Looking through the 2008 P&O itineraries, I'd spotted Artemis was doing a two night cruise from the 10th to 12th May 2008 as well as the usual four. After hearing and reading so many things about her, mainly bad I have to admit, there was no way I would give them my money for four nights if she was as bad as they reckoned so two would be an ideal length to find out for myself. I suggested it to Pam who really wasn't that bothered any more that I was but it would be good for research then we can say we'd never go on her again. The balcony grades are confusing and the lower you go it appears the less space you have so we went for Stateroom with Balcony A331 which cost a little more. Would it be worth the extra? I was a little worried as originally I would have returned five days before the maiden voyage of Independence of the Seas, only when that was brought forward this was now four days later. I never said I was sane. Now all I needed was Ventura to say I have set foot on all current P&O ships while Pam needs Aurora as well as Ventura. One of the more unflattering nicknames for Artemis is the tub for her bad handling of bad weather. Would we have a bit of rocking or be flat calm? I still think, even three years on, she looked better as Royal Princess (I) as she suited the Princess livery and the buff funnel is awful. She sailed for refit on the 21st November, returning on the 4th December and underwent a few changes and improvements including the bathrooms and some public rooms as well as Egyptian cotton bed linen. Surprisingly she retained the P&O lettering rather than adopting the new P&O Cruise logo on the side as Oriana, Oceana and Ventura have.
The 10th May was a busy one in Southampton with four ships in. Artemis wasn't the smallest after all. That title went to Braemar, who had finished her final cruise before heading to Hamburg the next day to be lengthened. She started in 101 and was moved to 102 so they could unload her. Artemis was in 105, sharing the Mayflower with Oriana in 106. We were bow to bow so which would go first? Sea Princess was in QEII. As neither of us had gone from the same terminal as another ship before this would be interesting as we couldn't wait to find out how they'd do it and if our luggage would end up on Oriana. When Oceana was in our position, Oriana went first so that was a distinct possiblity. Major blasting between us either way which would be a lot of fun. It was a miserable morning when I went over on the Hythe ferry to meet Pam at Town Quay. |
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