Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven is going to refit the cruise liner Artemis as the “MS Artania” for Phoenix Reisen between 28 April and 26 May 2011. The MS Artania will have 96 new balconies and will be redesigned to suit German tastes in cruise liners.
More than five years ago Lloyd Werft refitted the “Royal Princess” as the “Artemis” for P & O and only finished updating the technology of the 1984 cruise liner last May; Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven has now brought the “Artemis” into dock again. On 28 April 2011 she will be arriving in Bremerhaven and on 26 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 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.
For the Bremerhaven shipyard, the future “Artania” (year of construction 1984, 231 m long, 44,588 GT, 1200 passengers) is its second major refitting order for 2011, obtained in the face of strong competition. According to Phoenix managing director Benjamin Krumpen, crucial factors in choosing Lloyd Werft were that in Bremerhaven “they know the ship very well”, as well as providing German shipyard work to schedule. However, for Rüdiger Pallentin, managing director of Lloyd Werft, there is also another reason, “We fought for many years to get Phoenix/V-Ships back. I am particularly pleased that this interesting refitting order has brought about a resumption of the successful cooperation of earlier times.”
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.
