Phoenix Reisen’s Amera Enters Marseille Drydock for €15M Refit

Phoenix Reisen's Amera has entered drydock at Chantiers Naval de Marseille for a scheduled refurbishment following a 134-day world cruise, with the Bonn-based operator and ship manager BSM putting about 15 million euros into the project. The ship returns to service May 23.

The yard period combines passenger-area renovations with hotel and technical work on a 1988-built vessel that has remained in service under several brands for nearly four decades. For Phoenix Reisen, the project refreshes one of its four ocean-going ships ahead of a summer program in Northern Europe.

Guest areas and technical systems are part of the refit

The largest cabin-facing component is the modernization of 160 guest bathrooms. Public-area work includes a redesign of the beauty salon and sauna areas, a full renovation of the show lounge, new windows in the Pazifik Lounge and changes to the outdoor pool area on Deck 9.

The technical scope includes work on HVAC systems in restaurants and bars, refrigeration equipment and elevators. Phoenix Reisen said energy efficiency control systems will also be installed.

The 39,051-GT Amera carries 835 passengers and roughly 440 to 460 crew, with nine passenger decks and a length of about 205 meters. The ship was built at Wärtsilä Marine's Perno shipyard in Turku, Finland, and originally entered service as Royal Viking Sun.

Amera returns to Northern Europe before a Canada voyage

After re-entering service, Amera's May 23 cruise will reposition the ship from Savona to Bremerhaven, which will serve as the base for a summer schedule covering the Baltic, Scandinavia and the British Isles.

The ship joined Phoenix Reisen in 2019 after earlier operating as Seabourn Sun and later as Prinsendam. Phoenix's current ocean fleet consists of Amadea, Amera, Artania and Deutschland, alongside a larger chartered river cruise program.

A longer Canada voyage is scheduled for September after the summer program from Bremerhaven.