If you’re planning a cruise on Arvia, one of the biggest questions is whether the speciality dining is actually worth paying for. With several extra cost restaurants onboard, it’s not always clear which ones offer a genuinely different experience and which ones feel too similar to what’s already included.
P&O Arvia restaurants cover a wide range of dining styles, from traditional cruise dining in the main dining rooms to more casual options like The Quays and the Horizon buffet. Speciality dining sits alongside these as an upgrade, but the reality is that not every venue delivers the same level of value.
This guide focuses specifically on Arvia speciality dining, including what each restaurant offers, what has changed recently, and what you should realistically expect before you book. It also includes a free downloadable PDF with the full Arvia speciality dining menus and prices, so you can see exactly what’s available before you sail.
If you’re looking for a broader overview of all restaurants on Arvia, you can also read my full Arvia dining options guide, which covers breakfast, lunch and dinner across the ship.
Watch Arvia Dining Options and Menus
If you want to see these restaurants, menus and dishes in more detail, you can watch my full Arvia dining guide below.
Arvia Speciality Dining: What’s Worth Paying For
There are several speciality restaurants on Arvia, and they are not all trying to do the same thing. Some are designed to offer a completely different style of dining from the main restaurants, while others are more about atmosphere or variation rather than a clear step up in quality.
This is where a lot of people end up overspending. It’s easy to assume that paying extra automatically means better, but on Arvia that is not always the case. The key is understanding which venues actually add something to your cruise and which ones are more situational.
In simple terms, if you only plan to book one speciality restaurant, it needs to feel like a different experience, not just a slightly upgraded version of the main dining rooms.
Sindhu: The Best Speciality Restaurant on Arvia
Sindhu is the standout speciality restaurant on Arvia and the one that consistently feels worth booking. If you only choose one extra cost restaurant, this is the one that offers the clearest difference from the rest of the ship’s dining.
The menu focuses on Indian fine dining, with strong flavours, well presented dishes and a good balance between traditional and modern options. You will find tandoori grills, curries, and more refined plates that feel like a proper restaurant experience rather than standard cruise food.
What makes Sindhu stand out is that it does not overlap with the main dining rooms. It offers something you are not going to get elsewhere onboard, and that is what makes it worth the cover charge. The quality is consistent, and the overall experience feels like a genuine upgrade.
If you are looking at Arvia restaurants and trying to decide where to spend your money, Sindhu is the easiest recommendation.
The Beach House: Relaxed and Good Value
The Beach House is one of the more enjoyable speciality dining options on Arvia, particularly if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. The menu is based around Caribbean and Latin American dishes, including fajitas, ribs and sizzlers. And part of the Horizon Buffet turns into the Beach House at night.
It sits somewhere between casual dining and a full restaurant experience, which works well for evenings when you do not want something too formal. The food is generally good, and the setting feels different enough from the main dining rooms to justify the cost.
One thing to be aware of is that some dishes come with a small surcharge on top of the cover charge. This is not unusual, but it does mean the final bill can be higher than expected if you are not paying attention.
Overall, The Beach House is one of the better value speciality options on Arvia and works well as a change from the standard evening routine.
The Epicurean: High Expectations, Mixed Results
The Epicurean is positioned as Arvia’s fine dining restaurant. This is where you go if you are expecting a more premium experience, with steak, seafood and more elaborate presentation.
The setting is impressive, and the dishes are designed to look like something you would expect from a high end restaurant. However, this is one of the Arvia speciality dining venues where expectations can run ahead of reality.
The pricing is at the higher end, and while the food is good, it does not always feel like the best value compared to other options on the ship. Many people enjoy it, but it is not as clear cut a recommendation as Sindhu.
If you are comparing Arvia restaurants and deciding where to spend, The Epicurean is worth considering, but it is not necessarily the strongest choice.
Keel and Cow: Good Food, Busy Location
Keel and Cow is effectively Arvia’s steakhouse and burger restaurant. The food is good, and the menu includes steaks, burgers and sides that feel more substantial than some of the lighter options elsewhere on the ship.
The main drawback is its location in the atrium. It is not a quiet setting, and this can affect the overall experience, especially in the evening. It feels more like an open restaurant than a private dining space.
Because of this, Keel and Cow often works better for lunch or an early dinner rather than a later, more relaxed evening meal. The quality of the food is not the issue. It is more about the environment.
If you are looking at the Keel and Cow Arvia menu, you will see that it offers solid, familiar options, but it is not necessarily the best choice for a quieter night out.
The Glass House: Easy to Overspend
The Glass House is one of the more distinctive P&O Arvia restaurants, focusing on wine-led dining with small plates, seafood and steaks.
The concept works well if you enjoy pairing food with wine, and the setting in the atrium is attractive. The menu is designed to be flexible, allowing you to order a range of dishes rather than a fixed three course meal.
The issue is that it is very easy to overspend. The pricing is not always obvious at first, and once you start adding dishes and drinks, the total can climb quickly.
If you look at the Glass House menu on P&O ships, it is clear that this is a different style of dining rather than a simple cover charge restaurant. That makes it enjoyable, but it also means you need to keep an eye on what you are ordering.
Green and Co Featuring Mizuhana: A Quiet Alternative
Green and Co has changed significantly, and if you have seen older Green and Co Arvia menus, they will not fully reflect what is offered now.
Originally, this was positioned as a plant-based restaurant. It has now shifted towards a more Asian fusion style, with sushi, seafood and a reduced vegan offering.
This change has altered how the restaurant fits into the overall dining options on Arvia. It is no longer a specialist plant-based venue, but more of a quieter alternative to the busier speciality restaurants.
One of the advantages is that it is rarely as busy as places like Sindhu or Keel and Cow. If you cannot get a reservation elsewhere, this can be a good backup option.
The updated Green and Co Arvia menu shows a broader mix of dishes, but it is not as distinctive as it once was.
The Limelight Club: Book It for the Show
The Limelight Club follows the same format as other P&O ships, combining a three course meal with live entertainment.
The key point here is that you are booking it for the show rather than the food. The dining is part of the experience, but it is not the main reason to go.
If you are interested in the act, it can be a good night out. If you are focused purely on food, there are stronger options elsewhere on the ship.
How Much Does Speciality Dining Cost on Arvia?
Speciality dining on Arvia usually involves a cover charge, with prices varying depending on the restaurant. Some venues also include additional surcharges for certain dishes.
In general, you are paying for a different experience rather than simply better food. That distinction matters, because the included dining on Arvia is already good enough that you do not need to pay extra unless you want something different.
The easiest way to understand the pricing is to look at the menus themselves. The downloadable PDF includes the full Arvia speciality dining menus and prices, so you can see exactly what each restaurant offers and how much it costs.
Do You Need to Book Speciality Dining on Arvia?
Most speciality restaurants on Arvia can be booked online before your cruise, and this is the best way to secure the time you actually want. Popular venues like Sindhu can fill up quickly, especially on sea days and Celebration Nights, so leaving it until you are onboard can limit your options.
You can still book through the My Holiday system once you are onboard, but at that point you are working around what is left rather than choosing freely. Some restaurants may have availability on the day, but relying on that can be unpredictable.
If you already know which speciality restaurants you want to try, booking in advance is the simplest way to avoid disappointment and plan your evenings properly.
Download Arvia Speciality Dining Menus and Prices PDF
You can download the full Arvia speciality dining menus and prices in the PDF below. This includes Sindhu, The Epicurean, Keel and Cow, The Glass House, Green and Co and more.
Having access to the menus in advance makes it much easier to decide what is worth booking and how to plan your evenings.
What’s Actually Worth It on Arvia?
If you are trying to decide which speciality dining options on Arvia are worth your money, the answer depends on what you want from the experience.
Sindhu is the clearest recommendation and offers the most distinct upgrade from the included dining. The Beach House is a strong choice if you want something more relaxed. Keel and Cow delivers good food but is affected by its location. The Glass House is enjoyable but requires more awareness of pricing. The Epicurean looks impressive but does not always justify the cost in the same way as other venues. Green and Co works well as a quieter alternative, and the Limelight Club is best approached as an entertainment experience.
The key is to choose one or two venues that genuinely add something to your cruise rather than trying to book everything.
Useful Guides for Your Arvia Cruise
If you want to plan your dining across the whole cruise, it helps to look at how each part of the day works together.
You can read my Arvia breakfast options and menus guide for a full breakdown of morning dining, including The Quays and the main dining rooms.
My Arvia lunch guide and menus guide covers daytime dining, including Taste 360, The Quays and 6th Street Diner.
My Arvia dinner options guide explains how the main dining rooms, freedom dining and casual evening options work.
For a complete overview, you can also read my full Arvia dining options guide guide.
P&O Drinks Menu 2026 – Full Price List + Downloadable Menu (Cocktails, Wine, Beer & More)
FAQs: Arvia Speciality Dining
Is speciality dining worth it on Arvia?
Speciality dining can be worth it if you choose the right restaurant. Sindhu is the strongest option, while others depend on what kind of experience you are looking for.
What is the best speciality restaurant on Arvia?
Sindhu is widely considered the best speciality restaurant on Arvia due to its quality, flavour and overall experience.
Do you need to book speciality restaurants on Arvia?
Yes, most speciality restaurants require booking, and it is best to reserve in advance on line or whilst onboard using the My Holiday App.
Are there free restaurants on Arvia?
Yes, most dining options on Arvia are included, including the main dining rooms, buffet and casual venues.
What restaurants are on Arvia?
Arvia has a range of restaurants including Meridian, Zenith, The Quays, Horizon buffet, 6th Street Diner and several speciality venues.
Arvia speciality dining works best when you approach it selectively. The ship already offers strong included dining, so the value comes from choosing restaurants that genuinely offer something different.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Staying Connected at Sea
If you don’t want to rely entirely on the ship’s Wi-Fi, another option is a cruise eSIM.
Saily has recently launched cruise eSIM plans that provide mobile data both at sea and in supported ports. Depending on your itinerary and how you use your phone, this could be a convenient alternative for messaging, maps and general internet browsing.
You can check the latest plans and coverage here: Saily Cruise Esim
Use code SOLOTRAVEL10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I haven’t personally tested Saily’s cruise eSIM yet, so please check the latest coverage, data allowances and device compatibility before purchasing.