German shipping company Phoenix Reisen has sent the Amera to dry dock in Marseille for a major modernization and renovation program valued at approximately 15 million euros.
The ship entered the facilities of Chantiers Naval de Marseille after completing a 134-day round-the-world cruise. The work is being carried out in collaboration with the management company BSM.
The project includes the modernization of 160 passenger restrooms, as well as the redesign of the ship's beauty salon and sauna areas. In addition, the ship's main entertainment lounge will be completely renovated.
Among the planned improvements in the public areas are the installation of new windows in the Pazifik Lounge and the remodeling of the outdoor pool located on deck 9.
The renovation also includes technical improvements to various operating systems on the ship, such as the upgrade of HVAC systems in restaurants and bars, refrigeration equipment and elevators.
Phoenix Reisen also indicated that during the dry dock stay, energy efficiency control systems will be installed with the aim of optimizing the ship's operations and reducing energy consumption.
The Amera is scheduled to return to service on May 23 with a cruise between Savona and Bremerhaven. It will then operate a summer program in the Baltic, Scandinavia, and the British Isles before repositioning in September for a longer itinerary to Canada.
Originally launched in 1988 as the Royal Viking Sun, the ship subsequently operated under the names Seabourn Sun and Prinsendam for Holland America Line before joining the Phoenix Reisen fleet in 2019, following its acquisition by the Bonn-based company.
The Amera underwent a major modernization in 2023, spending six weeks at the Remontowa shipyard in Gdansk, Poland. During that refurbishment, all of the ship's engines, gearboxes, and alternators were replaced.
That renovation also included the refurbishment of the bathrooms in 232 cabins, the installation of 5,000 square meters of new carpeting, and improvements to several public areas. The Ocean Restaurant and the Royal Suite were completely redesigned.
This project was added to the important renovation carried out in 2019 at the Blohm+Voss shipyards in Hamburg, following the purchase of the ship from Holland America Line.
Currently, these facilities feature new saunas, an ice fountain, modernized jacuzzis, a swimming pool with a counter-current system, and new finishes.
The Amera restaurant, located on deck 7, was also completely redesigned, with everything from carpets to ceilings being renovated, and new buffets, service stations, wine displays, mirrored walls, and new lighting being added.
Additional work included new storage structures and shade supports at the Phoenix Bar, as well as improvements to cooling systems, insulation, and access points.
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