At Sea

5th January 2018

36 Comments

Dear Readers, one of my ‘plug-ins’ for this blog show me ‘statistics’; I see that you have preempted my arrival back on the “Amsterdam”, a large spike of views yesterday!  🙂 

A belated Happy New Year to you all!

Well, I am back on the “Amsterdam” and so the blog of our 2018 Grand World Voyage commences.  I now write as we make our way towards the western tip of Cuba, (Cape San Antonio), our destination being Georgetown, Cayman Islands, tomorrow morning.

Yesterday, in Port Everglades, came as a culture shock; from enjoying some R&R I found myself back to work.  An early arrival on the ship, having to relieve my ‘oppo’, Captain Eversen and take command before embarkation started; meet-and-greet our guests as they made their way through the terminal, lots of photos, accompanied by Orlando Ashford no less.  That done, a rendezvous with Karen and manage the loading of (numerous) suitcases, the logistics of which are beyond description  🙄   

Back to what I know and love, Seamanship and our Bridge Resource Management meeting with the Navigating officers and a briefing for our forthcoming voyage; a chance to open suitcases and unpacking before our Passenger Emergency Muster drill prior to departure and finally, at 8 p.m. we departed Port Everglades and headed south.  

My camera will be close at hand during the coming months, however I leave this post with some photos of the Grandchildren; I spent time with them and they are growing up too fast, every visit is precious.

It’s always fun when the 4 of them are together; Emily, Lois (Lo-Lo), Olly and Violet

Gramps, Violet and Lo Lo wrapped up for the winter weather

We have just decorated the tree……

Violet with her ‘Hatchibles’

Violet on her Christmas ride

Emily and Sam, in Spain

Olly and his 1st-time skiing

36 thoughts on “5th January 2018”

  1. Hello Captain Mercer, I really look forward to reading your blog during this World Cruise. We were booked for this cruise and were on board on January 4th, 2018. We had a very nice lunch, unpacked our clothes and received a phone call from the Dr. “Come home, we have to do tests”. We left the ms Amsterdam about 6:00pm. We are currently home and still hoping to join you when things are corrected. Your grandchildren are adorable and just love seeing pictures of them. They are growing up soooo fast. We miss you and Karen.

  2. Happy New Year – welcome back. As many have said before me, I travel with you on my computer. I see things through your eyes that I may never see with my own. Thank You!!

  4. Happy New Year, Captain, and welcome back!
    I am looking forward to the next few months of “sailing along” — on my computer!
    My best wishes to everyone on the Amsterdam for a wonderful World Cruise!

  5. Been waiting all summer ‘Down-under’ and a nice day to start the blog here with 42c hot day.
    Did you loose the beard for the cruise Captain.
    Wonderful Grandchildren pics.
    Have a safe cruise to all of you.
    Our paths may cross on our voyage from Auckland to San Diego on the Maasdam soon!
    Regards

  6. Welcome back. Looking forward to being an arm chair traveler. Many cruises but not the length of the world. This should be with mix emotions if retirement is coming. We all work for this time in life.
    Cruised with Gene Young liked him very much,don’t know why a change but you do what you need to do. Hope the release was a pleasant and good one.
    Will be reading all your post.

  7. Nice to see this start up,again. Enjoy it all. Is this world with mixed emotions ? As I believe the last before well deserved retirement. It is a day we all work for.
    I love to say we sailed with Gene Young I hope his move was something good for him being young he just seemed so nice and maybe a good move.
    Keep us posted as I’m an arm chair traveler,many cruises but not the length of a world.

  8. Best wishes to you and yours Jonathan & Karen for a happy new year! I will be following along wishing to be along too. Randy & I had a delightful visit with Leslie early in December.

    Bon voyage!
    Rosie

  9. Always love to see pictures of the Grandchildren. I am looking forward to following the World Cruise again this year. One year I hope to be able to join you on the Amsterdam.

  10. So love to see pictures of the grandchildren. Especially adore the pompom hat! Safe sailing

  11. Safe travels my friend. You will both be missed but we look forward to your blog, photos of the trip and , of course, photos of the grandchildren.

  14. Thank you for including us, again, in your World Cruise blogs. We enjoy every word you write, picture, video and chart – details of courses, weather, etc. Wish we were there as you travel to exotic ports on your world voyage.
    Thank you for sharing the pictures of your lovely grand-kids.
    Hugs from Jean and George in BC.
    PS: Your picture with the beer glass is still on our fridge!

  15. Thank you for your blog this morning n Happy New Year to you n Karen. Have made a move to PA to be closer to daughter n family since Don died We were on the 2013 Wirld Cruise with you n am signed up for the 2019 Wirld Cruise. Will be reminiscing as I read your blog.

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