Celestyal Cruises, a famend Greek cruise firm, has acquired the previous Carnival-owned Holland America Line cruise ship Ryndam and renamed it Celestyal Journey.
The corporate has deliberate a €20 million refurbishment and technical overhaul at a shipyard close to Piraeus for the vessel earlier than it enters service. The launch date of the ship stays undisclosed.
Ryndam Will Proceed Crusing as Celestyal Journey
Celestyal Cruises has acquired the previous Carnival Company-owned Holland America Line cruise ship Ryndam from earlier proprietor Seajets. The vessel, now renamed Celestyal Journey, is 55,819 gross tons and has area for 1,258 passengers.
The corporate has not disclosed whether or not it’ll increase or scale back the ship’s capability; what is obvious is that it is going to be investing some 20 million euros in refurbishing and overhauling the cruise ship.
The newly-refurbished vessel is predicted to supply a substantial enhance in premium and balcony staterooms, catering to the excessive demand for such lodging on all its voyages.
The acquisition marks a strategic transfer by Celestyal Cruises to place itself higher and to reap the benefits of the renewed curiosity in cruising that’s evident worldwide.
Celestyal Cruises already has a fleet of three mid-sized ships, and the addition of the Celestyal Journey will present the corporate with further capability to satisfy the anticipated surge in demand within the coming summer season, which gives a significantly better alternative for investments.
In an announcement, Celestyal CEO Chris Theophilides stated: “Whereas the worldwide occasions of the previous few years have positioned our development plans on pause, the constructive business outlook together with robust bookings for the approaching season, gives Celestyal with the chance to recommence the method of renewing our fleet with new vessels.”
“Along with her expansive open decks, quite a few bar & eating choices in addition to spacious public areas and staterooms, the Celestyal Journey gives our friends with a big enhance in premium and balcony staterooms, which proceed to be in excessive demand on all of our voyages. We stay up for welcoming her to the Celestyal fleet!”
Ryndam, Pacific Aria, Aegean Goddess, and Celestyal Journey
The Celestyal Journey was owned by Holland America Line earlier than being transferred to P&O Australia and renamed Pacific Aria in 2015. The cruise ship sailed on her maiden voyage for Seattle-based Holland America Line in 1993.
The ship was scheduled to affix Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) in Might 2021 beneath the brand new identify of Ida Pfeifer. Nevertheless, the transaction by no means materialized, as CMV had filed for chapter.
Seajets later acquired the Pacific Aria in 2020 as a part of a shopping for spree from the Greek ferry operator, which additionally consists of the Maasdam. Ryndam was laid up in Greece because the Aegean Goddess in 2020.
Seajets bought the previous Maasdam (Aegean Delusion) to the brand new French transport firm Compagnie Française de Croisières in 2022, and it is going to be deployed from Might 2023 beneath its new identify, Renaissance.
The Celestyal Journey is predicted to affix Celestyal Cruises’ fleet as quickly as the total overhaul has been accomplished. No tentative dates have been talked about by the cruise line.
Celestyal Cruises was based in 1986 and has grown to grow to be a big participant within the Greek cruise business. The corporate has gained a number of awards over time because of its distinctive cruising strategy, which gives its friends an immersive and genuine Greek expertise.
