Farewell Artemis

Thursday 21 April

Today was an early start for our tender port of Monte Carlo, due to a swell on the starboard side of the ship we were only able to tender from the port side of the ship - this caused a delay on the shore excursions and getting passengers to shore. Safety for passengers was paramount as always and the Artemis crew all pulled together to make sure that we got everybody away on tour and to shore as quickly and safely as possible. A huge effort was made by everyone and it was much to passengers' appreciation.

After our lovely day in Monte Carlo it was time for our very last Portunus Parties on board the lovely Artemis, Barbara and myself were dressed up in our best black and white gowns to greet no less than 891 Sapphire and Gold passengers coming through the doors of Starlights lounge.

Passengers enjoyed cocktails and the sounds of the Sunshine band. It is always lovely to host the Portunus Parties on board and Starlights always makes such a sociable venue. It was very sad saying goodbye from the Portunus Club for the final time on board, however the evening of course ended in the traditional fashion of the Portunus Club prize draw, where a delighted Mr Keith Bennett from Cleveland was named as the final Artemis prize winner of the beautiful Dartington Crystal carafe.

After we had said our goodbyes there was no time to be wasted as Barbara, myself and what seemed like the rest of the ship made our way down to International Lounge for the singing legend Petula Clark CBE, where she belted out classics such as "Downtown", "I know a place" and "My Love". It was an absolute honour to be able to have Petula Clark perform on the final cruise and I certainly hope to see her again.


Friday 22 April – Good Friday

Today is Good Friday and we are in Barcelona, we are luckily enough to be aside the closest dock to La Ramblas and we can literally step off of the ship and walk there within a matter of minutes. Passengers were out today on a range of tours from the Monastery of Monserrat to a Gaudi Tour, showing the magnificent work of the Catalonian architect.

The Loyalty and Cruise Sales desk was busy again today with people still wanting to book from the new 2012/13 brochure, particular interest is still being shown in the Grand Event 175 Years Celebration for 3 July next year, which I cannot wait for! With Oriana and Oceana’s cruises already sold out it seems that it will be an action packed day for P&O Cruises passengers, crew and the city of Southampton.

This evening we were treated to an evening with the TV legend actress Liz Dawn who spent 34 years gracing the cobbles of Coronation Street as much loved character Vera Duckworth. I for one was starstruck the first time I saw her walk past my desk as I have grown up watching Coronation Street and could not wait to tell my Mum and Nan. Liz had a lovely interview with Cruise Director, Christine Noble in the International Lounge to two full houses where she gave passengers an insight into her life on Coronation Street, the stars she has worked with and the opportunities that show has given her whilst playing the iconic character in her long reigning career, not to mention her Special Achievement award at the British Soap Awards in 2008.


Saturday 23 April

A bright and early start for me today and time to get in to the Coral Dining Room to set up for Artemis’ final ever Gold Tier Portunus Luncheon. This was the second luncheon of the cruise and was to be for 260 members and 39 hosts. Whilst I was busy setting up for this, the passengers were being entertained by the final Artemis Uncovered, where the ship's company show behind-the-scenes facts and articles from the ship and are there to answer passenger questions and give them an insight to life on board. At 12 noon we opened the doors for the final time to our Gold Tier Passengers and were treated to the Noon speech from the Bridge by passenger Mr Paul Freeman-Keel who had won the privilege in our charity auction for the Magic Wand charity earlier on in the cruise.

I was lucky enough to have a lovely table of passengers as always and we were treated to a sumptuous feast of lobster and salmon starters, tenderloin of beef and an array of chocolate delicacies for dessert to name a few, not forgetting of course champagne, bucks fizz and wine.

After the luncheon it was time for more entertainment, this time from P&O Cruises favourite and Artemis regular Lionel Blair. Lionel hosted an afternoon of entertainment in the International Lounge where he talked about times from the past and gave passengers a treat as he moved his famous tap dancing feet! The passengers absolutely loved him and he was given a standing ovation. I have to say this is not the first time I have cruised with Lionel Blair and it is always an absolute pleasure to have him on board, he is always very gracious, approachable and always happy to chat with crew and passengers.

After this it was back to the world of Loyalty and Future Cruise Sales at my glamorous desk, where I again spent the afternoon booking away, we have been so busy I will be booking cruises in my sleep soon!

After the desk had closed and a couple of hours of paperwork completed it was time for me to take an early night, however as I was drifting to sleep, passengers were again partying the night away with more fantastic Classical music in Starlights and of course a St George's Day party night in the Horizon Club where passengers showed patriotism and danced to the classic sounds of DJ Keith until 2am! I don’t know where they find the energy.


Sunday 24 April – Easter Sunday

Today was Easter Sunday and after a bit of a rocky night it was time to open up shop, we had another very busy day at the desk, despite it being Easter Sunday passengers were keen to take advantage of the benefits of booking on board and making sure they could retain their On Board Credit at home by making their Future Cruise Down Payments. Sunday at Sea also meant that there would be Captain's Church Service, this took place at 10am in International Lounge where passengers gathered. Back on the desk unable to attend Barbara and myself were given a lovely treat of Caramel Chocolate bunnies from a lovely passenger Mrs Elizabeth Lloyd of West Glamorgan. The chocolate was definitely appreciated as I had not brought any Easter eggs from home so Mrs Lloyd stopped us ladies from missing out. Thank you Mrs Lloyd!

After desk it was time to get ready for a very special occasion, the Artemis Farewell Ball which was hosted in Starlights by the Captain and ships company. Officers turned out in their finest mess kit to greet passengers and enjoy cocktails and canapés. It was very sad to hear the Captain say goodbye and thank all of the passengers and know that we would not host another party in that room, though lovely to see so many faces that have travelled on Artemis time and time again.


Monday 25 April – Easter Monday

Another bright and early start which is to be my last full day’s work on board the lovely Artemis, boy did we have our work cut out! Barbara and I ran a full day at the desk and people were still queuing up to book their cruises before they left, I don’t think I have ever been so popular! We of course had to make sure that we could get all of the paperwork out to the passengers before they left the ship which was a task in itself. Once our paperwork was done it was time to take the task of packing up the office. It was a huge task that took us up until 10 o’clock in the evening although we were treated to the sounds of a jazz recital which was being performed in Starlights lounge next to us, not many people are lucky enough to work accompanied by such a treat.


Final Thoughts

It has been an absolute honour to be able to not only sail on board Artemis for her Farewell Cruise but to be able to share my experience with you. Since June 2005 when Artemis joined the P&O Cruises Fleet she has been on 121 cruises that have seen her travel to some truly spectacular places, from sailing down the Amazon to Asian Grand Voyages and she has carried over 107,000 passengers to some of the most famous ports in the world.

One thing I must mention is the amount of passengers that came past to say goodbye to Barbara and myself, this was very touching, every time I looked up there was another familiar face there, wishing us well, asking where we would be going next and thanking us for such a lovely cruise.

I have to say that Artemis has been a very special ship, she is known as the little ship with the big heart for a reason and that is because her passengers and crew are so caring. On board Artemis you are never far from a friendly face or someone to help you, to have a chat with or just say a simple good morning or hello. These are the simple things that cost nothing but are invaluable to a ship, an experience and an atmosphere of a whole cruise and for this I thank all of the passengers that have had the pleasure of ever travelling on Artemis and all of the ship's company that have had the pleasure of working on her and giving her the excellent reputation that she has right up to this very last day. We now look forward to the launch of our new P&O Cruises jewel Adonia, who is to be named by her Godmother Dame Shirley Bassey, in Southampton on 21 May. If Adonia can conjure up half of the charisma that Artemis has managed she will be a very special ship indeed.

We are now docked alongside the Mayflower terminal in Southampton and it is nearly time to disembark our passengers for the very last time, so I will bid you farewell, I am off for a 2 month break after which I will be joining Arcadia, which takes me to where the blog will be taking you next! The blog will now be taken over by Arcadia’s Cruise Director, Nigel Travis who will be keeping you up to date on their 72 night Alaskan Adventure.

So for the last time, Always Remember That Every Moment Is Special, wishing you the fondest of wishes, from the little ship, with the big heart.

Danielle.