Let me start by thanking you all for the wonderful messages and comments that you sent, it gladdens my heart and renews my enthusiasm to write about our travels around the globe.
Having made our transit towards Grand Cayman, battling the adverse Gulf Stream, rounding Cape Antonio on the westernmost tip of Cuba, the Caribbean was not her usual sun and azure blue seas. We went south under scudding, low cloud and rain showers, pushed along by a strong north-east wind.
The Georgetown forecast did not look much better, more of the same. There are no berths off the town, at least not for cruise ships and as a consequence any visiting vessel has to anchor. In fine weather, this can be a pleasant experience and the operation is overseen by the local pilot. Approaching the island, less than ½ mile from the beach, one is in deep water, hundreds of feet deep; as one creeps closer, one comes to the ‘wall’, a vertical cliff which rises from the depths to about 60 feet from the surface, thence it gradually shallows. The pilot stays in a small boat, ‘hovering’ over the patch of sand where he wants us to drop anchor, thus avoiding damage to the delicate coral.
Today, however, no prudent seaman would have dreamt of anchoring; strong winds and rain squalls were forecast and us ‘hovering’ in position, using our joystick, was the prudent option. Finding a spot close enough to tender, away from the worst of the wind and (optimistically) in calmer seas was the name of the game. So, we ended up with a Costa ship on our port side and the reefs of Georgetown to starboard, (cunningly using the Costa ship as a lee, she breaking up some of the swell before it reached us) 😆
Arriving at 9 a.m. we stayed until 5 p.m., the Navigating officers managing the joystick with deft professionalism, (it is a manual operation, not Dynamic Positioning, where a signal is feed into a computer and adjusts itself) . We are now on our way to Puerto Limon on Costa Rica’s east coast, where we arrive tomorrow and thence through the Panama Canal. I may not have time to write until that transit has been completed, a day in port tomorrow and a dash to the Canal for early the next day, will not leave time to relax here, more afterwards though, have no fear!
The track towards Grand Cayman
….and our ‘hover’ position
A radar shot. We are in the ‘box’; Costa to the north, Aida further north and slightly to the right of ahead, the “Berlin” a smaller cruise ship
Now the visual, Costa and Aida
The “Berlin”; at anchor she was swing in varying directions as the wind affected her.
Finally, a view of the small harbour to which our tenders took guests.
Captain,
Really great to see your blogs again, wishing your good self, family, officers and crew a very happy, safe new year.
I’ve got your ship tagged on my marine traffic app so I can stalk you 24/7 lol.
Best wishes from Phuket
We really enjoy your descriptions of getting in and out of the ports. Thanks!
Safe travels, at last you got away from the snow and cold.
Thank you Captain. Your posts make me feel I’m right there.
I will enjoy reading and seeing all this wonderful cruise has to offer. We did enjoy the 2015 World Cruise but I had a serious health problem diagnosed in June of 2017, and although we had booked and paid for this cruise, we had to cancel in September because I could not obtain clearance from my doctor. Now I must enjoy this cruise vicariously. Perhaps we will be able to join up with the Amsterdam for the 2019 World Cruise…in fact we have it booked but now must try to get a release from the doctor. Thank you so much for your posts. Not quite like being there but it does help.
Thank you , Captain, we find your maps and photos so interesting. Look forward to the next time you are able to post.
Hi Jonathan,
I follow yours and 2 other blogs to keep up with the WC – yours has that nautical perspective that is very much appreciated. Crazy but I love following along having been on board the Amsterdam in 2013 and 2015. As others have stated a big THANK YOU for keeping us posted with photos and wonderful details.
Safe and fun travels!
Rosie
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us! We were aboard a GWV segment in 2017 and are looking forward to another next year. In the meantime we will live vicariously through your posts.
I’m once again very happily following your blog as you set off on another world cruise. Next year, at last, my husband and I will be joining you. In the meantime we will be dreaming of our own adventures, past and future on The Amsterdam.
Bon Voyage!
Yippee, we’re off and away once more for around the world in 2018 with Captain Jonathan. Love the tales of your first post and look forward to many to come as we wind our way through the next 113 “take us away” days.
Captain, I was one of those who kept checking to see if you had started your fascinating posts for this cruise. The pictures, including the maps, intrigue me as I’ve never done a world cruise. Thank you for every post and every photograph that chronicle this adventure so beautifully. I live in the American Southwest desert and we sure don’t have anything like this in Arizona!
Many, many, years ago, we had the honour and pleasure of being invited to dine at the First Officer’s table on the Nieuw Amsterdam of late 1980’s vintage. Charlie (whose last name I don’t remember and as the Captain said at the introductions, had a Dutch name that was difficult for even most Dutch to say), regaled us with many stories of his sea going days not the least of which was the same day in Grand Cayman where he manned the joy stick for the same reasons you mentioned. He said it was a struggle and at times there was only a meter of water under the keel. He looked very tired. Regardless, he and the Hostess kept us well entertained. The Dinner was in the Queen’s Room so there was little pressure to behave or be quiet unlike a dinner we had with Captain Van Dijk.
That was an evening we will never forget. Sadly, a few years later, Charlie was severely injured during a shipboard fire and had to retire from the sea.
Having sailed with HAL since 1985, we have some great memories. Your stories help us remember some of those times. Keep up the good work.
So happy to be reading your blog again. Looking forward to our Alaska cruise on the Amsterdam this summer. Crossing our fingers that you’ll be on board.
Thank you so much for sharing your journal. I wish I was with you as you begin your world cruise. I was aboard in 2015 and went on the first leg from Florida to Sydney and remember well going through the Panama Canal. Safe travels and I look forward to reading your journal.
I am so excited for this year’s round the world. I’m not able to do it personally but have traveled with you the past 3-4 years none the less. Thank you for showing me the world!