It is good to be back and writing. As is the norm, remembering what is involved to succeed in putting ‘pen to paper’ had become somewhat ‘misty’ over time, a refresher was called for. Yesterday, during ‘practice’ I was horrified to find that the “plugin” I use to get the map in my post no longer functioned. A great deal of time was spent trying to find an alternative, successful however it takes longer to get it in the post.
Having departed Port Everglades, Florida, on Tuesday, we made our way south, through the Old Bahama Channel, the stretch of water which lies between the reefs of the Bahamas and the north coast of Cuba.
We rounded Cuba’s eastern tip, passing west of Haiti and thus entered the Caribbean. The weather had not been kind to us; sandwiched between 2 weather fronts, we experienced a gale force 8 and rough seas most of the way, so much for azure blue and calm Caribbean.
Now we are at peace, in this sheltered harbour on the north coast of Colombia. Our guests are ashore, however we continue to work; the morning being taken up with briefings for our next leg of the voyage, to the San Blas islands and then a drill involving all crew, involving first response emergency teams and then an abandon-ship, lowering boats into the water and taking them for a ‘jaunt’ around the harbour.
Our boats swung out and ready to lower
One of new tenders
As with many of the ports we visit, there are few with dedicated Cruise terminals and, more often than not, a cargo berth is assigned. No exception today, we are alongside a coal berth, however the authorities have done their best to tidy it up for us.
Wind can be a challenge here, as a consequence, an enormous wind-break spans the gap in the higher ground.
We depart here this afternoon and make our way to San Blas tomorrow, followed by our Panama Canal transit. I leave you with some photos of Santa Marta, more later………..
Arriving into the Bay
The sun rising, the city through our sun-screens
Safe travels, Jonathan. Will look forward, once again, to follow you on your journey through your blog. Hugs to Karen. Sorry we missed you before you left.
This will be my third vicarious GWV. Love your photos of places I have never been and places I have fond memories of visiting. On my very first cruise, in March of 1986 (eek…33 yrs. ago), I transited the Panama Canal aboard the Sitmar “Fairsea”. We visited the San Blas Islands, an experience I will never forget. I am anxious to see how much has changed since then.
Dear Captain,
Great to read your reports again. I will join the ms Amsterdam in Auckland. Hope you will still be aboard and having the possibility of meeting you.
In the meantime, I hope I can follow your ongoing note’s during my tour in New Zealand, which I find always interesting to read. Thus I’ll ‘see’ ms Amsterdam coming closer to the great date I will be joining her 26. February.
Kindly Yours.
Werner Verbrugge
Hi Captain Jonathan!
I look forward to reading and following along on this 2019 world cruise. Best wishes for safe travels, and another amazing voyage, greetings to Karen. Rosie
I had to chuckle at your comment “the weather has not been kind to us”! I was happy to wake up this morning to no movement finally. That lovely corkscrew motion was a bit tough to deal with. I’d like to know if we “just” had confused seas or what the wave heights got up to.
See you around the ship,
Linda R.
Thank you Captain for your first post for the 2019
World Cruise. We all enjoy following your journey around
the world and the interesting information and pictures of the many places you visit.
Kind Regards,
Paul Joyce
Sydney Australia
I’m a Washington State resident, Kathleen here. I am following your blog because a long-time, childhood friend, Karen Van Hook Gross, is aboard, a veteran cruiser. To my surprise I have another cruiser, a couple, joining you this time, Marci and Gary Harris, very special friends and special people all around. Knowing two sets of cruisers makes this World Voyage a must follow here in Tacoma, Washington.
Greetings from the Prinsendam – we’re a few days ahead of you for your first few ports. Tonight we enter Chilean fijords in the vicinity of Isla Chiloé and some calmer waters. At this point the southern Pacific is not kind either. Bon Voyage, Fair Winds and Follong Seas with love yo you and K1 … Dee
Looking forward to “sailing along “ on this 2019 GWV .
Thank you for taking the time to post. Always interesting pictures.
So glad you will be Captain on the 2020 GWV when we once again will join your magnificent ship, crew and officers .
Meanwhile am happy to read your blog.
Dear Captn:
This cruise crept up on me and so glad you still have me on your list to share your log!
As you know, I am proud of my Dutch heritage , but just found that I am a Mayflower descendant of Elder William Brewster so have thrown myself into the 2020 400th celebrations. Beginning with a Tournament of Roses Rose Bowl float and then a “Pilgrimage” to Plymouth in Sept. to watch the Mayflower II sail in and a parade in costume in Boston. It is a lot of volunteer planning this year for next for me.
The 2020 Amsterdam World cruise itinerary looks outstanding. Just in case you hang up your cleats, I can get a gig for you either on the Halve Moen now in Hoorn, Holland or a bit of time on Mayflower II! But once you have been a captain, I suppose that has no allure.
Look forward very much to reading of the adventures you have in store for HAL’s guests this year. Was just thinking of the Panama Canal which I have crossed through with you….it really is a wonder of the world…and I cannot get enough of the dense jungle where the exotic fauna live around the Lake crossing from one continent to another…My parents so loved the natives of the San Blas islands…Bon Voyage
Thank you for this first blog….So good to hear from you and be along – vicariously – on the 2019 World Cruise. Great pictures and the ship’s paint job looks real good….
Bon voyage from George & Jean in BC
Beautiful job…. well written and the pictures are just sharp and wonderful to see following along with your story! Thanks, and you know I’ll let everyone at cocktail hour see and hear your story. So happy we can follow this great adventure! Stay safe, ❤️ Betty
Enjoy another epic voyage. It was hard for me to leave the Amsterdam on the day you and others arrived. Would love to be there still but having your blog to look forward to will help with the pain!!
Good to see you again.
Captain, we missed you. I am glad you are back posting. I understand that I will see you next year on the 2020. But now I can take the virtual cruise with you. Thanks.
Rich McClear
Sitka, Alaska