MS Aegean Majesty

MS Aegean Majesty is a cruise ship formerly operated by Holland America Line. Originally named MS Veendam after the municipality of Veendam in the Netherlands, she had been in Holland America Line service since 1996. In 2020 the vessel was sold to a buyer in Greece and renamed Aegean Majesty.

Aegean Majesty, as Veendam in Juneau, Alaska, United States prior to aft addition.
History
Name:
  • Veendam (1996–2020)
  • Aegean Majesty (2020–present)
Namesake: Veendam
Owner: Seajets
Port of registry:
Builder: Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Yard number: 5954
Launched: 24 June 1995
In service: 1996
Refit: 2009
Identification:
Status: In service
General characteristics
Class and type: S-class cruise ship
Tonnage: 57,092 GT[1]
Length: 219 m (719 ft)
Beam: 31 m (101 ft)
Decks: 13
Installed power: 2 × 12-cylinder 8640 kW, 3 × 8-cylinder 5760 kW diesel generators
Speed: 20.9 knots (38.7 km/h; 24.1 mph)
Capacity: 1,350 passengers
Crew: 568

Construction and career

Aegean Majesty was built as Veendam, the fourth Statendam class, ordered following the success of her three sister ships. Her keel was laid by Fincantieri as Hull Number 5954 in 1994.[2] Throughout 1995 and 1996, the ship was completed and underwent sea trials. Actress Debbie Reynolds became the ship's godmother, and sailed on her maiden voyage on 15 May 1996.[3] The ship was the fourth Holland America Line ship to be named after the town of Veendam.

In April 2009, Veendam underwent dry dock renovations at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Grand Bahama which included significant changes to her stern. Two new decks of verandah accommodation were added which necessitated the removal of a portion of her upper decks. To structurally support the resulting change in weight, a ducktail was added to her hull, and the bridge wings were extended.[4]

During winter months Veendam operated from South American ports and, during the summer season, sailed from port of New York.[5]

On 25 January 2015, Veendam was called by the United States Coast Guard to rescue a pilot who had ditched his plane after experiencing a mechanical failure 225 nautical miles (417 km; 259 mi) from the coast of Maui. Coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Veendam launched Lifeboat 2 in a successful rescue operation.[6]

The ship was sold in July 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to Greek ferry operator Seajets along with sistership Maasdam. After delivery in Katakolon, Greece in August, Veendam was renamed Aegean Majesty, reflagged from Netherlands to Bermuda, and berthed at Corinth.[7][8][9] In the early morning of 7 November 2020, in strong winds, the ship broke its moorings in Corinth and grounded on a sandbank in the harbour.[10] Two days later she was refloated, undamaged.[11]

References
  1. "Cruises on ms Veendam, a Holland America Line cruise ship". Hollandamerica.com. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  2. "Fincantieri | Veendam". www.fincantieri.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  3. "140 Years Young: Welcome Veendam | Holland America Blog". Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  4. "Veendam Dry-Dock Update: March 30, 2009". Holland America Blog. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  5. "Cruises to Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and the world on Holland America, one of the best cruise lines". Hollandamerica.com. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  6. "Veendam Rescues Pilot Who Ditched His Plane in the Pacific Ocean". Holland America. 26 January 2015.
  7. "Greece cruising restart roiled, HAL ships go to Seajets". Seatrade Cruise News. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  8. "Holland America Sells Ships With Two to Olsen in Carnival's Downsizing". Maritime Executive. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  9. "Four Holland America Line Ships Sold". Cruise Industry News. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  10. "Οι άνεμοι παρέσυραν σαν χάρτινο καραβάκι κρουαζερόπλοιο στο λιμάνι Κορίνθου! (The winds swept away a cruise ship in the port of Corinth like a paper boat!)". Notos Press (in Greek). 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  11. "Στα ανοιχτά της Κορίνθου πλέον το Aegean Majesty (Aegean Majesty now off the coast of Corinth)". Archipelagos. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.