Hi Adrian. I was still a travel agent when Statendam came into service. I was aboard in Fort Lauderdale. If memory serves, the double deck dining room was very dark velvet red, with violins playing during dinner. It was an evening event with a show afterwards. She was a lovely ship with high end decor for the time.
That ship (Pacific Eden) is the reason I love cruising so much. My first ever cruise was on her and she impressed me so much. Adrian, now you know why I like little ships the most. However my favourite ship of all time was the CMV Astor. Sadly no longer with us. I was booked to do another sailing on the Vasco Da Gama (Pacific Eden) when she was with CMV, but Covid and the collapse of the company prevented that from happening.
Totally get it! I love smaller ships too, and VDG really hits the mark as it still offers variety in terms of its onboard spaces, restaurants and bars so its like the best of both worlds!
I sailed on her back in 2016 when she was still the Pacific Eden. I remember her decor looking very nice and my cabin was also very nice. She was a smaller ship, so she rocked a lot more than some of the other ships, I remember being in the bow or the stern? I don't remember anymore, sitting inside The Dragon Lady and we could feel her rocking, but regardless, she was still a beautiful ship. Would love to sail on her again to see what she's like nowadays.
I've sailed with CMV on two occasions prior to their winding up and they were a very good small ship company. They were about to take ownership of the Vasco just before their demise. It's great news that the ship is going to be operating in Europe and will give me the opportunity to sail on the Vasco in the future. I prefer smaller ships so this will certainly fit the bill.
Great video. Do you have any idea what the demographic of the passenger mix is on board? I’m assuming a decent percentage of the passengers will be German. Also, were you able to eat anything on board? If so, how was the food? Finally what do the fares look like? Reasonable ?
I did enjoy a lunch in the Mediterranean Waterfront dining room and it was very nice - more classic dishes. Caesar salad, cream of broccoli soup and steak with vegetables for the main course. The food in the buffet area looked good, but I didn't try it. The mix of passengers varies from cruise to cruise, even during the world cruise as there are multiple shorter legs that people could book. The predominant mix we were told, is split between German and English speaking guests. Fares are decent, but again really depends on the voyage so I couldn't include that detail in the review unfortunately. There's everything from 6 month world cruises to 4 night European short escapes on offer.
@@TheCruiseandTravelGuy thank you. Your videos are great and I always enjoy watching. I live in Miami Florida and I see the Cruise Ships from my bedroom window and I’ve been cruising since I was a child so obviously, I’m very addicted to the industry! On another topic, I recently read that Seajets a Greek ferry operator that bought some older cruise ships during the pandemic, is apparently starting its own cruise line. They bought the majesty of the seas from royal Caribbean, which was the ship that many local people here would regularly take for weekend cruises to the Bahamas. I sailed on her at least 10 times. It’s a perfect size ship. if you have any info, please consider making a video about Seajets starting its own cruise line.
Just thinking how many smaller Ships got scraped during covid that could still be cruising today. Example my first ship Costa Victoria would still be fine with a bit of a freshen up. Such a shame... Thanks for the video Mate
Sorry for the delay! I believe it’s 20% but when you make a booking, nicko or your travel agent will be able to advise specific requirements for your cruise.
Nicko Cruises bought the ship for about $10m, and then spent about 3 times as much on fixing her up and most of that money has been spent on the mechanics and making sure she’ll operate smoothly for years ahead.
A quick google search reveals that VDG offers a fitness centre and spa. Hopefully you can appreciate that I was on a hosted tour while filming, and didn’t have free rein to wander the ship at will 😬 as much as that would have been lovely. Learn more here: nicko-cruises.co.uk/project/vasco-da-gama-nicko-cruises-uk/
Eden was my first ever cruise in 2018, by far my favourite ship
I can see why, she's a lovely little vessel!
I loved the Eden and dream of cruising on her once again. I'm glad she is sailing still.
It's lovely to know she's still with us, especially after COVID took so many ships before their time.
Hi Adrian. I was still a travel agent when Statendam came into service. I was aboard in Fort Lauderdale. If memory serves, the double deck dining room was very dark velvet red, with violins playing during dinner. It was an evening event with a show afterwards. She was a lovely ship with high end decor for the time.
Wow, thanks for sharing! I can imagine how that must have felt being onboard, especially when she was brand new!
That ship (Pacific Eden) is the reason I love cruising so much. My first ever cruise was on her and she impressed me so much. Adrian, now you know why I like little ships the most. However my favourite ship of all time was the CMV Astor. Sadly no longer with us. I was booked to do another sailing on the Vasco Da Gama (Pacific Eden) when she was with CMV, but Covid and the collapse of the company prevented that from happening.
Totally get it! I love smaller ships too, and VDG really hits the mark as it still offers variety in terms of its onboard spaces, restaurants and bars so its like the best of both worlds!
Did a 3 day cruise on Pacific Eden in 2018 .
I sailed on her back in 2016 when she was still the Pacific Eden. I remember her decor looking very nice and my cabin was also very nice. She was a smaller ship, so she rocked a lot more than some of the other ships, I remember being in the bow or the stern? I don't remember anymore, sitting inside The Dragon Lady and we could feel her rocking, but regardless, she was still a beautiful ship. Would love to sail on her again to see what she's like nowadays.
She's definitely subject to a lot more movement on account of her size. Part of the fun 🤩
Boy could this lady rock and roll
haha yes, definitely!
I've sailed with CMV on two occasions prior to their winding up and they were a very good small ship company. They were about to take ownership of the Vasco just before their demise. It's great news that the ship is going to be operating in Europe and will give me the opportunity to sail on the Vasco in the future. I prefer smaller ships so this will certainly fit the bill.
She is a lovely little ship and hope i might go and see her in Sydney when she comes out so i can look at her
Next week I'm going onboard Vasco da Gama as featured singer for the world cruise! So excited to see the ship and all those places! ⛴️⚓🌊
Amazing! All the best with your contract and world exploration.
Great video. Do you have any idea what the demographic of the passenger mix is on board? I’m assuming a decent percentage of the passengers will be German. Also, were you able to eat anything on board? If so, how was the food? Finally what do the fares look like? Reasonable ?
I did enjoy a lunch in the Mediterranean Waterfront dining room and it was very nice - more classic dishes. Caesar salad, cream of broccoli soup and steak with vegetables for the main course. The food in the buffet area looked good, but I didn't try it.
The mix of passengers varies from cruise to cruise, even during the world cruise as there are multiple shorter legs that people could book. The predominant mix we were told, is split between German and English speaking guests. Fares are decent, but again really depends on the voyage so I couldn't include that detail in the review unfortunately. There's everything from 6 month world cruises to 4 night European short escapes on offer.
@@TheCruiseandTravelGuy thank you. Your videos are great and I always enjoy watching. I live in Miami Florida and I see the Cruise Ships from my bedroom window and I’ve been cruising since I was a child so obviously, I’m very addicted to the industry! On another topic, I recently read that Seajets a Greek ferry operator that bought some older cruise ships during the pandemic, is apparently starting its own cruise line. They bought the majesty of the seas from royal Caribbean, which was the ship that many local people here would regularly take for weekend cruises to the Bahamas. I sailed on her at least 10 times. It’s a perfect size ship. if you have any info, please consider making a video about Seajets starting its own cruise line.
It looks like a lovely ship. If they don't serve Espresso Martini's be sure to create a HUGE fuss! ~ Dee 😊
haha! Definitely!
I miss the beautiful Eden :)
I hadn’t been on Eden.
thats a lovely ship :) i actually like it :)
Just thinking how many smaller Ships got scraped during covid that could still be cruising today.
Example my first ship Costa Victoria would still be fine with a bit of a freshen up.
Such a shame...
Thanks for the video Mate
Good point! Covid definitely accelerated the end of some ships lives at sea. It's good to know that some like Vasco Da Gama get to continue!
Please review Viking
Viking is definitely on my list.
Hi Adrian,
Does VASCO DA GAMA charge a Deposit fee during the Embarkation/registration point?
Sorry for the delay! I believe it’s 20% but when you make a booking, nicko or your travel agent will be able to advise specific requirements for your cruise.
when I went on it last it was under cmv and didn't go where it was ment to go and it broke down???
Nicko Cruises bought the ship for about $10m, and then spent about 3 times as much on fixing her up and most of that money has been spent on the mechanics and making sure she’ll operate smoothly for years ahead.
too bad you didn't say anything about the spa/gym area? Does it exist?
A quick google search reveals that VDG offers a fitness centre and spa. Hopefully you can appreciate that I was on a hosted tour while filming, and didn’t have free rein to wander the ship at will 😬 as much as that would have been lovely.
Learn more here: nicko-cruises.co.uk/project/vasco-da-gama-nicko-cruises-uk/
@@TheCruiseandTravelGuy I have a cruise on this ship in 4 weeks
Is that the Aria
No it was the Eden
@@WendyKoek-e8x very similar. Bought back some awesome memories
It is her sister ship
Sorry Adrian I cruised on her a few times and as usual P&O seem to make everything dark not a fan
That look very old and boring. Back to the 90’s.
A little nostalgia never hurt anyone 😆