I felt the title of my first posting for our next adventure is appropriate because the last time we sailed with Captain Halle T. Gundersen, and the crew of ms Prinsendam those were the exact words he used to get the attention of passengers, at the beginning of his 1300 hours daily “at-sea” report. So “It’s Us Again”.
I would also need to give Holland America credit for the photo in my header. That will be image one would see of us arriving in Istanbul on the 5th of April.
Leaving the port of Fort Lauderdale next Monday, we will spend EIGHT glorious days at sea as we make our first landfall; Funchal (Madeira) Portugal. This island port is a days sail from the southern shore of mainland Portugal and a visit to Portimao..
Holland America has given this cruise the title of “36-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage“. IF you wish to peek ahead at our full itinerary you will find it at http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?destCode=W&voyageCode=P215B or just Google the the title of the cruise. I will be posting more as we visit the ports. In the past we usually pre-selected shore excursions for each port, but for this cruise we will be doiing most of the ports on our own. Of the 19 ports we have scheduled excursions in only Cadiz, Spain, Mgaar (Victoria), Malta, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey, and Odessa, Ukraine. Barbara has completed tons of research for each port, so we are fairly certain just how we want to “attack” each city, leaving our options to do a ships tour if we choose and seats are available.
We booked this Grand Voyage through Cruise Specialists out of Seattle, with Debra Dickerson as our agent. Debra guided us through the Asia Pacific Cruise in 2007 and the South America/Antarctic in 2009. She is the best. The icing on the cake for the “Grand Med” was finding out the Lucia and Henk Barnhoorn would be our Voyage Ambassadors. We sailed with them to the Antarctic and they are also the best. On SEA DAYS from 11:00 to 12 Noon, Lucia and Henk host chat times in the Explore’s Lounge, which we have found to be a great time to meet others.
We look forward to sharing our experiences with you and please feel free to add comments along the way.
Jack and Barbara – Prinsendam 2012
Cummings Family Adventures 
Bon Voyage, Jack & Barbara! I look forward to following your upcoming adventure. My vicarious packing is almost complete!
Thank you Nick, We wish you and your mom were coming with us – we will be sure to look up Bob. Do you know what his S/R # is? We got kissed by the U/G fairy from an inside on the Dolphin Deck to 388 Main Deck. We are thrilled 🙂
Jack and Barbara – Prinsendam “Grand Mediterranean” 2012
Wish we were sailing with you, too! Mom is doing so well now! (Me, too!) Bob was just upgraded to Cabin #155. He is thrilled, too!