CMV has acquired Pacific Eden from P&O Cruises Australia, with its new name to be announced on March 20.

Explorers Amerigo Vespucci, Henry Hudson, Pytheas and Vasco da Gama have all been shortlisted as potential namesakes for the ship. The travel trade and Columbus Club members will be invited to vote on the name.

The vessel will be delivered in Singapore in April 2019 which will be followed by short docking for a livery change, rebrand and other preparatory works before positioning in northern Europe to serve the German and Australasian cruise markets.

During the northern summer (May through to October), the ship will operate under CMV’s German brand TransOcean Kreuzfahrten from both Bremerhaven and Kiel.

And during the Australian summer season (December through March), it will operate from Fremantle in Perth and Adelaide offering a more traditional scenic cruise experience.

CMV will be marketing voyages between Europe and the Antipodes and the wider Australian season.

The ship was built in 1994 and launched as Statendam by Holland America Line. It has 630 cabins, including 100 singles and 149 balcony suites, and can accommodate 1,150 passengers over nine decks.

It also features a domed observatory and nightclub, wellbeing centre and gym, two outdoor swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, a cinema and casino, five fine dining options, five lounge bars, a pool bar and four entertainment venues.

Pacific Eden joins CMV’s existing fleet of Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo, Astor and Astoria.

Christian Verhounig, CMV chief executive officer and chairman, said: “We firmly believe Pacific Eden will be a very popular addition to our fleet.

“This stylish traditional vessel is ideally suited to our business model and is in very good shape following a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2016.

“As part of our mid-term growth plans, the ship will provide the rextra capacity needed in Australia and Germany as we continue to grow our international business.”

Chris Coates, CMV group commercial director, said the ship would increase overall capacity to nearly 150,000 passengers in 2019.

CMV’s summer 2019 German programme for the ship will go on sale in mid-April while its Australian summer 2019-20 season will be issued in the autumn.

Gala trade launch events are planned in Tilbury and Bremerhaven in May 2019.