The crew members on Eurodam and Statendam also cast their ballots for the upcoming Indonesian elections. Eurodam: From left: Semmy Parinussa, lifeboat attendant, and Alexander Kanyette, botswain, with a ballot.

As Volendam sails a series of Asia-Pacific cruise on its way back to North America for the Alaska season, the ship continues to call at new and exciting ports such as Laem Chabang, Thailand, where a plaque ceremony was held to mark the event. From left: Hotel Manager Robert Versteeg, Captain Jack van Coevorden, Cruise…   read more of “Volendam Pays…”

Holland America Line Director of Corporate Services Joe Palermo sent us photos — lots of photos — of the work being done on Oosterdam during its Signature of Excellence Phase II upgrade. From the looks of it, there are very few areas on board that are not affected by the refit. Deck 10 extension.

Wiel Penders, technical operations for Holland America Line, sent us these photos he took during Oosterdam’s dry-dock. The ship will have its original Azipod reinstalled tomorrow, and these images show the preparations. Oosterdam’s spare Azipod being prepared for removal. Left: The propeller is lifted from the dock floor, as the new one is of a…   read more of “Oosterdam Prepares…”

Veronica, Stage Manager Aaron Stone’s wife, went on a crew tour to the zoo near Pattaya, Thailand, when Volendam called at Bangkok.

On April 9, while Statendam was docked at Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, the 2009 contestants in the Miss Pacifica Pageant came on board for a tour of the ship. Miss Pacifica is a yearly pageant that includes 13 countries and the finals took place in Puerto Chiapas April 11. Cast members Charlene and Leigh gave the…   read more of “Statendam Hosts a…”

We were at sea and celebrated Easter with a Grand Show Buffet in the Dining Room Lower level during this Grand World Voyage. Of course, it wouldn’t be Easter without some Easter bunnies. The Rotterdam dinning room team really got into the mood of the holiday. Komang Sumartha is Rotterdam’s assistant dining manager.

Holiday or no holiday, work continues at a lightning pace on board the Veendam. In the interior very good progress is being made on the refurbishment of all the bathrooms. The back section is now almost complete, only the final piece of steel — the pizza place called “Slice” — still needs to be put…   read more of “No Easter Eggs for…”