P&O Cruises

MV ARTEMIS

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Operator: Princess Cruise Lines
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1984
Length / Tonnage: 761 / 44,348
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 600 / 1,200
Officers / Crew: British / Italian
Operating Area: Mediterranean, Canaries, Baltic and Norwegian Fjords plus an extended World Cruise
Telephone / Fax: Tel 144 0211 / Fax 144 02154

In the early 1980s, Princess had to order a new ship because all they had were the PACIFIC PRINCESS, ISLAND PRINCESS and SUN PRINCESS... three ships, one pair of sisters and a contemporary having little but the Princess name and logo in common....oh yes, that and those tiny cabins that you know we don't like. Princess had to order a new ship, because their competition was intent on expansion, and they couldn't afford to be left behind. Never mind Princess' British ownership....never mind Britain's illustrious past as shipbuilder to the world....Princess took a look at British yards and realized none of them had built a modern cruise ship since 1973 when the John Brown yard delivered the VISTAFJORD. And let's face it, good as she is....she just might be the best cruise ship in the world....there was really nothing original about her.

Soooo, Princess turned to Finnish shipbuilder Wartsila, a concern that had managed to gain for itself a name and reputation far beyond anything the quality of their work really entitled them to. But Wartsila it was....and for Princess, the yard built the then enormous 45,000 ton ROYAL PRINCESS (now sailing as P&O's child-free ARTEMIS). Even her name bespeaks an appeal to the snobbery of legions of all manner of passengers...christened by Diana Princess of Wales, after the launching Princess publicity writers went as far as saying that this ship was named in honor of the Princess Royal! They stopped making an attempt to link ROYAL PRINCESS with any royal family members about the time the STAR PRINCESS came out.

With this ship, the line tried out a number of novelties if not actual innovative features. For a change, most lounges were located down deep in the passenger accommodation, all the better to provide room above for the cabins.....no doubt a psychological advantage to those housed in the least expensive rooms, as they have been moved well above the water line with this arrangement. When I first saw the ROYAL PRINCESS, I thought her exterior was exceedingly ugly, and time has not softened her aesthetic harshness. Whether I like it or not is of no interest to the cruise lines.....who ended up copying her apartment block look in ships that have come later. Crystal Cruises, for example, must have been quite impressed with her looks.....I think of the ROYAL PRINCESS as the mother of the CRYSTAL HARMONY.

ARTEMIS joined the P&O Cruises fleet in June 2005. She was previously named ROYAL PRINCESS and sailed with P&O Cruises sister company, Princess Cruises. Her arrival was heralded with a naming ceremony with a difference. For she was the very first ship in British history to be named at sea. The much-loved British actress Prunella Scales (CBE) accepted the title of ‘Godmother of ARTEMIS’. Whilst Osborne House, the country retreat of Queen Victoria, provided the perfect setting for the ensuing garden party and classical concert.

The smallest member of the P&O Cruises fleet, ARTEMIS is friendly, intimate and child-free. You will find every facility you would expect on board a P&O Cruises ship from a spa to a library and even a cyb@study. And with outside and balcony cabins only (the first ship ever to be built in this way), you need never be far from an ocean view.

As well as bringing you new shores and cultures, ARTEMIS can help you discover your own potential. Take part in ARTEMIS’ New Horizons programme and you can further your interests or start a new hobby. And join ARTEMIS for one of her Theme cruises or Music Festivals at Sea in 2006 to enjoy a range of talks and activities based on a range of interesting subjects plus opera, operetta, music quizzes and recitals.

The smallest member of the fleet, ARTEMIS offers a traditional cruise experience. Capturing the adventure and camaraderie of cruising in days gone by, ARTEMIS calls at some more unusual ports. Especially suited to the well-travelled, her holidays might take you off the beaten track. The Amazon, Lebanon, Libya and Tunisia all feature in her 2006 programme.

On board, her intimate surroundings make her friendly and welcoming. No less than 16,000 square feet of windows assure an ocean view is never far away and her accommodation is all housed in outside and balcony cabins.

Days can be spent learning about your next port at the port talks. Soothing your cares away in the spa. Perusing the library. Enjoying afternoon tea. And playing cards in Trumps. If you would like to enrich your time still further, you could learn more about the world’s civilisations or our rich British heritage. Explore British art, architecture and landscape. Or develop your ear for classical music and your knowledge of literature.

High atop the ship is one of ARTEMIS’ loveliest bars – the Horizon Lounge. To reach the bar go to the aft of the ship and take the lift to Sun Deck. As the name suggests, this bar affords visitors wonderful views of the horizon and its cream leather bar stools and comfortable chairs provide the perfect place to relax and read a book during the day. But it is at night when the room is at its most attractive. As the sun begins to set, the warm light pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in warm golden light. As an attentive steward refreshes your drink you can converse with friends or simply sit back and listen to the melodic music as the pianist tickles the ivories of the baby grand piano.

Starlights spans the breadth of the ship and is located on D Deck aft. If you enter this room from the port side you’ll be met by the long marbled bar that sweeps into the room. Red leather bar stools and pillars characterise this room and give it a sumptuous feel. During the day you can catch up on your favourite sport or the latest news shown on large plasma screens. Alternatively, learn to tango or cha cha cha with a dance class on the superb dance floor that occupies the centre of the room. This room really comes to life at night. The low ceiling and soft lighting creates an intimate feel. And you can enjoy performances by a live band or cabaret artist on the centre stage, as a steward refreshed your drink. The atmosphere in this room is sure to make you want to get up and dance.

At the forward end of D Deck you’ll find the International Lounge and Bar. Most of the evening stage shows and acts are performed on the lounge’s perfectly suited stage. The ample supply of comfortable show lounge seats arc around the stage in tiers and the vibrant colour schemes of vivid reds and sparkly fabrics add a dramatic touch to the room. Enter on the port side and you’ll immediately be met by the marbled bar and a welcoming bar steward you can either order you favourite tipple en route to your seat or find the perfect spot and wait for the stewards to come to you. This room is the perfect post dinner and late night venue for those who wish to be entertained by our theatre company one night, and perhaps a comedian or soloist the next.

Tiffany’s is centrally located at the heart of ARTEMIS at the top of the Atrium, D Deck midships. You can reach this speciality coffee and chocolate bar by ascending the sweeping staircase from Garden Court (E Deck) or by following either the port or starboard corridor to the centre of the ship. The centrepiece of this room is the very inspiration for its name - the Tiffany glass ceiling that crowns the Atrium – its colourful hues and the light that pours through it bathes the room in warm ambient light.

Evenings on board are more formal that you will find on other ships. There’s Club Dining in the warm and inviting surroundings of the Coral Dining Room and Select Dining in The Grill. Later, meet up with friends in the Horizon Lounge and look out upon the sparkling ocean. Take in a stage show in the International Lounge. Take a turn on the dancefloor to the sound of a live band. Or catch a film on selected nights in the Festival Theatre. A haven for culture, ARTEMIS also hosts many Music Festivals at Sea and theme cruises on a variety of subjects. Music Festivals at Sea offer opera, operetta and evening recitals to enhance your holiday. There are also music quizzes and on some cruises, you will even have the chance to get involved and perform to fellow passengers in the theatre.

High atop the ship on Lido Deck aft is the Conservatory. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide wonderful ocean views and give the room a light airy feel. Here you can enjoy informal self-service dining with a tempting array of food laid out before you. From early morning you can re-energise with breakfast, top up with a cold or hot lunch and refresh with afternoon tea. Then, at night, the lights are turned down and the warm glow of sunset and table candles create a unique intimate ambience. The tables are dressed for dinner as you choose from a delectable grill menu, as the Conservatory turns into The Grill. In warmer climes you will also be able to dine al fresco on the terrace.

Your entrance into the main Coral Dining Room (situated on E Deck) is from the Garden Court area of the Atrium on E Deck. Three sets of beautifully etched glass doors give you an enticing view into this elegant dining room, with ocean views running along both the port and starboard sides. The soft pastel hues of this room are complemented by attractive paintings that depict Mediterranean countryside scenes, which are set into light marble and cherrywood adorned walls. The marble theme is extended to the four central pillars that stand proud in the centre of the room. You will find this restaurant is a refined place to dine either early morning for breakfast, at lunch, or mid-afternoon for afternoon tea and, of course, in the evening for a delectable six course dinner.

Whether you stroll along Sun Deck, or take the forward lifts, you’ll arrive at the Oasis Spa. The scent of stunning, flower arrangements welcomes you and the small individual treatment rooms provide a tranquil retreat, just what you need when you’re enjoying a relaxing massage.

Here's a big plus for ARTEMIS.....all outside cabins! Well, they're all outside, but some have almost totally obstructed views....however, even in the minimum priced cabins, you'll at least get some natural light. Here's another plus.....all cabins have good sized bathrooms, with both tub and shower! And from there, we go downhill just a bit, because the cabins, though well fitted with reasonably good storage space, are sooooo narrow......and during the day, you won't be so bothered by it with one of the beds folded into the wall....but by night, it's another story....and if you must travel with a heavy snorer, as I do, there's no escaping the lullaby of the nasal passages. Don't take my word for it....look closely at the small pictures Princess has deigned to print over the course of her fourteen years of life. You will not see anything terribly revealing....Princess has always photographed these narrow confines to look like they are much wider, because if intending first timers knew how small these cabins really are, they would probably think twice and book some other ship, where they might have a better chance of being able to maneuver about the cabin once both beds are set up for sleeping. Quarters are tight in standard cabins on this ship, and you already know how that sets me off.

By the way, if you insist on sleeping side by side, through some cabin steward hocus pocus the beds can be arranged as a queen. You may find it well worth the supplement you can pay to reserve one of the cabins with a balcony. There are a number of the standard sized cabins with these porches up on Aloha Deck....though there are three categories of them, they're all identical in size and amenities....only their locations differ. On the ARTEMIS, I'm happiest when I'm housed in the larger mini suites....they're much wider, and have lots of floor space. Two beds can be joined to make a queen size....there is a pleasant adjacent sitting room....and the private deck is large enough for two or more people to enjoy without climbing over one another. Suites up on Lido Deck are really just larger versions of the mini suites....and there are two Penthouse cabins up here two...complete with living room, dining room and of course, private balconies.

ARTEMIS is a child-free ship, although P&O is targeting a younger audience than the other ships in the fleet. Something she does share with the other P&O ships is that she is marketed to and attracts UK-based passengers. As you might expect, she will attract an older crowd on her longer itineraries since they are the ones who can afford the time and cost of such voyages. Your age of our fellow passengers will drop on the shorter cruises.

During the Summer, ARTEMIS will sail from her home port in Southampton and offer cruises to the Mediterranean, Canaries, Baltic and Norwegian Fjords. In December she will set sail for her 80 night African & Asian Odyssey which will include 35 ports in 22 countries.

ARTEMIS is an interesting addition to the fleet. She is child-free, yet her decor and onboard experience has been designed to attract a younger crowd that P&O hopes will continue cruising with them for many years. As she is based on the Vista-design she is spacious and easy to get around. If you are looking for a comfortable change from mass-market cruising, Arcadia might just be the ship for you.