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THOMSON SPIRIT ex NIEUW AMSTERDAM, M.S. PATRIOT, NIEUW AMSTERDAM
Thomson-Holidays Charter
by Martin Cox
M.S. PATRIOT (press photo before new funnel color)
Built as NIEUW AMSTERDAM, for Holland America Line
registed Willemstad
NIEUW AMSTERDAM was launched August 20, 1982, she was the first of two identical sisters, the NOORDAM followed just under a year later from the same yard. NIEUW AMSTERDAM's delivery date May 11, 1983 and maiden voyage were postponed as fitting out was not complete. Her bumpy start continued when at Le Havre a main switchboard burned out on June 24, so the second naming and maiden voyage which had been planned for the following day was cancelled. Unfortunately the distinguished guests had already arrived and had to return home. After repairs a new date was set and her maiden voyage began without incident on July 10 from Le Havre sailing to New York, followed by cruising from U.S. ports.
In 1989 Carnival Cruise Lines acquired Holland America Line with no name changes. On August 10, 1999, American Classic voyages, parent Company of Delta Queen and American Hawaiian Cruises announced its purchase of the NIEUW AMSTERDAM from Holland America Line (now Carnival group) for US$114.5 million dollars, to operate in service around Hawaii, joining the S/S INDEPENDENCE.
After her final Alaska season, NIEUW AMSTERDAM sailed empty to Sydney, Australia where she served as an hotel ship for the 2000 Olympics. She then sailed to Honolulu following the games, where about 60 crew came aboard from the newly formed United States Lines (under American Classic Voyages) who revived the famous name for a new Hawaii brand for the NIEUW AMSTERDAM.
On October 18, 2000 American Classic Voyages officially acquired the NIEUW AMSTERDAM with the transfer occurring in an usual ceremony at sea, approximately 14 miles off Portand, Oregon. At the same moment her registry was changed to Honolulu, and she reverted to the U.S. flag and was renamed M.S. PATRIOT.
M.S. PATRIOT, new lanai created where casino once was.
photo: Martin Cox copyright 2001
PATRIOT proceeded to Cascade General Shipyard in Portland, Oregon arriving October 18, 2000 where she underwent a multi-million dollar drydocking and refurbishment. The existing casino was replaced with a stylish Destination Learning Center, where passengers would be able to explore the heritage of the Hawaiian Islands; hear "talk story" from the onboard kumu (Hawaiian teacher); learn the Hawaiian language, hula, arts and crafts; and read about the five ports and four islands visited during the seven-night cruise. Other renovations included a new 464-square-foot Presidential Suite; an upgraded Conference and Business Center with Internet portals; and modern family activities areas, including Kaleidoscope, a kids' club, and a teen center. Two new bow thrusters were added along with one stern thruster. Her hull was painted blue and a new funnel logo appreared. On November 8, 2000 she was refloated and remained at wet dock in Portland while work progressed.
M.S. PATRIOT (photo with new funnel color)
Photo: Martin Cox, Nov 29, 2000
Following the refit PATRIOT sailed from Portland, Oregon to Los Angeles under the command of Captain Zarynoff. During the coastal trip she ran trials, underwent crew training and arrived at Pier 90 on November 26. Opened for special events for two days, PATRIOT hosted a travel industry over night stay on November 28 and was scheduled to sail the following day for San Francisco for similar events, but a press release was issued stating:
"Pre-inaugural events planned for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2000 in San Francisco, for travel agents and journalists to preview United States Lines' ms PATRIOT were cancelled. Improvements to the newly flagged American vessel's fire suppression system -- originally scheduled for completion while the vessel was under way from Los Angeles to San Francisco -- were delayed by unexpected difficulties. It was determined that those upgrades should be completed dockside before sailing for San Francisco."
M.S. PATRIOT departing Los Angeles, December 1, 2000
Photo and copyright: Martin Cox
M.S PATRIOT departed Los Angeles for San Francisco on Friday, December 1 at 4:46 pm. She arrived just in time to embarked 880 passengers for a repositioning voyage to Honolulu on the evening of December 2 and arrived in Honolulu December 7, at 8:15 am after a somewhat rough crossing. PATRIOT was docked stern to stern with the SS INDEPENDENCE at the Aloha Tower pier to a festive arrival with singing and whistle blowing, accompanied by fireboats and greeted by a large crowd.
A christening event on December 8, designed to reflect both the heritage of Hawaii and the spirit of America, with Maggie Inouye, wife of Senator Daniel Inouye, officially dedicated the ship. During the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the vessel's hull, thousands of orchid and rose blossoms rained from a helicopter. Other highlights of the ceremony included the blowing of a conch shell, a Hawaiian chant, presentation of colors and rifle salute by the King's Guard, singing of the Hawaiian National Anthem, and dockside entertainment by local dancers and musicians including the Royal Hawaiian Band and "Aunty" Moana Chang.
Celebrating the vessel's arrival, a Gala Inaugural Voyage benefiting five local charities was held on board December 9. The Gala was co-chaired by Mrs. Inouye and local community leader Lynn Watanabe.
With the inaugural sailing December 9, 2000 the M.S. PATRIOT began sailing every Saturday evening from Honolulu, Oahu, cruising to the ports of Nawiliwili, Kauai; Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; and Kona, Hawaii, before returning to Honolulu.
Under the "Project America" initiative, (which allowed this foreign flagged vessel to become US registered) the parent company American Classic Voyages Co. (AMCV), was constructing two 1,900-passenger ships scheduled to begin cruises around the Hawaiian Islands under the United States Lines name beginning in early 2003 and 2004. The two 72,000-ton vessels, under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding (a division of Litton Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Missippi) were planned to be the largest ocean-going cruise ships ever built in a U.S. shipyard, and the first in more than 40 years. However, on October 19, 2001, American Classic Voyages, Inc. announced that it had filed for bankruptcy court protection and would cease most sailings. Both SS INDEPENDENCE and MS PATRIOT stopped sailing on Saturday, October 20 after completing their cruises. Only DELTA QUEEN would continue to operate its Mississippi River voyages. American Classic claimed that of its bookings had fallen off since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 11 and that cancellations had risen to 30 percent. Rumors the company was in financial trouble had circulated for months before this and Nasdaq officials halted trading in American Classic's shares after they reached a new low of 46 cents each.
M/S PATRIOT was laid up at Honolulu, October 20 after less than a year's service. With US$79,430,000 still owed to Holland America it was reported that the ship may be poised for a return to the Holland America Line fleet or possibly another one of the Carnival-owned subsidiaries. The ship was arrested as the mortgage was foreclosed. Federal marshals seized the ship on Holland America's behalf on October 26 at Honolulu's Pier 24. HAL had brought a foreclosure action saying American Classic stopped running the ship without paying off all of the purchase price.
Worse news followed, Northrop Grumman Corporation announced November 1, 2001 that it had cancelled work on the two 1,900-passenger cruise ships under construction for American Classic Voyages Inc., according to Ingalls an press release, over 1,250 workers at the Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula would be affected, along with a further 500 employees of subcontractors.
M/S PATRIOT was auctioned at 10 am January 27, 2002 on the steps of the federal court building in Honolulu. Holland America Line, which sold the ship to American Classic Voyages Inc. in 1999 for $114.5 million and filed court papers late last year showing it was still owed more than $79 million has received court permission to make a "credit bid", which means it can offer the amount it is owed. This is equivalent to repossessing the ship since the deal would not require money unless Holland America found itself among other bidders.
On February 11, it was reported from the Holland America Line camp that PATRIOT would resume her original name NIEUW AMSTERDAM and be returned to HAL following a Bahamian refit in June of 2002. Carnival Corporation, parent company of Holland America Line, held the mortgage on the ship. Toward the end of February, she remained laid up at pier 24, Honolulu with the name NIEUW AMSTERDAM painted over PATRIOT.
On March 15 the last sign American Classic Voyages' now bankrupt round-the-islands Hawaiian cruise business sailed from Honolulu's pier 29. MS PATRIOT now re-renamed NIEUW AMSTERDAM sailed for Freeport, Bahamas for a refit. Her Honolulu registry has been transferred to The Bahamas.
On March 22, Carnival Corporations CEO, Micky Arison announced at the Seatrade Conference in Miami, Florida, that NIEUW AMSTERDAM was for sale.
Sailing with a maintenance crew of 150 aboard, NIEUW AMSTERDAM arrived at the Panama Canal anchorage March 28, during this voyage she was registered as a freighter. It was then reported that she was headed for Charleston, South Carolina rather than Freeport, Bahamas, as previously announced. She arrived April 2 for wet docking maintenance, according to reports, her Hawaiian lay up had not been well planned and mold was rampant within the ship. After a five day delay, NIEUW AMSTERDAM sailed May 7 from Charleston to Pireaus following the news that Louis Cruise line had entered into an arrangement with Carnival.
UPDATE: On May 7, Thomson Holidays has announced a ten year charter NIEUW AMSTERDAM from buyers Louis Cruise Line for UK-based cruise service. She was renamed THOMSON SPIRIT. In June 2002 she under went an extensive refit in Pireaus, Greece for Mediterranean service.
Artists' designed look at future THOMSON SPIRT
Press photo C/o Thomson Cruises
In May Thomson further announced that THOMSON SPIRIT would sail in the Mediterranean in 2003 thus replace the venerable favourite, TOPAZ whose contract ended May 2003. THOMSON SPIRIT sailed along with P&O Cruises' former ARCADIA, operating as the new OCEAN VILLAGE brand, and Airtours SUNBIRD, all sailing out of Palma.
References: Great Passenger ships of the World by A. Kludas, Martin Cox, American Classic Voyages and United States Lines, Honolulu Star-Bulletin business news.