Next Monday (29th June) those living in or visiting Douglas will be treated to the sight of the 44,348 tonne P&O cruise ship Artemis.

The largest of the cruise ships to visit the Isle of Man in 2009, the vessel was named the 'Royal Princess' when she first entered service for Princess Cruises.

In May 2005, she underwent a ?10.5 million transformation and emerged as Artemis.  P&O Cruises advise that the vessel is fully booked with 1200 passengers for its call to Douglas, in addition to having 537 crew members on board.

Shore excursions by coach will include visits to Laxey, Castletown, Cregneash and Tynwald, while all of the vintage transport electric and steam railway systems will also be utilised in transporting our visitors around the Island.  

Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK and Political member for the Department of Tourism and Leisure, says ‘We will be extending the warmest of welcomes to the vessel which will be on her inaugural call to the Isle of Man. 

'We very much hope that those passengers who will be enjoying their first ‘sample taste’ of our Island will be enticed back at a later date for an extended ‘land-based’ holiday.’

Artemis is due to arrive at 8am on Monday the 29th June and will sail at 6pm hours.