This article may contain affiliate links. Read my DISCLAIMER page for more disclosure information.
If you’re sailing on P&O Cruises’ Arvia, Anderson’s Bar is one venue you won’t want to miss. Following the success of Iona’s onboard gin distillery, P&O Cruises has expanded its at-sea distilling concept with a similar venue on Arvia. Home to the first ever rum distillery at sea, this stylish bar blends innovation with Caribbean-inspired flavour. In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about Anderson’s Bar and the Rum Distillery on board Arvia.
🔖See more posts on Arvia 🔖See more posts on P&O Cruises
Anderson’s Bar on Arvia: At-a-Glance ➡️ Best for: Rum lovers, cocktail fans, tasting experiences, something genuinely different at sea ➡️ Vibe: Relaxed and refined ➡️ Standout feature: The first rum distillery at sea, with onboard production ➡️ House rum: Golden Tide (exclusive to P&O Cruises) ➡️ Must-try drinks: Golden Tide Highball, Tidal Rum Old Fashioned, Bajan High Tea ➡️ Experiences available: Rum tasting classes, rum blending classes (extra charge) ➡️ Take-home option: Batch-numbered Golden Tide bottles from Aurelia, available in onboard shops ➡️ Location: Deck 6, Midship, Arvia
Anderson’s Bar Atmosphere
Located on Deck 6, Anderson’s Bar on board P&O Cruises Arvia is a relaxed yet refined lounge, During the daytime it’s a calm setting while in the evening it transitions into a stylish, intimate bar.
I’d describe it as a sophisticated but welcoming space; In the bar you’ll find soft lighting, dark wood finishes, brass accents and plush leather seating which help to create an elegant, contemporary feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows into the onboard rum distillery add a unique focal point – and it’s an ideal spot to enjoy Golden Tide Rum, Marabelle Gin or a crafted cocktail.
Aurelia: Arvia’s Very Own Rum Still and The First Rum Distillery at Sea
At the heart of Anderson’s Bar is the world’s first rum distillery at sea: Aurelia. On sailings in the Caribbean, you can watch batches of Golden Tide being distilled on board through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Once production is complete, bottles of The Golden Tide Rum distilled on board are sold the onboard shops in with a unique gold label, marked with the individual batch number. While bottles distilled on the mainland by The Tidal Rum have a blue label.
🍹🍸🍺🍻🍷☕🫖🧋 Sailing on P&O Cruises Soon? P&O Cruises Drinks Package Calculator Quick, FREE and designed to save you money 🍹🍸🍺🍻🍷☕🫖🧋
Rum & Drinks Menus on board Arvia – Andersons Bar
Anderson’s Bar is very much the focal point of Arvia’s rum offering, with menus designed to showcase both the ship’s exclusive house rum along with a wide range of premium rums from around the world.
Prices have been updated since my last sailing but you can see what’s available on board.
At the heart of the menu is The Golden Tide rum, a sun-drenched island rum created exclusively for P&O Cruises in partnership with The Tidal Rum. Golden Tide brings together the Caribbean and the British Isles a golden-aged, spiced rum infused with coastal botanicals foraged from sea and shore.
The wider cocktail menu showcases rum’s versatility, with fresh, fruit-led and spirit-forward creations. Highlights include the sparkling Bajan High Tea, the citrus-forward Ernest, a bold Black & Stormy, and a Caribbean take on a classic with the Ananas Old Fashioned.
💡If you find this article useful – please bookmark 🔖 this page or share this post with someone you think might find it useful too. Follow me on Facebook and YouTube for more helpful advice and cruise tips. Bon Voyage!
Rum Flights, Tastings and Blending Experiences on Board Arvia
If you want to explore rum in more depth, Anderson’s Bar also offers a range of on-board rum experiences, hosted by dedicated rum experts – There’s a rum tasting class and a rum blending class.
Rum Masterclasses
Rum Tasting Class
The rum tasting class involves a curated selection of fine rums while learning the stories behind each one. The experience includes tastings of Golden Tide, The Tidal Rum and other carefully selected favourites, all served with complementary mixers and garnishes.
You can book this experience on board. There is an extra cost for this which is around £70 - £80 and the experience usually occurs on sea days. Numbers are limited to around 10 people per session.
Rum Blending Class
For a more hands-on experience, the rum blending class gives you the opportunity to create your own bespoke blend. Guided by a rum expert, you can experiment with around 12-15 different blends and infusions inspired by flavours from the Caribbean and British coasts.
At the end of the session, you get to take home your finished bottle as a personalised souvenir. Once again, you can book this experience on board. There is an extra cost for this which is around £70 - £80 and the experience usually occurs on sea days. Numbers are limited to around 10 people per session.
Rum Flights
If you don’t want a formal rum tasting session, then a dedicated rum flights menu gives you the opportunity to compare three contrasting rums side by side in your own time and at your own pace.
Options include:
The Partnership Flight, celebrating the collaboration with The Tidal Rum, and
The Bajan Flight, showcasing rums connected to Barbados, Arvia’s Caribbean homeport.
A Rare & Limited Collection Flight offers small pours of exceptional bottlings, providing a guided tasting experience rarely found at sea. Unfortunately, none of the rum flights are included in any of the drinks packages.
Rare, Aged and Limited-Edition Rums
Beyond cocktails, tastings and flights, Anderson’s Bar showcases an impressive collection of sipping rums from across the Caribbean and beyond.
Beyond cocktails and flights, Anderson’s Bar showcases an impressive collection of sipping rums from across the Caribbean and beyond. The selection ranges from classic navy-style rums and approachable blends to complex, long-aged expressions.
A dedicated Rare & Limited Collection includes historic and highly collectable bottlings, some available by the glass in limited quantities.
More Than Rum – Gin and Premium Spirits Too
While rum is the star of the show at Anderson’s Bar on Arvia, the drinks offering extends well beyond a single category. I’m not a big rum drinker so it is nice to see that the drinks menu includes an extensive gin selection, organised by flavour profile – including citrusy and herbaceous, rich and robust, fruity and spicy, fresh and floral, and sweet and full-bodied.
Is Anderson’s Bar on Arvia Worth Visiting?
As both a venue and an experience, Anderson’s Bar is one of Arvia’s unique bars on board. It’s perfect for a pre-dinner drink before you head into the main dining room nearby, or a quiet place to retreat to during the day. It’s one of my favourite places on board.
Follow me on Instagram, X and Facebook and my other social media channels, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep up to date with more cruise content and cruise tips.
