Today the weather was even sunnier than two days ago; Vesuvius loomed crystal clear over us. I think the gentle breeze was just enough to keep any haze away which normally develops here if it is a real warm day. We have a regular port call so the good ship Oosterdam was docked at 07.00 hrs….   read more of “30 June 2018:…”

Civitavecchia is a major cruise port for everybody who wants the visit Rome while on a cruise ship. But it is also a turn around port for cruises due to the availability of Rome airport. And then of course there are a lot of ferries going in and out; calling at ports along the coast…   read more of “29 June 2018:…”

It was warm today but it was also a sort of perfect Naples day. Not a cloud in the sky and when the guests walked ashore they could see the sun brightly shining on the City and the Castle which guards the city since about 800 years or so. They are still working on the…   read more of “28 June 2018;…”

The nice thing about most ports in this area is that we dock with the nose right into downtown. There is a security gate but that fence is the only obstacle between the ship and the city itself. Today was no different. The ms Oosterdam parked itself right at the foot of the city again…   read more of “27 June 2018;…”

Valetta with its Grand Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports to sail in and out of and also to stay in. There are hardly any restrictions for a ships size as the port entrance is wide enough and only becomes a challenge if there is a Northerly wind blowing. The entrance through the…   read more of “26 June 2018;…”

On departure from Kirkenes we saw wind. Normally we do not like wind but now it might be our friend. A good bit of wind might blow the (rain) clouds away and if so we could see the North Cape. So with hope in our hearts we traveled back up the coast during the night;…   read more of “23 June 2018; North…”

Maybe some of us have been naughty boys and girls in the recent days as the weather Gods are still not with us. We were all very hopeful while docked in Honningsvag that the weather at the North Cape would be half decent but it was not to be. The moment the ms Prinsendam poked…   read more of “22 June 2018;…”

Once we were through Lofoten the plan was to go outside again and to sail past the North Cape. But the swell was still running high and that provided a few challenges. If we went to the North Cape then we would have to slow down to avoid the heavy pitching of the bow on…   read more of “21 June 2018;…”