It has been a peaceful Indian Ocean these past few days, light winds and just enough swell to have us gently rolling. We are still making for Singapore on the 24th and thence to Indonesia and the Philippines to disembark our crew.
I start my day by dealing with incoming emails, not only from our destinations, but from our Corporate offices, which of course have the time lag, we are now GMT +7 hours and the East coast is a long way behind us. The afternoons leave time for relaxing, I’ve done a great deal more reading than normal. The library is locked, however the paperback section, which many of you donated to, has plenty of books. (No offence, but I sanitise them first!) 😆
Thank you all for your messages in the ‘comments’ section. I pass on many of them where you have asked to mention a particular crew member. It is heartening to know you are still thinking of us, despite your own challenges.
The evenings usually have an event of some sort or another, for instance a “Spelling Bee” or karaoke, keeping Social Distancing in mind, of course.
Yesterday we had a “crew appreciation day”, decorations and a special menu. Members of the ship’s company were asked to volunteer their services behind the Lido counter and, after my spell with the Garlic rice, I took the liberty of a few photos and a video, I know how much you like to see some of the crew.
Karen and Christel doing their ‘bit’
The “chicken” is back! Except in the Dolphin bar!
Not a great deal more to report, we are not alone in our quest, dozens of Cruise ships are either in Asia, or making their way there, all for the sole purpose of disembarking their crews. There is no mention yet of when officers will be relieved, however when one considers just how complicated the procedures are for disembarking hundreds of crew, we are, understandably, not priority just yet.
I leave you with a couple more photos.
A beautiful sunset astern
Evening on the aft sdeck
Captain we have been following your challenges on your blog. You put your crew first and I’m sure they appreciate it. I have always enjoyed your writing along with your photographic skills.
Would you tell Papu that David and Julie from Chicago say hi and hope he is well. The service he provided in the crews nest on last year s GWV was outstanding.
When you get home and have had some time to decompress you should look for a book, “Nothing can go wrong.” Written by John D MacDonald and Captain John H Kilpack. It is about a “near” world cruise on the S.S. Mariposa. From 1977.
Cheers and good luck getting home.
I too am enjoying seeing the pictures and videos of the wonderful crew. I’ve been putting together our own photo book, and it brings back wonderful memories, even though it’s only been a short while since. A special shout-out to our cabin stewards from Indonesia, Sal and Bagus. We miss you guys!!! Also our “bartenders” (sodas only) Gary and Norris.
To Captain Jonathan, fair winds and following seas.
Thank you Captain for such a great blog. It makes me feel like if I was on board the ship too. I met you some years ago in FLL while I was working in the HAL offices in Port Everglades. My friend JoAnn and Ellen introduced me to you. I am fortunate to have sailed on many of those Dam ships some that you were our Captain. Please stay safe and kudos to you and your officers on doing such an amazing job. Safe travels and may God be with you and your crew. ❤️❤️❤️
Captain – Thank you for continuing your blog!The photos and videos are great. I think it’s wonderful that you are moving some of the crew to guest quarters. What a great morale booster. And they deserve it! We had an amazing adventure on the WC 2019 and are signed up for 2021 and 2022. We’ll miss you and Karen on those cruises. Stay healthy. Thanks, Ellen & Peter
It’s wonderful to see the video of the crew. I remain concerned for their well-being and am grateful that you are taking good care of them. I wish you the best in your endeavors to refuel and to get the crew home. I also want to say that if we had to go through all this mess and leave our cruise in the middle, I’m really glad that you were the person in charge of the ship. You took very good care of us, and for that my husband and I are grateful.
Great to see you and the crew of the co-flagship again Captain, and at such a nice dinner event. K-1 and Christel are looking good 😉 Best wishes for Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines! Stay safe!
Hi Captain,
Super post and video – sounds like spirits are high under the circumstances. So many familiar faces: Karen of course (no apron? I’d be a disaster!) Christel in her civvies and no apron, Tina looks amazing same beautiful smile; I recognize many others but the names are not coming to mind – it has been 5 years since WC 2015. A spelling bee? Randy was a winner in the 6th grade. Glad to see happy and healthy sailing days. Patience and a peace of mind to all to get through this virus. Until your next post.
I loved the video – especially the scene where the crew members suddenly realize that they should not be hugging! That is such a human response and one I know we all feel. I am sure you already know, but the Island Princess arrived safely in San Pedro this morning and her passengers (including Anne Dieryx and Parke Boyer) were disembarking right after her last text to me. Just had to be sure that you had that little piece of good news. We’ll take all we can get at this point! Be Safe, Be Well, Love to Karen! Dee ps – thanks for taking such good care of all my beloved crew!
Wow! What a fantastic video. Just love seeing most of our crew so enjoying the Lido Market. Thank you Captain for taking the time to do this video and sharing it with those of us who had to get off our beautiful ship. We miss all of you. ❤️❤️🐬
Dear Captain,
Thank you so very much for your video around the Lido! Some faces are familiar and very much missed. However, my sympathies have regressed by two steps!
Appreciating the terrible circumstances, the food looks great! I am on a POPC diet; pasta, oatmeal, pancakes and coffee. Minimizing trips.
Thank you for your blog! My heart is with you, your crew and the Amsterdam always.
I love reading this blog and keeping up on your travels. While this was my first HAL cruise, I formed an attachment to our wonderful cabin stewards, Yusuf and Fat, and dining staff Andri and Fervi. Wine steward Russell was always wonderful as well. Please say hi to them all from Sandy
So great to see everyone happy and healthy after your “unusual” journey! I was sorry to have not been able to go on this year’s GWV, although in hindsight it was for the best! I really missed seeing all those friendly faces that have made my previous voyages so memorable. Best of luck to you all in eventually arriving home……safe travels!
I so look forward to your blogs. Today was special with the video of the crew in the Lido and their celebration. You are certainly making the best out of this situation, and I know your efforts are being appreciated. When people ask me about HAL and what makes it so special for us, I always reply…THE CREW…THE CREW.
Thank you for including us #HAL Strong cruisers. We intend to book again, hopefully not too far in the future.
Take care and stay well.
Of course we are still thinking of you! What kind of family would we be if we didn’t ? Love, love the video; thanks SO much for doing that even if it did make me teary. Miss all those smiling faces for sure! I think most of us are fine although I’ve heard that several people got the virus on the trip home. I’ve also heard that they are either recovering or are recovered. All is well with us on the “other” side of Florida although south Florida is considered a bit of a hot spot. We’ll all get through though and we be on another Dam ship soon, I hope.
As all others have shared I too appreciated the video and the fact that you have continued to “take us along” on this unusual voyage for the crew of the Amsterdam. It’s like visiting with an old friend and catching up in a lovely cozy setting. It certainly makes me homesick for cruising and even planning to cruise and travel. I’m anxious for your crew members to get home to their families and relieve some of their concerns. Here in Arizona we are enjoying sunshine and lovely days but like others everything is closed up. After a month we finally got toilet paper!! Ha ha. You can tell what is important here! We too like you all are cleaning and sanitizing, taking things to thrift drop offs and throwing out things or repairing them. We are able to get out and walk or ride bikes or even take a short drive along irrigated farm lands, desert areas or through quiet deserted towns. I think all the world is praying and hoping for a vaccine and soon. Continue your journey safely and may you all soon be @ home” wherever that may be.