Phoenix Reisen will diversify its presence in Northern Europe, COO Benjamin Krumpen told Cruise Industry News.

The line’s Northern European season, which runs from the beginning of May through late October, will feature three maiden calls in Greenland in 2009. The 470-passenger Alexander Von Humboldt II will call at Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, Sabine Island, and Scoresbysund.

“We are cutting back in the Med because of our competitors, which are very strong there. We really have no chance against them,” Krumpen said.

In 2009, Germany-based Phoenix Reisen is sailing with the 600-passenger Amadea and the 830-passenger Albatros, in addition to the Alexander Von Humboldt II. The 650-passenger Maxim Gorkiy, which sailed in the Mediterranean for the line, leaves the fleet in November, and will begin sailing for the new Orient Lines in April 2009.

“The Gorkiy was with us for 20 years, and it is very emotional having her leave the fleet. But in a sense we are lucky that the ship will be gone, mainly due to fuel being as high as it is,” Krumpen said.

Krumpen noted that Phoenix Reisen may add another ship at some point. “It would be larger than the Gorkiy, however – around 800 berths,” he said.