Veendam (ship, 1996)

**Veendam**
Ship data
flag	Netherlands Bermuda (since 2020);
other ship names	Aegean Majesty (since 2020) ;
Ship type	Cruise ship
class	Statendam class
Callsign	PHEO
home port	Rotterdam
Owner	Carnival Corporation & plc
Shipping company	Holland America Line
Shipyard	Fincantieri , Marghera
building-costs	$ 150 million
Launch	May 25, 1995
Commissioning	May 25, 1996
Ship dimensions and crew
length	219 m ( Lüa )
width	31 m
measurement	57,092 GT
crew	568
Machine system
Top ; speed	21 kn (39 km / h)
Transport capacities
Permitted number of passengers	1,350
Pax cabins	675
Others
Classifications	Lloyd's Register
Registration ; numbers	IMO 9102992

The Veendam is a cruise ship that is named after the capital of the northern peat colonies of the Netherlands . It was operated by Holland-America Line until 2020 . The ship's features include the two-story Rotterdam Dining Room, suites with private verandas, several lounges and a wide teak deck . Since 2020 the ship has been called Aegean Majesty .

history

Construction and use at Holland-America Line

The Veendam was built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri in Marghera . After being launched on May 25, 1995, the ship was delivered to Holland-America Line on April 23, 1996 . She sailed under the flag of the Bahamas with her home port in Nassau . The Veendam was christened by Debbie Reynolds . It entered service on May 25, 1996 in Fort Lauderdale . The ship belongs to the Statendam class, also known as the S- class.

From 2006 the ship sailed under the flag of the Netherlands with home port Rotterdam . The last modification of the ship took place in 2016.

Rescuing a pilot

On January 20, 2015, Veendam began an 18-day cruise in the Hawaiian Islands. Five days later, on January 25, 2015 at 5:21 p.m. Hawaii Aleutian time, the ship was called in by the United States Coast Guard to rescue pilot Louis Morton, who had abandoned his plane after traveling about 225 nautical miles suffered a mechanical failure off the coast of Maui . In coordination with the US Coast Guard, the Veendam launched a lifeboat for a successful rescue operation, much to the joy and entertainment of its passengers.

sale

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic , HAL sold the Veendam , like its sister ship the Maasdam , to a previously unknown buyer in July 2020. In August 2020 the ship was handed over and renamed the Aegean Majesty . It has been flying the Bermuda flag ever since .

"Signature of Excellence" program

In April 2009 the Veendam in Freeport was overhauled. During the extensive renovation, two decks with balcony cabins were added to the stern of the ship and the rear pool area was redesigned with four whirlpools on a raised platform. Because of the weight change was a new Ducktail attached to the ship to the stability to be ensured. The renovation also included the introduction of some new lanai cabins on the promenade deck. These cabins have mirrored glass doors that open onto the promenade deck.

Current cruises and routes

Veendam currently sails in the Caribbean and along the coast of South America from Fort Lauderdale during the winter season and in the Mediterranean and around Northern Europe from Venice , Civitavecchia and Barcelona during the summer season.