A somewhat delayed post this week, mainly due to a change of itinerary and some considerable time on the bridge; this not due to the change, more to do with the weather, insomuch we have experienced reduced visibility on a number of occasions. I’m pleased to say that this did not detract from guests’ enjoyment,… read more of “Captain’s…”
Holland America Line has a wide array of enriching activities onboard, and among the most popular are the Digital Workshops powered by Windows. The popular complimentary workshops, led by Microsoft-trained “techsperts” on all 15 ships in the fleet, teach guests with varying levels of computer and camera experience how to take better vacation photos, make… read more of “Digital Workshop:…”
The last of our itinerary that has us calling at Juneau first (for as I write we have just completed a call in Glacier Bay and dashed from Vancouver in order to make it, too). Not a great week for weather initially, Juneau was socked in with rain, however Skagway was a little brighter. An… read more of “Captain’s…”
A glorious week, the sun shone, the whales frolicked, the glaciers calved, what more can one ask for? A sunny day in Juneau, I did what I always try to do, at least once a season and that was the Juneau whale-watch tour. There was room on the evening one and what a lovely evening… read more of “Captain’s…”
Once again, Seymour Narrows was transited, this time at the more civilised hour of 10:30 p.m. Seymour was described by Captain George Vancouver, on his voyage of discovery, as ‘one of the vilest stretches of water in the world”. It is easy to imagine why, on a ship under sail, trying to navigate the treacherous… read more of “Captain’s…”
Our speed from Vancouver to the ‘Great Land’ and our first port, Juneau, is governed by the time of slack water at Seymour Narrows. The parameter for the transit of this narrow passage is dependent on the speed of the current. We have compulsory pilots with us, from the Pacific Pilotage Authority, and they have… read more of “Captain’s…”
It has been a week since I walked up the gangway, on a glorious Vancouver morning and, once again, was greeted by familiar faces and beaming smiles, it’s always nice to come back to my 2nd ‘home’. Making the transition from man of leisure to Captain of a cruise ship is always something of a… read more of “Captain’s…”
Karen Nicolas, executive chef at Todd Gray’s Equinox, is one of only a handful of lucky toques to be named among Food & Wine magazine’s 2012 Best New Chefs in America. Chef Nicolas recently sailed on Amsterdam as part of the Culinary Arts Centers program and gave a couple of exciting and mouth-watering demonstrations. LAMB… read more of “Recipe: Chef Karen…”
