This morning, March 22nd, when we were on route from Funchal, Madeira to Portimao, Portugal, the bridge received a distress call that a boat with eight people was sinking and that the crew were abandoning the ship. Captain Gundersen immediately changed the course of the Prinsendam and the ship sailed at full-speed to the given…   read more of “Prinsendam Engages…”

Dutch TV host and adventure seeker Charlotte Squarcy was recently on board for a segment of Amsterdam’s Grand World Voyage. Here is a post-cruise diary. I may have left the Amsterdam’s World voyage in Sydney, but not my new-found friends whose journey continues. Like “Tom & Carol” who commented on my posts, I’m following the…   read more of “Cruise Diary:…”

After visiting some Indonesian ports of call, it was time to refresh the memory of our guests about Indonesia with special performances during the Indonesian crew show on board the Amsterdam. We were very pleased to present the talented crew as they danced and showed guests traditional dances from our culture. During this special occasion,…   read more of “Amsterdam’s…”

Thanks to Human Resources Clerk Mochamad Aloetsyah for sending in this post and fun pictures from the day Rotterdam spent at Fanning Island. On March 16, 2012, we presented a donation which we collected from the guests and crew, to the people of Fanning Island. We then brought out bubbles and jump ropes and played…   read more of “Rotterdam Lends a…”

March 18 – 19, 2012 March 18: Arrival Singapore. The Singapore Straits are one of the busiest in the world, it’s a bottleneck for shipping, where both eastbound and westbound meet in a narrow neck of water. Nowadays, a modicum of organisation exists; the lanes are divided, more akin to a dual-carriageway, (or 2-lane highway),…   read more of “Around the World…”

Thanks to HAL guest Léon van Hulst for sending in this cool photo he took of Noordam’s bow while on his February cruise.

On board the elegant explorer, ms Prinsendam, we hosted a themed Caribbean dinner with some excellent Caribbean menu selections and decorations in the La Fontaine dining room. Crew and guests wore their Caribbean shirts and other festive attire. This is our first theme for this Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage to Europe. Throughout the…   read more of “Prinsendam’s…”

Our private island consistently is voted the best private island among the cruise lines. Most of us, myself included, are so enamored with the water we forget there are lots of other things to look at. This stop I took the trail and photographed the different shapes and colors of the island. Next time I…   read more of “Capturing the…”