Vasco da Gama: modernized for green cruises of the future!

Vasco da Gama: modernized for green cruises of the future!

Lisnave, Portugal - The Vasco da Gama, the only heirship of Nicko Cruises, recently has a comprehensive modernization stay in the shipyard. In Portugal, more precisely at Lisnave, the ship was converted into an attractive, environmentally friendly future format for five weeks in April 2025. These measures are part of the continuous engagement of Mystic Ocean, the parent company of Nicko Cruises, which Vasco da Gama has been sending into the shipyard since 2021.

The modernization aims to significantly improve the sustainability of the ship. The latest technical upgrades have been installed to meet the current and future environmental and climate protection regulations. Among other things, the Vasco da Gama received a high-voltage country current system that enables emission-free operating in the port and is intended to significantly reduce CO₂ and pollutant emissions where this is possible. This is supplemented by the installation of a mixing system for biotrapping material, which is prescribed due to new EU requirements from 2025.

technical upgrades and comfort optimization

The ship, which is 219 meters long and originally put in service as the “Statendam” by Holland America Line in 1993, now offers numerous improvements in comfort. The bathtubs in the cabins on deck 5 were replaced by modern, ground -level shower cubes. In addition, the renovation of the public areas was continued, where new furniture, carpets and processed wooden floors found their way into.

The air conditioning technology was also completely replaced for the comfort of the guests and the hydraulics and the control of the stabilizers were renewed. These measures significantly improve the location of the ship in troubled lake.

innovations for the future

In order to meet the requirements of a modern cruise, a new power management system was installed, which optimizes the load distribution of the electricity generators and enables further energy savings. The ship's hull was coated with a special silicone color; This measure reduces vegetation and thus fuel consumption without using environmental toxins. The improvements in the bow and rear jet rudes as well as the rudder systems also improve maneuverability.

In an after-show that is available for supporters of the podcast, the new emission control zones (ECAS) are dealt with, which are decided or planned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These include new ECAs in the Canadian Arctic and along the coast of Norway, which will come into force from 2027 and in the North Atlantic from 2028. The Vasco da Gama is therefore well equipped in order to be able to operate in these new zones.

For more information and details on the revaluation of the Vasco da Gama, the reports can be found on Cruisetricks and Kreuzfahrt Praxis