13 April 2008, Tampa.

It was a lot better than last time at the Tampa sea buoy. Nearly wind still weather instead of the 50 knots of wind we had during the last call. So it was a very pleasant ride through Tampa bay docking just before 6 am at the terminal. The wind did try to spoil things on arrival, while the ship was swinging around in the turning basin, by gusting up to 20 knots, but did not really affect the docking that much. It was only harder to control the stern of the ship as the funnel acts as a big sail and you have to be on the alert when suddenly the stern starts drifting. With a steady wind blowing you can find a balance and hold the ship steady but with gusting winds, the only thing you can do, is react quickly to any movement observed.

Today we tested our “silent disembark” procedures for the 3rd time with great success. Thus far everybody had to listen to the announcements of the cruise director on arrival and then march off the ship when the group color was called. We have now been sending a letter to the cabin, which states the time of disembark and do not make any announcements at all. It creates a much more pleasant atmosphere on board and the guests do not have to be on the alert all the time waiting for the next announcement. The time on the paper, is the time you leave. It has worked great here in Tampa and the program is being rolled out on the other ships as well. The success of the program depends a little bit on the lay-out of the terminal, with the guests flow towards immigration and the baggage area, so we do not know yet if we can do it in each change over port. Our next challenge will be Vancouver. Here in Tampa is worked very well.

With a change of route or relocation of the vessel, there always seems to be a larger crew turnover than normal and today it was not any different. So a lot of happy faces in the morning, eager to get off, and a lot of sleepy and jet lagged faces coming on board at the same time. When the new crew comes on board, they have to go through a whole indoctrination program before they are allowed to start working. At 13.00 hrs. all of them, including spouses, assemble in one of the rooms for a mandatory instruction. I normally welcome them first, as the team leader of Team Veendam, I think it is important that all the crew knows who the “driver” is and then we have short speeches from the crew purser (paperwork) the ships nurse (NLV and medical issues), the Security officer (behave yourself….!!!!) and then a safety movie is shown, detailing all the basic shipboard routines. Most crew know these things from their previous contract but it is mandatory that they get a refreshment. Crew new to the company also have buddies; experienced crewmembers who look after them until they know their way around.
The safety indoctrination has a follow up the next day, when the new crew is taken around the ship and shown how to operate fire screen and watertight doors and other safety items. Crew whose environmental certificates are expired, go with the Environmental Officer to the ships training room for computer based training and testing.
When all of these requirements are met, the crew is allowed to start working.

We left Tampa on time, heading for the Panama Canal via Grand Cayman and Cartagena. Our 19 day journey has started