16th January, Cusco, San Martin, Peru; 17th-18th, at sea: Cusco is a relatively small port on the coast of Peru. One dock long enough to accommodate our length. We are surrounded by sand, the desert of the Atacama. Guests return from ‘interior’ tours here, particularly Machu Picchu and fly to see the Nazca Lines, vast… read more of “Captain’s…”
14th and 15th January. Callao, Peru: Thick fog as we approached the port and the approach was done solely on radar, as there was nothing ‘visually’ to be seen. The visibility improved as we came through the breakwaters and became sufficient enough to dock. Callao is a ‘hub’ port for the west-coast of South America… read more of “Captain’s…”
11th January. Manta, Ecuador: We crept into the port at 0400, ‘crept’ because most, if not all of our guests were still sleeping and I needed to avoid waking them with the vibration of the bow thrust. Approximately 20 of our guests were leaving us here and flying to the Galapagos Islands, hence the need… read more of “Captain’s…”
Dear Readers, back again on the lovely m.s. Amsterdam and our World Cruise. Not an auspicious start for me, personally, for within 2 days of commencing our epic voyage, I have been struck with what appears to be, flu. I am fortunate enough to have a great Bridge team and my ‘lack of enthusiasm’ was… read more of “Captain’s…”
The ms Volendam ended her 34-day circumnavigation of Australia on the 24th of November in Sydney Australia. On November 22, she left Hobart, Tasmania, and sailed by Cape Raoul and later Tasman Island. This steep rocky coastline looks like a giant organ. From now it is north toward Sydney and then she will start her… read more of “Captain’s…”
This morning at 02:44 A.M., ships time, 12:44 UTC, the ms Volendam crossed the equator sailing from Honolulu to Pago Pago. She is on her repositioning cruise from Alaska to Australia. After arriving at Sydney from her crossing on the October 21, she will start the circumnavigation of Australia. Presently she is the only ship… read more of “Captain’s…”
On August 29, Volendam donated approximately $200 in Canadian coins to British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. Below is a picture of myself handing over the jar to Krishna, a YVR agent. The coins were accrued in a collection box where crew members contribute their change when they return from shopping. Peter Bos is Volendam’s… read more of “Captain’s…”
Here is a photo of some of Zaandam officers with Mr. Larry Hubble of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) receiving our award for weather observations during 2011. Though not the highest amount, the Zaandam had a record of being almost perfectly spot on with their observations compared with the median average. In the… read more of “Zaandam Receives…”
Captain Jonathan Mercer 4th April: An arrival at Safaga, 12 hours ahead of schedule, having made a fast passage from Mumbai, India. This to cross the challenging Somali pirate area which includes the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and parts of the Red Sea. We had a calm crossing, hardly a wave to be… read more of “Around the World…”
*This post was sent in several days ago and inadvertently delayed. April 1, 2012: The seas have been flat calm since we departed Mumbai, the sun has been shining and our guests are happy to have a few sea-days after our calls on the west coast of India. We are making for the Bab El… read more of “Around the World…”
