CFC Renaissance

The 1993-built CFC Renaissance cruise ship (formerly "MS Maasdam"/HAL and "Aegean Myth"/SEAJETS) was the second Statendam-class (S-class) liner of the Holland America Line, with sisterships MS Statendam, MS Ryndam, and MS Veendam.

In July 2020, MS Maasdam was sold to SeaJets Ferries (Greece) and renamed "Aegean Myth." In August 2022, Aegean Myth was sold to CFC (Compagnie Française de Croisières) and, after a ~EUR/USD 10 million drydocking, was renamed "MS Renaissance."

During the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–2022), SeaJets' cruise ships (five units) remained docked in Greece (at Aigio and Piraeus-Athens).

In January 2025, Compagnie Française de Croisières merged with the British company Ambassador Cruise Line, forming the Ambassador Group (shipowner). Following the merger, CFC Renaissance joined fleetmates Ambition and Ambience.

History - construction and ownership

In July 2020, Carnival Corporation (via its subsidiary Holland America Line) sold four liners. MS Amsterdam and MS Rotterdam were sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and renamed "MS Bolette" and "MS Borealis." MS Maasdam and MS Veendam were sold to an undisclosed buyer. Later, it was revealed that Maasdam's new owner was Eaglepower Shipping Ltd (SeaJets Ferries Greece), owned by Marios Iliopoulos. The Greek ferry company, known for operating the fastest ferries in the Cyclades Islands, launched a cruise division with three ships: Aegean Myth (ex-HAL Maasdam), Aegean Majesty (ex-HAL Veendam), and Oceana (P&O UK). The vessels were managed by Optimum ShipManagement Services SA (Piraeus-based), which also manages the Celestyal Cruises fleet.

All scheduled voyages for the four ships were canceled or transferred to other HAL vessels.

A total of 32 MS Maasdam cruises were canceled (October 7, 2020, through September 27, 2021), including a 64-43-31-day Transpacific repositioning (San Diego to Sydney NSW), a 33-day Australia Circumnavigation roundtrip from Sydney (Nov 19–Dec 22, 2021), a 13-day Southern Australian Holiday (Dec 2021), 20-40-day repositionings (Sydney to Singapore), a 20-day Indian Ocean Explorer roundtrip from Singapore (Malaysia–Thailand–Sri Lanka–Maldives / Jan 24–Feb 13, 2021), Transpacific repositionings (19-day Singapore to Sydney, 43-day Singapore to San Diego, 24-36-day Sydney to San Diego), 10-12-day Sea of Cortez roundtrips from San Diego, a 4-day Alaska repositioning (San Diego to Vancouver), and Alaskan roundtrips from Vancouver BC (14-day Great Alaskan Explorer and 7-day Inside Passage, May 3–Sept 27, 2021).

After the acquisition, Seajets’ Aegean Myth was initially docked at Port Aigio (Egio), Greece, located approximately 40 km (24 mi) east of Patras.

Under Holland America Line, the vessel was Netherlands-flagged (MMSI 244958000) and registered in Rotterdam. Under SeaJets Ferries and CFC, she was reflagged to Bermuda (MMSI 310805000) and registered in Hamilton.

In August 2022, it was announced that Aegean Myth (sold in July 2020 to SeaJets for US$10 million) was acquired by CFC HOLDCO (a Marseille-based holding company registered in October 2020) for US$30 million (~EUR 30M). The new shipowner operates under the new cruise brand CFC (Compagnie Française de Croisières). CFC HOLDCO is led by Clément Mousset (President) and Cédric Rivoire-Perrochat (Managing Director). Until 2022, Mousset served as General Manager for CMV France. Following the acquisition, Aegean Myth was renamed "MS Renaissance."

SEAJETS Greece (founded in 1989) is a Cyprus-based shipping company specializing in passenger and cargo ferry services exclusively in the Eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea). The Seajets fleet consists mainly of high-speed ferries (14 catamarans, max capacity 2100 passengers and 600 cars) and 3 conventional Ro-Pax vessels (max capacity 1300 passengers and 400 cars). SEAJETS operates from homeports Piraeus-Athens, Lavrion, and Crete (Heraklion and Rethymno), interconnecting 26 Cyclades Islands (including Crete) with 260 routes.

The 1264-passenger ship MS Maasdam featured the New York Times-branded Explorations Café and a combined Library–Digital Fun Room with touchscreen interactive maps and oversized crossword puzzles. Her April 2011 refit was part of HAL’s USD 560 million “Signature of Excellence” fleetwide renovation program focused on modernizing the older vessels. In addition to new carpets, upholstery, and soft furnishings, Maasdam received three signature upgrades: a dinner-only Italian restaurant, two new stateroom categories, and the Mix Lounge (a 3-in-1 bar venue).

Decks and Cabins

CFC Renaissance/MS Maasdam staterooms (629 total) include 149 Balcony Suites (24%), no standard Balcony cabins, 352 Oceanviews (including 29 Lanai/Promenade-facing), 128 Inside cabins, and 32 Spa cabins (16 Suites, 12 Oceanviews, 4 Insides) across 32 cabin categories. Most cabins are Oceanviews sized 175-255 ft². Nearly 25% of all passenger accommodations have private step-out balconies. In total, there are 631 staterooms in 32 categories. Wheelchair-accessible cabins number 18, interconnecting cabins are 102, and 100 are single cabins (bookable without a single supplement). The largest accommodations are the Pinnacle Suites (935 ft²).

The ship has 13 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 5 have cabins.

(MS Renaissance review) Shipboard facilities and amenities

CFC Renaissance was redesigned by Tomas Tillberg Design (Weston, Florida, USA).

Redesigned and new venues include the Chef’s Table (a VIP dining room with a maximum capacity of 12 seats and upscale French cuisine), Ocean Bar (with navy blue and beige soft furnishings), and a sundeck/poolside sunbathing area on the Lido Deck (renamed Moana, covered with a glass roof), featuring one swimming pool and three whirlpools/spa Jacuzzis.

The Maasdam-to-Renaissance transformation also included a full renovation of all 629 passenger staterooms. All accommodations received new carpets, curtains, and minibars. A total of 17,000 m² / 183,000 ft² of carpets were renewed throughout the ship as part of the drydock project.

CFC Renaissance review by deck

Below are the ship's venues, facilities, and amenities by deck. Each stateroom deck has a Lavomatique (launderette/self-service laundry room).

Deck 4 (La Réunion Pont) features the Centre Médical (doctor’s office, infirmary, reception) and cabins numbered 4000 to 4148.

Deck 5 (Marie-Galante Pont) houses cabins numbered 5000 to 5198.

Deck 6 (Renaissance Pont) includes cabins 6000 to 6123, the Lower Lobby Hall (Cruise Director’s and Hotel Manager’s Offices), Le Grand Foyer (3-deck high atrium), and the Promenade de l’Esplanade & Promenade François I (walking track).

Deck 7 (Guadeloupe Pont) includes the lower level of La Belle Époque Theatre (600-seat main show lounge, spanning Decks 7-8). The venue also hosts daily enrichment programs, lectures, media presentations, bingo, trivia, and evening entertainment including live music, production shows, concerts, and performances by comedians, magicians, and illusionists.

Also on Deck 7: Galerie Photos (photo gallery/shop/lab), Grand Atrium's Shore Excursions Desk, Reception/Front Office, and Purser’s Office.

Additional Deck 7 venues include: Le Décanteur/Bar à Vins (wine tasting bar and gourmet shop), Le Grand Auditorium (210-seat cinema/demonstration kitchen for cooking shows and classes), two conference rooms (Lérins/Salle de Conférences - 60-seat; Porquerolles/Salle de Conférences - 90-seat on Decks 7-8), La Table du Chef/Chef's Table (lower level), and Grand Restaurant Vatel (792-seat main dining room).

The MDR serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, and two dinner options: "Any Time" dining (5:15–9:00 p.m.) or fixed seatings (5:45 and 8:00 p.m.).

Deck 8 (Martinique Pont) features the upper level of La Belle Époque Theatre, Ocean Bar (121-seat atrium venue with dance floor and performance stage), boutiques, Casino de France (11 tables, 116 slots, served by Bar Rendez-Vous), Le Fou Chantant Piano Bar, Galerie d’Art (2-level art gallery), Bijouterie (jewelry boutique), Café-Bibliothèque Les Explorateurs/Explorations Café (85-seat patisserie and library), Salon Hector B (61-seat classical music lounge), Futures Croisières Desk (future cruise sales), Louchebem Le Grill (64-seat steakhouse/seafood), Connexions Café & Internet (42-seat workshop/meeting space), La Table du Chef (upper level), and the upper level of Grand Restaurant Vatel.

Deck 9 (St Martin Pont) features cabins numbered 9100 to 9220.

Deck 10 (Îles Marquises Pont) has the Navigation Bridge and cabins 1001 to 1065. Midship is the Club Concierge (24-seat suite guest venue with concierge service). Aft is La Terrasse du Prado (adults-only sundeck with pool Piscine du Prado and Bar du Prado).

Deck 11 (St Barth Pont) is the Lido Deck, hosting the Fitness Center, Salon de Beauté/Les Évens Spa, and Suites Thermales (spa complex with hydro pool, Jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, treatment rooms, and beauty salon).

Le Grill Moana (outdoor fast food bar) serves burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and fresh juices. Piscine Moana (Lido Pool) is under a retractable roof and features a swimming pool, Jacuzzis, bandstand, deck games, and is served by Bar Moana. Also on Deck 11: Belle-Île Restaurant (375-seat buffet) offering self-service meals throughout the day with themed stations and made-to-order items. Saigon Spécialités Asiatiques is a reservations-only Asian specialty restaurant (dinner only, with surcharge). Le Terrasse de Belle-Île is the aft sundeck area with loungers and shaded seating.

Deck 12 (Tahiti Pont) houses children's and sports facilities, including Le Panoramique Salon & Discotheque (291-seat observation lounge and nightclub), retractable Dome Vitre Coulissant over Deck 11’s Lido Pool, paddle tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, outdoor fitness classes, Place des Lices Pétanque, and Les Gones/Clubs Enfants (children’s lounge with supervised youth programming and activities).

(MS Maasdam) Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Dining venues include the Rotterdam Dining Room, Lido Buffet, Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse), a casual poolside grill, coffee bar, and 24-hour room service. The Lido offers efficient buffet service with sea views and various meal periods. Hours vary on port days and embarkation/debarkation. Tea and coffee are available all day. Lines are short and seating is ample.

Complete list of MS Maasdam restaurants and food bars:

• Pinnacle Grill (64-seat reservations-only seafood/steakhouse; transforms into “An Evening at Le Cirque” once per cruise)
• Rotterdam Restaurant (792-seat MDR with open seating breakfast/lunch and dinner via Any Time or fixed seatings)
• Terrace Grill (complimentary fast food by the pool)
• Lido Restaurant (375-seat buffet with self-service meals throughout the day)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Italian restaurant annex to Lido; dinner only with reservations)

(MS Maasdam) Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Daytime activities include trivia, bridge, bingo, sudoku, movies, cooking demos, and mixology classes. Poolside bands perform on sail-aways and sea days. Explorations Café offers books, periodicals, DVDs, crossword tables, touchscreen maps, puzzles, and games. A card room and internet stations are nearby.

Other amenities include 24-hour room service, supervised kids’ program (Club HAL), cruise weddings, internet/WiFi, and laundry.

Complete list of MS Maasdam lounges and entertainment venues:

• Atrium (3-deck-high open area with performances)
• Promenade Deck Walking Track (jogging not allowed)
• The Showroom at Sea (600-seat theater, enrichment program)
• Queen’s Room (42-seat meeting room for digital workshops)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Wine Tasting Bar; Gourmet Shops
• Wajang Theatre & Culinary Arts Center (210-seat cinema and demonstration kitchen)
• Atrium Terrace & Shops (duty-free boutiques)
• Ocean Bar (121-seat venue with dance floor)
• Casino with Bar and Sports Bar
• Hudson Room (60-seat meeting/cards room)
• Half Moon Room (90-seat meeting room)
• MIX Lounge (3-in-1 lounge with live music and games)
• Explorations Café (85-seat coffee bar/library/internet)
• Explorer’s Lounge (61-seat classical music venue)
• Neptune Lounge (24-seat exclusive suite guest venue)
• Fitness Center with aerobics room, 2 Jacuzzis
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon; Lido and Sea View Pools with bars
• Crow’s Nest (291-seat observation lounge/disco)
• Sports Court: Tennis, Basketball, Shuffleboard
• Club HAL (kids’ lounge)
• The Loft (teens’ lounge with arcade and PlayStations)
• The Oasis (40-seat teen-only outdoor area)

CFC itineraries

CFC Renaissance is homeported in Le Havre/Paris City (spring-summer) and Marseille Fos (fall-winter).

Most itineraries are 2-week-long, with several shorter voyages. A 120-night World Voyage scheduled for Q1 2024 (68-day Marseille roundtrip) was shortened to a 32-night sailing from Marseille to Le Havre (Jan 28–Feb 29, 2024).

The inaugural season (2023-2024) featured 150+ call ports across 54 countries, including 5- to 14-night Northern Europe cruises (Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, UK, Iberia from Le Havre) and 3- to 14-night Mediterranean cruises (roundtrip from Marseille), also visiting French-speaking North Africa and major Greek islands in the Aegean.

Caribbean fly-cruises 2025–2026

In January 2025, Ambassador Group launched its first Caribbean fly-cruise program (winter 2025–2026, October–March), featuring CFC Renaissance. Cruises depart roundtrip from Barbados (Bridgetown), Martinique (Fort-de-France), and Curacao (Willemstad). Packages include roundtrip flights (from UK, France, Netherlands), in partnership with Corendon Airlines (Antalya-based). These 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises call at ports like St Kitts, St Maarten, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Tortola BVI, and Bonaire. Deals may include up to 7-night hotel stays, land transfers, and multilingual staff. Cruise-only bookings are also available.

MS Maasdam itineraries

MS Maasdam's itinerary program included Caribbean roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Canada and New England cruises from Quebec City and Boston MA, Mediterranean cruises during summer, and seasonal Transatlantic repositioning voyages.

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number 5882) has a volume of 55,575 GT, deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 7,406 tons, and a maximum draught of 7.5 m. Her powerplant consists of Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 12ZAV40S, ZA40S) with a combined output of 34.56 MW (46,345 hp). The registered owner is CFC SHIPCO SA SU (formerly MEDITERRANEAN MAJESTY INC), while the ship is managed by CFC CROISIERES (formerly OPTIMUM SHIPMANAGEMENT SERVICE).

Maasdam was an S-class vessel and HAL's third-oldest ship (second in its class), with sisterships Veendam (now Aegean Majesty), Ryndam (now Celestyal Journey), and Statendam (now Vasco da Gama Nicko). Named after the Maas River in the Netherlands, her Inaugural/Maiden Voyage was on January 1, 1993. Upon launch, these ships were among the most advanced passenger vessels of their time.

Maasdam was the fifth Holland America vessel to carry this name. Each passenger suite features a private balcony. The ship’s Atrium houses the "Totem" sculpture by Luciano Vistosi, made of over 2,000 glass pieces. The ship's extensive art collection includes seven Japanese iron teapots and one charcoal brazier, all from Japan’s Edo period.

Current namesakes include the Coastal Renaissance (a 2007-built cruiseferry) and La Renaissance (a 1960-built hotel barge).

CFC Renaissance’s naming ceremony was initially scheduled for February 10, 2023, but was postponed twice—first to May 10, and then to June 28—when it was held in Port Le Havre.

The Maiden Voyage for CFC was also postponed twice. Originally planned for February 10, 2023, it was rescheduled to May 14 and then to June 29. The 10-day inaugural itinerary (June 29–July 9) roundtrip from Le Havre visited seven ports in Scotland and Belgium: Invergordon, Stornoway (Isle of Lewis), Lerwick (Mainland Shetland), Newhaven-Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Zeebrugge-Brugge.

CFC Renaissance Refurbishments Review (2022, 2025)

The first drydock refurbishment of CFC Renaissance took place from October 2022 to June 2023 at Damen Brest Shipyard in Brest, France.

The project involved technical upgrades, hull and superstructure cleaning and repainting, and full renovation of all staterooms and public areas. It also included steel and aluminum structural work.

The ship was outfitted with a new wastewater treatment plant and a new ballast water treatment system. The old open-loop scrubber system was replaced with a closed-loop system to eliminate pollution from exhaust gas cleaning and sea discharges.

The most recent drydock was from January 18 to March 1, 2025, at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven. The six-week project focused on general maintenance and machinery overhauls, installation of new scrubbers/exhaust gas cleaning systems, hull repainting, and the addition of shore power connectivity.

CFC World Cruises / Grand Voyages

The tables below list the Renaissance’s longest itineraries, featuring destinations across multiple countries and continents, with numerous late-night and overnight port stays.

Grand Voyage 2025 (Around Africa)

Grand Voyage 2024

32 days, one-way from Marseille to Le Havre-Paris

(Holland America) MS Maasdam Refurbishment 2018 Review

During drydock in 2018 (August 31 – September 9, at Freeport, Bahamas), the MS Maasdam received the following Suite cabin upgrades:

• New furnishings including sofas, chairs, headboards, carpeting, wall coverings, privacy curtains, draperies, bed runners, bed skirts, vanities, quartz stone-topped makeup vanities with modern lighting, dressers, dressing tables, nightstands, LED reading lights, and wardrobes with lighted closet rods
• Upgraded décor and amenities, such as espresso machines, binoculars, and complimentary mimosas with in-cabin breakfast
• New USB outlets on bed headboards, additional power outlets, and LED ceiling lighting
• BOSE SoundDock systems (iPod docking stations)
• Interactive HDTV systems with internet capabilities and free movies on demand
• All Suite bathrooms were fully renovated

The 2018 refurbishment was part of Holland America Line’s USD 300 million fleetwide renovation program (scheduled for 2016–2018), which also included updates to onboard entertainment, dining venues, and Suite accommodations across the fleet.

In 2016, Holland America enhanced MS Maasdam’s onboard programming for enrichment, entertainment, and children’s activities by replacing the "Dancing With the Stars" program with "BBC Earth" content.

• The ship’s theater lounge began hosting daily expert lectures, presentations, a nature-themed game show with BBC Earth screenings, and introductions by the filmmakers behind the series. A signature evening concert, themed on "Frozen Planet" (polar regions), featured a multimedia show with live musicians.
• The Club HAL children’s facilities were updated with an explorer trail, workshops (including journalism and filmmaking), and educational shows focused on animals and dinosaurs.

Holland America-themed voyages offered guests access to BBC Earth series creators, who shared behind-the-scenes footage and stories. Children had the opportunity to participate in hands-on filming workshops.