Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
Artania
★★★★
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 382 out of 500
Accommodation: 153 out of 200
Food: 319 out of 400
Service: 308 out of 400
Entertainment: 76 out of 100
Cruise: 291 out of 400
Overall Score: 1529 out of 2000
Artania Statistics
Size: Mid-size Ship
Tonnage: 44,348
Lifestyle: Standard
Cruise Line: Phoenix Reisen
Former Names: Royal Princess
IMO Number: 8201480
Builder: Wartsila (Finland)
Original Cost: $165 million
Entered Service: Nov 1984/Apr 2011
Registry: Bahamas
Length (ft/m): 754.5/230.0
Beam (ft/m): 95.8/29.2
Draft (ft/m): 25.5/7.8
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (29,160kW)/2
Passenger Decks: 9
Total Crew: 520
Passengers (lower beds): 1,176
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 37.7
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.2
Cabins (total): 588
Size Range (sq ft/m): 186.0-1,126.0/17.2-104.5
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 273
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 4
Wheelchair accessibility: Good
Cabin Current: 110 and 220 volts
Elevators: 6
Casino (gaming tables): No
Slot Machines: No
Swimming Pools: 2
Hot Tubs (on deck): 2
Self-Service Launderette: Yes
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: Yes/150
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: Euros
A comfortable, spacious ship for mature-age cruisers
Overview. Artania should provide a fine experience in spacious, reserved contemporary surroundings, at a decent price. It is best suited to couples and singles seeking to cruise in a modern mid-size ship.
The Ship. There’s a traditional walk-around teak deck, and the ship has extensive outdoor deck and sunbathing space, plus a wave-action swimming pool.
The interior decor reflects the feeling of space, openness, and light; the passenger flow is good. There are several nicely appointed public rooms, bars, and lounges, plus wide passageways and three spacious stairways (with slightly different carpet colors).
A Pacific Lounge, set around the funnel base, has fine views and a peaceful environment during the day; each evening it becomes a lively nightclub. Around the central stairway foyer, is the popular Harry’s Bar; there’s also a Bodega (tavern) for food and drinks. A 7 percent gratuity is added to bar accounts.
Accommodation. The all-outside view cabins (270 with private balcony) represent just four accommodation types (including suites), although there are 21 price categories. All of the cabins (most of which have twin beds convertible into a queen-size bed) are comfortable and well appointed.
All have a large shower enclosure, color TV set, hairdryer, personal safe, and European two-pin sockets. Also standard are stylish bed runners, high-quality sprung mattresses, European duvets, and cotton towels. L’Occitane personal toiletries are provided, as are chocolates on your pillow each night. Prompt, attentive room service is provided 24 hours a day.
Some cabins on both Apollo Deck and Orion Deck have full or partial lifeboat- and safety equipment-obstructed views, and some cabins have extra sofa beds fitted (good for families during the busy summer and school-holiday months).
The 12 largest suites are attractive, but, with the exception of the Royal Suite, are not large, and the balconies are small, although all have teak decking. Suite occupants get an expanded range of toiletries and complimentary mineral water.
Dining. The Vier Jahreszeiten (Four Seasons) restaurant is set low down in the ship, conveniently adjacent to the lobby. One deck above is the Artania Restaurant, with adjacent bar. Casual meals can be taken in the indoor-outdoor Lido Restaurant.
Entertainment. The Atlantik Showlounge hosts shows, drama, and cabaret acts. Volume is normally kept to an acceptable level.
Spa/Fitness. The Artania Spa contains a gym with muscle-toning equipment, saunas and changing rooms. There’s also a steam bath, ice-fountain, and salon. For the sports-minded, there’s table tennis, tables-soccer, shuffleboard, and darts.