Hail to Captain Bas Van Dreumel

Captain Bas Van Dreumel photo courtesy of hollandamericablog.com

When I met Captain Bas Van Dreumel on the Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam on the transatlantic sailing last year, I was impressed by his warmness, professionalism and how often we saw him around the ship. He stopped to speak to us, and offered advice to our 19 year old niece about a career on the ship. What I didn't realize at the time, actually until today, was that I had sailed with this Captain twice before on the Eurodam, when he was the Chief Officer. 

Moises and me on the Transatlantic cruise

I love how Holland America gives us the cruise log at the end of the cruise. I often use that to remember where I was and when. Having sailed on the Eurodam frm Barcelona to Dover in 2011 and again doing the Med Glamour in 2012, I got to know the Eurodam and some of the crew quite well. On the Nieuw Amsterdam in 2014, my husband and our niece sailed with us on the Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona. We were in such capable hands. 

Dining staff on the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam

Our room sat on the floor under the bridge, in room 7008, and we got to see the goings on up their every day. It was fascinating to watch. I loved this room. We had a balcony room and the interior room right across, 7006. Everything about the cruise was amazing, including Lavinia from the Spa. She even did a tour with us to Gibraltar. 

Lavinia from the Spa on the Nieuw Amsterdam and Jimena our niece

I love Holland America line. I am impressed by the staff, the interior design, the cleanliness, the flowers and the fact that they focus on education and history, not non-stop partying. I cannot wait to go on my next cruise in June on the Zuiderdam to the Greek Islands!