View source for MS Volendam

{{Short description|Rotterdam-class cruise ship}}
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{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = 2024-06-10 03 MS VOLENDAM - IMO 9156515 - Halifax NS CAN.jpg
| Ship caption = MS ''Volendam'' in Halifax, Canada 2024
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = [[Netherlands]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Netherlands|civil}}
| Ship name = ''Volendam''
| Ship owner = [[Carnival Corporation & plc]]
| Ship operator = [[Holland America Line]]
| Ship registry = {{NLD}}
| Ship route = 
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship builder = Marghera, Venice [[Fincantieri]]
| Ship original cost = 
| Ship yard number = 6035
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 
| Ship launched = 18 September 1998
| Ship completed = 
| Ship christened = Godmother: Chris Evert
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship maiden voyage = November 12, 1999
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship identification = *[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: PCHM
*{{IMO Number|9156515}}
*{{MMSI|245968000}}<ref name=vesseltracker>{{cite web | title=Advanced Masterdata for the Vessel ''Volendam'' | url=http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Volendam-9156515.html | work=VesselTracker | year=2012 | access-date=18 February 2012}}</ref>
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = Operational
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Ship class = [[Rotterdam-class (R-class)]] [[cruise ship]]
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|60,906}}
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{convert|237.0|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|32.3|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{convert|8.1|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks = 10
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship power = 
| Ship propulsion = 
| Ship speed = {{convert|23|kn}}
| Ship capacity = 1,432 passengers
| Ship crew = 647
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

'''MS ''Volendam''''' is a [[Rotterdam-class (R-class)]] [[cruise ship]] belonging to [[Holland America Line|<span style="color:#333366;">Holland America Line</span>]]. She was built in 1999 and sails worldwide destinations for [[Holland America Line]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2019/04/17/holland-america-volendam/3491718002/|title=Cruise ship tour: Holland America Line's Volendam|first=Peter|last=Knego|website=USA TODAY}}</ref> She is the third ship in the fleet with that name, after [[SS Volendam]] (1922–1952) and [[SS Brasil (1957)|SS Volendam]] (1972–1984).

==Design and construction==
[[File:MS Volendam in Sydney Harbour.jpg|thumb|left|MS ''Volendam'' in [[Sydney Harbour]].]]
Ordered on 12 July 1996, and was to be built by [[Fincantieri|Fincantieri Cantieri Navali]], at the Marghera shipyard in [[Venice|Venice, Italy]]. ''Volendam'' is a [[Rotterdam class (R class)|Rotterdam-class (R-class)]] cruise ship, a design that was based on the extended hull size of the previous S-class it shared with three sister ships in the Holland America Line fleet; [[MS Zaandam|''Zaandam'']], [[MS Amsterdam|''Amsterdam'']] and [[MS Rotterdam|''Rotterdam'']]. She follows the Rotterdam, the lead ship of her class, as the second ship launched in 1999. ''Volendam'' is {{convert|237|m|abbr=on|ft}} long, has a {{convert|32.3|m|abbr=on}} [[Beam (nautical)|beam]], and an {{convert|8.1|m|abbr=on}} [[Draft (hull)|draft]].<ref name=carnivalsubmissiongardenisland>{{cite web |title=Carnival Australia Submission to the Independent Review of Enhanced Cruise Ship Access to Garden Island (the Review) |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/oscdf/CruiseShipAccessReview/submissions/Carnival_Australia.pdf|work=Carnival Australia |publisher=Australian Government, Department of Defence |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=13 May 2012}}</ref> She has ten decks, and contains cabins for passengers (called [[Cabin (ship)|stateroom]]s) on six decks,<ref>{{cite web|title=MS Volendam Deck Plan|url=http://www.vancouversun100.com/pdfs/Volendam-AccessibleRouteMap.pdf|work=The Vancouver Sun|access-date=13 May 2012}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> with a ship's capacity of 1,432 guests.<ref name="auto"/>

The cutting of the first steel commenced on July 1, 1997 followed by the assembling of the first modules on October 13, 1997. The keel was laid on February 27, 1998. and on 18 September 1998 the coin ceremony was performed by Mrs. Carla Cherubini Testa, wife of the 2nd. manager of Fincantieri.  

Original delivery was intended July 9, 1999, with a maiden voyage on July 29, 1999 going to the [[The Maritimes|Canadian Maritimes]]. This was later postponed 24 August 24, 1999. On May 10, 1999, it was announced that both the ''Volendam'' and ''Zaandam'' were delayed, due to previous delays on shipyard newbuildings and strikes. The ship is delivery was moved to October 15, 1999, with a maiden voyage set for November 12, 1999. The ''[[MS Renaissance (1992)|Maasdam]]'' took over the initial planned maiden Canadian Maritime cruises. 

The ship's design theme is flowers, and she features floral designs throughout.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Volendam Cruise Ship {{!}} Holland America Line |url=https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-ships/volendam/7 |access-date= |website=www.hollandamerica.com |language=en}}</ref> The atrium contains a sculpture spanning three decks which was created by Luciano Vistosi.<ref name="hmsservice">{{cite web |title=MS Volendam refitting - Drydock |url=http://www.hmsservice.com/public/uploads/newsletter-pdf/newsletter-44.pdf |date=8 June 2011 |publisher=HMS Service |access-date=13 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521030040/http://www.hmsservice.com/public/uploads/newsletter-pdf/newsletter-44.pdf |archive-date=21 May 2014 }}</ref>  

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== Service history ==
The ''Volendam'' was christened by former professional tennis player [[Chris Evert]] on November 12, 1999, who acted as the ship's [[Godparent|godmother]].<ref>{{cite news |date=5 November 1999 |title=Tennis Star Chris Evert to Dedicate Holland America's Newest Ship |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/1999/11/01/daily29.html |access-date=12 May 2012 |newspaper=South Florida Business Journal}}</ref> The ship sailed on her maiden voyage for a 10 day Caribbean voyage from Ft. Lauderdale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MS VOLENDAM (III) – – Captain Albert's Website and Blog – |url=https://www.captainalbert.com/current-fleet/ms-volendam-iii/ |access-date= |language=en-US}}</ref>

On October 5, 2002 the ''Volendam'' became the biggest ship ever to sail under the [[Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo)|Rainbow Bridge]] in [[Tokyo|Tokyo, Japan]] while on her first Orient cruise. In 2005 the ship was used as a floating hotel in [[Jacksonville, Florida]] for [[Super Bowl XXXIX]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Look Back: Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/2019/01/31/a-look-back-super-bowl/66163676007/ |access-date= |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}}</ref>

''Volendam'' was refitted in 2006, with the top portion of its superstructure was extended forward to allow the expansion of the spa and gym area above the bridge along with a children's room added aft of the funnel. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Knego |first=Peter |title=Cruise ship tour: Holland America Line's Volendam |url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/cruises/2019/04/17/holland-america-volendam-cruise-ship/3482709002/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Kobe MS Volendam01n4272.jpg|thumb|310 px|MS ''Volendam'' at Kobe Port Terminal in 2009]]
''Volendam'' first entered the Australian market in 2009.<ref name="carnivalsubmissiongardenisland" /> A visit to [[Batemans Bay]] during a trip circumnavigating Australia in 2010 was cancelled with 48 hours' notice due to "operational issues" which was interpreted by local media as a failure by the town's council to meet the requirements set out by Holland America regarding the town's wharf some twelve months prior to the expected arrival of the ship.<ref>{{cite news|last=Foy|first=Sally|title=Cruise market in jeopardy|url=http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/news/local/news/general/cruise-market-in-jeopardy/1781138.aspx|access-date=12 May 2012|newspaper=Batesman Bay Post|date=19 March 2010}}</ref> During 2011 she was chartered to visit match relevant destinations during the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]], which was hosted in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news|title=Adventure World charter Volendam for Rugby World Cup 2011|url=http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?nav=5&id=104199|access-date=12 May 2012|newspaper=eTravel Blackbird|date=3 May 2010}}</ref>

=== 2014 Refit ===
In 2014, the ship was renovated with the transformation of the Casino Bar, the Piano Bar and the Seaview Lounge into an area called The Mix that included a new wine and martini bar. The Explorer's lounge was also reconfigured into an open floor plan. On the promenade deck, 21 existing outside passenger cabins were transformed into new lanai staterooms with large sliding glass doors, along  new bathroom fixtures and walk-in showers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=New staterooms for Volendam |url=https://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/new-staterooms-for-volendam |access-date= |website=CruiseandFerry.net |language=en-GB}}</ref> All suite bathrooms were updated to feature new whirlpool bathtubs, stone vanities, lighted mirrors, fixtures, floors, walls and sinks. <ref name=":0" /> 

In 2016, ''Volendam'' sailed out of Australia/New Zealand and South Pacific, and during the [[Northern Hemisphere]] summer has sailed out of [[Vancouver, Canada]], conducting cruises of the [[Inside Passage]] to Alaska.<ref>{{cite news|last=Saunders|first=Aaron|title=Getting up close, personal with Alaska|url=https://theprovince.com/travel/Getting+close+personal+with+Alaska/6499228/story.html|access-date=12 May 2012|newspaper=The Province|date=22 April 2012}}</ref> She hosted an Inside Passage cruise in September 2012 to celebrate a hundred years of the ''[[Vancouver Sun]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vancouversun100.com|title=The Vancouver Sun Anniversary Cruise|work=Vancouver Sun|access-date=13 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429085950/http://www.vancouversun100.com/|archive-date=29 April 2012}}</ref> In 2013 when ''Volendam'' returned to Australian waters, she visited [[Kangaroo Island]] for the first time, after a new landing pontoon was installed on the island to allow for it to become a cruise ship destination.<ref>{{cite news|title=12,500 to arrive on cruises|url=http://www.theislanderonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/12500-to-arrive-on-cruises/2535907.aspx|access-date=12 May 2012|newspaper=The Islander|date=26 April 2012}}</ref> After she left [[Australia]] for Asia, she visited a variety of Asian countries including [[Japan]], [[China]], [[South Korea]] and [[Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Holland America Line's ms Volendam to Sail a Series of Far East Itineraries in Early 2013|url=http://www.sys-con.com/node/2094530 |newspaper=PR Newswire |date=8 December 2011 |access-date=12 May 2012}}</ref>

On 9 March 2016 she witnessed a total [[solar eclipse]] in the [[Makassar]] Straight while sailing through [[Indonesia]] as part of an extended tour of [[Asia]], hosting a number of astronomy groups and eclipse followers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/sky-telescopes-spectacular-solar-eclipse-viewing-0309201645/|title=A Spectacular View of the Total Solar Eclipse|date=March 9, 2016}}</ref>

In 2019, the ship received a refit in Freeport, Bahamas by SMS Group where 196 suites were renovated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-25 |title=Two liners get major refits from Southampton firm |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/18057800.two-liners-get-major-refits-southampton-firm/ |access-date= |website=Daily Echo |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:MS Volendam (30943424752).jpg|thumb|Holland America Line ''Volendam'' in [[Tanjung Benoa]] in 2016]]
On 20 March 2020, due to port restrictions and border closures caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]], ''Volendam'' was forced to return to [[Port Everglades]] in [[Florida]] two days ahead of schedule, where passengers debarked,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/121017537/cruise-ships-crews-stuck-at-sea-paydays-dwindling-and-searching-for-a-way-home|title=Cruise ships crews: Stuck at sea, paydays dwindling and searching for a way home|website=Stuff|date=14 April 2020}}</ref> With crew stuck on board, the ship initially remained near the coast of the [[Bahamas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/significant-number-us-crew-stuck-cruise-ships-state/story?id=70192718|title='Significant number' of US crew still stuck on cruise ships, State Dept. says|website=ABC News}}</ref> The pause in cruising was extended multiple times and eventually scheduled to end in May 2022.

{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships}}The ''Volendam'' spent 16 days in drydock in [[Cádiz|Cadiz, Spain]] from 09 February to 24 February 2022 following her long pause of passenger service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=KDSadmin |title=Experience |url=https://drydocklogistics.com/experience/ |access-date= |website=Dry Dock Logistics |language=en-US}}</ref> Design work was carried out by The SMS Group, that included minor cosmetic improvements to some of the public areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holland America Line - Volendam & Zaandam - SMS Group |url=https://cruiseshipinteriors-awards.com/sms-group-holland-america-volendam-zaandam/ |access-date= |website=Cruise Ship Interiors Awards |language=en-GB}}</ref> The intent was to return the ship to service on May 15, 2022 but postponed due to a charter to the city of Rotterdam.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Julie |date=2022-04-01 |title=Volendam to Become Temporary Home for Ukrainian Refugees in the Netherlands |url=https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/whats-new/volendam-to-become-temporary-home-for-ukrainian-refugees-in-the-netherlands/ |access-date= |website=Holland America Line |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Accommodation for Ukrainian refugees ====
In May 2022, as a result of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]], the [[Rotterdam|City of Rotterdam]] chartered MS ''Volendam'' to be used as a refugee shelter for Ukrainian refugees for three months, with Holland America Line staff providing meals and services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 News {{!}} Ship Will Become Temporary Home for Ukrainian Refugees |url=https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/news/2022-press-releases/news-04012022-ship-home-for-refugees.html |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.hollandamerica.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://crew-center.com/dutch-government-extends-charter-contract-housing-ukrainian-refugees-hals-volendam|title=Dutch government extends charter contract for housing Ukrainian refugees on HAL's Volendam|date=2022-05-13|accessdate=2022-05-15}}</ref> Docked in the Merwehaven, the ship's charter was later extended to 14 September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=chrisowen |date=2022-05-23 |title=City of Rotterdam Extends Charter with Holland America Line Ship Through September 14 to House Ukrainian Families |url=https://www.chriscruises.com/city-of-rotterdam-extends-charter-with-holland-america-line-ship-through-september-14-to-house-ukrainian-families/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Chris Cruises}}</ref> To commemorate the charter, Holland America Line will create "a permanent display with mementos and artwork created by the families, so that future Volendam guests will know about this unique time in our history".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Julie |date=2022-09-14 |title=Volendam Concludes Charter in Rotterdam and Prepares to Cruise |url=https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/whats-new/volendam-concludes-charter-in-rotterdam-and-prepares-to-cruise/ |access-date= |website=Holland America Line |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-04 |title=Montreal launches cruise season with ship that protected 1,500 Ukrainian refugees |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/montreal-launches-cruise-season-ship-222000293.html |access-date= |website=Yahoo News |language=en-CA}}</ref> On August 30, 2022, the ''Volendam'' hosted an event on the ship at which the families thanked the City of Rotterdam, the [[The Salvation Army|Salvation Army]] and the ship's crew.<ref name=":1" />

==== Second cruise ship to test Biofuels ====
When completing the charter in Rotterdam, the ship became the second cruise ship to test Biofuel with the company GoodFuels. The fuel test was done while the ship was docked and only using engines for the hotel load and not propulsion.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Holland America's Volendam Completes First Sustained Biofuel Test |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/holland-america-s-volendam-completes-first-sustained-biofuel-test |access-date= |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref> "The use of a "drop-in" biofuel such as the one tested on the ''Volendam'' required no shipboard refitting or special equipment, and resulted in 78 percent decrease in lifecycle CO2 emissions during the final 15 days of the trial compared to marine gas oil emissions."<ref name=":2" />

=== Return to Service ===
On September 14, 2022 the ''Volendam'' departed Rotterdam for [[Trieste|Trieste, Italy]], where the ship will boarded guests for its first cruise since March 2020, a 14-day Holy Land & Ancient Kingdoms Explorer.

==== 2024 Refit ====
In October 2024, the ship entered dry dock for a 3 week, $8 million refit in the Bahamas. This included upgrades to lower category ocean view and interior staterooms, renovation and renaming of the Explorations Cafe into the Library, Library Cafe and Game room, addition of an Art studio replacing the Queen's Room, and reconfigured retail space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holland America’s Volendam Completes 25 Years of Service - Cruise Industry News {{!}} Cruise News |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/11/holland-americas-volendam-completes-25-years-of-service/ |access-date= |website=Cruise Industry News |language=en-US}}</ref> 

==In popular culture==
In the 2005 film [[Into the Blue (2005 film)|''Into the Blue'']], ''Volendam'' makes a brief cameo when she was docked in the Prince George Wharf port of [[Nassau, Bahamas]].

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Volendam (ship, 1999)}}
* [http://hollandamerica.com/cruiseships/Volendam HAL official site]

{{List of ships built by Fincantieri}}{{Holland America ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Volendam}}
[[Category:Ships of the Holland America Line]]
[[Category:Ships built in Monfalcone]]
[[Category:Ships built by Fincantieri]]
[[Category:1998 ships]]