Artemis says goodbye with a sell out cruise

After the final voyage for P&O Cruises’ Artemis sold out just 17 minutes after being put on sale, it seems likely that cruise companies will use this kind of end-of-life celebration approach much more in future. Artemis has always generated a loyal following, and when her fourteen night farewell cruise (to take place in April 2011) was put on sale at 10.00am on 1st December all cabins on the 1,196-passenger ship were snapped up within a few minutes.

What’s interesting for the cruise industry is that this final cruise, was only added to the P&O programme at the last minute, to cater to overflow requests from customers who wanted a final cruise on the ship. It sails from Southampton on April 12th 2011 and visits Gibraltar, Alicante, Palma, Sorrento, Rome, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. There will, of course, be commemorative memorabilia to buy as well as ‘surprise’ guest entertainers who will probably be drawn from the ship’s long entertainment history.

Artemis herself has been sold to MS Artania Shipping and was due to leave the line in September but P&O Cruises chartered her back for a further six months to meet demand, their managing director, Carol Marlow said, ‘…this is the fastest selling farewell voyage I have ever known. “It is fantastic to see how much Artemis is loved by our passengers, and to know that her final send-off will be a truly memorable experience. I hope to join our passengers on board for what will be a very special cruise, giving passengers and crew the chance to bid farewell to a dear friend and remember happy times on board.’