P&O Cruises - Artemis Ship Cruises Reviews

Thursday 9th Feb 2012

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Artemis

Artemis Limps Back To Barbados

Artemis limps back to Barbados

Reviewed By: Walton, Bolton on 15th Mar 2010
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Artemis	Sailed: February, 2010
Destination: Panama Canal	Age: 56-65
Cabin: Balcony	Occasion: Annual/regular holiday

We picked Artemis up at Acapulco after a long, slightly delayed, P&O charter flight from Manchester with Thomson Airways. We travelled in economy and the leg room was more than adequate. We came down in Sandford Florida to refuel but we were not allowed off the aircraft. We wondered why we had to go to the trouble of getting USA Visa Waivers when we couldn't put a foot on the ground? Artemis left Acapulco on Sunday evening and around midnight the next night all the ships lights went out (emergency lighting came on) and the engines stopped. It took about an hour to restore power. Initially little seemed to be known amongst the passengers about the incident - presumably plenty of people had gone to bed and were none the wiser when they woke up the next morning. We were still in the Horizon bar when it happened so we had to stay there until the power came back on! Another couple of days went by without any announcements from the bridge when suddenly we were all informed over the tannoy that one of the ships four engines was caput and because our speed capacity was reduced we would not be calling at Panama City and Dominica as planned. Each passenger was to be compensated £150 and the cost of any shore excursions booked in those two locations were to be refunded. This was immediately confirmed in writing to each cabin. We passed through the Panama Canal - started in darkness - on Saturday 27 February with a tug fast astern presumably as a contingency just to make sure we made it through the Galliard Cut! Halfway through the canal we passed Artemis's sister ship Oceana going the other way with much arm waving and blowing of ships horns. This was our first cruise on Artemis. All our previous cruises have been on P&O ships and this was our third passage through the Panama Canal. Notwithstanding the engine problems we were a little bit disappointed overall with Artemis. It is showing its age badly in parts. We had a balcony cabin on A deck overlooking, but not obstructed by, a somewhat dilapidated looking lifeboat. The cabin was certainly the smallest balcony cabin we have ever experienced with P&O. Our cabin steward was up to the usual high P&O standard - he could never do enough for us. We thought that the food and the service in the Coral Restaurant was generally first class although perhaps the choice of main courses was a little restrictive than on previous cruises. We used the Conservatory for most breakfasts and lunches and again we found that the food and ambience was generally OK. The lunchtime cold meat / seafood buffets were somewhat disappointing and nothing like what we had been used to on previous P&O cruises - never saw any smoked salmon on the buffet for the whole fortnight! The various bars spread around the ship were all very pleasant with excellent waiter / bartender service. Bar prices were as always very reasonable. The entertainment in the Theatre particularly the Headliners and their 'dancing girls' was first class even though the male of the species did fall asleep occasionally. We particularly enjoyed the talks on the Panama Canal given by 'Engineer' John Laverick and the witty remarks of Bill Giles the weatherman were also well worth listening to. We had booked four shore excursions but unfortunately two of these were cancelled because we didn't visit either Panama City or Dominica. The two that we did go on (Limon train, canal and countryside and Scenes of Aruba) were, as always, a little overpriced but they were both very well organised and both very enjoyable. Our Thomson charter flight back to Manchester from Barbados was delayed for five hours - but at least these 'cabinless hours' were spent on the warm and sunny Artemis decks rather than at the Airport. The delights of getting an Eavesway coach to and from Southampton sprang to mind at the time. Overall we had a terrific holiday on the small and intimate Artemis but, even if we had chance, we don't think we would sail on here again - we prefer her more glamourous big sisters.
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