I flew from Manila, Philippines to the UK for training in Portsmouth, expecting a normal week. Everything was planned, including my flight home right after the course. But my travel plans suddenly changed, leading me to ABBA Voyage—an unforgettable musical experience I never saw coming.
I was in Portsmouth from March 17 to 21, 2025, for a 5-day Bridge Resource Management (BRM) Training—a course my company had sent me to. The original plan was simple: finish the training, then head straight to Heathrow Airport on the afternoon of March 21 for my flight back home to Manila, Philippines.
That morning, I woke up to an email from Cathay Pacific saying my flight was moved to the next day, March 22, because of a power failure at Heathrow. Suddenly, I found myself with a free evening in the UK and didn’t want to sit in a hotel room all night.
I had always wanted to see ABBA Voyage since it opened in 2022, but there was always something standing in the way. The main reason was that every time I completed my 2-month contract onboard, my company would always book my return flight home on the same day I was scheduled to sign off from the ship. This tight schedule made it almost impossible to find time to enjoy shows or explore new places, including ABBA Voyage.
So, when my flight was unexpectedly delayed and I had some free time in London, I finally had the chance to see what I had been waiting for all this time. It felt like the perfect opportunity to make up for all the times I had missed out before.
I quickly checked for tickets online, and lucky for me, there were still a few available. I bought one and started planning my surprise ABBA night.
After training finished, I went to Cosham Station and caught the 2:00 PM train to Waterloo Station, a ride that took about two hours. The trip was nice and calm, giving me time to relax and get ready for the concert.
When I arrived at Waterloo, I took the London Underground to get to the ABBA Arena, which is near Pudding Mill Lane.
• I took the Jubilee Line eastbound to Stratford Station.
• Then, I took the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and went one stop to Pudding Mill Lane.
The whole trip took about 25–30 minutes, and it was easy to follow the signs in the stations. From Pudding Mill Lane, it was just a 5-minute walk to the arena, with lots of people heading in the same direction.
I have to say, I was really impressed with how efficient the UK’s public transportation system is. The trains and subway were always on time, and everything was well-organized. It made my journey through London quick and easy, especially considering how last-minute my change of plans was.
Before going into the arena, I decided to grab a quick snack. There was a food stand near the venue where I got a burger and a cold draft beer—simple but perfect after the train ride. The area around the arena was full of energy, and it felt great to relax and get excited about the show.
Inside the arena, there are a lot of places to grab food and drinks. There are stands with hot dogs, fries, burritos, and more. For something a bit more special, there’s the Oceanbird Lounge, where you can enjoy free drinks and snacks like platters of food and desserts.
There’s also a merchandise shop where you can buy ABBA-themed items like t-shirts, posters, and other memorabilia.
ABBA Voyage Ticket, 21 March 2025
When I arrived at the ABBA Arena, the place was already buzzing with excitement. The building was bright and modern, and you could feel the energy from everyone who was there.
What stood out to me the most was how many people had been to ABBA Voyage more than once. Some fans had seen the show several times already, which just goes to show how much people love it. It felt amazing to be there, surrounded by so many ABBA fans.
I also quickly realized that any seat in the ABBA Arena is a good one. No matter where you sit, you’ll have a great view of the stage. So, you don’t need to worry about picking the perfect seat—you’re in for a great time wherever you are.
For those who want a more interactive experience, there’s the dance floor area where you can stand and get closer to the action. For an even more exclusive experience, there’s a section with a private dance floor, where you can enjoy a more VIP-like atmosphere. Both options add something special to the experience and make it even more fun.
As soon as the show started, I was totally hooked. The ABBA avatars, or “ABBAtars,” were so realistic it was hard to believe they weren’t actually on stage. The whole show was amazing—great lighting, stunning visuals, and a live band that brought a lot of energy to the performance.
What I loved the most was the sound. The acoustics were fantastic. I could feel the bass and drums vibrating through my body, which made the whole experience feel so real and powerful. The sound was perfectly balanced, and it made the music come to life in a way that I hadn’t experienced at other concerts.
I also learned that some of the ABBA members have been to the show several times since it opened, enjoying the experience just like any fan. However, they were not at the show the night I attended.
At the end of the show, there was a special moment where the audience was shown a video of the four ABBA members walking onto the stage where the ABBAtars perform. It was a touching moment that celebrated both the past and the present, reminding us that ABBA’s legacy is still alive and well.
I also noticed that video recording is not allowed during the show. If you are caught recording, you will be asked to leave and banned from attending future shows. This rule helps keep the show’s quality high and ensures that everyone has an uninterrupted experience.
Since filming is not allowed during the show, the featured image in this post is a photo I took from the ABBA Voyage website. I hope that’s okay, as it shows what the performance looks like and gives you a sense of the incredible visuals I saw at the show.
For those wondering what songs I got to hear, here’s the full ABBA Voyage setlist from the show I attended:
1. Intro: Skallgång
2. The Visitors
3. Hole in Your Soul
4. SOS
5. Knowing Me, Knowing You
6. Chiquitita
7. Fernando
8. Mamma Mia
9. Does Your Mother Know
10. Eagle
11. Lay All Your Love on Me
12. Summer Night City
13. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
14. Voulez-Vous
15. When All Is Said and Done
16. Don’t Shut Me Down
17. I Still Have Faith in You
18. Waterloo
19. Thank You for the Music
20. Dancing Queen
Encore:
21. The Winner Takes It All
22. I Wonder (Departure) (instrumental outro)
One of the most memorable moments for me was “The Winner Takes It All.” The stage was simple but powerful, and the visuals made it even more emotional. It was in that moment I realized how amazing it is when technology and art come together to create something magical.
After the show, I left the arena feeling excited and happy, still humming the tunes. I caught the train back to Portsmouth, where I arrived at my hotel at exactly midnight. I was tired but so grateful for the surprise adventure that had come from my cancelled flight.
The next day, I caught my flight from Heathrow Airport, heading back home to Manila, Philippines—reflecting on how an unexpected change in my travel plans led to one of the best experiences of my life.
If you ever find yourself in London with some free time, ABBA Voyage is more than just a concert—it’s an incredible experience you won’t forget. And sometimes, a cancelled flight is just the universe giving you a better seat to the show.
Seafarer and Family Man
I'm Dexter— a seafarer by profession, a traveler by passion, and a homebody by choice.
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