Celestyal Journey

The 1994-built cruise ship Celestyal Journey (formerly "MS Ryndam" and "Aegean Goddess") was operated by Holland America Line as MS Ryndam from 1994 to 2015, and by P&O Australia as Pacific Aria from 2015 to 2020. Her sisterships by design include MS Maasdam/CFC Renaissance, MS Veendam/Aegean Majesty, and MS Statendam/Vasco da Gama Nicko.

While under P&O Australia, the ship (IMO 8919269) was UK-flagged (MMSI 235113823) and registered in London. After being acquired by Aegean Goddess Inc (a subsidiary of Eaglepower Shipping Ltd/Seajets Ferries Greece), she was renamed Aegean Goddess and reflagged to Bermuda (MMSI 310811000). Management was contracted to Optimum Ship Services Ltd (founded 2014, based in Piraeus, part of Scorpio Group). HAL operated the ship through its subsidiary HAL Nederland NV.

History – Construction and Ownership

On August 12, 2022, it was announced that a new cruise brand—Victoria Cruise Lines—would be launched in May 2023 with two sisterships: Aegean Goddess (renamed VICTORIA AMAZING) and Aegean Majesty (renamed VICTORIA MAJESTIC).

• Victoria Cruise Lines is based in Paralimni, Cyprus, and led by CEO Olavs Zvinelis. The adults-only, all-inclusive brand offers residential cruising with staterooms available for long-term rentals (minimum 6 months).
• Victoria Amazing was scheduled to depart from PortMiami on February 1, 2023.
• Victoria Majestic was scheduled to depart from Livorno on April 1, 2023.
• Rental rates started at USD 8,000 (inside cabin), USD 10,000 (oceanview), and USD 16,000 (balcony). Rentals were only available to guests aged 18 and older.
• All interior cabins were to be fitted with a 40-inch LCD screen displaying live ocean views and sounds from 10 HD cameras.

From 2020 to 2023, Aegean Goddess remained laid up in cold layup, docked at Port Lavrio, Attica (Greece).

In February 2023, the vessel was sold to Celestyal Cruises and renamed Celestyal Journey. Before entering service, she underwent a EUR 20 million (USD 21.2 million) refit and refurbishment at Palumbo Shipyard, Valletta (Malta), from May 21 to August 27, 2023. The drydock included full renovations to public areas and staterooms, hull work, new livery, technical and safety system overhauls, and general hotel maintenance.

In April 2021, Pacific Aria was scheduled to leave the P&O Cruises Australia fleet with her final voyage departing on April 9, 2021, from Melbourne to Singapore via Fremantle. The voyage was offered in segments: a short break (Melbourne-Fremantle), Asia Explorer (Fremantle-Singapore), and a full 18-night back-to-back cruise (Melbourne-Fremantle-Singapore).

In November 2019, pre-sale agreements were signed with CMV-Cruise and Maritime Voyages. Pacific Aria was to become CMV Ida Pfeiffer, and Pacific Dawn—CMV Amy Johnson. Following CMV's bankruptcy in July 2020, Carnival Corporation reopened both ships for sale. Pacific Dawn was sold to Ocean Builders to become a residential "Crypto Cruise Ship", while Pacific Aria was sold in October 2020. She sailed over 450,000 NM (~520,000 mi/~835,000 km) during her time with P&O Australia (Nov 2015–Mar 2020).

SEAJETS Greece (founded 1989) is a Cyprus-based ferry company operating passenger and cargo routes in the Eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea). The fleet includes 14 high-speed catamarans (capacity: 2,100 passengers + 600 cars) and 3 conventional Ro-Pax ships (capacity: 1,300 passengers + 400 cars). SEAJETS operates from Piraeus-Athens, Lavrion, and Crete (Heraklion, Rethymno), connecting 26 Cyclades Islands with 260 routes.

Originally launched in 1994 as MS Ryndam, the ship operated for HAL until 2015. In May 2014, Carnival Corporation (owner of both P&O AU and HAL) announced her transfer to P&O Australia, following a refurbishment to tailor her to the Australia-New Zealand market.

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard, hull number 5883) has a volume of 55,877 GT and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 7,447 tons, with a maximum draft of 7.5 meters. Her powerplant consists of Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 12ZAV40S and ZA40S) delivering a combined output of 34.56 MW (46,345 hp). The registered shipowner is OASIS SHIPPING SERVICES SA (formerly AEGEAN GODDESS INC), and the registered manager is OPTIMUM SHIPMANAGEMENT SERVICE.

Built by Fincantieri Monfalcone, the ship operated as "MS Ryndam" for Holland America Line from 1994. In 2015, she was refurbished and transferred to P&O Australia, renamed "Pacific Aria," and homeported in Brisbane, Queensland. In June 2017, P&O Australia’s fleet welcomed Pacific Explorer (formerly Dawn Princess).

By design, the ship is a sister vessel to Vasco da Gama (formerly Pacific Eden) and to HAL’s Maasdam/CFC Renaissance and Veendam/Aegean Majesty. Pacific Aria entered service in November 2015, following her renaming ceremony held in Sydney, NSW. The dual christening ceremony (also for Pacific Eden) took place at Fort Denison (Sydney Harbour) on November 25, 2015. Pacific Aria's godmother was singer Jessica Mauboy. The celebration included live music performances on five P&O Australia ships: Jessica Mauboy (Aria), The Veronicas (Eden), Samantha Jade (Pearl), Justice Crew (Jewel), and Stan Walker (Dawn).

Pacific Aria's inaugural voyage for P&O Australia departed on November 25, a 2-day cruise from Sydney to Brisbane. She was the first cruise ship to call at Fraser Island, followed by Pacific Eden. Located along Queensland’s southern coast, about 200 km (120 mi) north of Brisbane, Fraser Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest sand island in the world (120 km/75 mi long, 24 km/15 mi wide). On April 3, 2016, Pacific Aria anchored off Kingfisher Bay Resort during a 4-day Brisbane round-trip cruise. She entered the Great Sandy Strait (a 70 km/43 mi tidal estuary) at high tide, guided by a local pilot. Excursions offered included 4WD tours across the island’s beaches and its extensive track network (approx. 1,500 km/930 mi).

Pacific Aria was also P&O's second ship (after Pacific Jewel) to visit the privately-owned Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea. Her maiden call was on August 5, 2016. This archipelago of 21 islands encircles a blue lagoon with pristine coral reefs, ideal for snorkeling and diving in the South Pacific.

Celestyal Journey Refurbishment – 2023 Review

Following her acquisition by Celestyal Cruises in February 2023, the ship entered drydock at Palumbo Shipyard in Valletta Harbour, Malta.

The extensive refit and refurbishment took place from May 18 to August 27. The scope included complete hull maintenance (cleaning, steel work, painting, new livery), safety equipment checks, technical systems and machinery overhauls, and full renovation of hotel areas (public spaces and staterooms), along with upgraded amenities.

Celestyal Cruises announced the drydock project’s cost at over USD 20 million (~EUR 19 million).

The ship’s most recent drydocking was in 2025 (January 12–February 15) in Dubai, UAE. This EUR 6.5 million overhaul covered scheduled maintenance and classification works (hull treatment, livery, machinery and system upgrades, safety inspections) and general hotel upkeep.

Pacific Aria Refurbishment – 2018 Review

The 12-day drydock in Singapore (August 3–15, 2018) resulted in the following deck plan changes:

• The Dome (Deck 12 forward) was redesigned with a nautical theme (dark blue and white), featuring soft lighting and elegant drapes. By day, it hosted games, classes, and trivia; by night, it became a chic dance venue.
• Elemis Spa (Deck 11 forward) was expanded with a Barber Shop offering professional grooming services in a stylish setting with gold-framed mirrors, leather chairs, and premium curtains.
• All Penthouse, Suite, and Balcony staterooms received new carpeting and outdoor furniture.
• The new Southern Cross-themed livery was painted on the hull.

In total, 1,000 pieces of furniture were replaced, along with 6,000 meters of fabric and over 10,000 square meters of carpeting. New artworks and contemporary wallpapers were added to public areas.

Pacific Aria Cruise Itineraries 2020–2021 (Canceled)

The following itineraries were scheduled by P&O Australia for Pacific Aria but were canceled after the ship’s sale in October 2020.

3-day Cruises to Nowhere (no port calls) in 2021 were planned roundtrip from Sydney (Jan 24), Adelaide (Jan 30, Feb 20, Mar 6, Mar 13), and Melbourne (Mar 26, Apr 2).

4-day roundtrip cruises to Moreton Island – Tangalooma from Sydney were also scheduled.

10 days "Christmas Cruise"

Cruise Theme: Christmas cruise

10 days "New Years Eve Cruise"

8 days "A Taste Of New Caledonia"

9 days "Explore The Loyalty Islands"

4 days "Southern Getaway"

10 days Southern Discovery"

7 days "A Taste Of Tasmania"

7 days "A Taste Of Tasmania"

4 days "Kangaroo Island"

The last scheduled by P&O cruise for Pacific Aria was a 6-days repositioning voyage from Melbourne to Fremantle Melbourne

Holland America MS Ryndam cruise ship

Follows the table with information regarding the previously named "MS Ryndam" Holland America vessel.

• Cabin grades number: 26
• Total number of passenger cabins: 630 (of which 149 Suites, no Balcony, 129 Inside, 32 Spa rooms)
• Dining Room: Rotterdam
• Restaurants and food bars: Lido (indoor buffet with outdoor Lido Terrace), Terrace Grill (fast-food), Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse, seafood, French /"Le Cirque" in the evening), Canaletto (Italian).
• Lounges & Bars: Showroom at Sea (theater), Wajang (culinary arts, and cinema), Crow’s Nest (nightclub), MIX (Champagne, Spirits & Ales, Martini), Wine Tasting and Gourmet Shops, Explorer’s, Explorations Cafe, Neptune (suite guests), Ocean (Atrium bar), Casino, kids and teens lounges (Club HAL, The Loft, The Oasis), poolside bars.
• Amenities: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry/Self-Serve Laundromats, Spa cabins (6 CQ - oceanview, 2 IQ - Interior), Spa suites (8, BQ).
• Adults relaxation area (Sea View), Greenhouse Spa, Fitness, 2 jacuzzis, 2 pools, wraparound Promenade (Deck 6).

MS Ryndam's Maiden Voyage was on October 16, 1994, attended by the Godmother Madeleine Arison. On this vessel, there is an art-antiques collection of items from the 17-18-19th centuries (themed Dutch exploration). In its Atrium area (midship) it has a huge fountain (by G. Lebigre, Italy). Ryndam was HAL's 2nd vessel with this name. The first Ryndam was 12340 t passenger ship (1901-built/1929-scrapped).

MS Ryndam itineraries

The Holland America Ryndam ship was transferred to P&O Australia, starting operations in November 2015. Before the transfer, the ship operated on the following itineraries: Caribbean cruises from Tampa Florida

• 7-day Western Caribbean - visiting Key West FL (or Cozumel Mexico), Roatan, Guatemala (Santo Tomas) and Costa Maya (Mexico)
• 14-day Southern Caribbean - visiting Half Moon Cay (Bahamas), Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Antigua, St Lucia, Curacao, Aruba, and Grand Cayman
• (back-to-back) 14-day Western Caribbean (with Key West and Cozumel), and 21-day Western-Southern Caribbean.

North European cruises from Dover (England, UK)

• 7-day Norwegian Fjords
• 14-day Arctic (North Pole)
• 14-day Baltic Capitals
• 21-day back-to-back
• 19-day Canary Islands
• 20-day Western Mediterranean

Mediterranean Sea cruises

• 10-day Barcelona to Venice
• 17-day Venice to Athens
• 14-day Athens to Rome
• 7-day Rome to Barcelona
• 7-day round-trip Greek Isles and Turkey from Athens Greece
• 14-day back-to-back

15-16-day Transatlantic crossings on repositioning between Tampa and Barcelona.