The MV World Artania docked at the Port of Mombasa on Monday, February 13, with 1,500 passengers onboard to a warm welcome from the Kenya Ports Authority and KenyaTourism Board officials.
Monday's docking was Artania's first ever at the Port of Mombasa and part of its months-long voyage around the Indian Ocean sea.
It had previously made stopovers in Mauritius and Madagascar where its passengers visited various tourist destinations.
Kenyans.co.ke has conducted a check on some of the most intriguing features of the vessel as explained below.
Features
The MV World Artania ship has been in existence for over 38 years and is currently under the management of Phoenix Reisen - a German-based travel agency.
Records show that the vessel was constructed at an estimated value of more than Ksh20 billion back in 1984.
It is a nine-deck vessel with a capacity of 1,200 passengers, 600 cabins, and with a length of 231 metres, which is longer that the length of two combined football pitches.
Artania's interior provides an array of amenities ranging from sun lounges, spas, bars, sporting events, and restaurants to give an impression of a floating city. Further, the high-end suites are connected to electricity and Wi-Fi to provide the requisite comfort for a trip around the globe.
While aboard the vessel, passengers are treated to exquisite views of the ocean waters and horizon from the panoramic windows and multiple balconies fitted on it, especially when the weather is appropriate.
In addition, the crew serves a wide range of meals including breakfast, lunch buffets, and dinners- all of which have received high ratings from past users.
MV Artania's current trip is scheduled to make a voyage around the African continent through the Indian Ocean route to South Africa, before embarking on another journey northwards through the Atlantic Ocean to Marseille, France.
In such long voyages, passengers are exchanged at intervals, meaning the first group that boarded in Germany, where it originates, may be different from the group of guests that docks in Marseille.
The MV Artania caught headlines in 2020 after its voyage was caught up in the middle of the Covid-19 lockdown imposed after China confirmed infection cases.
Part of its passengers succumbed while on a voyage during a round-the-world tour.
