CFC Renaissance accidents and incidents

September 2024Structural and Technical Issues

In September 2024, CFC-Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres canceled Renaissance ship's January and February 2025 departures (8x voyages, all roundtrips from Marseille) to allow an extended drydocking (January 5th through  March 1st, 2025).

The eight canceled cruises included 7x 3- to 8-night Mediterranean voyages and 1x 10-night relocation voyage from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe (Marseille to Le Havre).

The planned EUR 15 million drydock refurbishment included a machinery overhaul and the installation of a scrubber (SCR/selective catalytic reduction system reducing NOx emissions) and a shore power connection. The project also included cleaning and repainting the hull with a silicone-based coating, and renovations to all passenger staterooms and public areas.

30 December 2022Structural and Technical Issues

On December 30, 2022, CFC-Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres canceled Renaissance ship's Maiden Voyage along with other cruises initially scheduled to depart in 2023 between/and including February 10th and May 14th.

Clement Mousset (CFC’s President) commented that the cancellations were due to political issues in Europe (Russia-Ukraine war) and not related to Damen Shiprepair Brest (the French shipyard where the vessel was undergoing a drydock refit).

All booked customers impacted by the cancellations were provided with two options - to receive a full/100% refund or rebook any cruise in CFC's 2023-2024-2025 schedule.

March 2020Other Incidents

(MS Maasdam) Following Holland America Line's decision (March 13) to suspend passenger shipping operations fleetwide due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, Maasdam cancelled its current voyage's remaining call ports and continued directly to the USA. The 33-day itinerary (March 1 - April 3) from Auckland NZ to San Diego had planned port visits in New Zealand (Russell), Fiji (Suva, Vanua Levu, Dravuni), Tonga (Tongatapu, Neiafu), Cook Islands (Rarotonga), French Polynesia (Moorea, Tahiti, Huahine, Bora Bora), Kiribati (Christmas Island) and Hawaii (Lahaina, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Honolulu, Nawiliwili).

On its way back to homeport San Diego, the ship only made a technical stop in Honolulu for refuelling. On March 23, HAL requested from Port San Diego to allow docking and passenger debarkation of Maasdam's 834 passengers. The liner arrived on March 26, disembarkation was conducted on March 27-28. To leave the ship were allowed only tourists and those crew who ended their contracts with the cruise company. The remaining staff-crew were denied disembarkation.

05 February 2020Coast Guard Medevacs

(MS Maasdam) On February 5, 2020, a male crew (suffering a stroke) was medevaced from the liner navigating off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island (East Cape NZ) being en-route from Tauranga to Napier. Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Services was alerted at ~3 am. The helicopter team included 2 pilots, a winch operator and a paramedic.

The helicopter had to fly first to Gisborne Airport for extra fuel then met with the cruise ship approx 15 km (10 mi) east of Gisborne NZ. The Filipino man was airlifted (hoisted in rescue basket) from the ship and flown to Hawke's Bay Hospital (Hastings NZ) where arrived at ~5.30 am.

The incident occurred during the 13-day New Zealand to Australia cruise (itinerary Feb 3-16) from Auckland to Sydney, with call ports Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Akaroa, Port Chalmers (Dunedin), Oban (Stewart Island), Fiordland NP, Hobart (Tasmania) and Eden (NSW).

07 November 2018Crew / Passenger Deaths

(MS Maasdam/overboard) On November 7, 2018, a 70-year-old female passenger died after slipping and falling into the water between the tender boat and the cruise liner anchored off Avatiu (Rarotonga Island, Cook Islands). Reportedly, the incident was due to rough sea with strong waves. The elderly woman was still conscious when pulled from the sea, then lost consciousness. Ship's med team soon arrived at the scene but failed to revive her.

The accident occurred during the 28-day Pacific Islands cruise (itinerary Oct 28 - Nov 26) from Papeete (Tahiti) to Auckland NZ, visiting islands in French Polynesia's groups Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society, also Cook Islands (Rarotonga), Niue Island, Tonga (Neiafu, Nuku'alofa), Vanua Levu and Fiji (Suva, Dravuni).

The passenger tendering (ship-to-shore ferry service) was provided by the cruise ship (Holland America boats and crew).

May 2015Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Maasdam) April-May 2015, CDC reported on the voyage Apr 17 to May 1, a Norovirus outbreak affected 67 passengers (out of 1138, or 5,9%) and 12 crew (out of 578, or 2,1%). The ship was on 14-day Southern Caribbean cruise from homeport Fort Lauderdale FL.

March 2014Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Maasdam) In March 2014, CDC reported on voyage Mar 2 to 28, a Norovirus outbreak affected 65 passengers (out of 1096, or 5,9%) and 8 crew (out of 569, or 1,4%). The ship was on 26-day South American (Amazon) cruise from Rio de Janeiro Brazil to Fort Lauderdale Florida.

January 2012Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Maasdam) December-January 2011, CDC reported on voyage Dec 23 (2011) to Jan 2 (2012), a Norovirus outbreak affected 56 passengers (out of 1255, or 4,5%) and 6 crew (out of 573, or 1,1%). The ship was on 10-day Caribbean "Christmas and New Year Cruise" roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale FL.

04 October 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

(MS Maasdam/overboard) On October 4, 2011, a 75-year-old male passenger fell overboard in the Northumberland Strait (Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Canada). The body was recovered. The man was reported missing at ~8 am by his wife, after docking in call port Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island).

After the crew failed to find him on the ship, a search operation by the Canadian Coast Guard was conducted. It also failed to locate him. The body was later found by a local fisherman.

March 2010Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Maasdam) February-March 2010, CDC reported on voyage Feb 2 to Mar 5, a major Norovirus outbreak affected 168 passengers (out of 1211, or 13,9%) and 19 crew (out of 559, or 3,4%). The ship was operating in the Caribbean roundtrip from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Florida.

22 May 2009Ship Listing

(MS Maasdam) On May 22, 2009, the vessel experienced a severe listing to starboard while transiting St Lawrence Seaway. The incident was caused by a pilot error. At ~9:45 pm, the Captain switched off the autopilot and navigated the ship (steered) manually to avoid hitting a sandbar.

The vessel reported interior damages, among which dining room (broken glassware and dishes, lots of spilt food), also in bars and lounges.

17 March 2009Fire Accident

(MS Maasdam) On March 17, 2009, the ship experienced a fire incident in the crew galley (kitchen). The fire was immediately extinguished using a dry-chemical extinguisher.

January 2009Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Maasdam) In January 2009, CDC reported on the voyage Jan 2 to 9, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 79 passengers (out of 1402, or 5,6%) and 8 crew (out of 561, or 1,4%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

06 May 2007Other Incidents

(MS Maasdam) On May 6, 2007, 133 passengers were denied boarding in call port Savannah Georgia (USA), because the port wasn’t set up to handle security for cruise ships. Holland America Line transported all passengers by bus and their embarkation was in the next call port Charleston SC. The affected passengers received US$100 PP in onboard credit.

06 July 2005Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Maasdam) On July 6, 2005, during a Canada New England cruise, the vessel left ~2 hours early call port Sydney NS transiting to Halifax NS for repairs of a failed engine.

10 April 2005Propulsion / Power Loss

(MS Maasdam) On April 10, 2005, engine problems, combined with bad weather resulted in reduced cruising speed and itinerary change. Call ports Half Moon Cay Island (Bahamas) and San Juan (Puerto Rico) were dropped. As compensation, passengers received between US$100-400 in onboard credit (depending on cabin category), plus 20% a future Holland America cruise booking discount.

05 January 1998Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(MS Maasdam) On January 5, 1998, 4 passengers were reported critically and 4 seriously injured in a bus crash accident on a sponsored by Holland America shore excursion in Florida. Another 20 passengers suffered minor injuries. Their tour bus was hit by a car near the interchange Florida Turnpike and Florida State Road 7.

12 January 1996Ship Grounding

(MS Maasdam) On January 12, 1996, the vessel dragged anchor and caused damages to Soto’s Reef (Grand Cayman).