I write from my desk again, amidst empty suitcases (and some, unfortunately,  still full).  I find the operation of joining (and leaving) the Amsterdam fraught with challenges in regard to the number of suitcases and paraphernalia, particularly as Karen (K1) is sailing with me.  (K2 is not with us this year, we left her back at home, suffering from ‘cruise withdrawal’ symptoms).

An overnight stay in a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, my last night of ‘freedom’ for some time; a delicious dinner in  a seafood restaurant and an early night, ready for an early start to pier 26 and the change-of-command.

The view from our hotel

Any logistics manager would have been proud, a lovely ‘cargo’ stow in the back of the largest vehicle that the rental company could provide, enough clothing, shoes, dresses, (hers, not mine) 😯  to dress an army, the challenge being that it all needed to get on board via the gangway.  No porter, no luggage cages, just good old  manpower; fortunately aided and abetted by some of the wonderful crew.

As my daughter Liz put it, “more luggage than the Kardashian’s” 🙂

Having sailed slightly late, 10:30 pm, due to shipping movements in the port,  I write from the Old Bahama channel. the stretch of water which lies between the north coast of Cuba and the reefs of the Bahama Islands.  We will round the eastern tip of Cuba early tomorrow morning and 6 hours later, pass the western tip of Haiti before making for our first port-of-call of the 2017 Grand World Voyage, Santa Marta, Columbia on Saturday morning.

Almost 1200 guests, many familiar faces,  all looking forward to a voyage of Discovery, Education and Adventure.  This is the first time that I have had to pack a winter coat, scarf and gloves, for our itinerary will take us through tropical climes and not so warm; Japan, China and South Korea are cold in February.  The last time I was in Japan was on a 150,000 tonne bulk-carrier, taking iron ore from Australia to Kure, near Hiroshima; it will be nice to not have to dock at a steel mill!

I will leave you with a photo taken while we were docked at pier 26.  It lies on the Intracoastal waterway and is used by commercial vessels too; it’s narrow and there is little passing space as you can see.

More soon!