Grand Africa voyage – At Sea

October 17, 2022 narrative by Jack Cummings , photos by Barbara

The Zaandam’s first port of call after leaving Fort Lauderdale is a beautiful port of Funchal (Madeira) Portugal. Barbara and I visited this port 10 years ago on the beautiful Prinsendam as seen inn the following photograph docked in the harbor.

Barbara is traveling with a party from the Cruise Specialists out of Seattle currently being led by their host Tom Mullen. We first met Tom in 2007 when we’d sailed on the Holland America ship Amsterdam on a 64 day cruise from Seattle to San Diego. That was our first grand adventure and it remains such a treasure in our minds of the people that we met, places that we saw, just the overall experience was incredible.

I just can’t believe that Tom is still been doing this after all these years and I am so glad that Barbara is in his company. I’d love to know how many cruise days in his log, and how many air miles he has accumulated.

Every evening on Holland America cruises when your room steward makes up your room here she will leave the program for the next day as pictured here:

For our readers who have never been on a grand cruise with Holland America or maybe one of 30 days or longer, there are so many activities offered to keep you busy and giving you an opportunity to meet your fellow passengers and form a bond. Barbara has chosen to do crafting where they make jewelry of all sorts in picture here is her latest creation.

And… Tai Chi

This morning Barbara sent me the latest position of the Zanndam available from a channel on the TV in her stateroom .

I was hoping to hear from Barbara before now but apparently they’re busy getting ready to go ashore in the next port of call, stay tuned.