Columbus, the latest addition to the Cruise & Maritime Voyages fleet, has entered dry dock in Rotterdam for a three-week refit.
An amount of refurbishment and modification work previously took place during the ship’s transfer from Singapore.
The refurbishment of the former P&O Cruises Australia ship Pacific Pearl will see the child and teenage areas converted to suit CMV’s more mature passengers.
The 1,400-passenger vessel will gain a new livery with the painting of the hull and superstructure.
Columbus first entered service in 1989 for Princess Cruises as Star Princess and also spent a time operating for P&O Cruises and the now defunct Ocean Village brand.
The new-look ship is to be named at its new home port of Tilbury on June 8 before commencing a summer season of ex-UK cruises on June 11.
The addition of Columbus brings the CMV fleet capacity to almost 5,000 berths across five ships, including Magellan, Marco Polo, Astor and Astoria.
CMV commercial director Chris Coates said: “After over a year of meticulous planning this impressive traditional cruise liner is coming back home to British waters where she was once adored by many passengers and proved a firm favourite with the UK cruise market.
“The extensive upgrade works are taking shape nicely and we are confident that our passengers will like what they see and the upgrades that we have implemented and Columbus will prove to be a great addition to our fleet.”