As the Oosterdam sails toward San Diego preparing for her Holiday Cruise, Santa’s chefs began creating the perfect atrium filled with gingerbread houses complete with electric trains and snow for the tree lighting ceremony. The gingerbread houses were filled with yummy treats of all shaped and sizes, icing that no one can resist and hidden… read more of “Christmas Arrives…”
On December 10, 25 Ryndam volunteers went to a local elementary school to help deliver Christmas cheer and presents to 200 children. The children were treated with a visit by Mr. Claus (Ron van Liet, ACOM) and Mrs. Claus (Kristin Viotto, Techspert). Presents and snacks were handed out with help from all the volunteers. The… read more of “Ryndam Crew…”
Hi all, My kids, wife and I wish everybody at Holland America Line and blog readers a fantastic Christmas and a great cruising in 2011!!!!!!! With kind regards, Patrick van der Vlies Sliedrecht, NL
Yesterday we published a post about the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, yet we should have also posted the history. Here it is: On the morning of St. Nicholas’ Day, Sinterklaas travels to a city or town in The Netherlands, wearing his red bishop’s robes. He travels with his servant called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter). When… read more of “The History of…”
Here is my Christmas card for everyone at Holland America Line and the HALblog readers. Greetings from the home port Rotterdam, Ben Ben van Zeijl is a Holland America Line fan and historian from Rotterdam.
Robert “Nick” Nichols, Nieuw Jakarta’s academic director, sent us the following note and photos from the center’s recent Balinese celebration. Nieuw Jakarta is HAL’s crew training center in Jakarta, Indonesia. Nieuw Jakarta students, kitchen staff and teachers/trainers prepared a special feast for all in celebration of the start of Balinese Galungan (a Hindu ceremony to… read more of “Nieuw Jakarta…”
Here are some scenes from Thanksgiving Day celebrations throughout the HAL fleet. Enjoy! Amsterdam’s Culinary Operations Manager Bart Groeneveld submitted these photos from the ship’s on board festivities:
