Monday 19 Dec
Early start with taxi to airport at 5am for 6am flight to Sydney. I was a good flight and the Aussie movie ‘The Cup’ was shown on the 3 hour flight.
On arrival in Sydney I caught the train from the airport to Circular Quay to board the ship. With my 4 star mariner status I was first to board the Ms Volendam.
It was so good to catch up with so many of the crew that I had met previously on this ship or other Holland America ships that I had sailed on. I guess you realise I on really love being on the ships and feel right at home. In the late afternoon Wayne arrived and joined me in the Crows Nest. I met Wayne earlier this year when we were both on the Amsterdam’s World Voyage
We met the 2nd Mate from the Amsterdam in the Crows Nest so we will get a bridge inspection on one of the sea days. I also found out I know the newly appointed first female Chief Officer on the ship is Catherine who was the 2nd Officer on this ship last year so it will be great to catch up with her again.
The Rev Bev who I also met last year on this ship is also back on board. She loved reliving the ‘Fr Pat’ story from my last Volendam cruise.
Having been a long day I called it an early night about 10 pm and had a fantastic 8 hours sleep.
Tuesday 20 December 2011
I awoke went up to the Lido for some green tea before doing my 2 mile walk around the deck. Sorry about talking in Miles but as it is a Yank ship they still talk in Miles. So after brekkie I caught up with Wayne and we set off for the Bridge climb, although we arrived an hour earlier to our scheduled time we were allowed to join an earlier group. So in the 3 hours we did the bridge climb, well worth every minute of it, It was awesome and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Sydney.After the climb it was back to the ship for a late lunch and a bit of a rest arvo. For sail away we were up in the Crowsnest taking advantage of all the spectacular views of this great harbour during happy hour.
The 62 year old body of mine was exhausted after the bridge climb so after an informal dinner in the Lido I called it an early night at 9.30pm. I slept for 9 hours on the so far calm crossing of the Tasman Sea.
Wednesday 21 December.
I started the day with my 2 mile walk around the deck then went up to the Lido for brekkie. The seas were still very calm with a slight swell. The outside temp has dropped down to the low 20C’s. I was surprised to be met at the Lido by Harry the Lido manager who insisted on giving me table service. Harry was on the Amsterdam on my Alaskan cruise 2 years ago. The Lido is a self service bistro for casual dinning, so I must have looked like Lord Muck to other passengers being waited on by the boss man and all the time he was calling me ‘Sir Pat’.
I had an easy morning then went to lunch in the dinning room. As a four star mariner I was invited to a complementary wine tasting after lunch. These tastings are always heaps of fun.
I made the 4pm Happy hour in the Crows Nest but I couldn’t drink Guinness because others wanted it and all the Guinness had been reserved for me so I had to wait till they had left the bar before I could drink the Black stuff. In NZ they hope to get more Guinness so others can have it. I had a few XXXXGold instead. It was a formal night but we elected to go to the Lido for informal dining. However as we wanted Alaskan crab legs my friend Harry arranged for us to sit with the officers as it was not on the menu for the Lido. Boy oh boy they sure look after me, we had the crab legs and I got an extra plate so I could take it up to give the boys working the Crows Nest and it was greatly appreciated.
On my last cruise I spoke very highly about my good mate Peder the Beverage Manager on the Prinsendam, well I met his counterpart Joanna on this cruise. What a great lady she is and I look forward to many meetings with her.
I called it a rather early night at 10.30pm ish.
Thursday 22 December 2011.
It was a bit too cold wet and windy to do the deck walk this morning and I didn’t get out of bed until 7.30 am I just went up to the Lido for brekkie. Harry was there to meet me and between him and his boys I was waited on again. Yes, I love it, but sometimes I like to go over and see what is there for myself.
On the way back to my cabin I ran into some more folk that I had met on previous cruises. I have come to the conclusion that I would never be able to be incognito on a Holland America ship as someone from the crew or fellow guests would claim me.
The 4 Star Mariner’s reception then followed by the Mariner’s brunch took up from mid morning to early arvo.
The weather has improved with the sun trying hard to come out, the wind and the sea has settled down so after an hours nanna nap I did my laps of the deck before going to Happy Hour in the Crows Nest.
At 7.30pm I attended the 4 Star Mariners Cocktail party with the Capt and the senior Officers.
Friday 23 Dec 2011
I awoke to a beautiful clear calm morning as we approached Milford Sound, wow what a contrast to my visit here last February when it was very windy cold and wet. I took some great photos from the top of the ship. After lunch I had a 2 hour nanna nap before going up to level 7 forward deck for the entry to Doubtful Sound. We were so lucky to have had such a perfect day. Then it was off to happy hour in the Crows Nest which was crowded with folk taking advantage of the views and not having to go to an outside deck. I had dinner with Wayne in the Lido before an early night. Wayne has been lying low for the past 2 days as he has had a cold. He hopes to be sparking on all cylinders by tomorrow.
Saturday 24 Dec 2011
We arrived at Stewart Island and had a tender transfer to the back of the island then had a 20 minute very steep hilly walk to the little town of Oban. I was so pleased with myself having lost over 12kgs since my last visit here last February in the way I handled the hills. Last time little old ladies were passing me as I had to stop many times to try and catch my breath. This time I breezed over the walk with no problems at all. We went to the little pub and after 2 beers walked back to the ship.
After lunch I had another 2 hour nanna nap to prepare myself for the Christmas Eve festivities. Happy hour for the sail away then dinner and back to the crows nest. Just before midnight Wayne and I called it a night. After leaving him at his deck I ran into some other Aussies who were heading up to the special midnight snacks in the atrium on level 5, so back into the lift to join them. As I wasn’t hungry I popped my head into the theatre where Midnight Mass was just starting so I stayed for Mass. Then it was back to the Crows nest for a night cap and I called it a night at 2am.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
The Bridge visit was great although some of the oldies on the tour asked some very dumb questions. One old bloke asked is the Capt. allowed to go ashore when the ship is in Port and if he did would he only mix with the Captains of other ships? 
The bridge visit overlapped with Happy Hour but the boys had reserved our seats and had our drinks ready for us. New Years Eve was a formal night so I made the effort to put on the glad rags. The lobster for dinner was done to perfection and a great meal. We saw the New Year in up at the Crows Nest, I called it a night about 2ish. It was a great night.
