MS Veendam

MS Veendam is a cruise ship operated by Holland America Line from 1996 to 2020 and named after the municipality of Veendam in the Netherlands. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the vessel was sold to Seajets, Greece, renamed Aegean Majesty, and has remained laid up.

Veendam sailing outside Gloucester, Massachusetts
History
Name
  • Veendam (1996–2020)
  • Aegean Majesty (2020–present)
NamesakeVeendam
Owner
  • Wind Surf Ltd , Bahamas (1996-2006)
  • HAL Nederland NV, Netherlands (2006-2020)
  • Seajets (2020-present)
OperatorHolland America Line (1996-2020)
Port of registry
BuilderFincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Yard number5954
Laid down20 September 1994
Launched24 June 1995
Completed1996
Maiden voyage1996
In service1996
Out of service2020
Refit2016
Identification
StatusLaid up in Aigio, Greece since 2020
General characteristics
Class and typeS-class cruise ship
Tonnage
  • 55,451 GT (as built)[1]
  • 57,092 GT (from 2006)[2]
Length219 m (719 ft)
Beam31 m (101 ft)
Decks13
Installed power2 × 12-cylinder 8640 kW, 3 × 8-cylinder 5760 kW diesel generators
Speed20.9 knots (38.7 km/h; 24.1 mph)
Capacity1,350 passengers
Crew568

Holland America Line

Veendamwas the fourth S-class/Statendam-class ship, ordered following the success of her three sister ships. Her keel was laid by Fincantieri as Hull Number 5954 in 1994.[3] The ship was launched on 24 June 1995 and completed in May 1996.[1] Actress Debbie Reynolds became the ship's godmother, and sailed on her maiden voyage on 15 May 1996.[4] The ship was the fourth Holland America Line ship to be named after the town of Veendam, Netherlands. Her registered owner was Wind Surf Ltd, and she was registered at Nassau, Bahamas.[1]

Veendam was transferred to the Netherlands flag in 2006 and to the ownership of HAL Nederland NV, Rotterdam, continuing under Holland America operation.[1] In April 2009, the ship 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, and the bridge wings were extended. To structurally support the resulting change in weight, a ducktail was added to her hull.[5]

During winter months Veendam operated from South American ports and, during the summer season, sailed from New York.[6]

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, Hawaii. Coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Veendam launched Lifeboat 2 in a successful rescue operation.[7]

Later history

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 by registered owner Mediterranean Dream Inc, reflagged from Netherlands to Bermuda, and berthed at Corinth.[8][9][10] 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.[11] Two days later she was refloated, undamaged.[12]

References
  1. "9102992". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. "Cruises on ms Veendam, a Holland America Line cruise ship". Hollandamerica.com. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  3. "Fincantieri | Veendam". www.fincantieri.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  4. "140 Years Young: Welcome Veendam | Holland America Blog". Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  5. "Veendam Dry-Dock Update: March 30, 2009". Holland America Blog. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  6. "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.
  7. "Veendam Rescues Pilot Who Ditched His Plane in the Pacific Ocean". Holland America. 26 January 2015.
  8. "Greece cruising restart roiled, HAL ships go to Seajets". Seatrade Cruise News. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  9. "Four Holland America Line Ships Sold". Cruise Industry News. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  10. "Here Are The Cruise Ships Carnival Is Selling". Cruise Industry News. 19 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  11. "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.
  12. "Στα ανοιχτά της Κορίνθου πλέον το Aegean Majesty (Aegean Majesty now off the coast of Corinth)". Archipelagos (in Greek). 9 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
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