At Sea - November 04, 2012

In the early part of the 17th Century, Henry Hudson set sail from Holland in a tiny ship called “de Halve Maen.” His long voyage across the Atlantic heralded the beginning of Dutch exploration and settlements in the New World. During the century’s great era of Trans-Atlantic elegance, Holland America’s beloved Nieuw Amsterdam II (1938-1973) came to represent all the luxury, magnificence and splendor of that time. Holland America’s emblem shows the famous flagship alongside “de Halve Maen”. Together, these two ships symbolize the centuries old seafaring tradition of the Dutch and the long-standing friendship between Holland and America. Holland America’s most recent ship added to the fleet is the new Nieuw Amsterdam completed in 2010. She is 935 feet in length and has width or beam of 106 feet, powered by 6 diesel generators punching out a total power of 86,000 HP. She is propelled by 2 ABB Azipods for a total power of 48,000 HP. Fuel consumption on average is 33,500 gallons per day. Total guest capacity is 2,106 with a crew of 888. We are in some rough water today with the tops of the swell as high our window (one of the reasons we love this deck - really get the feeling of being right on the water). Cloudy with a but of rain but very warm, about 22 degrees. A relaxing sea day which included a collectors voyage cocktail party by the Lido pool. Posting was a little later than usual tonight as a result of a couple of seven different types of alcohol drinks called Wang Wangs. Pictures include Jan with our cruise director David Shea.