Remember when we sailed up this river, using 3-4 hours. Starting around 5 AM. All the twist and turns as the river snakes and bends? Then it turns out it is still another hour before we are there. Again, because of the river is not straight up and down.😁 rgds Sailor Kai Ståle Ødegård Continue reading Up Saigon river….
This picture is, as most will recognize, taken from the Bridge over the Corinth Canal, in Greece. This transit was always a spectacular happening, for Passengers and crew alike. The picture was taken by our ship’s photographer. But I had the opportunity to be with him that time, which was the only time I was allowed to do that. The “towing lines” you see on … Continue reading Corinth Canal.
Working on a cruise ship, is more than just pretty uniforms with a lot of gold stripes on your shoulders. The days can be very busy with a lot of stuff happening. And contrary to what urban myths tell you, Cruise ship offices need to take part in dozens of various job activities, which is not always that fancy. The pictures in this little blog … Continue reading A regular day on a cruise ship.
Today’s picture is of myself and one of the ship’s deck hands, Mr. Ramon Cabugon. Ramon (from the Philippines) later on became the ship’s Bosun (Boatswain). The reason why I always remember this picture, is because it is one of the first ones after I went over to a new type of work (from the Navy to Cruise industry), where I seriously can say I … Continue reading Today’s picture.
The picture I want to show today, without to much explanation, is one of my absolute favorites. The picture was taken when we were in Alaska with my job, a cruise ship. This is what one call a perfect shot. Look at that color on the ice which was floating in the bay, in front of the glacier. Ice blue! Pictures like this, always remind … Continue reading Today’s picture.
The newly stretched Star Breeze for Windstar Cruises is undergoing her first set of sea trials for Windstar Cruises having become the first of three ships to undergo the company’s $250 Million Star Plus Initiative. The stretching job at Fincantieri saw the addition of a new mid-section with 50 new suites, two new restaurants, new engines, and additional upgrades. The total capacity of the expanded ships will … Continue reading First Look As Newly-Stretched Star Breeze Leaves for Sea Trials
If you ever have been on a cruise, you will most likely know about the phrase “Tender Operation”. And you will remember this with not always the most happy memories. Although, many can find it interesting, by observing how the Crew perform this service. This can be the most smooth operation ever, or a very rough operation which will sometimes be stopped due to the … Continue reading When a cruise ship use the tender boats – Tender Operation.
Just a little listing of the ships I have worked on, over the past decades. They have been my homes away from home, and I have the last 25+ years probably spent 15 years away (onboard) and 10 years home (ashore). First one out, was the M/V Seabourn Pride, working for Seabourn Cruise Line. Next one out was the M/V Seabourn Legend. A ship that … Continue reading My homes away from home, my ships in my career.
Although most cruise ships always seek out the areas with the best weather, and the best seasons as well, bad weather will once in a while be unavoidable. When that happens, it can become a really bad experience for many of the passengers and crew members as well. Some will be put off in regards to cruising, for the rest of their life, and some … Continue reading When a cruise ship experience bad weather.
During all the years I have worked on cruise ships, one question which has come up again and again from friends and family members, is how it is possible to work on a cruise ship, and at the same time have time off to see the world. How is it that one can work full days, and still have the time and energy to be … Continue reading To see the world, while you work on a Cruise ship.
The picture you see above is by me, and it is taken in Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma) back in the mid 90s. I had just started out in the Cruise Industry, after 11 years in the Navy. I was very excited about this new job. And little did I know where this new job would bring me the next 25 years. Let’s have a look … Continue reading Sharing some cruise related pictures.
The South Pacific and other tropical areas created some memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. Of course this was not only fun and games, because in the end of the day we were there to work and provide a service for the passengers. Let’s have a look at some pictures. A deckhand and myself, in Vanuatu, prox 1996. Moorea, … Continue reading South Pacific islands.
Blue ice. Seabourn Pride. Continuing the voyage. As already posted previously in series of blogs, I had signed on in Piraeus, Greece, and we sailed through the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, Malacca strait, Singapore Strait, Gulf of Thailand, and South East China Sea. Calling numerous of ports. We re-located to Alaska and BC for the spring and summer season. Sailing … Continue reading To Alaska
Dry Dock mode. A few years ago. 😁 Once in a while a ship must enter a Dry Dock. A dry dock is a place where the ship will stay for a certain period for maintenance, repairs, new constructions, and inspections which can only take place when the ship is out of service (off-hire). There are international requirements in regards to how often certain types (and … Continue reading When a ship enters Dry Dock.
The picture was shot by Chief Engineer Arvid Joakimsen, and sent to me. In parts one and two, I talked about the Engine Department and the Deck department. And in this part I will write about the by far biggest department onboard, the Hotel Department. After all, as already mentioned, it is a hotel on keel. With all the different types … Continue reading The various jobs on a cruise ship, part III.
Seabourn Pride at anchor in Halong bay. After we had been to Halong Bay and finished with South East Asia, which had included Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, it was time for the final leg of this absolutely amazing (and everyone’s favourite) cruise. And for me, being in this part of the world for the first time in my life, it was … Continue reading The journey continued to Hong Kong.
At anchor overnight in Halong bay. The town of Hon Gai in front of us. Then we were heading to a place I really had been looking forward to. The world famous Halong Bay (or Ha Long bay), in northern Vietnam. A bay dotted with small and big islets which seem to have been growing up from the bottom a long time ago. I … Continue reading Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Local dock workers having a break. We had just visited the exciting city of Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, which is the official name, and heading down the Saigon river again. And next stop would be the city of Da Nang, a big fishery port and later on a stop in the commercial port of Haiphong, in the northern part of Vietnam. And once again, exciting … Continue reading To DaNang, and a stop in Haiphong, Vietnam.
I had just visited Thailand for the first time in my life, and what an experience that had been. Amazingly enough, it was more or less what I expected, the good and the bad included. Having read a lot about Thailand before we got there, since I have always been a History & Geography Buff. But still, so many new impressions to take in, and to … Continue reading Vietnam next.
To exotic Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. I even got a tan. After a very stressful day in Singapore, where we would have a “turn around” day regularly for the next 4 months, with change of pax (and some crew), spare parts received, provisions received, and services, it was time to start a new cruise. It is normally a bit tired crew after such a … Continue reading To exotic Thailand
The Traveller 