Vasco da Gama previously served as MS Statendam from 1993 to 2015, where she served as the lead member of Holland America Line's eponymous, otherwise known as S class. She was ordered in November 1989 alongside two sister ships of her class, and was designated Hull Number 5881. Her keel was laid by Fincantieri in 1991. From 1991 to 1993, the ship was completed and underwent sea trials, and on 25 January 1993, Statendam embarked on her maiden voyage. Upon her maiden voyage, she became the fifth Holland America Line ship to bear the name Statendam, and during the summer of her inaugural season, she also became the first Holland America Line ship to sail a European itinerary in over twenty years. During her early planning and architectural design phases, there were concerns that Statendam and the S class would not be in compliance with specific vessel stability requirements mandated by SOLAS 90. The hull design of Maasdam and her sister ships are largely based on Costa Classica, a ship operated by sister brand Costa Cruises. These fears were alleviated, however, following Statendams successful sea trials. In 2006, Statendam underwent dry dock renovations at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Grand Bahama. In 2011, Statendam once again underwent dry dock renovations at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Grand Bahama. In August 2013, Statendam was alerted by the Glacier Bay National Park ranger station that a nearby tour ship,, was stranded in the ice of Hopkins Glacier, and unable to continue to Glacier Bay National Park. On arrival Statendam lowered two lifeboats to rescue approximately 105 passengers and crew. They were disembarked at Glacier Bay National Park ranger station three hours later. On 20 May 2014, Holland America Line announced that Statendam would be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia.
''Pacific Eden''
After concluding her final season with Holland America Line, Statendam sailed to Singapore for dry dock at Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard. From 22 October to 2 November 2015, Statendam underwent extensive interior and exterior changes, emerging as the new Pacific Eden. In an attempt to garner global social media recognition for the introduction of two new flagships, P&O Cruises Australia broadcast the ships' christening ceremony on Twitter and through their godmothers' social media accounts. On 25 November 2015, Pacific Eden and her sister, Pacific Aria, were renamed at a ceremony held in Port Jackson, Sydney. Kate Ritchie served as the godmother for Pacific Eden.
''Vasco da Gama''
In March 2018, it was announced that Pacific Eden would be exiting the P&O Cruises Australia fleet. It was revealed that Pacific Eden had been sold to Cruise & Maritime Voyages, and that she would depart the fleet in March 2019. Following the announcement, Pacific Edens new owner announced a naming competition for the new member of their fleet. Members of the line's Columbus Club were allowed to choose between a handful of names that honored storied explorers. The competition included names that honored Vasco da Gama, Pytheas, Henry Hudson, and Amerigo Vespucci. In April 2019, Pacific Eden officially became Vasco da Gama. The ship was christened in Bremerhaven on 9 June 2019, and promptly entered into service with Cruise & Maritime Voyage's TransOcean Tours brand. Vasco da Gama now spends the European summer sailing for Transocean Tours before repositioning to Australia for the summer and sailing under the Cruise & Maritime Voyages brand.
COVID-19
During COVID-19 pandemic, the ship docked in Fremantle in late March 2020. Almost 100 New Zealand passengers were flown from Perth on 29 March and arrived in Auckland on 30 March. As of 31 March, about 200 West Australian passengers were to be ferried to Rottnest Island, which had been converted to a quarantine zone. Another 600 Australians were to be taken to Perth hotels for 14 days of quarantine. On 19 May, a male Indonesian crew member fell from deck 12 of the ship while it was docked at the Port of Tilbury, London's main port, and landed on a cargo container that was placed on the dock next to the ship. One source reported that he died from the fall, while another reported that he was seriously injured but there was no confirmation that he had died, and a third reported that he was being treated at a hospital. The crew member worked as a storekeeper in the ship's supply area. Vasco da Gama had been docked at Tilbury since 1 May, after having repatriated passengers to Australia. Crew members have complained that they have not been paid and are frustrated with Cruise & Maritime Voyages.
