VASCO DA GAMA

“Small ships. Great experiences. ”This is the motto of the Stuttgart-based company nicko cruises 26 river boats on three continents. In 2019, the shipping company added ocean voyages to its program. The cruise ships WORLD VOYAGER and VASCO DA GAMA have been driving for the company since 2021.

VASCO DA GAMA - nicko cruises' second ocean-going ship

Named after a Portuguese navigator and explorer of the world, VASCO DA GAMA has 609 cabins and suites. In theory, the ship can hold a maximum of 1.490 passengers. In practice, however, there shouldn't be more than 1.000 guests on board. The company specifies this value as a target value based on previous market research. The difference to the maximum capacity is explained by the shipping company's pricing policy. Because of the generously calculated 15 percent surcharge for solo travelers, the ship is particularly interesting for this clientele.

VASCO DA GAMA - at the Ostseekai in Kiel

---

The VASCO DA GAMA - the proven cruise ship

In 1993 the ship went under the name "Statendam" for the Holland America Line (Carnival group) in service. In autumn 2015 it moved to P&O Australia within the Carnival Group and was renamed “Pacific Eden”. In spring 2019, the then British cruise operator CMV took over Pacific Eden, named it VASCO DA GAMA and prepared it for use by the German subsidiary brand TransOcean Kreuzfahrten. As a result of the corona pandemic, the niche provider CMV was forced to file for bankruptcy. The Portuguese company group Mystic Invest acquired the ship at a bargain price for its German branch nicko cruises.

VASCO DA GAMA in everyday cruising

It takes a trip with VASCO DA GAMA to experience its strengths. At first glance, the aging cruise ship does not fit into the world of modern, floating amusement parks. The VASCO DA GAMA, meanwhile, offers cruise experiences just as ship travelers enjoyed long ago. Lots of space, an atrium extending over three decks, elegantly designed public areas, spacious and tastefully decorated bars, lounges and restaurants and lavish teak decks are available to guests.

At full capacity, 550 friendly and professional hosts take care of the guests. The atmosphere on board the ship is familiar. The VASCO DA GAMA concept was developed primarily for the German-speaking market. The language on board is German and English.

Staterooms

The VASCO DA GAMA offers its guests indoor, outdoor and balcony cabins as well as a number of suites. The catalog names 16 cabin categories. It is due to the age of the ship that the quota of cabins and suites with balconies is no more than 25 percent. Three quarters of the cabins are either inside or ocean view cabins. Apart from that, all cabins and suites are comfortably furnished and offer the comfort you are used to from modern cruise ships.

The 124 inside cabins, there are three categories, require the lowest prices. The size of these cabins varies between 16 to 17 square meters. The 336 outside cabins are slightly larger at 16 to 18 square meters. Individual cabins have obstruction of view or portholes instead of windows. The balcony cabins on the 9th and 10th deck are each 21 square meters. The size of the suites is between 45 square meters (category 15 - suite with balcony) and 102 square meters (category 16 - penthouse suite).

Description of our cabin

During our Baltic Sea cruise, which we completed in August 2021, we lived in balcony cabin # 10074 on the top cabin deck. It offers contemporary comfort on an area of ​​21 square meters. Warm wood tones and the blue-ground carpeting dominate the room. The beds are high and comfortable. Cabinets and drawers offer enough storage space. The TV set, which is set up to receive various German television programs, is similar in size to the WORLD VOYAGER televisions, whose considerable size initially surprised us.

The narrow sanitary area does not visually withstand the living space. It reveals the true age of the ship. The cabin lacks a shower, instead there is a small whirlpool bath with a high, uncomfortable entry. A problem that the predominantly older passengers should not particularly appreciate.

Gastronomy - restaurants, bars and lounges

A proverb says, "Eating and drinking keep body and soul together". Good food and appropriate drinks create the best conditions for well-being and a healthy life. On board the VASCO DA GAMA, five restaurants and six bars and lounges are competing for the guests' favor.

Dining options

Diverse and varied meals are offered to guests at all times of the day. The Waterfront Restaurant and the Club Bistro buffet restaurant are always well frequented. The careful and customer-oriented service makes the guests happy at all times.

Waterfront Restaurant - Deck 7

The main restaurant on board the VASCO DA GAMA is the waterfront restaurant located aft. Its capacity is approximately 340 seats. The remaining restaurants with service are much smaller. On the occasion of the Sars-COV-19 pandemic, like in the other restaurants, around half of the seats will be occupied. The stylish waterfront restaurant is open for all main meals. The guests are given different menu suggestions for lunch and dinner every day. The dishes did not repeat themselves over the course of our twelve day trip. The guests choose from five-course menu suggestions, "normal" and vegan dishes. The menu also includes tried and tested "classics". The dishes are nicely decorated and extremely tasty. The range of wines to accompany the dishes is varied. The on-board kitchens are managed by a German chef.

Club Bistro - Deck 11 aft

The spacious Club Bistro buffet restaurant is located in the aft area of ​​the ship on both sides of the ship. In order to prevent infections, self-service is suspended. Service staff place the selected dishes on plates and bowls. The offer is very varied. On warmer, dry days, guests use the uncovered outdoor area of ​​the restaurant behind the Club Bistro. 

Mediterranean Restaurant - Deck 8 aft

The name is program. The "Mediterranean", adorned with large-format photos of the Italian film actress Sophia Loren, offers its visitors ambitious Mediterranean cuisine.

Fusion Restaurant - Deck 8 aft

The "Fusion", equipped with Far Eastern stylistic elements, makes use of elements from European and Asian cuisine. We tested the restaurant and were satisfied.

VASCO DA GAMA - Fusion restaurant

---

The Grill - Deck 8

The only surcharge restaurant on board the ship is The Grill. The elegantly furnished restaurant with around 100 seats focuses on grilled specialties (fish and meat).

Alfresco Grill - Deck 11

Not a restaurant in the strict sense of the word, and yet loved by some guests. From late in the evening until two in the morning, the grill station in the area of ​​the indoor pool serves salads, pizza, currywurst, doner kebab, cheese burger or french fries.

VASCO DA GAMA - Alfresco grill

---

Bars and lounges 

The deck plan shows six locations and a café bar under the heading Bars & Lounges. In addition to the tasteful furnishings, the price / performance ratio for all types of drinks is particularly noteworthy. The price level differs pleasantly from the prices on US cruise ships. Incidentally, coffee and water are available from machines around the clock.

VASCO DA GAMA - Club Bistro - water and coffee station

---

Ocean Bar - Deck 8

Our preferred bar is near the theater.

Captain's Club & the MIX Bar - Deck 8

The Captain's Club and the MIX Bar are located amidships on the eighth deck. The MIX Bar is also known as the Sports Bar.

Blue Room - Deck 8

The spacious, dim Blue Room adjoins the MIX Bar. The bar is one of the venues for musical entertainment, which is why it is always well attended in the evening.

VASCO DA GAMA - Blue Room

---

Oasis Bar - Deck 10

On the open deck of the outdoor pool, the small, inconspicuous Oasis Bar provides sun-hungry guests with refreshing drinks.

Lido Bar and the Cappuccino's - Deck 11

In the area of ​​the indoor pool are the Lido Bar and the Cappuccino's Café Bar.

Dome & Nightclub - Deck 12

The favorite place of the night owls, the supercooled night club, is in the front part of the ship.

Sport and wellness

Sports offers

The three upper decks offer sporty guests a wide range of options. The open pool is located aft on deck 10. A covered pool, two whirlpools and the associated sunbathing areas were set up amidships on deck 11. The protective roof of this area must be opened. The large fitness studio equipped with modern equipment is also located on the eleventh deck. There are spaces for ball games and a short jogging track on deck 12 in the stern area. On the 6th deck, the boat and promenade deck, the 400 meter long teak path around the entire ship is ideal for long walks. The wide deck is also used as a sunbathing area.

Spa - deck 11

The spa areas were arranged at the level of the fitness center on both sides of the ship.

VASCO DA GAMA - Jade Spa

---

Entertainment

The ambitious entertainment program on board the VASCO DA GAMA is mainly divided into daily show programs, live music in the bars, lectures and presentations of the travel destinations. These on-board activities are supplemented by breathing and yoga exercises, games, quizzes and much more. Noisy on-board entertainment, on the other hand, is dispensed with.

The show program takes place in Hollywood's Show Lounge on the seventh and eighth decks. On our trip, two chanteuses, two singers, four dancers and two acrobats contributed to the evening entertainment. The quality of the shows is comparable to that of German and international competitors. The show-makers have the ambition to let all actors on board appear at an event as often as possible. Compliment!

Many words could be said about the conversation on board the ship. What excited us are the library (closed due to the corona pandemic) and the adjoining reading room, The Study. The noble and stylishly furnished room is a place of silence. It is suitable for meditating, for observing the landscape or for reading.

VASCO DA GAMA - The Study

---

The show kitchen “The Auditorium” reminds us of that MS Rotterdam (HAL). It is used as a show kitchen on selected trips. Usually it serves as a meeting place before excursions and disembarkation.

VASCO DA GAMA - The Auditorium

---

Mention should also be made of the Shopping Galleria, which offers a wide range.

Children on board

The two leading German competitors in the cruises sector target the entire family. The VASCO DA GAMA is not necessarily a family ship. However, it is heading for attractive destinations, and it is big enough that it is also interesting for families. The spacious children's area was created aft on the twelfth deck for children traveling with them. We hear from the caregivers that the facility's capacity is designed for up to 100 children of different ages. On our trip, there were two small children and five children on board who used the children's club. Their parents spoke enthusiastically about the care.

service

The cabin and restaurant service offered on board the VASCO DA GAMA is committed and, given the fact that the ship did not complete its maiden voyage until mid-July 2021, it is already very well established.

Cruises under COVID 19 conditions

The VASCO DA GAMA is currently in use in northern European waters. Depending on the destination, organized and “free” shore excursions are permitted. The hygiene measures practiced are based on the official requirements of the destination ports. In addition, additional security measures apply on board the VASCO DA GAMA. These include, among other things, the mask requirement in the public areas, the service in the restaurants and time-consuming, hour-long disinfection of the ship before accepting new guests.

VASCO DA GAMA and the environment

Environmentalists have great reservations about cruise ships. The ship owner tries to keep the “footprint” of the cruise ship small. Sustainability is based on three pillars.

• The ship does not run on heavy fuel oil, but on low-sulfur MGO (Marine Gas Oil). MGO has significantly less fine dust and soot than heavy fuel oil.
• The emissions are "washed" by means of an SCR catalytic converter, i. H. the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are reduced by up to 95 percent through the use of urea. The view of the chimney shows no dark exhaust plume.
• A biological "Martin membrane filter system" is used to purify the ship's wastewater. Suspended solids are reduced to "zero" using membrane technology. Disinfectants are no longer required for wastewater treatment.

VASCO DA GAMA - black soot clouds are a thing of the past

---

VASCO DA GAMA - data and facts

Commissioning;	January 1993
Size:	Length 219 meters; Width 31 meters, draft 7,80 meters
measurement	GT 55.820
Passenger decks	9 decks
Main machine	two diesel-electric Sulzer engines
maximum speed	20 knots (38 kilometers)
Klassifizierung	ex Statendam class (Holland America Line)
Staterooms	609
passengers	maximum 1.490; around 1.000 in everyday cruises
Manning	a maximum of 550; currently 500 people
Flag home port	Portugal Madeira
shipyard	Fincantieri, Monfalcone shipyard
Board language	German, English
Currency on board	Euro

itinerary

Cruise Turtle tested VASCO DA GAMA in August 2021 on a 12-day trip to the Baltic Sea. Departure port: Kiel; Destination port Bremerhaven. The destinations were on the route list Copenhagen, Rønne / Bornholm, Stockholm, Tallinn / Estonia, Visby / Gotland (canceled due to strong winds) and Gothenburg. The trip was supported by nicko cruises. Our thanks go to the shipping company. With regard to our journalistic independence, we refer to the chapter "We are independent".

Conclusion and evaluation of the ship

The VASCO DA GAMA has been in use for 28 years. The medium-sized ocean-going ship stands out pleasantly from the usual tourist mass business. The shipping company's target groups are primarily couples in their prime and senior citizens. But families are also welcome, as the kids' club proves.

Although it has only been in use for a short time, the VASCO DA GAMA presents itself as a sparkling clean cruise ship. The bars, lounges, restaurants and shops are lavishly decorated. The restaurants offer varied and tasty food. The bar menu caters for high demands at acceptable prices. The service is well established. The entertainment on offer is amusing and entertaining, and there is something for every taste. In short: the ship has a lot of charm. We especially recommend it to friends of classic cruises.