Today the sun and warmth blasted through after almost five days of inexplicable cloud cover and chill, which began during our time in San Diego. The Oosterdam was securely docked by 8 a.m. Our traveling party, well fueled by breakfast from the Lido, crossed the gang plank shortly after 9:30 a.m. The Mazatlan Cruise Port… read more of “Cruise Diary:…”
HAL blogger Gary Frink is currently sailing on board Oosterdam’s Mexican West Coast Voyage and will be sending in cruise diaries throughout his time on board. Another Holland America voyage, another rescue at sea. Some readers might remember that this year Jeanne and I were aboard the Amsterdam during the Singapore to Seattle leg of… read more of “Cruise Diary: On…”
Guest Blogger Gary Frink sailed aboard Amsterdam this past spring and posted a cruise diary on the Holland America Blog, and he’s getting ready to sail again. “I can’t wait,” my I-can’t-get-my-fill-of-Holland America wife said this morning. She is looking forward to what we call a “shorty” cruise, aboard the ms Oosterdam leaving San Diego… read more of “Countdown to an…”
Oh, the day in the life of “Reese’s” at Puppy Camp! During Oosterdam’s call at Juneau, Captain van der Loo and the shore excursion team spent the afternoon at Puppy Camp [where puppies are trained to become sled dogs]. It was a beautiful day filled with happy, playful puppies all named after famous candy bars…. read more of “Oosterdam’s…”
During the Oosterdam’s call at Juneau, members of the deck and entertainment departments decided to get wet out in the Alaskan wilderness during a crew rafting excursion. Everyone returned soaked with large smiles on their faces. I think it’s because crew members from the entertainment department navigated! Amy Kreft is Oosterdam’s human resources manager.
During the call of the Oosterdam in Sitka on the 5th of August, the Oosterdam’s Deck Department donated two big boxes of medical first aid equipment, after replacing all the medical kits in the lifeboats and life rafts, to the Raptor Center in Sitka. The Raptor Center in Sitka is an independent organization which fully… read more of “Oosterdam Donates…”
Todo Santos is a charming town, small and not close to Cabo San Lucas but worth the trip. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to get there from the ship. The ride shows the true geography of the area — arid desert that runs straight to the sea. It is mostly undeveloped or… read more of “A Day in Todo…”
I like zip lines. There is something about speeding between trees knowing you are not going to crash or fall that makes me smile. In my younger years I read all of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels — he authored the Tarzan series and John Carter of Mars series. I think I have seen every Tarzan… read more of “Touring Puerto…”
