My sailing period has finished and I am going on leave. And it will be a long leave. The company has decided that I have to use up some of my outstanding vacation days. I have about 8 months of paid leave outstanding and the idea is that I will take six months of that… read more of “13 May 2011: Time…”
The sun arose late over the Prinsendam, as was expected due to the time change, but all was well in the world. The wind had lessened off even more during the night but did not achieve the near wind still status as predicted by the weather forecast. We had still a wind force four to… read more of “12 May 2011; Sixth…”
Why is it always that with bad weather the predictions seem to be right and with good weather it always seem to be worse. Today the weather forecast was right, maybe because it was worse…………….. The frontal system did deepen and increase in strength. The centre still lay above Bermuda so they must have had… read more of “11 May 2011; Fifth…”
During the night we had thunder and lightning to the North of us, where the centre of this small weather system was passing by. We only noticed the rain and a little bit more swell than the day before. However by 09.00 hrs it had all past by and it turned into a nice sunny… read more of “10 May 2011; Fourth…”
On 3 May 1971, Mr. Jaap Wisse joined Holland America as an electrician on board the Nieuw Amsterdam II. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in May 1990 on board the ss Rotterdam (V) and celebrated on 3 May 2011 his 40 years with the company. The ship organized various functions to honor this achievement…. read more of “Captain’s…”
Today was a day in accordance with the photos in the cruise brochures. The way cruise company’s like the ocean to look like and the way they like the weather to be. The sun was shining, the ship was as stable as a rock and the wind was from the right angle. So it was… read more of “09 May 2011: Fourth…”
Last night the wind suddenly picked up and kept blowing until the early morning. A small frontal system that was lying to the North of our track line, intensified and thus it got a tail long enough to sweep over the ship. That resulted in wind and rain, luckily only during the night. In the… read more of “08 May 2011; Third…”
One of the most enjoyable things of a westbound crossing is the time difference. It is the right way. Ever since we left Israel, we have been going back with the hours, which mean either a longer night in bed or more party time in the ship, whatever preference you have. Holland America has now… read more of “07 May 2011; Second…”
