Ocean Majesty

The 1966-built MV Ocean Majesty cruise ship was originally planned to serve as a cruiseferry for Trasmediterranea. The vessel’s original name was “Juan March” and she was initially employed primarily on passenger and cargo services between mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. She was the first of two nearly identical Albatros-class sisterships.

The vessel (IMO number 6602898) is currently Portugal/Madeira-flagged (MMSI 255717000) and registered in Funchal.

The ship (Union Naval Valencia yard/hull number 93) is powered by four Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 16V32D), with a combined power output of 12 MW.

Hansa Touristik’s 10-year charter of Ocean Majesty was terminated in August 2023, with the final voyage ending in Hamburg Hafen on August 7. The last itinerary included ports in Greenland and Iceland, as well as Scotland, UK (Lerwick/Mainland Shetland).

Reportedly, approximately 220 crew contracts were terminated and, with only a skeleton crew remaining, the vessel departed Hamburg on August 7 (22:09 UTC), sailing to Velsen-Noord, Holland (near Haarlem and Ijmuiden), where she arrived on August 9 (01:57 UTC).

Some German media outlets speculated that the cruise ship would be used as a floating hotel in Amsterdam Holland to accommodate refugees. However, despite inquiries, both Hansa Touristik and the Greek shipowner (Majesty International Cruises) have declined to issue official statements or confirm the vessel’s withdrawal from cruise service or any potential conversion into a refugee accommodation facility.

History - construction and ownership

The 620-passenger ship Ocean Majesty (as “Juan March”) was launched (floated out from drydock) on December 4, 1965, and delivered to Trasmediterranea on July 27, 1966.

In 1985, the vessel was sold to Sol Mediterranean and renamed “Sol Christina”. After remaining laid up for two years (1985-86), she was acquired by Opale Lines and renamed “Kyros Star” (1986-88).

In 1989, Opale Lines sold the ship to Majestic International Cruises (a subsidiary of Majestic Marine Company Ltd). The new owner converted the ferry into a cruise ship and renamed her “Ocean Majesty”. Majestic International operated the vessel for six years (1988-94) and chartered her to Epirotiki (the Greek shipping company founded in 1850) in 1994-95, sailing under the names “Olympic” and “Homeric”. After the charter period ended, the ship reverted to the name “Ocean Majesty”.

The current shipowner, Majestic Marine Company, operates the vessel through its subsidiary Majestic International Cruises Inc (founded in 2000, Athens Greece-based), trading under the brand name “Majestic Cruises”.

Following the global COVID crisis, the ship resumed passenger operations on May 8, 2022, departing from her homeport of Bremerhaven under charter to Hansa Touristik.

Decks and Cabins

MV Ocean Majesty has 274 staterooms, of which 185 are outside cabins (including 16 Suites, eight of which feature private step-out balconies).

All cabins are equipped with air conditioning, private shower, satellite TV, radio and an electronic safe (located in the closet). Minibars are provided in all suites.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The main dining room is located amidships on the lowest passenger deck. The venue has no windows, giving it a feel reminiscent of the dining rooms on classic ocean liners. Nevertheless, it is attractively designed in a retro style, highlighted by distinctive glass chandeliers. Dinner is served in two evening sittings. An additional dining option is the informal “Lido Garden”, which features a glass-domed roof.

MV Ocean Majesty offers a casual and friendly onboard atmosphere, with lively entertainment and appealing ports of call. The “Majestic Lounge” is considered the ship’s most inviting venue, featuring a bar and piano. Directly aft is the “Starlight” show lounge, also an attractive space, though typical of the limitations associated with older-style show lounges.

Itineraries

Seasonally (May through October), MS Ocean Majesty was chartered by Hansa Touristik GmbH (a Stuttgart Germany-based travel company and cruise brand). Following a suspension of operations lasting more than two years due to the Coronavirus crisis (March 2020 through May 2022), the ship resumed service on May 9, 2022. Hansa Touristik’s program included itineraries in Northern Europe (the Baltic Sea, Norway’s Svalbard/North Cape and Spitsbergen, the UK, Iceland and Greenland), Portugal’s Azores Islands, and the Mediterranean (including the Greek Islands).

Ocean Majesty’s itinerary program was based on departures from the homeports of Venice, Genoa, Piraeus, Kiel and Hamburg.