P&O Cruises Artemis to become MS Artania

Lloyd Werft are to transform P&O Cruises Artemis into MS Artania for the German market

She will be fitted with 96 new balconies and alterations will be made so she caters more for German tastes in cruise liners

More than five years ago Lloyd Werft refitted the Royal Princess as Artemis for P&O Cruises and only finished updating the technology of the 1984 cruise liner last May. Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven has now brought Artemis into dry dock again.

She arrived in Bremerhaven yesterday and on 26th May 2011 she will leave the shipyard again as the MS Artania bound for Hamburg. The V.Ships (Monaco) shipping company bought the 26-year old classic cruise liner from P&O Cruises for a long-term charter for the growing fleet of Phoenix Reisen in Bonn. An investment of over 20 million euros is to be made in the vessel.

There is much for Lloyd Werft to do in the large Kaiserdock. 96 balconies are to be added to Decks 5 and 6, the windows of the new balcony cabins are being replaced with sliding doors, inside the new Artania is being redesigned to suit German tastes in cruise liners, the casino is being converted into an additional bar while the function rooms, restaurants and cabins are being renovated. An additional restaurant means that guests can be entertained in one sitting, the SPA area is being enlarged and a new Wellness area and outdoor bars are being constructed. From the outside the cruise liner will look resplendent in the Phoenix look, while overhauling work is being done on the propellers, shafts, steering systems, stabilizers and bow thrusters.