Live Report Arvia 14 Nights From Barbados 18th Feb onwards

[Interestedcruisefan]

6 hours ago, TigerB said:

Result!👍

 

Will it be a case of whoever snores the loudest has to sleep in the inside cabin?🤭

We've already moved everything out  of the inside cabin. We think the noise near the balcony one has  been fixed. I guess we find out tonight

[Interestedcruisefan]

TV offerings have improved on P and O ongoing

 

On Arvia we have 32 inch widescreen tvs in the room

 

With

BBC World News

Sky News

Sky Sports News

BBC HD 

Prime Favourites

Prime One

National Geographic

Prime Family

Movies Now

Movies Then

Sport 24

Sport 24 extra

 

The sports channels show sport from all over the world

 

Right now it's live  champions League on both channels - Liverpool v Real Madrid on live

 

In addition they've got 100s of on demand films including recent films

 

TV boxsets

 

And kids on demand stuff

 

All free of charge from what I can see

 

Way better offering than when we did our Britannia staycation

 

 

[Snow Hill]

On 2/20/2023 at 3:12 PM, jeanlyon said:

OMG that meat is absolutely raw 😞

It seems to have skipped the cooking part of the preparation. 🤢

[Interestedcruisefan]

Here's some images of our chosen spot for sea days

 

Back of the ship deck 16

 

 

[Interestedcruisefan]

Today's itinerary

 

 

[zap99]

Fantastic review. We will have to wait until December, but on Britannia. 

[Interestedcruisefan]

The new upgraded balcony cabin is fine. Perfect nights sleep and no noise.

 

We ended up with a good result 

[Interestedcruisefan]

Dominican Republic today. We are just going to walk to the centre of Romana. Think there's a chu chu train we will do a 45 minute tour on once we get there

[Interestedcruisefan]

I think my next post deserves its own thread as its more of an general observation for ongoing discussion

 

It's about the theatre and skydome on Arvia

 

I want to start by saying they are both incredible venues.

 

The theatre is BY FAR the most high tech theatre ive seen on a cruise ship

 

Behind the stage, above the stage and to the sides of the stage are big screens which allow them to enhance any show with videos footage and moving images which create spectacular sets. In addition for the Headliners show an airplane cockpit and a taxi came up from under the stage at the right times to be part of the show. All state of the art stuff

 

I've seen 2 shows there so far. A headliners show called Sky's The Limit and a professional act called Remixed (3 guys who sing well known songs in Harmonys). Saw these guys last night all 3 were brilliant singers. Their show was top notch. The crowd loved it.

 

Now for the Headliners show. It was an 30 minute musical. Its either been written especially for P and O or by someone who specialises in trying to write short musicals. 

 

So basically they are trying to create a story alongside singing and dancing within 30 minutes

 

I feel even Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice at their best would struggle to achieve this. It's too short to create any empathy at all with a character and having been to many musicals in the past most have one or two memorable songs you look forward to hearing

 

In the show we watched it was the same. You are almost enduring songs you've never heard waiting for a song you love. In this case they sang a couple of well known songs interspersed into songs I assume have been written especially for this "mini musical"

 

As such despite some high quality singing and dancing from the young cast I don't think it works.

 

It's a shame because they have all the ingredients for incredible shows in there

 

The 2 highlights were backdrops of New York and the song "Empire State of Mind" which you guys will all know if you heard it and a backdrop of London on the screens and ""London Calling" song

 

Both well known songs

 

I feel strongly the Headliners shows should just be songs people know from start to finish backed up by the graphics and videos. If they did that rather than trying to use short musicals with a story they would be on to a real winner every time. As they have a great cast.

 

The skydome exactly the same. Great setting for a show. High tech screens behind the stage. Great acrobatic dancing in the air at one stage. Some high tech sets  A huge "alien" drone plus countless drones creating stars in the  sky at the end. HUGE investment just like the high tech theatre. 

 

But again someone has written a 30 minute musical. Which again doesn't do justice to the setting and the cast IMO. It was called Universe. The highlight was the "Spaceman" song from last year's UK Eurovision. Sang brilliantly by the young lady. Think there was one other song you would know. I've forgotten what it was now.

 

The rest again appeared to be songs specially written to make this musical. Which again don't work. You will never hear these songs again for them to grow on you.

 

Again the cast were very good, the set and costumes were great. The specials effects excellent and state of the art for a cruise. The singing and dancing excellent. But again I feel for 30 minute musical shows forget about trying to create a story.

 

Instead just perform one classic song after another to the theme of the show. There's plenty of songs that would work with the  space theme for example.  David Bowie wrote a few.!!

 

Someone mentioned in another thread acoustic issues in the dome. From what I've seen so far this holiday you can hear the songs well. It's any dialogue in the musical that isn't a song that can be hard to hear properly for some reason. 

 

I award Arvia 10 out of 10 for investment in these 2 venues.

 

The young cast 9 out of 10

 

Costumes and set 10 out of 10

 

The decision to create musicals with unknown songs 10 out of 10 for bravery and innovation

 

4 out of 10 for impact on a crowd.  

 

You come out admiring so much of what you've seen. The energy and effects are great. The cast give it everything. And are good quality. But like I say even Lloyd Webber and Rice couldn't deliver a 30 minute musical that works on a cruise ship IMO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan

[wowzz]

I wonder if the new songs are being use to save paying royalties ? 

[Interestedcruisefan]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

I wonder if the new songs are being use to save paying royalties ? 

It occurred to me

 

But then all the acts that come on just sing classic after classic and go down a storm

 

Not sure at what stage if any a show needs royalties paying

 

My friend is a Neil Diamond tribute artist. He's never paid a penny to anyone to sign one of his songs?

 

I do know you have to pay fees to perform an established musical

 

But like I say musicals arent needed for 30 minute shows

[wowzz]

1 minute ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

My friend is a Neil Diamond tribute artist. He's never paid a penny to anyone to sign one of his songs?

He may not pay,  but he should  pay a "performing arts" fee.

[Interestedcruisefan]

I think it's a decision based on thinking how great it would be to create our own musicals. But then not realising the impact not as great as just performing great songs one after another with great dancing etc

 

The cast could deliver that if they were given the songs. I've no doubt the quality is there

[Interestedcruisefan]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

He may not pay,  but he should  pay a "performing arts" fee.

Maybe he does. But I just know his show isn't driven by the costs of individual songs he performs

 

He would sing slower and cut down his encores!!

 

Lol

Edited February 22, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan

[Interestedcruisefan]

Breakfast at the Quays again today

 

This is my view sitting outside The Quays

 

It's a glorious day in Dominican Republic

 

I'm the only one sitting outside eating my breakfast. No idea why more people don't do it?

 

Anywhere ive been on holiday around the world where it's hot it would normally be sought after to have a table outside ?

 

Whereas in the Quays it's more like sitting in a canteen than being in the Caribbean

 

At the Quays and the Buffet we are taking every opportunity to eat our meals with a view

[Interestedcruisefan]

Here  is the alternative view if we were to eat inside

 

 

[Interestedcruisefan]

1 hour ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Here  is the alternative view if we were to eat inside

 

 

 

20 yards from a stunning view outside. I guess the window seats get  a view but not as nice as being outside IMO

[Interestedcruisefan]

It was "Celebration Night'" last night

 

We dressed smart but not formal and went to the Buffet followed by theatre show

 

I would estimate 80 per cent of guests were  formal that we could see out and about

 

I was amazed to see formally dressed guests in the Buffet restaurant.

 

Why make an effort to then eat in the Buffet?

 

One half of the Buffet had laid tables ready for formal guests. I assume they were going to get table service in there? And maybe the celebration menu from MDRs?

 

That wouldn't have been something we would have liked. If we were going to dress formal we would have wanted to be in MDR or a speciality restaurant for sure

 

I don't think some guests had cruised before. I don't think some realised formal wasn't compulsory. As other than dressing up they weren't doing anything celebratory 

 

I heard 2 couples dressed formally in the Buffet say to each other:

 

"Where shall we go now?"

 

And one of them said

 

"I think there's karaoke on in the Irish Bar."

 

I'm sure its been mentioned elsewhere. It's now called Black Tie and no longer formal.

 

Smart dark suits and ties are now allowed

 

Although those that did make the effort nearly all were still formal. I only saw a few suits with ties.

 

 

[Sussexboy]

I may be old fashioned, but I love wearing a dinner jacket in the evenings whilst on board. 
- it’s smart

- I know it’s smart

- I don’t need to think about whether it is smart

- Mrs Sussexboy thinks that I look devastatingly handsome in it….

[Interestedcruisefan]

1 hour ago, Sussexboy said:

I may be old fashioned, but I love wearing a dinner jacket in the evenings whilst on board. 
- it’s smart

- I know it’s smart

- I don’t need to think about whether it is smart

- Mrs Sussexboy thinks that I look devastatingly handsome in it….

Maybe you should wear it every night?

 

And around the home?

 

Lol

[Interestedcruisefan]

The outside doors to get into the public toilets on Arvia don't have door handles. They are all automatic doors. You hover your hand in front of a sensor and the doors open without you touching them

 

To get in and out

 

Everywhere else in public there are also no doors to physically open (apart from emergency exits)

 

They all open automatically as you approach them

 

I'm surprised you still have to physically touch lift buttons though. There must be new technology for calling lifts that's hands free?

 

Maybe that's for the next ship?

 

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan

[Bill Y]

2 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Smart dark suits and ties are now allowed

They have been allowed by P&O on formal nights for over ten years.

[Ardennais]

7 hours ago, Sussexboy said:

I may be old fashioned, but I love wearing a dinner jacket in the evenings whilst on board. 
- it’s smart

- I know it’s smart

- I don’t need to think about whether it is smart

- Mrs Sussexboy thinks that I look devastatingly handsome in it….

 

4 hours ago, Bill Y said:

They have been allowed by P&O on formal nights for over ten years.

Yes indeed. And I think they look smarter than DJs. 

[Interestedcruisefan]

Had a great couple of hours today at Altos de Chavon in Romana, Dominican Republic

 

They filmed Rambo, Apocalypse Now and The Lost City (with Sandra Bullock) there

 

It's got a golf course, Polo Club and some incredible houses within the resort. I mean incredible. 

 

Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Sting, Placido Domingo amongst many others have all performed at the amphitheatre there

 

I thought Dominican Republic was a poor country. But trust me there is some serious money and wealth at this resort.

 

My wife saw a summer dress she liked in one of the shops there. She was about to try it on til we saw the price. 850 US dollars!!  

 

Meanwhile here's some pictures below.

 

[davecttr]

5 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Had a great couple of hours today at Altos de Chavon in Romana, Dominican Republic

 

They filmed Rambo, Apocalypse Now and The Lost City (with Sandra Bullock) there

 

It's got a golf course, Polo Club and some incredible houses within the resort. I mean incredible. 

 

Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Sting, Placido Domingo amongst many others have all performed at the amphitheatre there

 

I thought Dominican Republic was a poor country. But trust me there is some serious money and wealth at this resort.

 

My wife saw a summer dress she liked in one of the shops there. She was about to try it on til we saw the price. 850 US dollars!!  

 

Meanwhile here's some pictures below.

 

Had an excursion there many years ago when Thomson had a ship based at La Romana. As you say very exclusive and had a security perimeter with armed quards. We had a river cruise and a good meal.