After months of sailing, the final cruise ship with passengers has returned home

After a six-month journey around the globe, during which it faced a coronavirus outbreak and witnessed the seas become eerily quiet, the last cruise ship carrying passengers has made its final stop, bringing its eight remaining guests to a world vastly different from the one they left behind.

The MV Artania docked in the German port of Bremerhaven on Monday, as confirmed by its operator Phoenix Reisen to Dinogo Travel. This marked the end of a remarkable return voyage from Australia, which included several detours to disembark crew members.

All eight remaining passengers aboard were expected to disembark by noon local time.

Artania's arrival marks more than two months since the last major cruise ships carrying large numbers of passengers were pulled from service, as the cruise industry came to a halt amid the global pandemic.

While the Costa Deliziosa, MSC Magnifica, and Pacific Princess – the last major ships under the oversight of Cruise Lines International Association – docked in April, the Artania continued its voyage, with the end still weeks away.

The Artania, which has a capacity of up to 1,200 passengers, embarked on a 140-day world cruise from Hamburg, Germany, on December 21, 2019.

In March, the cruise ship was hit by a coronavirus outbreak, with 36 passengers testing positive after a health check by Australian authorities upon its arrival in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Those infected were isolated in local hospitals, according to Phoenix Reisen.

Sadly, three people aboard the ship have died – two male passengers, aged 69 and 71, and a 42-year-old male crew member.

The healthy passengers aboard the Artania were kept in quarantine until their repatriation flights at the end of March. Most of the passengers, primarily German nationals, flew from Western Australia to Frankfurt, with a few staying in Australian hospitals for recovery.

Eight passengers chose to return home by sea instead of air, earning the distinction of being the last passengers to remain aboard a cruise ship.

They witnessed the world change from the ocean, as countries locked down and reopened, all while they stayed afloat, the final cruise passengers navigating the world's seas.

Although the journey home to Europe from Australia should have taken a few weeks, it was extended by stops in Southeast Asia to repatriate several remaining crew members.

While some European crew members were able to fly back from Perth to Frankfurt alongside passengers, the rest stayed aboard, with the Artania making stops in Bali and Manila to allow crew to return home.

Approximately 75 crew members remained aboard the Artania until it reached Bremerhaven, helping to ensure the ship's operations continued smoothly.

A wedding, numerous postcards, and heartfelt messages home.

Throughout the ordeal, Captain Morten Hansen kept passengers, crew, cruise enthusiasts, and family members updated through his Facebook page.

Hailing from Norway, Captain Morten Hansen has been at the helm of cruise ships since 2001. Some may recognize him from the German reality show, 'Crazy for the Sea,' which offers an inside look into life aboard cruise ships.

Throughout the Artania’s extended voyage, Hansen shared candid video updates from his cabin and posted photos capturing the stunning sights encountered along the way.

During the quarantine in Perth, the crew received postcards from local schoolchildren, offering a rare glimpse of connection in such uncertain times.

The intent behind the postcards was to bridge the gap between the quarantined crew, who were already facing challenges from the pandemic and the cruise industry's tarnished reputation, and a city increasingly anxious about the presence of cruise ships amid growing Covid fears.

Hansen shared on Facebook, 'The cards were written with such care, thoughtfulness, and personal touch for each individual. It was truly heartwarming and emotional,' as he held up his own card.

There were other touching moments as well – on Mother’s Day, Captain Hansen veered off his planned course to create the shape of a heart on the map as a special tribute.

Looking ahead at the future of cruising

Just before departing Perth, two crew members, brought together by the unique challenges of the situation, decided to get married. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Gabriele Maluga, the Honorary Consul of Germany in Western Australia.

Phoenix Reisen confirmed that passengers were expected to complete disembarking from the Artania by midday local time.

While most cruise passengers have safely returned home, many crew members remain stranded on ships around the world, facing difficult conditions and reports of declining mental health.

On Monday, in honor of World Ocean Day, activists around the globe held a virtual "Rally to Clean Up Cruising," focusing on how the industry can reduce its environmental footprint as cruises resume.