Earlier this year, P&O Cruises revealed plans to improve Wi-Fi connectivity on its ships by partnering with SpaceX’s Starlink. With Starlink’s cutting-edge Low Earth Orbit satellite technology, guests can expect faster speeds for activities like streaming movies, sharing media, and accessing onboard content.
It is common for satellite internet services to rely on geostationary satellites positioned 35,786 km from Earth, resulting in higher latency—the time data takes to transfer across a network. However, Starlink has a network of satellites that orbit much closer to Earth at approximately 550 km, which significantly reduces lag to around 25 ms compared to 600+ms previously.
The Starlink service was launched in public areas on P&O Cruises ships Britannia and Azura in July 2023. The goal is to expand Starlink’s accessibility to public spaces and cabins in Arvia, Iona, Ventura, Arcadia, and Aurora by the end of 2023.
For the summer of 2023 and in collaboration with Aardman, the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, P&O Cruises brings character-based activities for all age groups to its family-friendly ships. This collaboration includes the premiere of the first at-sea Wallace & Gromit show, “All Hands on Deck!” on Arvia, modelling and craft workshops and Aardman film screenings.
Barbie has joined the lineup on P&O Cruises’ Arvia and Iona for the summer of 2023.
To enhance the holiday experience during the 2023 summer season, P&O Cruises has introduced dedicated family zones across all five family-friendly ships – Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Azura, and Ventura. These zones are equipped with various toys and activities.
In collaboration with Harding+, the retail spaces on Arvia and Iona will feature a selection of new children’s brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels Cars, and Keycraft Pocket Money Toys, in addition to well-loved favourites like Lego, Jellycat, and TY Plush Toys.
Families aboard Arvia and Iona can create lasting holiday memories with unique activities like posing inside a life-size Barbie box. Rubies Masquerade UK adds to the fun by offering a diverse range of fancy dress costumes, allowing families to dress up as their favourite characters.
