Captain Ryan Whitaker

Ship: Volendam

Captain Ryan Whitaker started at sea at a very early age, choosing an apprenticeship at age 16 with Shell Tankers, and he obtained his third mate’s license and sailed as a third officer on a Liquid Natural Gas tanker by age 19. When he came to Holland America Line in 2000, he was initially assigned as a second officer for Windstar Cruises, the luxury sailing yachts that were a subsidiary of the company at that time. In February 2005, he transferred to second officer on Zaandam and was promoted to chief officer in 2007. With experience on several ships, including Prinsendam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam and as staff captain on the final sailing of Statendam from Vancouver to Singapore. He was involved in the dry dock and reflagging of the ship and stayed with the ship’s transition team for 14 months. Currently, he commands Volendam.

While on a cruise in French Polynesia, he met his wife, who was also employed by Holland America Line at its Seattle headquarters. In 2006, they decided to relocate to England, where they now live with their two children. Their home is located in the English Lake District National Park.