Vasco da Gama arrives for first Australia seasonVasco da Gama arrives for first Australia season

The 1,220-passenger ship, which arrived from a 53-night voyage from Tilbury, was Holland America Line’s Statendam and later P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Eden before emerging from dry dock in Singapore in April with her new name.

Showcasing the ship

Dean Brazier, the Adelaide-based MD of CMV Australia, and his team hosted a walk around and lunch in the Waterfront Restaurant on Sunday to showcase Vasco da Gama to travel partners and the media.

Brazier said Vasco da Gama’s inaugural season coincides with CMV’s 10-year anniversary and comes hot on the heels of the announcement the company will acquire P&O’s Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria, taking its expanding ocean fleet to eight ships in 2021.

An extra 5,900 passengers

He said Vasco da Gama is expected to carry an extra 5,900 passengers throughout the 2019/20 season compared with Astor’s previous Australian season.

However, he added, the ship will maintain the same intimate, country-club-like atmosphere that marks a CMV cruise.

He said the company is making domestic destinations more accessible and affordable with new calls at Darwin, Geelong, Port Arthur and Wallaroo in South Australia.

Plaque presentation

Former Harbour Master Sydney Philip Holliday, who replaced recently retired Grant Gilfillan as CEO of the Port Authority of New South Wales, presented the customary plaque to Capt. Michail Smyrnaios to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s maiden visit.