Possible new name for Veendam

[frankc98376]

From Liam Cusack on FB a quote from a Greek newspaper:

"Veendam has been in the port of Katakolo since Monday, where its renovation works continue. The ship, according to its data in Marine Traffic, will be renamed Aegean Majesty while, despite the intense rumors, its new company is still unknown.
Of course, in the coming months we will know the new owners and the program of the ship."

 

Makes sense as Maasdam is also in Greece

Edited August 13, 2020 by frankc98376

[Sir PMP]

Interesting.

[Himself]

Right now I would call all of them "m.. s. No Go!"

[frankc98376]

The buyer of both ships was originally reported in press to be Blue Seas Cruises but said the operator was unnamed. Their website says they will have 3 ships and offer zodiaks.

[rkacruiser]

This makes no sense.  I new name for a ship that has no identified owner?  

[GeorgeCharlie]

Reported in Wikipedia - Her flag was changed from Netherlands to Bermuda.

 

[frankc98376]

56 minutes ago, GeorgeCharlie said:

Reported in Wikipedia - Her flag was changed from Netherlands to Bermuda.

 

Adds to the mystery and confusion. Why Bermuda?

[Despegue]

Flag of Convenience.

 

Initially, I thought she might be heading to Celestyal Cruises, but they register their vessels in Malta.

 

 

 

[sailingdutchy]

Received the same info as above from my TA as far as the Veendam is concerned Aegian Majesty and now registered in Bermuda  ,and she mentioned that both of these ships , Veendam and Maasdam will be Island hoppers of the Greek Isles .

 

Don't know if they will belong to the same company and which company it is yet . 

[Despegue]

Www.majesticcruises.gr

 

no mention yet of Aegean Majesty though, but the name is along the line of their other vessel: Ocean Majesty.

 

 

[cruisemom42]

2 hours ago, Despegue said:

Www.majesticcruises.gr

 

no mention yet of Aegean Majesty though, but the name is along the line of their other vessel: Ocean Majesty.

 

 

 

Although it appears Ocean Majesty is registered in Madeira. Don't most companies register their ships in the same place?

 

[Despegue]

2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Although it appears Ocean Majesty is registered in Madeira. Don't most companies register their ships in the same place?

 

Depends, as some cruise companies actually lease vessels from the actual owners, either with or without crew. Just like in aviation.

 

[Copper10-8]

On 8/13/2020 at 4:04 PM, frankc98376 said:

The buyer of both ships was originally reported in press to be Blue Seas Cruises but said the operator was unnamed. Their website says they will have 3 ships and offer zodiaks.

 

Is that, by any chance, one of those zodiacs made in Russia? 😉

[Copper10-8]

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Although it appears Ocean Majesty is registered in Madeira. Don't most companies register their ships in the same place?

 

 

Not always! From her acceptance by HAL in May 1996 until January 2006, Veendam IV (the ship we're all speculating about here as to where she'll be going - so, the fourth "S" class) was the only ship in the HAL fleet registered in the Bahamas and therefor flying the Bahamian national colors. The remaining ships were all registered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, flying the Dutch flag.   

 

Purely for trivia; for that same 10-year time period, Veendam was also the only HAL ship with an all-British-staffed deck and engine dept. Jonathan Mercer was one of them as he started his career with HAL as a captain

[cruisemom42]

8 hours ago, Despegue said:

Depends, as some cruise companies actually lease vessels from the actual owners, either with or without crew. Just like in aviation.

 

 

6 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Not always! From her acceptance by HAL in May 1996 until January 2006, Veendam IV (the ship we're all speculating about here as to where she'll be going - so, the fourth "S" class) was the only ship in the HAL fleet registered in the Bahamas and therefor flying the Bahamian national colors. The remaining ships were all registered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, flying the Dutch flag.   

 

 

Interesting -- always good to learn something new. 

[rkacruiser]

13 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Purely for trivia;

 

Anyone else miss Copper's trivia games during sailaways?  

[Barkevko]

Saw a picture of the ship yesterday with the new name Aegean Majesty painted on the aft port side. She was in Katakolo, Greece.

Edited August 16, 2020 by Barkevko

[GeorgeCharlie]

Veedam's record info on Vesselfinder.com has been changed to Aegean Majesty.

 

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/AEGEAN-MAJESTY-IMO-9102992-MMSI-310801000

 

[cruisemom42]

As I was pondering this last night, I thought to myself "Wouldn't it be nice if perhaps Voyages to Antiquity is thinking of taking this ship as a long-term charter to replace the (probably to be scrapped) Aegean Odyssey that they sailed for 10 years on niche itineraries...  Aegean Majesty would certainly fit, name-wise. 🤞

[frankc98376]

I'm  wondering if a Venture Capital group bought the ships and is marketing them for long term lease.

If so maybe CCL should have looked in the same direction as they did with Thompson with former Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam.

[cruisemom42]

Well -- here's an interesting twist. Not related to Veendam but to the sale by HAL of two ships to Fred. Olsen...

 

I just went to the Voyages to Antiquity website and saw this:

 

"Since we announced the charter of the Aegean Odyssey we have been working hard to find a new cruise line to offer you and we are sorry for the wait, but we believe it to have been worthwhile as we are now delighted to present a selection of cruises on board the classic small ships of our friends at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

We are currently reviewing voyages for departures in 2021 and will update details of these when the current travel situation improves. For current voyages please use the button below. Please note this will take you to VTA’s cruise calendar on the official website of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. This website will remain open whilst you peruse our partner voyages."

 

This is great news for me!!

 

[Scrapnana]

On 8/15/2020 at 3:49 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

Anyone else miss Copper's trivia games during sailaways?  

I sure do.  Looking forward to the day we will actually see our ships sailing!

[Sir PMP]

15 hours ago, GeorgeCharlie said:

Veedam's record info on Vesselfinder.com has been changed to Aegean Majesty.

 

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/AEGEAN-MAJESTY-IMO-9102992-MMSI-310801000

 

Great find..