Artania

The 1984-built (originally as "Royal Princess") MS Artania cruise ship is one of Phoenix Reisen's chartered ocean liners, alongside fleetmates Albatros, Amadea, and Amera (ex Prinsendam).

The vessel (IMO number 8201480) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000608) and registered in Nassau.

History – Construction and Ownership

The German cruise tour company Phoenix Reisen (shipowner) began cruise operations under its own brand in 1988 with the chartered TS Maxim Gorkiy (1969–2009, scrapped), owned by the USSR's Black Sea Shipping Company (later privatized and renamed Sovcomflot). In 1993, Phoenix Reisen added a second cruise liner – SS Albatros (1957-built as RMS Sylvania, scrapped in 2004 as SS Genoa), chartered from V-Ships for 10 years (1993–2003). Today, Phoenix Reisen (a travel agency and cruise brand) operates a large fleet of chartered and owned ocean ships and riverboats.

The 44,656-ton, 1,200-passenger MS Artania was built in 1984 (in Helsinki) as MS Royal Princess for Princess Cruises and christened by Lady Diana. In 2005, she was transferred to the P&O Cruises fleet and renamed Artemis. She sailed with P&O Cruises until April 2011, when she joined the Phoenix Reisen fleet as Artania.

At the time of her launch, Artania was considered the most innovative cruise ship in the world, introducing public spaces on lower decks with blocks of staterooms above. She was the first cruise vessel to feature all outside cabins and the first to offer standard cabins with balconies. The vessel is adults-only.

Cruise Itinerary Program

Artania's itinerary program includes cruises to the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland-Greenland, and the Baltic Sea, departing from Kiel and Bremerhaven, Germany. The ship also sails to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Cabins

Artania has 8 passenger decks and a total of 600 cabins (all outside, including 152 with balconies and 4 wheelchair-accessible cabins) across 27 categories. Every stateroom onboard is exterior-facing, and half are Suites or Junior Suites with private balconies. Cabin sizes range from 16 m² to 50 m² (Royal Suite). All rooms are equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite TV, radio, telephone, safe, mini-fridge/bar, shower or bathtub, and hairdryer.

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

MS Artania offers two main dining rooms: Four Seasons and Artania. Two breakfast seatings are available, lunch is served buffet-style, and dinner is à la carte. Evening snacks and coffee are also served. The dining venues feature international cuisine, sometimes incorporating regional specialties. Additional dining is available at the Lido Buffet, which offers outdoor seating.

Shipboard Entertainment Options – Fun and Sport

MS Artania has undergone several modernizations since entering service with Phoenix Reisen. Though originally built in 1984, she remains stylish and well-maintained. Her classic stern with sheltered seating areas and a walkaround promenade deck are among her standout features.

German is the only official language used onboard, and most passengers are from German-speaking countries. While some crew members speak English, onboard services (such as tours and menus) are not offered in English. A basic knowledge of German is recommended for guests sailing on MS Artania.

MS Artania’s entertainment and leisure facilities include the Panorama Lounge (Pazifik), Phoenix Lounge & Bar, Sun Deck Lounge, Casablanca Lounge, Kopernikus Bar, Lido Bar, Bodega Bar, Harry's, Atlantik Show Lounge, Wellness Area, Fitness Center, Beauty Salon, Artania Spa, sauna, steam bath, table tennis, shuffleboard, Sport Deck, whirlpool, Artania Pool, Kopernikus Pool, walkaround promenade, Library/Jamaika Club (Internet), lobby, boutique, cinema, theater, disco, and photo gallery.

MV Artania cruise ship was built in Helsinki, Finland for Princess Cruises as Royal Princess and christened on November 15, 1984, by HRH Diana, Princess of Wales, in Southampton, England.

In April 2005, the vessel was transferred to the P&O Cruises UK fleet and renamed "ms Artemis." On September 22, 2009, it was announced that the ship had been sold to the Artania Shipping Company but continued operating for P&O UK. The vessel is privately owned (asset of Artania Shipping Company) and is currently operated under time charter by Phoenix Reisen GmbH, a major German travel agency and tour operator.

At the time of her launch in 1984, the ship was considered the most innovatively designed, featuring public areas on the lower decks and cabin blocks above. She was the first cruise vessel to offer all oceanview cabins, including affordable staterooms with private balconies.

In 2010, Sarah Breton (British captain of MV Artemis) became the world's second female cruise ship captain, following Sweden’s Karin Stahre Janson (MS Monarch, 2007).

German is the only official language used onboard, which is why most Phoenix Reisen cruise passengers come from German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland). While English-speaking personnel are available, no services are offered in English.

MS Artania Refurbishments Review

On April 22, 2011, the ship was renamed "Artania" and chartered to Phoenix Reisen.

The 2014 drydock (71-day project) was carried out by Lloyd Werft (Bremerhaven, Germany). Works included technical upgrades (new Wartsila engines and powerplant, new freshwater plant, new auxiliary generator, upgraded automation system), 152 new balcony cabins, and renovations of public areas.

During the 3-week drydock refurbishment in 2017 (December 1–21, at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven), Phoenix Reisen invested ~EUR 16 million. Upgrades included spa and outdoor deck renovations, bathroom updates in staterooms (new bathtubs and showers), renovations of public areas (Harry's Bar, Atlantik Show Lounge), and technical improvements (new sewage plant, ballast water treatment system, new tenders).

The 2019 drydock (November 17–December 6, Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven) focused on general maintenance and interior renovations. Nearly half of all staterooms (257) were fully refurbished. Major lounges (Pacific Lounge, Jamaica Club) were overhauled, and new carpets, wallpapers, and furnishings were added throughout the cabins and public areas. The USD 25 million project involved ~120 shipyard staff and numerous subcontractors.

The 2022 drydock (April and November) was a two-phase project that completely refurbished 255 passenger staterooms (across three decks, total interior area ~32,938 ft² / 3,060 m²), including 64 suites (52 Junior, 12 Gold). Upgrades included new carpets and furniture, some electrical work, and minor wall redesigns.

The most recent drydock occurred in 2024 (November 6–December 1) at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven. The EUR 20 million, month-long project included the following enhancements:

• New balcony cabins were added on Orion Deck (Deck 5) and Apollo Deck (Deck 6).
• The Artania Restaurant (Salon Deck/Deck 3 aft) was completely redesigned, and a new dining venue, Pichler’s, was introduced.
• The Lido buffet restaurant and the Fitness Center on Deck 8 received new panoramic windows.
• Drinking water dispensers were installed in public areas.

Technical improvements included WiFi optimization (more routers installed), hull cleaning and repainting with silicon-based paint (reducing fuel consumption by ~15%), four new tenders equipped with upgraded engines, and HVAC system enhancements to Class A standards.

Phoenix Reisen Artania World Cruise 2025

The table below shows Phoenix Reisen’s "World Voyage 2025" aboard Artania.

The 162-day itinerary included 11 overnight port stays in major cities.

The voyage was also available in smaller segments: 24-day Rio de Janeiro to San Antonio, 27-day San Antonio to Auckland, 18-day Auckland to Sydney, 23-day Sydney to Benoa, 26-day Benoa to Durban, 21-day Durban to Gran Canaria.

Interestingly, during the 2025 World Cruise, a new cruise-themed documentary was filmed onboard Artania by VOX (a U.S.-based media site owned by Vox Media, founded in 2014). The film, still untitled, was produced by Bewegte Zeiten Filmproduktion GmbH (Munich, Germany-based company), which previously produced 500 episodes of *Verrückt nach Meer* (*Crazy About the Sea*, 2010–2022), a documentary series for ARD about life onboard Phoenix Reisen ships.

The VOX filming took place during Artania’s voyages between Barbados and Panama (Bridgetown to Colon), and from Panama to the USA (Colon to San Francisco).

Phoenix Reisen Artania World Cruise 2021 (CANCELED)

For 2021, Phoenix Reisen had scheduled an Around Africa Cruise (World Voyage) for MS Artania, a roundtrip from Europe through the Mediterranean. The 115-day itinerary was eventually canceled due to ongoing COVID-related international travel restrictions.

The "World Voyage 2021" was also available for booking in shorter segments: 21 days (Genoa to Dubai via Suez Canal), 16 days (Dubai to Colombo), 17 days (Colombo to Port Louis), 21 days (Port Louis to Cape Town), 22 days (Cape Town to Dakar), 19 days (Bremerhaven to Marseille).