Days 80-83, March 26-29: The early morning sun shone delicately through a thin haze that was reminiscent of the veil of an exotic dancer. I took it as a good omen. We were riding on an express train from Delhi to Agra – our destination: India’s iconic Taj Mahal. The Taj had been on our…   read more of “Cruise Diary: The…”

I managed to snap off a few shots on my way to assist in a crew beach cleanup event at Tabuaeran, Fanning Island. This small Coral atoll is located halfway between Hawaii and Australia and only 228 nautical miles above the equator.

Recently we went on a cruise aboard Maasdam. Here are some pictures of Statendam, which we saw, in Fort Lauderdale on March 2.

Thanks to Traveling Human Resources Manager Sheldon James for sending in this post. Sixteen seagoing human resources managers from the Holland America Line left Ft. Lauderdale with several new ideas to implement with the line’s on-board employees after their recent five-day conference, held from March 19 – 23. This was the fourth time all of…   read more of “Human Resources…”

These beautiful photos were contest winners from Zaandam’s Digital Workshop.

Day 79, March 25: Here’s a riddle: what is the most intelligent animal? Why, the crab, of course, because it carries its home with it wherever it goes! There is no place like home – particularly when you travel for nearly four months around the world as we are doing on our Grand Voyage. On…   read more of “Cruise Diary:…”

If you are ever in the Philippines during the hot air balloon festival at Clark Airport, be sure to go and see the annual event. The different balloons are incredible and it’s the ideal place to take some wonderful photos. Csaba Desvari Culinary Operations Manager ms Oosterdam

Thanks to HAL guest Joanie for sending in the following note and pictures from Noordam’s call at Castries, St. Lucia. I took a few absolutely stunning shots of the beautiful ms Noordam during a recent stop at one of the world’s most beautiful ports — Castries, St Lucia. My absolute favorite is the one which…   read more of “Noordam Calls at…”