P&O have today announced that announced that it has signed the contracts for the sale of its 45,000 ton ship Artemis to MS Artania Shipping, for an undisclosed sum. The sale will be completed by 6th October 2009 but P&O Cruises will continue to operate Artemis and her series of cruises as published until 12th April 2011.This will mean that she will continue to operate all currently published itineraries, upto and including her 2011 Asian Grand Voyage, from which she will return to Southampton on 12th April 2011. After leaving the P&O Cruises fleet, Artemis will leave British Shores to take up her new home with a tour operator in Continental Europe.

Until then she remains very much a part of the P&O Cruises Fleet. Her itineraries, her officers and crew and the classic P&O experience that she offers will remain unchanged.

So sad news today for all the loyal Artemis fans. I would expect her cruises for 2010 to be in even higher demand now, so if you are thinking of experiencing her for the first time or for one final farewell, get in touch with me and I will check prices and availability for you before its too late!