#MikeTheViking is back and ready to sail the rivers of Europe! A Little Background Viking River is the world’s largest river cruise line, sailing on numerous rivers throughout Europe, Asia, Russia, and even Egypt. While I have sailed with Viking Ocean in the past aboard Viking Star, I’ve yet to experience what many consider the world’s […]
Holland America Line has accepted delivery of its first Pinnacle Class ship, ms Koningsdam, during a traditional handing over ceremony at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. The new ship was officially delivered to Holland America on March 31 and will soon be christened in the “home country” of Holland America Line, the Netherlands. During the handing […]
Viking River Cruises, the largest and most prominent river cruise operator in the world, has shattered their own world record for “Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company.” The previous record was held by Viking River Cruises for the simultaneous christening of 10 Viking Longships in 2013. Over a 24 hour period, Viking successfully […]
Ship Facts Year Launched 2010 Tonnage 86,700 GRT Decks 11 Passengers 2,106 Crew 929 Port of Registry Rotterdam, Netherlands Class Signature Discover Nieuw Amsterdam Dining The Nieuw Amsterdam offers guests a variety of dining options. From traditional dining in one of the ship’s two main restaurants, the Upper & Lower Vista Dining Rooms, or one of the ship’s three alternative restaurants, guests will have no problem […]
Morning: I decided to sleep in a bit the morning of our call in Cozumel. We wouldn’t be docking until 10 am, so we still had a few hours before we would even be allowed to disembark. After waking up around 9:30, it was time for breakfast. I quickly got ready and climbed the 6 […]
Morning: I awoke early this morning as we slowly approached the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. As we approached the island, our crew began to prepare the ship for tender operations. The tender lifeboats were lowered from their storage positions and lowered into the ocean. Soon, our tenders were circling the ship, prepared to bring […]
Morning: The day began as I woke up and looked out our balcony windows to see the blue ocean swiftly moving past us. Not wanting to lose a moment of the day, I quickly got ready for the day and made my way towards the Lido Restaurant. I have become a huge fan of Holland […]
Morning: I woke up around 7 am to the bright, warm rays of Bahamian sun streaming in through our balcony windows. I quickly made my way to the balcony and looked forward, catching a glimpse of Half Moon Cay’s crystal blue water. The tenders had already begun making their way over to our ship, so […]
Early afternoon: Our press group began embarkation at Port Everglades just before noon. Security and the health questionnaire checkpoint moved very quickly, thanks to the efficient setup on the first level of the cruise terminal. Next, we proceeded upstairs to check in. Check in was very quick, minus the minor wait for our room keys […]
Mike Faust, Editor of Cruise Currents, will be sailing aboard Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw Amsterdam for the Season 1 Dancing with the Stars At Sea Finale. The sailing will embark in Fort Lauderdale on January 12th and will feature a daily cruise journal written by Mike. The Itinerary Embarking in Fort Lauderdale on January […]
Yesterday, Viking River Cruises set a world record with the christening of 10 new Viking Longships. The first-of-its-kind simultaneous christening ceremony in Amsterdam debuted the ships – Viking Aegir, Viking Atla, Viking Bragi, Viking Embla, Viking Forseti, Viking Jarl, Viking Rinda, Viking Skadi, Viking Tor and Viking Var – and was certified by a Guinness World Records adjudicator as […]
It is now being reported that the river cruise ship, MS Gerard Schmitter operated by CroisiEurope, has suffered an electrical fire as it was sailing from Amsterdam to Strasborg, France. The ship was preparing to dock in Krefeld, Germany when heavy smoke was spotted spewing from the ship. The local fire department was quickly called in to extinguish […]