Nice weather in the Inside Passage often means fog but as the temperatures were not that high yesterday, we were lucky. I woke up this morning to a sunny Queen Charlotte Sound with nearly wind still weather and whales playing all over the place. I hope that at least some guests saw them. The last sea morning is normally very quiet as most guests recuperate from their shopping and sightseeing expeditions in Ketchikan.
Apart from all the guests going home in Vancouver, this is also my last day on the Veendam as I will fly home tomorrow. I have been on board for almost four months and it is time to see if England has not yet sunk under the waves. This has been an extremely busy contract with a lot of new environmental legislation to implement and a lot of new officers to train. The days that officers stayed for life, died out with my generation and as a result we have a constant influx of new officers with only a very few staying for their whole career. Good and qualified officers but as it takes about 2 years before you really understand a cruise ship operation intimately; it takes a lot of training to get them up to speed as quickly as possible. That is the same for all three departments, Deck, Engine and Hotel. Apart from learning their jobs, there is also the need to start preparing them at the same time for their promotion as it might come quicker around the corner than planned.
To put in my 2 cents of help, I conducted a 10 week Leadership in Action course with mid level officers. The company has a training course developed for this purpose and has trained several senior officers, including captains, to facilitate the course. Apart from useful it fun to do as you really learn to stay in contact with the way middle management see their daily issues. I had two groups with in total 14 people and upon completion we had a little graduation party.
This was my 25th year out of a career of 28th with the company that I sailed the Alaskan waters. Not always the whole season but in the early years I sometimes did. Thus on June 27th I had clocked up cruise 225 to Alaska, counting each week as a cruise. Unbeknown to me the Officers had dreamt up a little recognition for this and I was pleasantly surprised to receive a company flag, during the welcome on board introduction with the number 225 on it.
I am now finishing the season with number 230 and with still 15 years to go to retirement it will be interesting to see how many it will be; by the time it comes to say the final goodbye to Ketchikan. Sailing to Alaska is a mixed blessing. The scenery is awesome and it is always great to meet everybody again that you worked with in the previous years, some of them, whom I have known already for at least 15 years or more. However the weeks in between can be tedious, with the long standby’s, the unpredictable weather and the need to keep running a complete ship; at the same time when the navigational work is much more intense, compared to the Caribbean bus run.
Thus it will be great to go home. My relief has been digesting all my hand over reports while at home, “long live the email” and he will be standing on the dock at 0700 hrs. tomorrow. By 3 pm. I will be sitting in the air plane with a glass of wine in my hand. The first one since I joined the ship.
I am scheduled to return to the ms Veendam on October 14th. to do the 2nd part of the Trans Canal/Amazon cruise and will then take the ship up to Manaus. There are no whales on the Amazon River but they do have pink dolphins there, which just look like flying pigs when they jump out of the water. Why they are pink I will explain in October.
I would like to thank you all for reading my daily blog. I enjoy sitting behind my computer for half an hour each morning and reflect on the past day. There is always something to tell about the fascinating world of cruising with Holland America. So hopefully you enjoyed my little episodes and escapades with the ms Veendam and I will be back in mid October.
Safe sailing if you plan to make a cruise in the coming period and otherwise, drive carefully where ever your travels may take you.
July 24, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Thank you Captain!
I’ve truly enjoyed reading your daily blogs and will miss reading them. I’ll be on the Oosterdam beginning 8-16-08 and was looking forward to seeing what you had to say about the weather in Hubbard Glacier just prior to me being there. Oh well….you deserve a well needed vacation and break!! Have a safe trip and will look forward to your blog again in October!
Sue in Nebraska
July 24, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Captain,
We sailed with you in May of this year and had the distinct pleasure of meeting you and your wife during several of the events for suite passengers. It was also an opportunity for us to spend some time with your then EO Mr. Parks and our personal friend.
We have enjoyed your blog over these past months and look forward to sailing with you again. Have a wonderful vacation as you have well earned it.
Terry & Barb Green
Marysville, Washington
July 24, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Thank you for taking time each day to write your blog. Enjoy your time away.
July 24, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Captain Albert,
I have really enjoyed reading your blogs for the past four months. It was also our priviledge to sail with you this summer for two weeks. (June 13-27) While those two weeks may have been difficult you and your crew, it was outstanding and we truly enjoyed our cruise on the Veendam. I was most impressed with how well everyone pitched in and helped during those two weeks and the lack of complaining which I’m sure is a reflection of the outstanding leadership aboard the Veendam. I will look forward to joining the blog readers again in four months and look forward to any special articles you may write during your leave.
Jerrell
Kingsburg, California
July 25, 2008 at 3:00 am
Have a wonderful vacation. Get lots of rest, and know how much pleasure you bring to all of us who get up every morning and read your postings with our morning coffee. We will look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Bon Voyage.
July 25, 2008 at 4:29 am
Captain Albert:
My morning coffee will not be the same for the next few months. I have so enjoyed your daily updates, not to mention the education that I have gained from reading your very informative blogs…
Have a safe journey back to England and enjoy your well deserved time off. I look forward to October and your news from the Amazon!
July 25, 2008 at 5:17 am
Thank you so much for posting this daily blog. I sincerely hope that you enjoy your well-deserved vacation. I’ve learned a lot from your blog and appreciate even more the hard work that goes on behind the scenes on HAL ships. I can’t wait to hear about the Amazon.
July 25, 2008 at 6:55 am
Your blog has been part of my morning routine for so long. Thank you for the time you have spent sending this every day. We take things for granted when we cruise and don’t realize all the things you have to cope with. We were on the Veendam last January but unfortunately you were on vacation at the time. Enjoy your time off and am looking forward to reading more from you in the future.
July 25, 2008 at 9:19 am
Captain Albert
We wish you fair winds and following seas. See you in October and enjoy your break.
Roger T
July 25, 2008 at 10:10 am
Sorry you won’t be on the Veendam in three weeks when I begin my first cruise in Seward. This has really been a helpful, entertaining and informative blog. Enjoy your well-earned vacation!
July 25, 2008 at 10:25 am
Captain Albert,
I wish you a pleasant holiday, and have very much enjoyed your daily blogs. Have a safe journey home and I look forward to your return in Oct,
Regards,
Derek P
July 25, 2008 at 11:53 am
Have read and thouroughly enjoyed your daily posting since I discovered it a couple months ago when visiting the Eurodam Blog — have followed that one with interest as we already have a booking on her. Will sail in two days on the Volendam and miss you at the helm of the Veendam when we pass her.
One of my favorite travel pictures (it’s the screensaver on both my computers) is of the Veendam tied up at Quebec City during her 9-17-07 sailing to New York City. I’d love to forward it to you for your enjoyment if you’ll share with me the way to accomplish that.
Thanks again for the marvelous words from the bridge — Come back to sea fully refreshed!!
July 25, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Captain Albert
We have very much enjoyed your blog these past few months, all the more so as we cruised the Inside Passage on the Zuiderdam in June 2007. We shall miss your daily updates, it has almost been like taking the cruise again. We look forward to reading your blog when you return in October and would just like to add this Irish saying – ” May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back”. Enjoy you well earned break.
Richard & Denise Poole
Fareham, Hampshire , England
July 25, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge, observations, and sense of humor with us “landlubbers” each morning. I for one will be a bit disoriented by not having my daily dose of shipboard life!
Have a wonderful vacation, and we can’t wait to hear about the pink dolphins!
July 25, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Captain Albert,
Thank you for taking the time each morning to write your daily blog. We have truly enjoyed reading it and learned a lot from your information. We will miss the daily updates. Maybe will see you on an Alaska cruise next year! Enjoy your well deserved time off.
Jana and Nancy Arthur
July 25, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Captain:
As others have said, thank you for taking time out of your very busy day to write your daily blog.
I very much enjoy your explanations about the many details that must be attended to by yourself and the rest of the Veendam’s crew to ensure a safe and “seamless” cruise for the guests on board.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful time together.
Butch Maher
July 25, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Dear Captain Albert,
I have very much enjoyed your blog and look forward to your return in October. Have a great time off with your family.
Best,
Frank Brownie
July 25, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Have a wonderful vacation and will miss reading your blog. Mom & I will be doing the Eurodam, Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale in October. Last year we were with you on Veendam, Montreal to Tampa when we sailed without about 60 passengers. Talk about a cruise full of Tampa locals. I was out on deck above the Crows Nest when we came in under the Skyway bridge and was pretty psyched knowing we helped bring Veendam home for another season. But was bummed the bridge wasn’t lit. Know it stayed that way the rest of the season. Well, by the time you bring Veendam back to Tampa this fall and if all goes well (weather permitting) the work on the Skyway bridge should be done and will be lit up in her finest for your return.
R. J. Bean
Palm Harbor, FL
Over 19 years and 561 days of cruising on the ships of HAL
July 25, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Dear Captain Albert, I feel like I am going to be missing a good friend for the next few months but know you deserve and will enjoy your break away from such intense but also enjoyable work. Thank you so much for taking the time to write your really great log !
Sincerely,
Jan Knuth
July 26, 2008 at 3:41 am
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience and wit. We will be sailing on the Veendam in November and feel as if a friend will be at the helm. Enjoy your holiday.
July 26, 2008 at 4:00 am
Dear Captain – Hope you enjoyed your much needed rest. My son is one if your “nubie” officers and, since he rarely posts on his blog, it was great to read about the “wonders” of Alaska. Thanks again and bless you.
July 26, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Captain Albert,
Your comments, insights and vast knowledge have brightened my day so often I think it fitting that your last day in Ketchikan this round was marked by sunny skies. I will miss your subtle humor, as well. I plan to take my son on an Alaskan cruise and will make sure that you will be the Captain.
Smooth Sailing!
Eric Wood
July 26, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Thanks very much for all your time and effort in enlightening us in the art of cruising from a Master’s perspective, Captain! I always look forward to reading your daily blog because you make it so interesting!
Have a safe journey home to the UK tomorrow with mostly smooth air and enjoy your well-earned vacation!
Ik zie er naar uit om op 1 November uw hand te mogen schudden op de Veendam voor haar acht-daagse cruise in de Carib!
All the best!
John P.
July 27, 2008 at 6:25 am
Thank you so much for your blog! It’s been a great learning experience. My wife and I look forward to meeting you on the Amazon cruise. Again, thank you!
July 27, 2008 at 9:22 am
Thank you for all your fascinating reports. Have a relaxing holiday.
Jimmy in sunny Surrey
July 28, 2008 at 6:08 am
I have so enjoyed your daily blog. My husband and I will be on the Ryndam in two weeks and the info and comments you provided have made us look forward to it all the more! Enjoy your rest and hope to see you on a future cruise.
Best regards,
Kathie
July 28, 2008 at 7:42 am
Captain, let me add my thanks for an informative and interesting blog. I will miss your daily writings. Enjoy your time at home.
Lynng
July 28, 2008 at 11:25 am
I know you will enjoy your time off and I look forward to your future blogs. I’ve cruised twice with HAL but not Alaska yet so you have been educating me about it. I also am fascinated with the information you share with us regarding the running of the ship. I’ve learnt a lot.
Cheers until October
Elizabeth King in Toronto, Canada
July 28, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Thank you so much for the great cruise. We woke up early on the last day and photographed the beautiful sunrise. We saw hundreds of what we thought were dolphins. Were they really whales?
August 1, 2008 at 10:00 am
I just want to say thank you for your daily blog and thank you for a wonderful cruise. I sailed with you for the last two weeks in May and had the best vacation of my life. I’m sailing on the Veendam again in December and I’m looking forward to it. Thank you again and have a wonderful time off.