January 4, 2017 - It is great to be back on the ms Amsterdam.  Although we are going to different ports and countries on five continents on this beautiful planet, we are with mostly the same crew and many of our friends from our 2014 adventure.  Many of the passengers we have kept in touch with like Mike and Diane from Texas, Jay and Jean from San Francisco, and Maggie from Ohio.  Others we haven’t kept in touch with but we are delighted to see again.  It feels a little like a college reunion.   

The ms Amsterdam is the third ship to bear the name of the Dutch capitol in Holland America Line’s 140 year history.  Built in Italy, the Amsterdam blends the very latest in shipbuilding technology with the artistry, personalized touches, and superior service that has made Holland America Line one of highest rated cruise lines in the world.  

During the spring, summer, and fall the Amsterdam sails around the Pacific Ocean and to and from Alaska. During the winter she sails around the world.  

Our impressions of our ship, the ms Amsterdam, continue to be excellent.  The size of the ship appeals to us.  The ship is near its’ capacity of 1,380 passengers but it does not feel so. We are enjoying getting to know many of the passengers. Almost everyone is onboard for the full voyage and many have been on this voyage many times.  The ship travels a different itinerary each year and that is attractive to us and many travelers. 

We have seen the legendary Dolly!  She is in her 90’s and has extensively traveled the Holland America Line’s ships, mostly the ms Amsterdam.  At the end of this voyage she will have circled the globe 26 times.  She is spunky and very funny. She is the probably the source of the urban legend that many people live on a cruise ship.

Join us on the ms Amsterdam via this blog as we circumnavigate the globe on its 2017 Grand World Voyage.  You can find us in real time by googling “ms Amsterdam position”.