LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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IS THE EPICUREAN ABOARD ARVIA WORTH IT?

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MS Arvia has a number of speciality restaurants on board, all of which come at an additional cost beyond the standard Freedom Dining options.

Of these, there were several we discounted almost immediately. Keel and Cow, for example, held little appeal. Tucked off the atrium, it felt more like a glorified corridor than a destination restaurant. However good the burgers are reputed to be, it simply didn’t tempt us.

Then there are the smaller add-ons: tapas at the Glass House, ice creams at Ripples. These didn’t really move us either. That’s not meant to sound dismissive, but we travel widely, and it’s hard to imagine tapas surpassing those found in a small Spanish town, or gelato rivaling a scoop enjoyed in Puglia.

The Epicurean, however, sparked genuine curiosity. This is P&O Arvia’s take on fine dining, and from the outset, it felt like something different.

First impressions & booking

The Epicurean is tucked away on Deck 17, next to the Crow’s Nest bar. The whole area has a “gentleman’s club” feel – the refined kind, not the exotic variety. From our first evening on board, this corner of the ship drew us in. It felt calmer, less frenetic, and quietly exclusive.

We were pleased we’d taken a punt and booked a table for two before embarkation, scheduling our visit for one of our final nights on board. This turned out to be a wise move: once on the ship, availability seemed limited unless you were willing to dine very early.

Bookings open two weeks before sailing, and reservations can also be made onboard via the My Holiday App. The Epicurean offers both afternoon tea and dinner; we opted for dinner, priced at £35 per person (wine excluded).

We chose a 20:15 sitting – and it’s worth noting that simply having a guaranteed dining time slot is a luxury in itself.

Ambience & Service

Deck 17 already feels removed from the bustle of the rest of the ship. Time slows down here, and I suspect many passengers never venture into this corridor at all.

We began with drinks next door at the Crow’s Nest, a piano bar with a noticeably more polished atmosphere than many of the ship’s other venues. The wine list mirrors that of The Epicurean, so my Chardonnay came with me from one room to the next.

There were no queues on arrival, just a small desk and a warm welcome. We were escorted to our table by a member of staff who introduced our waiter for the evening, setting a tone that felt considered and personal.

Service throughout was polished, friendly, and attentive. A roving officer checked in with us during the meal, and as John neatly put it, they do a good job of “massaging your ego.” Wine was poured thoughtfully, cruise cards scanned discreetly -everything felt a notch above the norm.

The pacing was particularly welcome. Unlike the main dining rooms, where meals can feel rushed, here there was time to linger, talk, and enjoy the experience between courses.

The food 

The Epicurean operates on a rotating menu; we were served “Menu 2.” Starters included elevated classics such as prawn cocktail, smoked salmon, and chicken wing “sucettes.”

I chose the pulled smoked duck leg with hackleback caviar, elegant in presentation and pleasant in flavour. John opted for the mature cheddar mousse with Serrano ham, which was both satisfying and refreshingly different.

Main courses offered nine options, ranging from Dover sole and vegetarian dishes to lamb rump and a whole lobster. We couldn’t resist the hand-carved Côte de Boeuf for two, and I successfully strong-armed John into sharing it with me.

It arrived with chips, greens – and unexpectedly, onion rings. Setting those aside, the beef itself was huge, beautifully cooked, and deeply satisfying. We even debated whether it surpassed the steaks we’d eaten at Don Julio in Buenos Aires. Not quite – but it came impressively close.

Dessert choices numbered seven, including a cheese course and a “taster for two” featuring miniature versions of the other puddings. The “elements of summer trifle” sounded like something a MasterChef contestant might invent after a trifle mishap, so we passed.

I went for the crème brûlée, having already clocked the impressive white chocolate sphere on a neighbouring table. It was playful, indulgent, and delicious. John chose the banana and peanut butter cannelloni, interesting in concept, though a little oversweet for our taste.

Between courses, there were thoughtful extras: an amuse-bouche reminiscent of a turmeric and ginger shot (perhaps a bit of a miss), a palate-cleansing blackberry sorbet, and finally, excellent chocolates served with coffee.

Value for money 

So – is it worth it?

That depends on how you frame value. On a purely numerical level, you’re paying £35 per person extra – roughly £10 per course – compared with the main dining rooms.

In our view, the starters and desserts were noticeably more refined. In a land-based restaurant, you might easily pay £20 per dish, compared with £12–£14 for comparable offerings in Meridian or Zenith.

The Côte de Boeuf was the real standout. We estimated it would command £80–£100 ashore, versus roughly £25 for a standard main in the main dining rooms. On that basis, it felt very good value indeed.

That said, value is heavily influenced by what you order. I couldn’t help noticing a nearby diner opt for “Epicurean Fish and Chips” – a curious choice when a perfectly decent (if less polished) version is available for free at The Quays most of the day.

Ultimately, though, value isn’t just about the food. It’s about ambience, service, and space. The Epicurean feels calmer, more luxurious, and far less hectic. You can secure a table for a specific time and happily linger for hours, something that didn’t always feel quite possible in Meridian or Zenith, where you often need to ask for service to slow down.

We also appreciated the generous table spacing – a small detail, perhaps, but one that had begun to grate elsewhere on the ship.

To be clear, we found the food in Meridian and Zenith consistently good. But The Epicurean is undeniably a step above. As a one-off indulgence, a celebration meal, or simply a special treat, we felt it was absolutely worth it and we would be sure to schedule it in if we ever return aboard Arvia.

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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