Following yesterday's first visit of Vasco da Gama off Dun Laoghaire, it recalled a link with a charity shop in the harbour town having in recent years bought a celebratory tile to mark the ship's maiden cruise, albeit under its original name, writes Jehan Ashmore.
That name was the Statendam, which was built in 1993 for Holland America Line (HAL) and currently the 55,451 gross tonnage cruise ship is operated by Nicko Cruises, providing guests with facilities among them five restaurants, seven bars, and cafés. It has an outdoor heated swimming pool on the Lido Deck can be used all year round, given it has a flexible sliding glass roof. The on board entertainment consists of shows, varied live music, and lectures on local history.
As for more on the era of the Holland America Line tile, it was during a trip into Dun Laoghaire’s high street, Georges Street, that the item of maritime memorabilia, drew my attention in the window-front. Without hesitation, the presentation gift tile with its attractive blue decorative motifs placed in each corner on a pale yellow background was purchased for a modest amount, with the proceeds going for a good cause.
The Statendam, was the first of HAL’s ‘S’ class quartet of 55,000 gross tonnage newbuilds, which each cost $180m. They had a capacity for 1,266 lower bed passengers, or 1,516 maximum based on several cabin categories.
At the top of the tile is emblazoned the name of Holland America Line with its iconic 'liner' and clipper 'tall ship' logo. Beneath, is an illustration to give the impression of a nautical architect's drawing showing the bow, bridge and forward section of the ship's superstructure.
Below this are further words: Inaugural Cruise 1993, and at the bottom of the tile, the newbuild’s name of MS Statendam.
As the years passed, newbuild tonnage was underway from parent owners, Carnival Corporation, which led to the transfer in 2015 of the cruise ship to the division, P&O Australia, with the 219m vessel renamed Pacific Eden.
The ship was sold in 2018 which saw its return to the northern hemisphere to begin a new career with UK operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) as their Vasco da Gama, joining their fleet before the company collapsed just two years later. Its successor, another UK based outfit, Ambassador Cruise Line, as Afloat have previously reported, operates no-fly cruises sailing from British ports.
Following the administration of CMV, in 2020 the cruise ship was sold to Mystic Invest's German cruise brand, Nicko Cruises, operating the ship along with a fleet of river-based vessels.
The ‘S’ class lead cruise ship was followed by the Maasdam, also completed in 1993, then the Ryndam (1994), and this trio were all built by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Monfalcone.
As for the fourth and final of the quartet, Veendam was completed also by the same shipbuilder but at their Marghera yard in 1996.