Today is our first day at sea on our way home to Fort Lauderdale. As it is nice weather on the North Atlantic we taking the outside route sailing north of Puerto Rico and eventually the Bahamas. There is what we call an inside route and that is sailing north of Cuba and south of the Bahamas it is more sheltered as most of the route is protected by the Bahamian Islands, sandbanks and reefs which will blunt most of a North Atlantic storm. But it is longer and thus it is preferable to go outside. Also for sightseeing there is no reason to choose the southerly route as there is nothing to see. Cuba is too far to the south and the Bahamas are so low that you have to be lucky to catch something even with a pair of binoculars. The sun is shining and we have the wind on the starboard quarter and that makes for a warm day on deck.
So today is a nice opportunity to blog about the ship as the Nieuw Amsterdam is as far as the inside is concerned a sort of bridge between what was the standard on the Vista Class before and what will be the new standard on the Koningsdam. Moving away from an abundance of antiques and darker paneling to a lighter interior and more contemporary art. There are still antiques to be found but less than before and there is an increase in more modern sculptures but it has been done in such a way that it blends in nicely with the interior and all in good harmony.
I am quite proud to state that I had a hand in two items which are on display. First of all about 15% of my HAL photo collection is on display in the hallways on all decks. I guess about 75% of all the photos of Holland America’s history on view come out of my collection. (Including the one I posted a few days ago and I did not even know that they had THAT one as well) It looks a bit strange to walk around and see the photos out of your album blown up to 3 by 2 feet on each wall and every 30 feet. Still I see a lot of guests looking at them with intent and interest so I am happy to have being able to make the photos available.
Around the sitting area there are several displays with memorabilia relating to the Nieuw Amsterdam II of 1937.
The second item has more of a story to it. It is the model which is now on display in the portside of the Crows nest, what they call the “captain’s corner”. The model of the ss Nieuw Amsterdam of 1937. This model has a long history. It is a “Dubbeldam” water line model and a whole series was made of all the passenger ships in the 1950’s when Holland America changed from a Black hull to a Grey one. The exact number is unknown to me but they were made to stand in the window displays of the main company agents. It is called a waterline model as it supposed to look as if it is sailing and it can be lit from the inside. At night it must have drawn quite a bit of interest from people walking by in the days before television.
Apologies for the reflection in the glass. I have not mastered that one yet with a digital camera.
Some of these models remained with the company and on display in the main office. When the Nieuw Amsterdam (III) came out in 1983 it was donated to the Officers of the Nieuw Amsterdam by the then time President of the company Mr. Nico van der Vorm and placed in the Officers Bar. And there it stood until the ship was sold in 2000. There were quite a few people who had great interest in pinching the model to take it home but as I was the one who was boxing up all the antiques, I boxed that one up as well with the idea to find a nice place for it on one of the other ships. In the end I kept the model with me each time I changed to a new command, as I could not find the perfect spot. On each ship it was on display in the Atrium. Noordam, Maasdam and then the Veendam. I must have been the only captain in history to have travelled around with a six foot ships model in a custom made sailor’s trunk.
When it was announced that the sister ship of the Eurodam would be the next Nieuw Amsterdam (IV) it made sense to offer the model for display on board that ship. And so it happened, the model was sent to the shipyard and installed in the Crows Nest. I do not think I will be with the company anymore when this current Nieuw Amsterdam is retired but I hope there will be a bright spark then who will see the sense of transferring it again to the next Nieuw Amsterdam. Who knows.
Tomorrow we have our second day at sea and then we are in Ft. Lauderdale. Human Resources in Rotterdam have completed the list of the six new navigators assigned to my class and if they are not getting lost, I will see them on Sunday.
February 12, 2016 at 7:41 pm
I have cruised on Nieuw Amsterdam on three occasions and I never tire of examining your photo collection. Beyond the beautiful ships, the autos on the piers and surroundings are a chronicle of my late 30’s – 1950’s boyhood. Thank you for your unique contribution to my cruising experience.
Wouldn’t it be great if you and HAL published a DVD or electronic book of the collection?
February 13, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Thank you for reading my blog.
My advise would be keep asking for it, maybe the company will then do it. I have all the material available.
Best regards
Capt. Albert
February 13, 2016 at 5:31 am
Is there any material relating to the ms Nieuw Amsterdam(iii) onboard as well?
February 13, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Thank you for reading my blog.
Thusfar the only thing I have found is the painting from Steven Card in the Forward Passenger Staircase and a number of my photos in the corridors. Some of the artwork of the NA III is on display on the current Noordam but I have not found anything yet on this ship.
Best regards
Capt. Albert
February 13, 2016 at 12:55 pm
It is such a joy to be able to receive your interesting, daily writings again ! They have been my companions during this whole first year of Pancreatic Cancer survival and recovery! Thank you for the time and efford you spend every day, to teach us something new, like what goes into a safe tying up at dock, even though we have seen it many many times : really had no idea at all !
My question today has to do with the Zika virus: how much impact might this new virus have on the cruising industry in general, especially on the many sailing itineraries that could potentially expose guests and crew. How far does the protocol you have implemented against Noro Virus go towards keeping Zika at bay ? Since Zika is potentially transmitted via routes much more diverse than Noro, is it even possible to have a reasonably effective protocol? Will you teach it as an addition to your existing classes ? As guests we are aware of just the tip of the iceberg of the effords undertaken by the Line and each Captain; learning what is ” below the water line” would be quite informative.
Thank you !
Almuth.
February 13, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Good morning,
Good to read that things are going well.
The company has issued a complete Zika protocol of what to do when we come in area’s where
these mosquito’s might be, how to recognize the symptoms and what to do about it. For regular crew, we can protect ourselves in the same way as we do with “other mosquito’s.
For pregnant ladies the company has set up a protocol in accordance with the WHO guidelines and the medical department on the ships has been fully briefed and brought up todate, and kept up todate, about what is going on on a daily basis. So we are very much on the alert but as of this moment the company does not have to take any drastic actions.
Thank you for reading my blog
Capt. Albert.
February 13, 2016 at 3:49 pm
THANK YOU for keeping up with the history of Holland America. I am a huge fan and appreciate the effort and work you put into the project. It’s a major reason we sail with HAL.
February 22, 2016 at 7:37 pm
Bravo Almuth; that was just short of a miracle. Congratulations!
Captain, which model have I seen displayed in the Atrium of the Veendam? Was that the same as in the photo of this blog? Was it 6 foot long!
February 23, 2016 at 6:18 pm
yes it was. It looks smaller on the photo but it is six feet long.
Best regards
Capt. Albert
February 23, 2016 at 5:41 pm
Captain Albert
I just returned from a 7 day cruise with my wife, celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. We were aboard the Eurodam. I am curious if you can help me.
I noticed that there are many fabulous historic photos of Holland America Line and the people who worked for and visited them over the past 60-70 years. I am a 30 years old Canadian. My Opa, Paul John Droppert worked for Holland America Line as an Accountant at the head office in the Netherlands during the 1950’s. He is turning 91 this year.
I have a fantastic photo of him standing in front of one of the ships in Port while docked in Holland and I think it would be a fabulous addition to the collection as one of the many beautiful photos that already line the walls where the staterooms are located. In addition, I think it would be a wonderful gift to present my Opa on his 91st birthday: a photo of him on a ship (regardless of how obscure the photo may be). He was/is very proud of his job there and of the company. In fact, that is the MAIN reason I chose the Holland America Line. It was because of my Family’s History with the company. I have to say, every expectation was exceeded and we absolutely loved it. We will definitely be sailing Holland America Line again soon.
Please let me know if you would be interested in viewing this old photo, as I would love to email it to you, and see if my “idea” is something that could possibly come to fruition.
Thankyou sincerely for your time,
Bryan William Droppert
February 24, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Good morning,
Thank you for reading my blog and for viewing the photos of which many come from my collection.
Yes I would be very interested to see this photo. If you can send a scan to CaptAlbert1@aol.com, which is my hobby blog then I could have a look. I would certainly be willing to try to get it on display somewhere if suitable, although it might take some time to accomplish it if at all possible, but I am certainly interested.
Best regards
Capt. Albert