- Happy Days Are Here Again!
- Day 1, Bon Voyage!
- Day 2, The Endless Cruise
- Day 3, Black and Gold
- Day 4, Earthquake at Sea
- Day 5, Roseau, Dominica
- Day 6, Cook like a Lucian
- Day 7, Grand Gala Party
- Day 8, Devil’s Island
- Day 9, Sunday Brunch Sampler
- Day 10, Belém
- Day 11, Samba Sizzle
- Day 12, Tenor Terrific
- Day 13, Recife, Brazil
- Day 14, Gold, Glitz and Gleam
- Day 15, Selfies at Sea
- Day 16, Rio!
- Day 17 – A Carnaval Experience! (sorta)
- Day 18, Iguazu Falls
- Day 19, Iguazu Falls – Argentina
- Day 20, Walking to Buenos Aires?
- Day 21, Back Home
- Day 22, Montevideo
- Day 23, Black and White
- Day 24, Rock and Roll!
- Day 25, Falkland Islands -Almost
- Day 26, Drake Lake & Penguins!
- Day 27, Admiralty Bay and Deception Island
- Day 28, Neumayer Channel
- Day 29, Charlotte Bay
- Day 30, Super Fog on Super Sunday
- Day 31, Drake Lake – Redux
- Day 32, Cape Horn
- Day 33,Ushuaia
- Day 34, Punta Arenas
- Day 35, Sarmiento Channel
- Day 36, Paparazzi Night
- Day 37, Puerto Montt
- Day 38, At Sea, En-route San Antonio, Chile
- 2022 Grand World Voyage Survey
- Day 39, Valparaiso Artist Studios (San Antonio/Santiago)
- Day 40, Polynesian Cultural Ambassadors
- Day 41, Abba Fabulous!
- Day 42, My Sweet Valentine
- Day 43 – THE MAN THAT DOESN’T TALK
- Day 44 – Easter Island
- Day 45 – Cabin Crawl!
- Day 46 – 7 Billion Meditators
- Day 47 – Mutiny on the Bounty
- Day 48, Joie de Vivre
- Day 49, En Route Papeete
- Day 50, Papeete, Tahiti
- Day 51, Tropical Paradise
- Schedule Change Take #2
- Day 52, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- Day 53, Mardi Gras at sea!
- Day 54, Advance Clocks 23 Hours
- Day 55, Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
- MAJOR SCHEDULE CHANGE
- Day 56, Bowlers and Bumbershoots
- Day 57, Super Tuesday at Sea
- Day 58, Wine on Waiheke
- Day 59, Auckland Yarn Crawl
- Day 60, Parasailing in Paradise
- Day 61, Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Day 62, Straight Flush on the Flop!
- Day 63, Sydney Australia, Walkabout Park
- 2020 World Cruise will end in Fremantle due to Corona Virus
- Amsterdam Grand World Voyage Ends Early – Heading Home
- Day 77, Keep Smiling!
- Emilio Valle Rocks the Amsterdam Main Stage
- Day 78, The Long Road Home
- The Final Leg Home
- Alana Conway – Superstar!
Capt Mercer came over the public address system and gave us a preview of what we can expect in near future. He said everything will be in a letter delivered to our rooms, but wanted to give us what he knew ASAP so we could start planning.
Here are the highlights
ARRIVAL PERTH
Arrive Fremantle/Perth 7 AM on March 22, 2020. The ship has been cleared to dock in Fremantle. The ship will depart on the 23rd. We can stay in Australia up to 14 days.
MEDICAL WAIVER FOR NON FLYERS POSSIBLE
All passengers must get off. Those who can’t fly for medical reasons will be evaluated and waivers are possible, but waivers will not be easy to get. It sounds like your home Doctor must talk to HAL medical in Seattle. The details of the waiver process have not been described.
17 March Update – We received a new letter stating that medical waivers are no longer possible under any circumstances.
BOOK YOUR OWN AIR
Passengers must find their own way back home unless they had booked with HAL Air. HAL will reimburse air fare up to $1250 pp.
Free internet vouchers are available for those without unlimited internet. Free use of the Ship to Shore Phone is available – but you must stand at guest services while you talk.
I found economy flights to the west coast of the USA for around $700-$1000.
HAL will consider reimbursement of other travel expense – but the Capt advised – keep them reasonable.
OPTION TO LEAVE OUR LUGGAGE IN OUR CABIN
If we leave our luggage in our cabin, HAL will FEDEX them to our home upon arrival in FLL. This will be at our expense unless we have the free luggage perk – then those benefits will be applicable.
COMPENSATION
Option of 50% refund to our form of payment and 50% Future Cruise Credit.
OR
125% Future Cruise Credit. Some people thought this will be prorated – meaning we arrive in Perth on Day 78 or 60% of the cruise complete meaning we would get 50% of 60%. I didn’t interpret it this way, but we will see once we get the specifics in writing.
March 17 Update – Refund for full world cruise passengers is not prorated, but based on your base fare. Segment passengers are only being refunded for missed days.
I am so sorry to see your trip coming to an end as a result of this virus. I really enjoyed following your posts along SA as our big trip in 2021 is to circumnavigate South America on the Volendam. For now that does seem a bit iffy. The world is really in a frenzy over this virus. It is all people can talk about.
I wish you safe travels back to your home and extraordinary adventures in the future.
We are still planning on going from Singapore to Tokyo next January. I am confident things will be back to normal by then.
A wonderful blog coming to and end much too soon.
Thank you for all your work on this.: it has been a delight to see the [photos and read the commentary.
Also, thanks for the wrap-up info about the logistics of the end, compensation, air, etc. Always good to know how HAL handles this.
Awaiting your next cruise!
I have a feeling we are not done yet! We are still 5 days away from Fremantle
Safe travels. Hope your next cruise ends better.
Thanks. We are doing great here.
Pete, Thanks for taking us on this abbreviated world cruise. Your descriptions are great as are all the tips about each port. Fair winds and following seas as you return home.
Thanks Bob,
I was stationed in Barbers Point back in 1980 -1983. I was in AIMD but worked with all the squadron.
HAL is keeping its “family” apprised of what’s happening with all its ships.
https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/topics/news/holland-america-line-ship-disembarkation-update/?linkId=84518552
Thanks for the link