

St Lucia

Our first port of call was St. Lucia. As we approached the island, the difference from Barbados was striking—St. Lucia is incredibly green and lush. The skyline is dominated by the iconic twin peaks and rainforests, creating a breathtaking backdrop. There are a variety of tours available, offering the chance to see stunning volcanic landscapes, charming fishing villages, and beautiful botanical gardens.

I teamed up with my cruise buddies, and we chose the St. Lucia Highlights and Rum Tour. We toured the island, making several stops high in the hills. The scenery was spectacular, with vibrant bougainvillaea and an array of tropical plants surrounding us. We visited a few local art and craft shops and were treated to a delicious rum punch. Sitting there, we enjoyed the incredible view and watched numerous hummingbirds flitting around the hibiscus flowers.

After hopping back on the coach, we headed even higher up into the hills to visit the Rum Distillery. The journey itself was wonderful, with the coach winding through lush, green landscapes. Once we arrived, we embarked on a walkthrough of the distillery, after watching a video.  Our guide shared all the techniques behind the rum-making process, from fermenting to the art of blending and ageing.

Then came the tasting session. We were treated to samples of about ten different rums. We definitely made the most of it! 

The view towards Marigot Bay was stunning. 

As we made our way back, the scenery didn't disappoint. We passed through vast banana plantations, their vibrant green fields stretching out  below us. It was a great day out, organised well and I enjoyed it. 

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St Kitts

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Another beautiful island. St. Kitts. While the islands share some similarities, St. Kitts stands out with its newly built cruise terminal and marina complex. This modern addition is bustling with life, featuring numerous art and craft shops, duty-free stores, and a vibrant market.

Wandering through the market,  amidst the colourful stalls, we found everything from local crafts to fresh produce. The market led us to the regular shops, including supermarkets and a pharmacy. It was a good thing too because my friend had forgotten her UK prescription. Thankfully, the pharmacy supplied the tablets for a small fee, a handy tip.

Instead of taking tours, many cruisers decided to soak up the lively atmosphere by enjoying the many bars and restaurants around the terminal. The air was filled with the rhythmic sounds of a steel band, adding to the vibrant and festive mood.

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We made our way to the beach, which was great. We grabbed some sun beds and an umbrella, you need it, it was very hot. The beach was gorgeous and I strolled along its edge. There were plenty of beach bars and some had entertainment. A popular choice,  to do, was get a bucket of beer.

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The currency they use, is the US dollar, which we used rather than use our cards.

If you want to do a tour its worth checking out Get Your Guide

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Making our way back to the ship, quick freshen then out on deck for the party sail away. Now I loved this as Brittania was moored next to us, and as the ships were preparing to leave, we had a Dance Off. Great fun. 

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St Maarten 

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My favourite island holds a special place in my heart, not just for its beauty, but because my husband loved it so much. Many times, after enjoying a cocktail or two, I'd find myself dragging him out of a duty-free shop as he tried to negotiate a Rolex purchase – definitely not within our budget!

The island offers several fantastic day tours. You can indulge in thrilling water sports or take a half-day tour exploring both the French and Dutch sides. Most people choose the half-day tour to Maho Beach, where you can experience the exhilaration of jets flying right over the beach. The jet blast can be intense, making it quite a challenge to stay on your feet! Check out Get YourGuide

We decided to relax on the beach in Philipsburg. The sea was absolutely wonderful, beautiful white sand, although there’s a steep bank that makes getting in and out a bit tricky. 

Behind the beach, there's an array of shops and bars. I strolled along on my own with my memories. 

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Crossing the Atlantic and a visit to Tenerife and La Coruna

La Coruna, great for shopping. 

Well crossing the Atlantic is not my favourite thing to do. I was grateful to pull into Teneriffe as the weather hadn't been great and I suffer from sea sickness. See my previous review of things I try to do to combat it.

Tenerife I had been to many times before, and you can read about it in an earlier review, which was my first cruise

After Tenerife and La Coruna it was time to really experience everything the ship, Arvia, had to offer. P&O was ramping up the onboard festivities, and there was no shortage of activities. Unfortunately, as we entered the North Atlantic, the sea conditions worsened significantly. The waves reached heights of 7-8 metres, and I found myself spending most of my time in my cabin. I tried everything—stickers behind my ears, seasickness tablets, eating crisps and green apples, and frequently checking the ship's position on the map. Thankfully, once we entered the English Channel, the seas calmed down, and it was a huge relief.

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Now there's a familiar sight. It was quite a journey.