Below are some pictures from Manila on March 9 with all the families coming on board to visit Amsterdam during our call. As you can see, with over 1,500 visitors expected it was a busy but fantastic day for our crew. At the end of the day we were treated to a fireworks display, which… read more of “Busy Day at Manila,…”
During our call to Parintins, Brazil, on March 4, Prinsendam under the direction of the Grand Voyage Hostess Annette Gonzalez had Father Benito, teachers and the children from Casa de Acholhida (a local art school) on-board. Annette had arranged fund-raising activities during the Grand South America Voyage with guests and crew. The Prinsendam was successful… read more of “Donation to Local…”
The Volendam Crew recently took a trip to the Great Wall of China. Here you will find photos of some of our crew on their way to the wall, at the wall, and finally, our Housekeeping team after the tour heading back home to the ship. 🙂
Officers, staff and crew all over the ship say goodbye to Captain Frans…
Thanks to Volendam’s Chief Engineer Joop Holtzer for sending in this great group photo of a crew tour to the Forbidden City at Beijing, China.
Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband cruised again with HAL, this time on Zaandam’s 21-Day Collectors’ Voyage to Mexico and Hawaii. Sharon chronicled their cruising experience for us on the blog. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find photos I had taken of the fabulous Front Desk staff especially of Grachel Singh who was extremely helpful and always… read more of “Cruise Diary:…”
In addition to presenting Captain Frans with an award of his own (made from the old propeller of the Beautiful and Elegant ms Statendam) at the Mariners Awards to a packed auditorium of five-star mariners and Staff Officers, Officers and Crew, we were able to have a surprise evening of drinks, food and merriment for… read more of “More Retirement…”
After 36 years of service and 3,688 days at sea, Statendam’s Captain Frans Consen is retiring from Holland America Line and the Maasdam and Veendam ship staff, officers and crew wanted to wish him a happy retirement. Verlie Nelson is Statendam’s human resources manager.
