While the ms Rotterdam started their 2nd day in Rotterdam, I left the ship at 08.00 and took the train to Amsterdam. The Netherlands has the densest railway network in the world (not so difficult when you are a small country) and also runs a large number of trains on Sundays.
The ms Rotterdam passing the ss Rotterdam in Rotterdam in 2011
There is even the option of a fast train, which is called the Inter city, and only stops at Schiphol Airport and there is the stop and start train which stops (nearly) at every train station along the route. That costs Euro 2.40 more but it saves up to half of the journey time. Although I was not in a particular hurry, I decided to go for the fast one as I was not going to make an in depth study about trains in Holland and certainly not about how the Dutch got on and off of them. (Preferably while arguing over the whose bike should go on and off, as Dutch trains are bike friendly)
The Green train coming in. With the middle section painted green. This one was making the longest journey you can do by train in the Netherlands: Maastricht (far south) to Groningen (far north), without changing trains.
While at Rotterdam Centraal Station I came across a new phenomenon, The Green Train. I had never heard of it but it turns out that the plan is to have all Dutch trains run on wind generated electricity by 2018. Now they have only a few and they are painted green. I do not see how they can run one specific train on green and the rest on the same overhead power supply on normal so I assume that it is just an indication that this green symbolizes the percentage of the Wind energy which is fed to the rail grid.
In 45 minutes I arrived at Amsterdam Centraal Station. I wanted to be early as this weekend there is the Gay Parade in Amsterdam; yesterday they had canal parade, when you can see pink things afloat that would normally sink, and today was the 2nd day with street party’s and other Dutch Mayhem planned. Everybody on the ms Rotterdam had been warned to allow extra time if travelling there as it was expected to be busy. But I suppose party people do not get out of bed at 10 am and it was nice and quiet around the station. I decided to walk with my suitcase as it is only about a mile to the Cruise Terminal. I was not the only one as I had to wade against the tide. A lot of disembarking guests (mostly Dutch and Italian) had decided to do the same and walk to the station for transport. Maybe that is why we do not have suitcases anymore without wheels. It saves on taxi costs!!!!
So by 10.30 I was on board as I had never been away. Now a nearly 4 week period will start on the ms Koningsdam. We will first do a 7 day cruise to Norway, then a 14 day cruise to Scotland, Iceland and Norway, and then there is another Norway cruise, which I will leave in the middle. You can book this cruise as a one week, or a three week, by adding a one week to the 14 day cruise.
Norse Legends and Northern Isles.
Whatever we plan for cruises, it always had one thing that you cannot plan for and that is the weather. There is a very strong storm going over the Netherlands today and this means that the Koningsdam cannot sail safely through the North Sea Canal (see my yesterday’s blog) and go through the locks. And thus the ship will stay overnight in Amsterdam and will sail tomorrow afternoon at 14.00 hrs. This means the original schedule cannot be kept and thus the port of Alesund has been cancelled and we only call at Geirangerfjord, Eidfjord and Bergen.
Captain in command of the Koningsdam is Capt. Darrin Bowland who is from Canadian descent and who joined us a number of years ago from Royal Caribbean. He is on the final part of his contract and by next time Amsterdam he will be relieved by Captain Emiel de Vries who will be returning from leave.
So the good ship Koningsdam will stay in Amsterdam overnight. I do not know if the guests are going to be happy but the crew certainly will as downtown is only a 15 minutes walkaway and we all expect the City to be heaving tonight.
August 7, 2016 at 9:03 pm
I continue to enjoy your blog every day. Hopefully, one day I will be on a Dam ship at the same time you are. In this blog, I was especially interested in your mention of Captain Bowland. My wife and I were fortunate enough to sail on the MS Amsterdam in Jan and Feb 2009, from Valparaiso to Rio, including the 3 day Antarctica peninsula visit. On that voyage, Captain Bowland was Chief Officer (2nd in command) under Captain Fred Eversen. And since I just dug out my old “Cruise Log”, I will add that the Chief Engineer was Hans Bloks and the Hotel Director was Hans Dernison. I believe Captain Eversen is still on the Amsterdam, alternating with Captain Mercer. Are Chief Bloks and Mr. Dernison still with the fleet?
August 8, 2016 at 10:45 am
Thank you for reading my blog.
Time goes on I am afraid. Mr. Hans Bloks retired last year after having made 50 years with the company (not many at sea manage to do that) and Mr. Hans Dernison retired about 4 years ago. But a nephew joined the company instead and is now working himself up the ranks. If he stays he may take over his uncle’s job sometime in the future.
Best regards
Capt. Albert
August 8, 2016 at 5:24 pm
Have been an avid HAL cruiser for many years—initial was the Westerdam in 1947 on voyage to the USA as a youngster. Was born in Rotterdam and especially enjoyed your entry from there. Have enjoyed reading your blogs for a few years and hope that you will continue to do them.
I also have a copy of your book—a copy which you signed when you were the Master of the Veendam in Dec 2004. As my grandparents lived just a short distance from the old HAL headquarters my Father took me along on many visits to the pier to watch the ships come and go.
August 12, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Thank you for taking me through the west coast of Holland by train, Captain. What I not learn on a blog about the life of a Captain at work!
Rotterdam has a special place in my life as well, posed for pictures across the old HAL Headquarters the odd time, worked there for a blue moon, sat by the riverside on my mid-week day off (for a blue moon), and kissed Holland goodbye from there for good.
You mentioned that Cpt Darrin Bowland is of Canadian descent. Is he “vernederlandst”? I seem to remember a photo with him and his wife, who seemed to have a typical Dutch name?