The Vasco da Gama is set to be operated by TMR Voyages for three weeks in spring 2023. The French tour operator is offering two cruises onboard the 1,270-guest vessel, which usually sails for Mystic’s Nicko Cruises brand.

Sailing roundtrip from Marseille, the Vasco da Gama will offer two themed voyages to the Mediterranean and the Canaries, marking TMR’s return to the cruise operations.

Named the “Rock & Music Hall” Cruise, the first sailing departs Marseille on April 22. The musical-themed voyage will feature tributes to different bands and singers, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.

The cruise’s ten-night itinerary sails to Greece, Italy and Malta, visiting destinations such as Salerno, Portoferraio, Valletta, Santorini and Patmos.

Upon returning to France on May 2, the Vasco da Gama sails a second themed cruise for TMR, the 17th “Jazz’en Mer” Cruise.

With Jazz Music as its main theme, the 11-night voyage will feature special attractions, such as a program of 35 musicians, over 40 concerts and seven orchestras.

Also sailing roundtrip from the French port of Marseille, the cruise itinerary includes visits to Morocco, Gibraltar, Spain and Portugal, with port calls at Funchal, Lanzarote, Agadir, Cádiz, Casablanca, Barcelona and more.

Formerly known as the Statendam, the Vasco da Gama entered service in 1994. Originally operated by Holland America Line, the 55,819-ton vessel was acquired by the Mystic Investment in 2020.

After undergoing extensive refits in Portugal, the vessel debuted for Nicko Cruises, Mystic’s Germany-based brand, in early 2021.

In the past, TMR Voyages worked with several cruise operators, including Costa Cruises, IberoCruceros, Croisières de France and Oceania Cruises.

The operator also revived the traditional Paquet Cruises brand for some time, chartering smaller vessels from the Costa Group fleet, including the Costa Allegra and the Grand Mistral.