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Meet the Captain of the Largest Ship in the World

Captain rob hempstead will chart more than 4,000 nautical miles in one journey..

As Royal Caribbean’s newest (and largest!) ship, Symphony of the Seas , prepares to set sail from Barcelona, Spain, to idyllic Mediterranean destinations, we’d like you to meet the man at the helm—Captain Rob Hempstead. Captain Hempstead has sailed with Royal Caribbean International since 1999, and has served as Master aboard six ships since 2005 making him well prepared to sail Symphony. “After working at sea for more than 30 years, I’ve never once wished for another life of less excitement, exploration and adventure,” he says.

Captain Hempstead was born on the coast of Rhode Island, a famous sailing state. He first went to sea as a young boy with his dad, who carried on the family tradition of setting out to sea. There was never a doubt that Rob would someday set sail too, and in 1986, he graduated from the California Maritime Academy and accepted his U.S. Naval Reserve commission. Though he’s now on the largest cruise ship in the world, his career began with the U.S. commercial fishing fleet in the frigid Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean.

After nearly 14 years of fast-paced fishing worldwide, Hempstead changed course and joined Royal Caribbean. “Fishing entailed a lot of rough weather, harsh conditions, stress, no sleep and hard work,” he says. “Now, I get to work with the greatest crew on earth!”

Here’s a look at the newly delivered  Symphony of the Seas –and the captain’s favorite destinations, tips for making the most of our newest vessel, and what it’s like to dock a ship of this proportion.

Why are you excited to be the startup captain of  Symphony ? 

Symphony  is the fleet’s newest addition to the family, and it is an honor to be appointed her first captain. She will be our fleet’s new flagship, and to have a hand in her success is a great privilege and responsibility.

Can you tell us about any of the new navigational technology aboard  Symphony ?

We will have the latest hardware and software produced in the industry.  Part of the process of working on “a startup ship” is helping to adjust the bridge layout to ensure it fits our purpose. During sea trials, I had the opportunity to work with the various navigation equipment vendors, who are on board for testing, calibration, and training.

What have been some of your favorite destinations while sailing? Any favorite coastlines?

There are so many. To name a few: Nawiliwili, Kauai ; Champagne Bay, Vanauatu; Sydney, Australia ; Hobart, Tazmania; Ville France, France; Labadee, Haiti; and anywhere in the Caribbean ! My favorite coastlines are Southeastern Alaska and the whole North American Pacific , New Caladonia, and the Greek Islands.

Are there special accommodations needed for sailing and docking the world’s largest ship? 

Because of Symphony ’s configuration, we have to use cameras during certain evolutions due to our limited visibility.  We also post officers at both the bow and stern areas to monitor distances using range finders when maneuvering in close proximity to hard objects like piers or moored ships, to verify our onboard sensors. Generally speaking, due to Symphony ’s size—1,188 feet long, 215.5 feet wide—we must be very precise in planning and executing any maneuvers. The world’s ports are roughly the same size as they’ve always been, with a few exceptions made just for us, so we have to handle Symphony with the greatest care to get her to fit.

Thank you, Captain Hempstead! Click here to learn more about Symphony of the Seas and book your own adventure at sea on board our most exciting ship yet.

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Meet the Ship’s Captain and Staff on Your Cruise

Now you are surrounded by uniforms and Cruise Ship Staff. But how do you tell who is who? Let’s meet the ship’s Captain and Staff. Of course, the first give away is the name tags. They usually tell you what kind of officer they are and even what country they hail from. The true clue to the level of power or authority they have on the ship is by looking at how many stripes are on their epaulets.

Four stripes is the top of the power chain!  The stripes start at the four and change depending on their rank. The top is Captain, Chief Engineer, Hotel Manager, Staff Captain, and Staff Chief Engineer. Then it goes down from there, three stripes, two and a half stripes, two stripes, one and a half stripes to one stripe. There is nothing more embarrassing than talking to a crew member for a few minutes only to realize after that you are talking to the Captain!

Marine Staff versus Hotel Staff

Imagine that the jobs on the ship are split in two. One side is the actual working and sailing of the ship, the marine side and the other side is the one that keeps the passengers happy, the hotel side. Everything that is important to the running of the ship is handled by the marine staff. From engine to electrical, navigation to itinerary changes, the Captain and his staff oversee this.

Now, when it comes to the rest; the entertainment, the cabin upkeep, the Cruise Staff running bingo, the dining room and all the food, this all falls under the Hotel side of the ship. However, Captain trumps all ! In the end, the Captain is responsible for the security of his ship and the satisfaction of his or her passengers. So, the Hotel Staff will always defer to the Captain when it comes down to any major issue.

When you are on a ship where the staff is happy it makes all of the difference in the world. A Captain friend of ours on one of the largest cruise ships in the world once said that he told his staff they need to say hello to each other every time they pass in the halls. This taught all of them to have respect for every stripe and every position on the ship whether a one strip or four stripe. It was the friendliest and happiest ship we had ever sailed.

The Ship’s Captain and Old Time Cruising

There is nothing for us more important than trying to hold on to the traditions of classic cruising. We have noticed that the larger the ship’s get the harder it is for first-time cruisers to understand what that means. So we would like to share it here so that you can truly enjoy the beauty and elegance of cruising. Take time to get to know the staff. Whether it is the Captain, Hotel Director, Chief Engineer if you see them around the ship say hello.

In general, they are quite friendly and relish a passenger that knows their value onboard. Who knows! You may get a special invite to dine with them, or get a private tour of the bridge! Remember, you are on a ship, not in a hotel.  Wardrobe! To really feel a part of classic cruising, try and show respect in the dining rooms and on Captain’s Night by upping your wardrobe.  Even if that means just blinging out your nights with accessories, do it!

Getting chosen to dine with the Captain

It is an old time cruising tradition to invite a few passengers to dine with the Captain, or Master of the Ship, on every sailing. One challenge is that the Captain usually only dines at the Captain’s Table a few times on each cruise. So with only 20 people given this opportunity on any given sailing and having 3000 or more passengers onboard, how do you win that lottery?  Each cruise line has a different way of choosing the guests on each sailing.

Quite often the Cruise Line pulls the guests off of their roster of repeat passengers. The more you have sailed, the bigger chance you have of being chosen. Okay, we are spoiled. We have sailed so much and gotten to know the staff on so many ships that we are often given this honor.

Other times it could be given to a group leader who has brought a large group aboard. It is the thank you to them for their patronage. Another time it might be a lucky couple celebrating their 50th anniversary! Usually, it is the Pursers Staff, Guest Relations, or Ship’s Hostess that invites the guests. You can ask your Travel Agent to send a special note to the cruise line to request this honor for you.   No guarantees, but it’s worth a shot. Or once you are aboard, seek out the Chief Purser or Hostess and ask if it is even possible. If you don’t get to dine with him, you may still get invited on a bridge tour.

Dining with the Captain – Protocol

The elegance and protocol of dining with the Captain is like no other experience on the ship! It will usually start with either a small cocktail party with only the guests attending so they may meet each other before being seated, or they will gather you all together outside the dining room a few minutes before dinner. The reason being is that you will be led into the dining room and to the Captain’s Table in style.

All the other guests seated nearby will be watching to see who is seated with the Captain. On one sailing we were all led by the Captain down a huge winding staircase in the center of the room as the piano played. Talk about an entrance! Next, the Hostess will seat you in the exact seating arrangement they have chosen. If you are dining with the Captain and you are a couple, do not expect to be seated next to your mate. It is customary to split up couples around the table to ensure a more inclusive conversation. Then the Captain will arrive if he was not at the cocktail party before. They will have everyone rise until he is seated. Of course, once you are seated, they may get you right back up to take a group photo! A ship’s photographer will place everyone where they want you to get a memento photo.  It is usually done at the very beginning of the meal while all of the napkins and the table still look untouched. Next, the wine is poured and the orders placed.

Expect a lovely menu with all the Captain’s favorites. Do not take a sip of the wine until he has made his welcome toast. This holds true for starting to eat your bread or the courses yet to come. Remember to not start eating any course until everyone has been served their plate. When in doubt of any proper protocol watch the staff member dining with you and you will not make a fool of yourself! You will know what to eat, drink and when. If you are given this amazing honor, remember to send a thank you note to the Captain the next day. Etiquette!

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Shauna and Bert’s Take Me With Wish List

Shauna’s favorite accessories to dine with the Captain 

Bert’s favorite accessories to dine with the Captain It is such an honor to dine with the Captain that I want to look my best. Sometimes I wear a hand-tied bow tie and other times a nice dark silk tie. I bring cufflinks because I like to wear a formal shirt when the Captain invites us. I want to look the very best I can for Shauna and when the Captain shakes my hand, I want to feel pride in the way I present myself.  

Dining with other staff members

Though you may not be asked to dine with the Captain, you could be invited to dine with other Staff Members or Officers. This is equally an honor! Often the Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, Hotel Director, Chief Purser and more invite guests to dine with them. The service you receive from the dining staff is spectacular. And the envious looks from the other guests are momentous. But most of all, it is a chance to experience the human and personal side of the people who work so hard on the ships. You learn about their families and what it is like to be away from them for so long. You hear cruising war stories and get to experience the “insiders view” of cruising. We have been very lucky.

Many Staff that started as dinner hosts to us became our very good friends. So often we would sail with our Hotel Director friend that it was like going home to family. One of our favorite moments was when we boarded a ship and a Staff Captain we knew greeted us in the hall so excited to share that he was now Captain! Needless to say, we dined with him on that cruise! Often when you meet a staff member it is like a snowball effect of amazing opportunities you are offered. Bridge tours, backstage tours, special wine, and chocolate covered strawberries delivered to your cabin and invitations to private events. Get to know the staff. It will change your cruising experience! But mostly, you will make some new friends.

Buying the staff drinks

The next great opportunity to get to know the staff is to invite them for drinks one night. Certain staff are allowed in the guest lounges and others are not. This tends to break down between who are Crew and who are Staff or Officers. The Cruise Staff, Pursers Staff, Shop Staff, Salon Staff on most ships are allowed in the lounges after a certain hour at night. The Captain’s Officers are always allowed. It is fun to find the lounge that they congregate at in the evenings. There is always one!

After dinner, cruise the lounges until you see a group of “Stripes” together. Say hello. If you are really generous send drinks to them. There are cliques of staff that socialize together. You can spot them a mile away. The Dancers and Entertainment/Cruise Staff are the liveliest and often found in the music lounges, or comedian’s shows. The Officers are reserved and usually spotted in a classy, quiet lounge. Get to know them, without infringing on their time off. Respect their space, but say hello. It will make your cruise truly memorable!

Notes or gifts for the staff

We always drop a note to the Captain and Hotel Director on boarding day to say hello and tell them we are happy to be sailing with them.  All you have to do is take it to the Guest Relations or to the Purser’s Desk (depending on what the ship is calling it) and ask them to deliver it for you. Very often we bring small gifts that represent us, or where we are from! Gifts can be something special from your home town, or from your work.

For years we brought homemade Rum Cakes! All of the ship’s staff got to know us as they shared it at night. “Oh, you are the Rum Cake people”! That changed when the restrictions on the Captain’s drinking came into play. We realized we had been bringing rum cakes for the Captain and he was not able to eat them! One year we brought Girl Scout cookies for the staff as they can’t get them at sea. Another time we brought books on the old Classic Cruise Ships. We have seen people bring taffy from their home town or chocolates from their favorite shop. Whatever it is, know that it will be appreciated.

- Captain Albert's Website and Blog -

Ocean liner history and stories from the sea, past and present. with an in depth focus on holland america line.

• About the Author
• Holland America Time Line 1872/2023
• 2024 June 11 to 22 Silver Spirit to Ireland and around England & Scotland
• 2024 May 03 – 10 Queen Anne Maiden voyage
• 1 An Outline of the History of Holland America Line Part 1
• 2 An Outline of the History of Holland America Line Part 2
• 5 An Outline of the History of Holland America Line part 5
• 6 An Outline of the History of Holland America Line part 6
• 3 An Outline of the History of Holland America Line Part 3
• 4 An Outline of the History of Holland America Line part 4
• 1872 Deddes, Evert Jan. Biography pending
• 1872 Hus, Jacob Leendertszoon
• 1874 Chevalier, Everhard Martinus.
• 1874 Janzen, Jacobus.
• 1878 Lucas, Theodore Mari.
• 1879 Bonjer, Frederik Hendrik
• 1881 d’Hamecourt, Jules Louis Arnault.
• 1882 Bakker, Geert.
• 1884 Zee van der, Herman Coene.
• 1889 Bruinsma, Bote Gosse.
• 1891 Duit, Wibrandus
• 1893 Landman, Godfried W.C.
• 1901 Baron, Jan.
• 1901 Heuvel van den, “Piet” Pieter.
• 1909 Jong de, Sievert Jans.
• 1909 Lieuwen, Jan Klaas.
• 1910 Bijl, Johannes Jacobus.
• 1911 Jochems, Anthony Bernardinus.
• 1912 Dulken Van, Johan
• 1912 Hartog, Heijs Bernard.
• 1912 Korver de, Cornelis
• 1914 Filippo, Abraham.
• 1914 Pauw, Klaas
• 1915 Hazewinkel, Jan Abraham.
• 1917 Dekema, Anton (Anthony or Anthonij)
• 1920 Burger Jan.
• 1921 Sjerp, David
• 1921 Wepster, Jan Pieter
• 1924 Buhse, Gustav.
• 1926 Gast C. H.
• 1926 Kooijman, Cornelis Gerard.
• 1926 Molier A.H.J
• 1927 Datema, Roelof.
• 1929 Augspurg, Victor Hugo
• 1942 Ruygrok, Bernardus Ludovicus Josephus
• 1943 Hertogs, Levinus Johannes.
• 1943 Löhr, Hans Wilhelm
• 1945 Drost, Gerrit Jan.
• 1948 Brands, Rens
• 1948 Haagmans, Cornelis.
• 1949 Snelleman, Cornelis Marinus.
• 1954 Bakker A. Biography pending
• 1954 Dulk den H.F
• 1954 Scale, Georg.
• 1956 Gemert van, A.M.
• 1957 Diehl, Johan Valentin.
• 1958 Brandenburg, Henricus J.
• 195x Blokland van, Henricus F.T biography pending
• 1962 Abelskamp. Johannes Reinier
• 196x Bak, Dirk.
• 1973 Almekinders Louris
• 1973 Hodenius F.F.J
• 1996 Bos, Peter
• Bakker, Willem Biography Pending.
• Balen van, W.H.
• Barendse, George J.
• Beek van, Cornelis.
• Best, Jan Jacob.
• Boerdam, J. biography pending
• Boshoff Jan Pieter Jr.
• Boshoff, Jan Pieter (Sr.)
• Bouman, Coenraad
• Braun, Reinier Wilhelm.
• Brouwer, Piet Eilts.
• Busser, Theodoor
• Buuren van, C. Th.
• Coerkamp, E.J.
• Coerkamp, R. biography pending
• Coster, C.H.P biography pending
• Couvee, B.J.
• Cuneus, E.H.J. biography pending
• Dalen van, Dirk
• Dekker, Jan Gerrit
• Dekker, Jan Pieter.
• Deventer Van, Hendrik Leonhard. biography pending
• Dijk van, A.
• Dijk, Wiebe Jacob
• Dobbinga Jr., Folkert Hendrik. biography pending
• Dobbinga Sr., Folkert Hendrik.
• Doelings, F.H.
• Driel van, Freek Hendrikus.
• Drukker, J.S.
• Elst, Cornelus Jacob
• Ent van den, Pieter Cornelis
• Erp van, F.W.
• Eulderink, Willem Hans. biography pending
• Faber, Johannes W.
• Gaart van, Johannes B.
• Geldtelder, P.
• Goot van der, Herman Cornelis.
• Graaf van de, Leendert J.
• Graaf van der, Leendert
• Greidanus, D.E.
• Grippeling Th. P.F.
• Heine, August C.F.
• Hemert van, Willem.
• Herbschleb, George Chretien.
• Herk van, C.
• Herk van, Jozias
• Hess, Adriaan (Ad)
• Heymans, Edouard Guillame Adolphe.
• Hoeksema, Geert.
• Hoenderdos, Cornelus A.
• Hoeven van der , P.
• Hogervorst, Hendrik “Hein”
• Hollander, C.
• Hoven van, P.
• Jaski Thomas.
• Jong de, Auke
• Jong De, Pieter H.
• Jonge de, Gerard Johan.
• Jonkers, Johan Anton.
• Jumelet, Jacob
• Kievit de, P.
• Kimmerer, W.
• Kleijn, C.N.
• Kleywegt, Cornelis biography pedning
• Kok, Gerard Cornelis.
• Koning de, Jacobus.
• Krijt, Samuel Jacob.
• Krol, Watze
• Kruithof, Nicolaas Pieter
• Kunst, B.J.
• Kup de, Christoffel Johannes
• Lagaay Jr., Anthonie H.
• Lagaay Sr., Pieter
• Lambert V.O.S.
• Liebau, Jacob A.
• Lunenburg, Walterus Franciscus Theodorus
• Lutz, George,
• Maazen, Bartholomeus.
• Mensonides, klaas.
• Metz, Jacob.
• Mohr, Gunther Johan Hendrik Herman. biography pending
• Moliere, A.H.J
• Moree, Willem Pieter Jacob
• Noordt van der, Jan Willem.
• Oldenburger, H.
• Ponsen, Willem.
• Posthumus, Dirk.
• Pothof, Jacobus Christiaan
• Potjer, Aldert.
• Potjer, Andries.
• Reedijk, Jan Anthonie Johannes
• Reifferth; Max Adelbert Joseph.(Josef)
• Riemens, Leonard A.M.
• Rijnink, Lambertus.
• Roggeveen, Adriaan.
• Rol, Cornelus.
• Roosendaal van, “Jan” Johannes
• Schoo D.K biography pending
• Schoor van der, de Boer. Wilke
• Schottee de Vries, Jan.
• Scott, John
• Scriwanek, L.M.J.
• Simons, W.C.
• Slierendregt, Pieter.
• Sluys van der, Johan Willem.
• Stamperius, Jacob Matthais.
• Stenger, Geert.
• Stuffers, Cornelius.
• Stuut, Teunis.
• Swaan, Martinus Eduard.
• Taat, Jan Hendrik Willemszoon.
• Terpstra, Tjalling J.
• Timmer, Th. J.
• Timmermans, Antonie Cornelis.
• Tirion; Cornelis Hubertus – Biography in progress
• Veldheer, H.K.L.
• Verhoog: Pieter Hugo Gerardus
• Vermeer, Jan Hendrik. biography pending
• Vijver, J.G. biography ending
• Vis, Gerardus Johannes. biography pending
• Visser, Barend Cornelis.
• Visser, Cornelis.
• Vlietstra, Siebe.
• Wabeke, Cornelis Dirk. biography pending
• Walraven, Bastiaan Carolus. biography pending
• Welters; Donald
• Werkhoven van, C.A.A.
• Westra, Hendrik Berend.
• Wijers, Dirk Cornelis
• Witt de, Dirk
• zzzz Captain Pieter Bant
• zzzz Captain Ane Smit
• zzzz Captain Bart Vaartjes
• zzzz Captain Bas van Dreumel
• zzzz Captain Chris Norman
• zzzz Captain Colm Ryan
• zzzz Captain Emiel de Vries
• zzzz Captain Eric Barhorst
• zzzz Captain Frank van der Hoeven.
• zzzz Captain Friso Kramer Gezegd Freher  
• zzzz Captain Kevin Beirnaert.
• zzzz Captain Marco Carsjens.
• zzzz Captain Noel O’Driscoll
• zzzz Captain Paul Adams
• zzzz Captain Robert Jan Kan
• zzzz Captain Ryan C. Whitaker
• zzzz Captain Steven Albert Macbeath
• zzzz Captain Werner Timmers.
• zzzz SEATTLE: Capt. Rik Krombeen.
• zzzzz Captain Arno Jutten
• 1871 Rotterdam (I)
• 1889 Veendam (I)
• 1920 Burgerdyk
• 1920 Warszawa
• 1922 Dinteldijk (I)
• 1993 Maasdam (V)
• 1997 Rottterdam (VI)
• 2000 Amsterdam (III)
• 1 Prinsendam (II) 2002 – 2019 Part I
• 2 Prinsendam 2002 – 2019 (II) Part II
• Faces of the ms Prinsendam (II) Officers and crew of the final ships voyage (307)
• 1906 Nieuw Amsterdam (I)
• 1938 Nieuw Amsterdam (II)
• 1983 Nieuw Amsterdam (III)
• 1872 Ariadne
• 1922 Veendam (II)
• 1973 Veendam (III)
• Photo gallery: Faces of the Engine Department.
• Photo gallery: Faces of the Hotel Department
• Photo gallery: Faces of the Veendam Deck Dept.
• The Holland America Line recipient of the Presidents Leadership award
• Veendam Employee of the Month of December 2008
• Around the world at Seventeen
• A Gentlemen’s cruise to the opening of the Kieler Kanal
• A Cruise to the Mediteranean
• The earliest cruise on record
• The First Real Cruise ship
• The First ever Mass market Cruise Ship.
• MS EURODAM (I)
• MS NIEUW AMSTERDAM (IV)
• MS NOORDAM (IV)
• MS OOSTERDAM (I)
• MS VOLENDAM (III)
• MS WESTERDAM (II)
• MS ZAANDAM (III)
• MS ZUIDERDAM (II)

The Holland America Line Fleet

Under this sub directory you will find a series of biographies of current HAL captains and their schedules.

Please note this dates and assignments are subject to “extremely” much change, dates will vary as captains have to attend many more training classes than was usual in the past and those trainings are sometimes assigned at the last minute when space is available at the training centres.

Last Updated: 16 June 2023.

I have updated the schedule as much as I can.  However changes in between the monthly updates are not always reflected tin the companies schedules.

Some well known names will be missing as they are on leave, or retired or left to explore other opportunities. Also some HAL captains are currently having assignments with Seabourn.

Captain Mark Trembling until 17 June 2023.

Captain Joost Eldering from 17 June 2023 onwards.

Koning sdam:

Captain Robert Jan Kan from 13 May 2023 onwards.

Nieuw Amsterdam :

Captain Jeroen Donselaar from 26 March 2023 onwards.

Nieuw Statendam 

Captain Noel O’Driscoll until 18 June 2023.

Captain Eric Barhorst from 18 June 2023 onwards.

Captain Antony Adams until 25 June 2023.

Captain Marek Zoll from 25 June 2023 onwards.

Captain Rens van Eerten from 15 May 2023 onwards.

Captain Werner Timmers from 17 June – 09 Sept. 2023

Captain Bas van Dreumel from 09 Sept. – 03 Dec. 2023

Captain Henk Draper from 06 May 2023 onwards

Captain Wouter van Hoogdalem from 13 March 2023 onwards

Captain Ane Smit until 14 June 2023

Captain Frederik Carsjens from 14 June onwards.

Captain Friso Kramer until 28 May 2023 onwards

FleetMaster:

For me, Captain Albert Schoonderbeek:  I retired in April 2023 after nearly 42 years with Holland America and 44 years at sea.

I am currently busy with  writing the companies history for 2023. The initial idea was to publish one book, but as there is so much to tell about our glorious history this has now been expanded to 5. Part I was published on 30 January 2023. Part II was published on 18 April 2023, the birthday of our company. Part III is currently in progress and together with part , IV and V should all by out before Christmas.

Currently assigned to Seabourn:

Captain Timothy Roberts

Captain Joris Poriau

Captain Bart Vaartjes.

Captain Sijbe de Boer.

Captain Jeroen Schuchmann

149 Comments

September 29, 2015 at 5:35 pm

I am Looking for Capt. John Scott, thank you. Sincerely, John T. Schmidt

September 30, 2015 at 1:02 pm

Thank you for reading my blog.

Information will eventually appear on the blog sub directory. For the time being, subject to change, he should be on the Eurodam, sometime in October. Best regards

Capt. Albert

March 3, 2022 at 2:32 am

Hi Captain Albert Hope you are well

I am Looking for Capt. Chris Norman or who is the Captain on Zaandam on 2013-2015, thank you. Sincerely, Michael kelly Dizon

March 3, 2022 at 9:49 am

Good morning,

thank you for your comment. Captain Chris Norman left the company last year. to pursue insterest outside Holland America.

Best regards

October 18, 2015 at 3:56 pm

HAL history ships past and present. Should be made available onboard I would really like to read it but there does not appear to be a Kindle edition which would be great for onboard reading

November 6, 2015 at 5:31 pm

Captain Scott was amazing took the time to go through his career starting with the Union Steamship Co. NZ. His random act of kindness will never be forgotten by both my wife and I whilst on a Caribbean cruise, wonderful PR.

November 16, 2015 at 5:42 pm

It’s as good as filling in the blanks on the “Current Captains and their schedules” blog sub directory, Captain! How nice to know a little more about Captain Rens van Eerten who also had been in the flying business for a short while. Did you know that, Captain? I testify that he flew at the speed of light when I saw him come back to Vancouver one Alaska season with 4 stripes on his epaulette instead of 3. Next thing I saw in the HAL blog is that he had 5 stripes on his shoulders! Is he holding up well, Captain after his travel at the speed of light? And, may I please one more time, Captain?? It is too tempting to pass on this opportunity … Have you been blogging since 2004 or thereabouts?

November 17, 2015 at 3:11 pm

I started in March 2007, but first for a magazine called the Avid Cruiser. Then Holland America pulled me in house. All the blogs are in the archives, right from the beginning.

Best regards Capt. Albert

November 19, 2015 at 10:16 am

Will you still be on the Westerdam on the 5 Dec 2015 cruise? Enjoy every one of your posts. They are so informative and give insight to things that most passengers do not know.

November 19, 2015 at 5:15 pm

Yes I will be, see the response to the email of your wife.

November 27, 2015 at 7:21 am

Hi Captain Albert, I am still enjoying your daily blog and it makes me feel as if I am travelling with you.

I , all being well , will be joining Rotterdam on 31 January 16 for cruise to Singapore. Looking forward to the experience as have previously sailed on Amsterdam.

Are you able to advise me as a matter of interest who will be the Master of Rotterdam.

November 27, 2015 at 4:02 pm

Thank your continious support.

If nothing changes then the captain should be Marco Carsjens. Together with Capt. Hans Mateboer he is one of the two regular captains of the ship.

Safe sailing.

December 3, 2015 at 9:46 am

Hi Captain Albert, thanks for the information. Time is now running down fast for me as it is only 59 days before I embark on Rotterdam. This means 56 days before I leave Cape Town for Dubai. Really looking forward to the cruise and visiting the interesting destinations especially Yangon.

Thanks again for all the most informative blogs, really part of my daily routine. Good sailing, Best regards

June 25, 2017 at 1:30 pm

Hello Captain Albert , I always enjoy reading your blogs , the subjects you talk about and explain add so much to our total cruise experience . We will be back on the Volendam late September and all of October , could you tell me please who will be her Captain . Thank you , Tony

June 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm

Thank you for reading my blog. I had a schedule on my website but with the recent turbulence in the HAL Blog world, that section has not been restored yet. But if nothing changes: until 15 October it will be Capt. Frank van der Hoeven. after that it is not know yet, as we have another musical chair situation coming up with captains moving ship. If they revive that part of the blog again I will keep updating it. So please have a look late summer.

August 20, 2017 at 9:01 pm

Hi Captain Albert, I have in my possession my father’s ‘Monsterboekje’ (Zeemansboek). It only has a few entries in it, but it states that he crewed on the Veendam as a Koksmaat/butcher 22 April 1938 and again 3 Juni 1938. I assume it was on the Rotterdam to New York route based on what he told us. Is there anywhere I can find out more about his service with HAL or other companies? A history of employment seems to indicate he was with HAL Sept 1937 to Feb 1940. His father also crewed on HAL, but I have no records of his service other than what my father mentioned years ago. In Sept this year I’ll be sailing on the Ms Nieuw Amsterdam from Vancouver, maybe one day I’ll get on the Veendam.

August 23, 2017 at 3:52 am

thank you for reading my blog. Yes it is possible to find out more things, as he will have a personal file which should be held in the HAL archives. If you can send me a email on [email protected] with the exact names of your father and grand father, as spelled in their seamans books or other hal paper work, and roughly their sailing dates, I can have a look for you during my next visit to the archives.

September 1, 2017 at 9:07 pm

Was a. student at the Ruyter Merchant Navy Academy in Vlissingen The Netherlands as several HAL captains did.I am booked on the Eurodam for a cruise on September the 30 th 2017. Captain John Scott is o/b but is there a chsncce that Captain Werner Timmers would be o/b at the end of the month ? Captain Albert thanks a lot for your information H.Roestenberg

November 11, 2017 at 11:45 am

Together with my husband Henk Rosenquist I had a wonderful cruise on MS Koningsdam (stateroom 5028) leaving Rome October 3r. arriving in FLL on Oct. 18th. 2017. Our captain (mr. Darrin Bowland) informed us on the last day of some funny details regarding this trip (o.a. how many bottles of wine, pizza’s, toiletpaper etc.) were used. At that very moment we were on deck and I had no pen/paper to register all this info. On earlier cruises we found this info on the day of departure in our cabin. As I am in the process of making a digital photoalbum of this unforgettable journey I hope you can inform me about as much info as possible. Thank you very much. With kind regards Maria Rosenquist-Veen.

November 15, 2017 at 12:08 am

As of today I have not found Sybe de Boer’s assignment. I will be on the Prinsendam March 12 through May 5, 2018. I would love to meet you as I enjoy your daily descriptions of all the different ports. Already signed up for Antartic 80 day trip in 2019. Just not read your article on the Panama Canal, going on that cruise Dec. 20 thru Jan 4 in a few days. Thanks

February 7, 2018 at 12:42 am

With our cruise to the Pacific on the Noordam ending on March 28 we will complete six cruises with Holland America, the only line we have cruised with. For four of those six cruises we will have had Captain Peter Bos. I can already hear him saying “Wash those hands!” I know they all say it, but no one can say it quite as he does. Although we only catch a glimpse of the captain occasionally, and may hear him speak to a group on just a couple of occasions, we like him as Captain and are looking forward to seeing (or at least hearing) him again.

April 1, 2018 at 2:56 am

Being on the last cruise captained by Peter Bos was a great pleasure.

April 14, 2018 at 8:59 pm

I enjoy reading about whatever Captain may be guiding the ship that I will sail on, but I can’t find this one. Captain Arno Jutten 11 Augustus 208 – 15 October 2018. We will be on the Maasdam, joining in Montreal on August 18, 2018. It would be interesting to know something about him. We have sailed with Holland America many times beginning in summer 2000 on the Statendam, which we learned was her last season before being sent elsewhere. Now we are pleased that this fall our arrival in Fort Lauderdale on the Maasdam will complete a circumnavigation of North America for us. Last summer we were lucky to traverse the Northwest Passage (with a competitor), thus making this circumnavigation possible.

In 2007 we were on the Veendam’s spring repositioning from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice, which I believe was the occasion of your first blog. It was fun to read about our trip when got home, from a different perspective.

April 15, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Your wish is my command and I have uploaded a short bio under Current Captains. A more elaborate Biography will come when I sail with Captain Arno, which should be sometime next year.

February 9, 2020 at 7:07 pm

Geachte Captain Schoonderbeek, bij toeval ontdekte ik Uw blog aangaande de actuele plaatsing van HAL kapiteins op de verschillende HAL schepen. Al geruime tijd zoek ik het schip waarop kapitein Emiel de Vries het bevel voert. Wij kennen hem als een zeer innemend iemand en volmaakt gastheer tijdens de “doop-reis” van de Koningsdam. Wij weten dat er een confrontatie is geweest met zijn uiterst sympathieke echtgenote en een passagiere die regelmatig volstrekt ongepast gedrag vertoonde tijdens deze reis en meerdere malen ook met andere passagiers conflicteerde. Wij willen al langer een reis boeken en zoeken dan steeds het schip waarop kapitein de Vries het bevel voert. Dit is niet gelukt en onze vrees is dat hij het slachtoffer is geworden van de zeer onaangename situatie waaraan hij en zijn lieftallige echtgenote part noch deel had. Hierin past de situatie dat hij thans in Seattle een “kantoorfunctie” heeft, maar ik hoop van niet!!

February 9, 2020 at 8:50 pm

Mijn dank voor de interesse voor mijn blog.

Kapitein Emiel besloot verleden jaar om een positie op kantoor tenemen, om wat meer thuis te zijn met de opgroeiende familie. Dus voor de komende tijd is hij niet meer op de schepen te vinden. De situatie die u beschrijft heeft daar gelukkig niets mee vandoen. We komen als kapiteins in zoveel vreemde en bizarre situaties terecht, met leuke, nare, vreemde en exentrieke mensen dat de rederij altijd aan de kant van de kapitein zal staan. Hopeluk vindt U een alsnog een cruise die naar genoegen zal bevallen.

June 15, 2018 at 5:19 pm

Greetings Captain!

Would you (could you) confirm that Captain Harm-Jan Arnold will be the Master on the ms Rotterdam for the Voyage of the Vikings (July 18th – August 25th, 2018)? I am assigned as the priest/chaplain for that cruise. I have a question for the good Captain and Master. Would it be proper for me to contact him by e-mail? And if so, would you be able to assist me with his correct e-mail address?

I enjoy following you on your travels via your blog.

Safe travels and God speed, (Fr.) Roman

July 15, 2018 at 12:06 pm

Where is Captain Baijens?

July 16, 2018 at 9:17 am

Captain Baijens is currently at our simulator in Holland in Almere as an instructor. He will return to sea again later this year.

February 12, 2019 at 12:19 am

I love reading your blog. Glad to see you’re back for a while. Is Captain Van Der Loo still around? He was the Captain on both of my Oosterdam cruises in 2008 and in 2011.

February 12, 2019 at 12:23 am

thank you for reading my blow.

Yes he is, he is in the office as Director compliance responsible for controlling the company safety database.

February 18, 2019 at 1:05 am

Where is Captain John Scott? (He doesn’t appear to be on the Eurodam anymore, or anywhere on your list.)

Who will be the Captain of the Zuiderdam from April 2019-June 2019?

February 18, 2019 at 12:14 pm

Good morning

thank you for reading my blog.

Captain Scott is on leave, and I do not have his next sailing dates yet, hence the listing is incomplete.

On the Zuiderdam you will have Capt. Wouter van Hoogdalem.

February 26, 2019 at 3:23 am

Thank you for the information on Captain Scott & Captain Wouter van Hoogdalem.

We enjoy reading your blog. You are currently on the Zuiderdam sailing on the same cruise that we will be doing in April ( plus a couple of more on a back-to-back cruise). It is interesting reading about the cruise we will be on before we’re on it! (We learned that for us to go through the locks going both ways, we need to stay on the ship & not get off on a tender.) Thank You!

April 15, 2019 at 1:47 pm

Capt. Wouter van Hoogdalem is my favorite Captain. Friendly, and so charming.

December 22, 2019 at 11:05 pm

Agreed! We love him!

April 28, 2020 at 2:34 pm

We had Captain Hoogdalem on the ms Zuiderdam in Nov. 2016, but we never got to meet him. He should now be on the Koningsdam.

February 20, 2019 at 4:31 pm

I think this page reverted to an older version. When may we expect an update?

Thanks for your hard work!

February 20, 2019 at 10:31 pm

At the moment I can only update who is currently on board. so I am waiting for the future schedules to be listed again in our internal system and as soon as that happens, you will get the whole thing again.

March 21, 2019 at 11:50 pm

Yes. I am waiting for the newest assignments. Anxious about the July 30 trip “Voyage of the Vikings”, and also back on the Nieuw Statendam middle of October. Thanks (you do a great job my friend)

May 12, 2019 at 6:11 pm

Hello Captain On my 31st Wedding Anniversary my wife and I will be on MS Volendam on the penultimate day of our first Alaskan Cruise . My wife’s maiden / family name was CURME and I understand that the Curme Islands AND Ray Rock are located in Desolation Sound. Can you please let me know if ( assuming we are standing in the right place on deck ) we will be able to see either or both sites from MS Volendam . It would be a wonderful surprise particularly for Paulette , my wife , if she could see the Curme Islands and ( I think ) an added bonus if she can see how close they are to Ray Rock – A twinning that was obviously preordained in the mists of time.

Your reply to this inquiry is eagerly anticipated and will be greatly appreciated .Thank you once again . Ray John

May 19, 2019 at 10:00 pm

Unfortunately you will not be able to see the islands. If you do a google search for the Curme Islands and then click on the map which will appear then you can see that these little islands are obscured by Mink island which in turn is obscured by some other islands. For the exact time, you have to listen to the announcements of the captain. He normally announces what time the ship goes through Seymour Narrows. Northbound you will then pass the area 90 minutes before that time and southbound approx. at the same time, maybe a little bit earlier. Northbound on the starboard side, Southbound on the portside.

I hope this helps, sorry to dissapoint you but I hope that you will have a wonderful cruise and congratulations with you anniversary.

June 22, 2019 at 5:56 am

We are sailing on 24 June with the Koningsdam nice to see Captain Werner. We see him several times on the Eurodam.

Regards ,Peter and Sylvia Huijgen.

July 23, 2019 at 5:36 pm

Hello Captain Albert, I noticed that the newly promoted Captain Paul Adams (he was on the Eurodam for a short while as Staff Captain while we were on board) has not been assigned to any of the ships. Has he transferred to another cruise line in our bloc ?

July 24, 2019 at 12:29 am

No he is on leave, and will then return to the Staff Captains function waiting for the next opening. We just retired the Prinsendam and one cndaptain from there has to be re-assigned (Captain Schuchman) and our last captain on loan has returned from P&O Australia and is now also assigned to the HAL Fleet. So Paul is in the waiting room.

July 24, 2019 at 5:27 pm

Thank you for your reply Captain Albert.

July 24, 2019 at 2:05 am

Don’t see Fred Everson on the schedule in the future. What gives?

July 24, 2019 at 3:26 am

Captain Eversen is on leave reducing his accumulated leave days. And will eventually return into the rotation.

July 24, 2019 at 6:01 pm

Great! Thanks for the info. Hope he enjoys his long vacation.

August 8, 2019 at 2:13 pm

Of the 9 cruises I’ve done with HAL I can remember the captain I sailed with on all but one of them. Is it possible to find out who was the captain of the Eurodam on 1 December 2013?

August 11, 2019 at 4:43 pm

the captain who was on board on 01 Dec. 2013 on the Eurodam was Captain Emiel de Vries.

best regards

August 12, 2019 at 5:14 pm

Thank you Captain Albert.

I do remember that you were our captain on the Statendam for a Panama Canal transit in October 2012. We had the honor of sitting at your table for a luncheon on one occasion, and it was a most enjoyable experience, as was the entire voyage.

We are sailing on the Zuiderdam this coming October, which if nothing changes should be under the command of Captain van Hoogdalem. I am looking forward to meeting him.

Regards, Jim

August 12, 2019 at 9:24 am

Who will be captain on Zaandam for the 12/18/20 sailing Buenos Aires to San Antonio?

August 13, 2019 at 8:32 am

This is a difficult one as it is close to Christmas and the captains might to decided a adjustment at the last minute, also due to travel. At the moment you should have as your captain, Ane Smit, but it could be Chris Norman as the sailing is just on the edge of two contracts. Please have a look in October when I have the latest schedules.

August 13, 2019 at 1:12 pm

I find no mention of Captain Dag Dvergastein (I think I’m spelling that correctly). We did a transatlantic crossing on the Prinsendam in 2015 under the command of Captain Tim Roberts, and Captain Dvergastein was also onboard for a handover that was to take place on our arrival in Ft. Lauderdale. Captain Roberts did us the honor of inviting us to the captain’s table one evening, where we had the double honor of dining with both captains, and had interesting and enjoyable conversations with them both.

You mention that Capt. Roberts has since been assigned to Seabourn. Has Captain Dvergastein also been assigned elsewhere, or is he on leave and returning to the HAL fleet?

August 14, 2019 at 1:13 pm

With the end of the Prinsendam Captain Dag decided to leave Holland America. He is currently captain on the Europa of Hapag Lloyd.

Captain Albert

August 21, 2019 at 7:12 pm

Greetings Sir!

Having just returned from a cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam on 17 August, I cannot adequately express my appreciation for the mind-bending logistics involved behind the scenes, or for the crew’s commitment to excellence in all they do. My sincerest gratitude. I would have loved to have been able to access information regarding the history of HAL available while onboard, as well as more technical information about the basics of the ship’s technology (ie, propulsion and guidance systems). Perhaps these could be made available as reading material via the Navigator app? I found myself fascinated with this incredible vessel and wanting to know more about her from every point of view. Kind Regards, Kaelie Engelhart

August 23, 2019 at 7:55 am

Thank you for your kind words.

The blog is accessible while on board as there is a free link under the http://www.hollandamerica.com . It is called Holland America Line blog and my blog and historical information is a subdirectory of that. At home you can just type in Captainalbert.com and it will all come up/

September 1, 2019 at 2:29 am

We are a 5 Star Mariner & a 4 Star Mariner. We really enjoy your blog. You give us a lot of interesting information to read.

I’m cruising on the Eurodam, once again, to Alaska on 9/21/2019, still no Captain listed for that cruise… Any ideas? Thank You!

September 3, 2019 at 4:25 pm

Dear Captain Albert, I know you well deserve your time off and I hope “the boss” isn’t working you too hard, but I do so miss your daily reportage of all things nautical. Back on board in October I think ? Kind regards Gerdina

September 5, 2019 at 6:55 am

Thank you for your interest

Yes I will be back in October.

I have just uploaded my finalized schedule for the remainder of the year under

https://www.captainalbert.com/my-sailing-schedule-2/

Best Regards

September 6, 2019 at 10:30 am

Hello Captain Michiel Willems, My wife and I will be sailing to Alaska, on your ship, on the 8’th Sept.. Jackie and I are Ham radio operators. We are wondering, if you, might allow us to, use battery operated, low power radio’s on your ship. Or if there is a time, that we might be able too? Also, is it possible, to see the ship’s radio room, as radio communications is our hobby, and would greatly appreciate, your help and input. WE look forward to our, sailing with you! This is our first, cruise. Thank you, for your time.

September 12, 2019 at 3:55 pm

You are allowed to bring HAM radio’s on board. Your are NOT allowed to use them on board as they are not covered by a Dutch flag license. You are allowed to use them ashore in alaska provided that your HAM radio license is valid for alaska. the ships do not have radio rooms anymore, only GMDSS stations which are located on the bridge. So the best thing to do is either write a letter to the Captain to request a special visit or sign up for the Behind the Scenes tour.

Have a great cruise.

September 14, 2019 at 3:54 am

Hello Capt Albert. I have just returned from Voyage of the Vikings and somehow I am not getting recent information on your daily blog. Also I am now a member of Ancient Order of the Blue Nose and I have a certificate to prove it signed by Bart Vaartjes. One of the nicest captains I’ve had during the 854 days with HAL Thanks, Mary Beth Burns

September 14, 2019 at 7:46 am

Glad to hear you had a good cruise.

There is not much happening at the moment as I am on vacation. My blogging will start again on October 08, when I will be on the Zuiderdam.

September 16, 2019 at 4:02 am

Excited to see that Capt. John Scott will be on the Noordam when it leaves drydock in Victoria.

September 16, 2019 at 5:22 pm

Cpt Albert: is Bayens still fleet captain and where will Eversen be, since he’s no longer on A’dam?

September 17, 2019 at 5:53 pm

Captain Bayens is rotating out of the Fleet Captain schedule in due course. Captain Fred Eversen is on a long leave to work his accumulated leave days down.

September 28, 2019 at 12:41 am

We sailed on the Amsterdam with Captain Daniel Bolton this summer and don’t see him listed. Is he still with HAL? Also our favorite Captain of all time is Captain Van Der Loo. I understood he was now at the main office. Is he also still with the company.

September 28, 2019 at 4:44 pm

Captain Daniel Bolton recently returned from P&O Australia and I will have his schedule in October after I have returned to sea. Capt. Van der Loo is still in the office and that is a permanent assignment.

October 8, 2019 at 2:56 am

We will miss sailing with Captain Timmers in January’s he is wonderful. We had the good fortune to sail with him last year.

October 16, 2019 at 11:34 pm

Thank you for all your blogs. I really enjoy reading them. I am going on the Volendam’s Grand Voyage in January 2020 around South America, to Antarctica and up the Amazon River. I am looking to see who may be our Captain and think there may a typo in your dates for the Volendam Captains. Here is what it says:

Captain Friso Freher 28 Aug. 2019 – 20 Nov.. 2020 ????

Captain Frank van der Hoeven 20 Nov. 2019 – 15 Feb. 2020

Perhaps this voyage will be shared between two Captains? Thanks for clarifying….

November 2, 2019 at 7:47 pm

Dear Cpt Albert,

Last year i cruised on the Nieuw Amsterdam with the very friendly Cpt Van Zaane. I see he is not scheduled anymore on the N Amsterdam?

Thks for clarifying

November 3, 2019 at 12:30 pm

Captain van Zaane is currently on extended leave and I have no return date yet.

November 3, 2019 at 10:38 pm

Dankjewel. Ik kijk er naar uit, nadat ik al jaren je blog lees, om je in de Caribbean te ontmoeten. Ik scheep in op 13 nov 😉

November 12, 2019 at 4:40 am

Captain Albert,

How would one go about getting permission from the captain of the Zuiderdam to operate low power ham radio while at sea ? I have seen where this has been allowed in the past but cannot get a clear approval from ships services.

Lance Wolken KG5QKK

November 12, 2019 at 4:35 pm

I can understand that ship services has an issue with a clear answer, simply because there is not one. Too many factors involved. 1. What license do you operate under. Is it domestic USA or domestic from another country, or do you have an international license? Because that will limit or increase where you can use the Ham radio. A USA license does not mean anything to anybody outside the USA Same as a Dutch or British license does not mean anything in the USA. 2. If you want to transmit from the ship, then your license needs to be acceptable under Dutch law as the ship flies the dutch flag. The captain can approve you bringing it on board, not using it. That is a Dutch license issue. 3. Many ports / places have a restriction on the power of the transmission and if caught the fines are quite hefty. 4. Many ports would not allow you walking ashore with it without you proving to them that you are allowed to do so. (International License with endorsement for the country you are visiting.)

Please review the above. If you think you comply with everything listed, then in principle you can take it on board as it is not a restricted item. Once on board you would have to obtain permission from the captain to use it, as it would not be a ships owned piece of equipment, and show the Dutch Law approval for the equipment

December 9, 2019 at 1:45 am

We will be cruising on the ms Zuiderdam 10-20 December, 2019. The captain listed is Captain Wouter van Hoogdalem, but there is no biography about him. Will this be added in the future?

December 9, 2019 at 5:34 pm

I certainly hope that there will be one and I keep pushing to get one. So in due course…………

Capt Albert

December 18, 2019 at 5:42 am

Why is there no bio for Darin Bowland? I see that he will be our captain on Koningsdam next month. Also, why do they have shorter contracts on that ship than on the others? Seems like many of them are only two months instead of three. Thanks for posting this, it is useful.

December 18, 2019 at 7:02 pm

For Captain Bowland, I do not have a bio for him yet, as I have not sailed with him yet, and I talked to each captain personally first/

For the schedules, each captain sails 6 months a year. So If they want to do 2-2 or 3-3 that is more or less up to themselves. Then they have to attend training and refresher courses and that takes up time as well. So the schedules can vary greatly.

Enjoy your cruise

January 13, 2020 at 4:24 pm

F YI, I was on Koningsdam last week and asked Captain Bowland about this. He said that he has met you several times. Also, he announced that he is leaving Koningsdam after this contract and moving to Nieuw Statendam. So I’m guessing you need to update the schedule for both of those ships.

He has an interesting history, worked for Royal and took out some of their new ships before moving to HAL 12 (?) years ago (I sense there may be some bad feelings with Royal). He is the only Canadian captain in HAL (maybe all of Carnival?) and was involved in the process redesign effort following the Costa Concordia disaster. Very nice guy.

January 13, 2020 at 5:46 pm

Thank you for your comment.

There is a complete “musical chair” happening going with several captains moving and at least one retiring. So I will update the schedule as soon as the ” dust has settled” and everybody has found their new pigeon hole.

December 22, 2019 at 1:52 am

Merry Christmas Captain Albert and a happy and healthy 2020 ! (Can you believe it,2020 !)

December 22, 2019 at 11:06 pm

December 22, 2019 at 11:12 pm

Our 7th cruise with HAL, aboard the Nieuw Amstream, was canceled this past week, but our family is excited to have re-booked for the Koningsdam for the first cruise of 2020! My boys are looking forward to meeting Captain Albert and exploring this beautiful ship! MERRY Christmas!

January 1, 2020 at 11:56 pm

Hello Captain, Happy New Year and thank you for keeping this blog.

I was wondering if there is a way to find out who the cruise director on K’dam is for January 2020 cruise.

January 3, 2020 at 12:18 am

Your Cruise and Travel Director n Jan. 2020 will be a Dutch Lady called Karlijn Verpalen.

April 19, 2020 at 3:52 am

And Karlijn Verpalen was the best CD we ever had. Hope to see her next year on NS.

Be well Captain.

February 8, 2020 at 12:09 pm

Goodafternoon Captain, I was under the impression that Captain P.J. had gone in retirement, but recently I spotted him on video from Maasdam in January and also noticed him in your schedule. Will he continue to sail for HAL? I understand he currently is, or was the only Navy Reserve Captain, flying his special flag in port.

February 8, 2020 at 4:09 pm

Captain van Maurik spent some time at our training center and has now returned to sea. I think he will sail another year or so before retiring.

February 9, 2020 at 8:08 am

Thanks for the info, hope to meet him again, great sense of dry humor.

February 9, 2020 at 5:20 pm

Dear Captain Albert:

I’m a longtime reader who greatly appreciates your wonderful blog! (And had the pleasure of hearing your excellent presentation as few years ago when you were guest speaker on our voyage.)

Q1: Did the Westerdam get her dry dock update last month?

Q2: Is Colin Jacob Westerdam Hotel Director now through June?

Many thanks!

February 9, 2020 at 7:08 pm

Colin Jacobs is scheduled to be on board from 06 March to 06 June. (but please remember our schedules are subject to extremely much change at times)

The Westerdam was in Dry dock from 04 Jan. to 16 Jan. 2020 in Singapore. But I do not know what was exactly done on board.

February 10, 2020 at 3:17 am

Always enjoy your blog, such vivid descriptions along with bits of other information. My attention was drawn to the Nieuw Statendam, Capt de Boer is scheduled for only 1 month March to April 2020. After that he is not scheduled that I can locate. Has he retired or do you have any further information. For the last 12 years I have sailed with him on the old Statendam. Thanks, Mary Beth Burns

February 10, 2020 at 9:26 pm

He is indeed not on the schedule at the moment, being on a long leave. As soon as I know what his next assignment is, I will update.

February 15, 2020 at 9:33 pm

Captain Albert very nice to receive this captain’s list and very helpful to figure out who is where. I am sure captain Vincent Smit will take some time off after his many attempts to dock his ship the Westerdam –what a story –we were watching it for days hoping that he could secure a port which he finally was bale to do in Cambodia. I am sure HAL and its corporate staff were involved in the outcome and glad that that saga ended without anyone contracting the disease.

What a nightmare this must be for the Princess still stuck in port. We are off to Hawaii/Tahiti and the Marquesas on 3/21/20 and hope that the disease does not spread any further. but I heard a few ports have stopped receiving cruise ships in French Caledonia, including Isles des Pins which is one of my favorite stops.

Anyway, thanks for your continued input, it was certainly a lot of fun when we met on the Zaandam last June and had some great dinners.

March 28, 2020 at 12:19 am

Do you know when Capt. Jan Smit will return, to which ship he will be assigned , and the dates he will be in service there? Thank you!

March 28, 2020 at 7:44 pm

Thank you for reading my blog

Captain Jan Smit is currently serving as Staff Captain and is thus not on my current captain schedule. But when he pops up again, he will be on the list.

April 28, 2020 at 2:31 pm

Hello Captain Albert!

My name is Ryan. We got off the Koningsdam on the Nov. 24 2019 to Dec. 4 2019 cruise. I later realized you went off the ship the day we got on! We may be going on the Nieuw Statendam on Nov. 22 2020, is Karlijn going to be the cruise director, she was on the Koningsdam, and I heard somewhere she may be going to the Nieuw Statendam.

Thank you for a wonderful blog, by the way!

July 14, 2020 at 5:49 am

Hello Captain Albert, We are certainly missing your blog as you are missing your beloved oceans. What a state the world is in ! I do hope that you are keeping well and send you greetings! Kindest regards, Gerdina

September 6, 2020 at 4:17 pm

sorry the blog is out?

September 6, 2020 at 8:35 pm

Blog will come back in due course. Currently at home with the fleet in lay up. so not much to report. But HAL and I will be back

October 3, 2020 at 11:31 pm

Captain, how much notice do you think the teammembers will get when cruising actually is set to resume. With all the difficulty in getting the crew home, it seems like everybody on board will have to pitch in duri g the early going. Perhaps you will be our room steward on our Jan. 6 cruise to the Carribean. I hope it goes. I’ll even make my own bed if it’ll help. Bob T

October 4, 2020 at 2:56 pm

The company estimates that it will take at least a month, to get sufficient crew on board to provide the normal service. The question we can not answer is when the shore side protocols will allow for this to make it a smooth operation to get to the ship. I also hope to be back on the ships soon again, but theie are a lot of external factors which are really challenging.

October 14, 2020 at 8:38 pm

A pleasant day Captain… Allow me to introduce myself. Im Rea Almaden from.the Philippines,just want to verify something from you hope you dont mind Sir. I just saw an ad in Facebook about a job opening in Holland America Line,and a certain Captain Friso Albert is the contact person saying he is the Recruiting Captain on the said line. He even sent me a copy of his company identification card. Just want to.make sure about this and hope you can enlighten me about this before i proceed with the application. He is using whatsapp as a media of our conversation and hiring process. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you very much.

October 15, 2020 at 11:57 am

Thank you for contacting me. This is a Scam. There is NO Captain Friso Albert who is involved in hiring. There is a captain Friso and there is a captain Albert, but not in combination and we are both at sea and not in de office. If you are looking for a job, please contact UPL in Manilla which is our hiring agent. I hope it will work out. Best regards Capt. albert

October 18, 2020 at 12:25 am

Hello Captain Albert, Here is hoping you are doing well and I am sure that you have long finished the “to do” list that was awaiting you upon your return home from seas. I much enjoyed reading your biography and noticed that you have written several books (one co-authored) Is there any chance these books are still obtainable ? I know it said one is still in print but goodness knows how to get one’s hand on a copy, through Amazon perhaps? I was sorry to hear that some of our officers are being let go, together with H.D.s and so on, down the line . I knew it was going to be inevitable, but it still hurts to hear it. My daughter Tessa and I have made several good friends among the crews. The airlines are suffering also and many of our Air Canada crews are laid-off (my late husband was a Captain with Air Canada, so it hits close to home.) His contemporaries are all long retired but I feel so badly for the younger fellows who trained so long in order to achieve their goals. Same of course with the cruise line officers and crews. Sad state of affairs, the whole world is in a mess. I hope I am not going to be too old to cruise once if and when operations will resume. All the best to you and kindest regards, Gerdina

October 26, 2021 at 6:09 am

Hello Captain Albert, any idea when the “present Captain list” will be updated and maintained again. Thanks a lot and really enjoy your readings!

October 26, 2021 at 6:26 pm

I have just done so, but it is extremely limited as HR planning still has to deal with a lot of challenges due to travel restrictions and other (Covid) issues.

October 29, 2021 at 10:16 pm

I feel so sorry for that due to the visum issue you couldnt join the Rotterdam maiden voyage. 2 years ago, when we met in Nov 2019 on the Kdam, you told me you were looking forward to it before your retirement … I hope you manage soon. I will travel on the Rdam end Nov, hopefully you can make it by then…

Greets from Valletta Geert

November 1, 2021 at 9:04 am

I love your biographies of the Current Captains. I will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam in November, but I do not see Jeroen van Donselaar’s biography. Can you provide any information? Thank you.

I also am looking forward to when you get your visa and can begin sailing again. Your talks on the ships are always so enjoyable.

November 14, 2021 at 11:07 am

just found your comment back in the spam. Captain Donselaar preferred not to have his biography published as he want to keep the life of his wife and two children private. And that is something I respect. I will try to change his mind ofcourse in the future.

November 10, 2021 at 3:06 am

Hello Captain Albert, I hope you are well. Could you tell me if Captain Vincent Smit has retired? I cannot see him on any of the ship assignments nor on the current Captains list. Thank you, Gerdina

November 14, 2021 at 11:05 am

thank you for your reading my blog and your comment, No captain Smit is still out there, but he is on leave at the moment. because we have more captains than ships at the moment, everybody goes on rotation and thus can I not give a date when he will return.

December 17, 2021 at 6:26 am

Hello again Captain Albert, My daughter and I were wondering whatever happened to Captain Michiel Willems? We sailed with him on the Zuiderdam in 2013. He was a most personable fellow and very attentive to his passengers. I remember he had a little “fender bender” in Vancouver a couple of years ago.

December 18, 2021 at 3:45 pm

Captain Willems is sailing on board the Zaandam at the moment. Although sailing is said too much as the ship is in Covid lay up in Corfu until April next year. but he is still around.

December 18, 2021 at 9:28 pm

Thank you for the update, glad he is still with the Company.

January 16, 2022 at 5:22 pm

Thank you for keeping this blog going Can I assume that Arno Jutten and Bart Vaartjes are on rotation What about Steve MacBeath? I had just sailed with him in October on Koningsdam

January 17, 2022 at 9:43 am

thank you for your comment

Capt. Arno Jutten is on leave. Capt Bart Vaartjes is on secondment to Seabourn and Capt. Steve Macbeath left the company last November.

Capt. albert

April 4, 2022 at 8:09 pm

Thanks for keeping this going. What is the situation with Captain Jeroen Schuchmann? Did Captain Steve MacBeath rejoin the company as I see him listed as a current Captain

April 5, 2022 at 8:50 pm

Thank you, Captain, for staring up the Present Captains List again. Always nice to know who is who on the ship we sail next. Would you know who will be replacing Captain Kan on the Koningsdam? Also, is Harm Arnold, formerly Staff Captain, still with HAL?

Hope you will be back to sailing soon.

April 7, 2022 at 7:36 pm

thank you for your comment. The April schedule just came in so I can give you answer. Captain Kan is scheduled to leave the Koningsdam on 28 April and Captain Henk Draper will take over.

As far as Harm Jan Arnold is concerned, he was on the schedule some time ago, but he has not popped up for a while, which is not unusual as with the fleet reduction the company is giving everybody extended leaves in the rotation schedule.

April 8, 2022 at 1:41 pm

Thank you, Captain. Much appreciated. Enjoy your blog and all the information you present.

April 9, 2022 at 9:39 pm

When I was 18 I went on an Alaskan cruise with family onboard the Veendam in 2005 in July and of course my family took photos with you in the MDR. I still have the photo and just realized it was you! I’ve been reading your blogs and never put two and two together until now!! Anyway, take care!!

Also, I will be returning to Alaska on a cruise onboard the Koningsdam with my husband!

April 12, 2022 at 12:11 am

Has Capt. Edward van Zanne retired from HAL? I have not seen him mentioned in a while. He was the second HAL captain I sailed with (as a passenger).

April 22, 2022 at 3:18 pm

Edward van Zaane has retired, ill.

April 27, 2022 at 7:47 pm

Captain Albert, I would love to see biographies of these 2 Captains: Captain Marek Ryszard Zoll Captain Mark Rowden I have sailed with both and thought they not only professional but personable and approachable. Thank you.

July 11, 2022 at 10:28 pm

Captain Bas van Dreumel was also captain in the Rotterdam in the 26 June till 10th July cruise. Was surprised because it was supposed to be captain Timmers. Love this info! Greets, Arenda

July 27, 2022 at 6:38 pm

Any idea where Captain Werner Timmers will be after July 31? Thanks

July 28, 2022 at 8:42 am

Good morning, thank you for your comment.

Captain Timmers and Captain van Dreumel are normally on a 3 month rotation, so in principle he wold be back on board 3 months after leaving. Although the dates might vary somewhat depending on what the two captains arrange among themselves.

August 22, 2022 at 5:34 pm

We will be sailing on the Noordam September 2 – October 2 and the Koningsdam from October 8 to 24 and would appreciate knowing who the Captains will be. You write a wonderfully interesting blog: I am learning a lot from it.

August 23, 2022 at 12:48 pm

thank you for your question. This is hard to say as Captain Mark Zoll (currently on board) is to go on leave on October 12 and Captain Mark Rowden is to take over. so depending on how the hand over is timed, you might see on or the other, or both. Enjoy your cruise, it is a very nice ship.

August 23, 2022 at 1:43 pm

Thanks for your help. Would you know about the Koningsdam from October 8?

August 24, 2022 at 5:29 pm

Captain Albert Thanks for your help. Much appreciated. Would you know who will be on the Koningsdam for the October 8 Hawaii cruise?

August 25, 2022 at 11:29 am

if nothing changes it should be Capt. Robert Jan Kan but as that wold be his last cruise before he goes on leave, I can not vouch for it.

September 15, 2022 at 4:50 pm

What are the dates that Captain Werner Timmers will be on the Rotterdam. We have sailed with him several times and he is the most passenger friendly captain we have ever sailed with. Looking forward to another cruise with him at the helm.

September 15, 2022 at 5:31 pm

Looking forward to another cruise with Captain Werner Timmers at the helm!

September 16, 2022 at 2:51 am

Do you know who will be the Captain on the Rotterdam for the October 30 Caribbean cruise

September 19, 2022 at 3:32 pm

thank you for you comment.

Please check the website again by October 5, when I have the next assignment schedule in.

December 23, 2022 at 7:10 pm

Merry Christmas, Captain. I am unable to find your Blog on HALBlog.com and notice that your website does not have the updated Captains’ Schedule. Could you let your readers know what is happening with your Blog? We miss reading your additions and updates.

Best wishes for 2023.

December 24, 2022 at 8:53 pm

Very much enjoyed sailing on Nieuw Statendam with Captain Noel Driscoll. His daily announcements were interesting, informative and even humorous! Apparently, his assignment ended the same day as our cruise because he is no longer listed on the Captain’s Schedule after December 17. We are booked to sail on Oosterdam in March 2023 and do not see Captain van Eerten on the list either. Can you provide an updated list so we can be informed of whom we are entrusting our lives to? Merry Christmas!

December 27, 2022 at 9:20 am

I had an updated list, and then it was was stuck in DRAFTS. But it is on line now. Captain Resn van Eerten will be on there, but he is only sailing 3 months a year on the ships, as together with Captain Jeroen Baijens he also rotates for lecturing through our training facility in Almere. Netherlands

January 27, 2023 at 10:14 pm

Thank you for your prompt reply (which I just now read)! We are excited to be sailing the 31 day South America cruise from BA to FLL. After some cancellations, it finally looks promising although the unrest in Peru is not good news. Do you have any history on Captain van Eerten that you could share? We hope that he may attend a Meet & Mingle with our group and would like to know a little bit about him.

August 18, 2023 at 12:45 pm

FYI Captain Bart is currently in command of Zuiderdam since August 8.

Congratulations on your retirement! I do, however, miss you blog.

Katherine D.

October 13, 2023 at 5:16 pm

Thank you for your informative blog! We will be sailing on the Nieuw Statendam a few times over the next couple of years. Like many others that have commented above, we especially enjoy Captain Noel O’Driscoll. According to his “typical” schedule, he should have taken the helm of the Nieuw Statendam in mid-September after a 3 month vacation. But it is our understanding that another captain took over for Captain Eric Barhorst? Do you know if Captain O’Driscoll will return to the Nieuw Statendam and if so when?

December 21, 2023 at 3:46 am

Dear captain Albert,

Do you know what the next ship of Rens van Eerten will be? Thank you very much.

January 1, 2024 at 9:38 am

Hi Captain Albert,

Any chance to getting an update on the Captains list? We are sailing the Volendam soon and wonder if it is a Dutch Captain. (We’re Dutch 🤫).

August 12, 2024 at 11:37 am

Dear Captain, I recently bought a travelers trunk which belonged to a Mr Jooris Stephan who came with the Maasdam to Rotterdam 16/8/1962. via archives in Rotterdam I received links, where can I find more information, is there still family alive, is Mr Jooris still alive ?

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Cruise Ship Ranks and Hierarchy

Working on a cruise ship is a unique environment. Although one may argue that it’s just a floating resort, a look closer identifies that hierarchy and ranks are embedded in each cruise job onboard. By understanding the difference in stripes and ranks you’ll get to know how the chain of command works on a cruise ship.

Overview of Cruise Ship Hierarchy

A cruise ship is run like a small corporation. Similar to the president of a company, the Captain is in charge and is ultimately responsible. The Captain has a handful of senior officers that report to him just like a handful of vice presidents that would report to the president of a company. Beyond those high level ranks, the larger the cruise ship, the bigger the organizational chart of other ranks and cruise ship jobs that there are.

Typically, each department has a department head, managers, supervisors and crewmembers. (The actual title of each cruise job varies by cruise line). This equates to a chain of command that all those working onboard must adhere to. Another term for cruise job is rank. The rank of all officers and crew on cruise ships governs not only their working environment but also their cabin assignment, where they eat, their emergency duty, and whether or not they have access to passenger facilities.

History of Hierarchy and Rank on Cruise Ships

When you look at both naval ships and cargo vessels, there has always been a strict hierarchy of command. Maritime laws govern safety of life at sea with regulations that must be followed by all officers and crew working onboard the vessels. The Golden Era of ocean liners evolved into the cruise industry today where cruise ship safety is also paramount.

In the past, cruise ship hierarchy was a very militarized organizational structure with lower ranks rarely questioning the authority of higher ranks. In addition, only few departments such as the Deck Department and the Engine Department wore stripes to indicate their officer status.

Although there are many differences in how cruise ships are managed today, the officer ranking system continues to be in place and has inevitably been expanded. In an interview with Royal Caribbean’s Captain Erik Standal for the website, Beyond Ships, Standal explains that the traditional militarized hierarchy on cruise ships is still necessary.

“We are a small community and in a community you have to have some order to control certain people.” He points out, “You have the ranking system in order to make it clear who is making the decisions…”

Cruise Ship Management Hierarchy

On today’s cruise ships, in addition to the Captain being in charge, there are a handful of senior officers that manage the ship’s operations and report to the Captain. These jobs include Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, Hotel Director, Cruise Director, Doctor, Food and Beverage Manager, and Staff Engineer.

Each of those department heads have managers and supervisors that report to them as well. (See the Cruise Ship Job Positions for more information.) Plus, each department is responsible for specific emergency duties.

Cruise Ship Officer Stripes

When you first start working on a cruise ship it may be overwhelming to understand how all the departments work together, who’s in charge of what and who reports to whom. Getting to know how to interpret the stripes on their epaulets is the first step. (Reading the officer’s name tag is an alternate method). For starters, each department’s stripes are represented by a specific colour of stripe.

• Deck Department  –  Black and gold stripes
• Engine Department –  Purple and gold stripes
• Hotel Department  –  White and gold stripes
• Medical Department  –  Red and gold stripes

The number of stripes indicates the rank of the officer. The more stripes, the more authority the officer has within their department. Each cruise line varies slightly with how many stripes a particular cruise job may have. In all cases, the Captain has the most stripes (4+ black and gold stripes)

Comparatively, in the Hotel Department, the Hotel Director is the head of his/her department. He/she may have four stripes. This person looks after all guest services, entertainment and revenue on the ship. Therefore, the Cruise Director, Doctor, Food and Beverage Manager, Customers Services Director, and Human Resources Manager all report to the Hotel Director and typically have between 3 – 3.5 stripes.

In some cases it’s difficult to tell who’s who on a ship because there are so many people wearing stripes. (Note: Some cruise jobs may not actually wear stripes but their job has a stripe equivalent in the case of the Cruise Director.)

Cruise Ship Chain of Command

Each cruise line has a slightly different organizational chart when it comes to the chain of command. Yet, most cruise lines follow the same chain of command protocol.

Click here for a simple diagram of cruise ship organizational hierarchy .

On cruise ships, you are expected to follow the chain of command whenever you have a complaint or concern. Always speak to your immediate supervisor first and allow them to make an effort to solve the issue. At no time should you jump the chain of command and proceed directly to the Captain.

When the Chain of Command Breaks Down

There may be times when you feel that your immediate supervisor has not dealt with the issue at hand. Or, possibly your immediate supervisor is the issue. If that’s the case, you take it one step up the chain of command and speak with the next in line.

Most cruise ships also have a Human Resources Manager onboard. This person is onboard for situations that you feel that can’t be resolved within your own department and also for situations that you feel are sensitive or personal. Feel free to speak this onboard HR manager.

All in all, working onboard a cruise ship can take a bit of getting used to, with its overly structured environment. But, once you experience it, you appreciate it. You know exactly what you can and cannot do. You know what your responsibilities are. You know who you need to report to. This military style is not for everyone, but many crewmembers and officers careers thrive in this environment.

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Royal Princess Senior Officers

Experienced team launches princess cruises’ newest ship.

Captain Tony Draper is at the helm of Princess Cruises newest vessel, leading a senior officer team with more than 100 years of seagoing experience among them. The senior four-stripe team also includes Relief Captain Dino Sagani, Chief Engineer Fabio Braccelli, Hotel General Manager Dirk Brand, and Staff Captain Tim Stringer.

Captain Tony Draper – Captain Tony Draper has been in command of a number of the company’s vessels since 2006, including Ruby Princess , Emerald Princess, Crown Princess, Caribbean Princess , Dawn Princess, Sun Princess, and Coral Princess , as well as ships for sister company P&O Australia. He began his seagoing career with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the civilian-manned supply and logistics division of the UK’s Royal Navy. In 1994, he not only gained his Master's Certificate but also achieved a UK commercial pilot’s license, reflecting his lifelong interest in aviation. In 1995, he joined Princess as Navigator of the original Island Princess . It was on this ship, one of the original "Love Boats," that he met his wife, Joanna. Originally from Scotland, Captain Draper now lives in Cornwall with his wife and daughter, Alysia.

Relief Captain Dino Sagani – Captain Dino Sagani commanded a variety of Princess vessels, including Sea Princess, Dawn Princess, Sapphire Princess and, most recently, Diamond Princess . Sagani was born in Trieste on the North East Adriatic coast of Italy. Following the family tradition, he studied at the Nautical College in Trieste, which is one of the oldest Nautical Schools in Europe. On completion of his studies, he joined the Italian Navy, serving on a minesweeper during the first Gulf War. After the Navy, he joined Princess Cruises in 1995, where he quickly climbed the ranks and was promoted to captain in 2007.

Chief Engineer Fabio Braccelli – Hailing from the town of Lerici along the Italian Riviera, Chief Engineer Fabio Braccelli oversees all the maintenance and operation of the ship’s extensive machinery systems. Braccelli has worked aboard 12 Princess ships, including most recently on Sapphire Princess . A graduate of the nautical school Nazario Sauro in La Spezia, Italy, Braccelli subsequently served in the Italian Navy and first joined Princess Cruises as a cadet in 1990 aboard the original Dawn Princess . He moved up through the engineering ranks and was promoted to chief engineer officer in 2004.

Hotel General Manager Dirk Brand – Hotel General Manager Dirk Brand oversees all hotel functions aboard Royal Princess , a position he has held aboard a variety of Princess ships, including Ruby Princess during that ship’s inaugural. He has also worked aboard the ships of sister company Cunard. Brand was born in Berlin, Germany and grew up in Munich. After completing his education and apprenticeship in hotel management, he served with the Air Force in Sardinia, Italy. Fluent in three languages, Brand began his career at sea in 1998 as a senior assistant food and beverage director during the inaugural season of Grand Princess . He currently resides in Spain.

Staff Captain Tim Stringer – Head of the deck department and second in command to the captain, Staff Captain Tim Stringer has worked aboard eight Princess ships, plus several vessels from sister companies P&O and P&O Australia. He has also been involved in the plan approval team for the construction of Royal Princess . Stringer first joined Princess as a second officer aboard the original Royal Princess in 1995. A native of Bedford, England, Stringer began his career as a cadet aboard tankers, and holds both UK and Canadian master mariner certification.

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Carnival Sunrise Gets Two Captains, Top Crew Members

Richard Simms

• March 1, 2019

As the Carnival Triumph heads into the drydock which will see her emerge as essentially a new ship, Carnival Cruise Line has announced the names of the men and women who will be in charge aboard the Carnival Sunrise .

Meet Carnival Sunrise’s Two Captains!

During the drydock which will see the ship transformed, she will be under the watchful eye of Captain Bruno Palomba, who has been with Carnival for nearly two decades and was named Captain in 2016 — after stints with MSC and ferry operator Tirrenia. Once Sunrise arrives in the United States, Captain Isidoro Renda will take the helm. Renda joined Carnival as a second officer in 2000 and has since worked his way up the ranks to be named a captain in 2014. Since then, he’s served on several ships in the fleet.

Similarly, the ship will have two people serving as Chief Engineer. During the drydock, Mauro Fabbrini — who joined Carnival 25 years ago and was named Chief Engineer back in 2003 — will oversee Triumph . Once Sunrise arrives in the states, she’ll be handed over to Chief Engineer Nicola Tonelli, who served in the Italian Navy before joining Carnival in 2001 as a Third Engineer in 2001. He was named Chief Engineer last year.

The all-important role of Hotel Director will be filled by Cork, Ireland native Caroline Bourke, who joined Carnival in 2004 as a Guest Services Associate. She was promoted to Guest Services Manager in 2009 and Hotel Director in 2016.

They’re Getting The Ship Ready Now

Along with over 1,000 crew members, these leaders are making their way to Cadiz, Spain to help prepare the Sunrise for her inaugural voyage, which will be a 7-day Caribbean cruise departing Norfolk, Virginia, on April 29. The ship will spend the summer sailing out of New York City before relocating to Fort Lauderdale for the winter season.

During the drydock, several favorites of Carnival guests will be added, including Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, Cucina del Capitano, and the always-popular RedFrog Pub. All of the ship’s staterooms will be updated with island-inspired interiors featuring bright colors and soothing pastels (perfect for those Caribbean itineraries).

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Meet the brothers serving as co-captains of Celebrity Cruises' newest ship

When Tasos Kafetzis was growing up, he wanted to be just like his older brother Dimitrios.

"He would say he liked to play basketball, (then) I was playing basketball. He liked to draw, I started drawing," Tasos, 44, told USA TODAY. When Dimitrios left their home in Piraeus, Greece, to begin working on cruise ships when Tasos was 9, he soon decided he wanted to do that, too.

Dimitrios, 55, joined Celebrity Cruises in 1990, and Tasos followed eight years later. Now, the brothers have been named co-captains of Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, in a first for the brand. The ship will make its debut in December.

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USA TODAY spoke with the seafaring siblings about how cruises became a family business, their approach to the job and their plans for sailing together. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did you each get into working on cruise ships?

Dimitrios:  (Multiple) things contributed to this decision. The first is that our father was a ship supplier and whenever he (was working with cruise ships), he used to pick me up and take me to the ship and have lunch at the buffet. So, being an almost 10-, 12-year-old kid from a very, let's say, not rich background ... seeing the world of a cruise ship for me was like a magical world. Like my own Narnia, if I may say. You open the door, and you see a different world.

And then, later on ... was "The Love Boat." So, watching "The Love Boat," now I have the insight of what is happening on a cruise ship business-wise, not only the fun part that the guest gets to see but how business is done in a funny way. So, that did it for me.

Tasos: I'm 11 years younger. ... When (Dimitrios) started working on cruise ships, I was like 9 years old. And I didn't like it at the time that he left the house because I wasn't able to see him. And back then there was no communication, only with letters and postcards. ... I remember (when he came home), apart from the first hugs and the excitement – what gifts he brought me from abroad, like remote control cars or Michael Jordan jerseys and stuff that was hard to find in Greece at the time – but I had access to his printed photographs. He had tons of albums, so I would start going through the photos and see the world through his eyes: the Caribbean, Hawaii, listening to stories and stuff. So, he put an invisible hook on me, like, "OK, that's what I want to do, as well."

Story continues below.

When did you both become captains for the first time?

Dimitrios: 2004 for myself.

Tasos: 2013.

Do you each have a favorite place that you like to sail or that you've been on cruise ships?

Dimitrios:  For me, other than the Greek islands – I don't think there's any better place – my favorite ports are Vancouver, Canada, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Love it.

Tasos:  And for me also the Greek islands, like, is the top of the list, but we're biased on that. But I will agree with Honolulu, and also I will put Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

Do each of you take a different approach to the captain role?

Dimitrios:  When I first started, things were very (much a) military structure on cruise ships ... and the captain was dead serious. ... So, when I took over in 2004 for the first time ... I said to myself, "I don't have to be this military guy." I can be fair – and that's how I want to be remembered, that I was fair on all matters – and humorous, which helps us break barriers and brings us closer together. So that was my thing, and it was well accepted, especially among the guests.

Tasos: From my side, I saw Dimitrios introducing this new style of being presented to the guests and the crew and I saw how positive the impact was. So, I said, "OK, I can be myself," because that's what he does. What you see is what you get. He doesn't pretend to be funny, he's just being himself.

How did it feel when you found out that you were going to be named co-captains?

Dimitrios: Even now, I have goosebumps. The first time we heard about it, it brought tears. It was a very emotional thing, because in the back of your head, you always have a thought, like, (it) would it be nice.   We could see the pros and cons of being together on a ship. But we were having this idea back and forth, coming and going, that yeah, it would be fun.

Tasos:  I remember distinctly, I was having dinner. I saw the (FaceTime) call from my boss from Miami, our vice president of marine operations, and it was like 9:30 p.m., which is not very usual after business hours. It's either something really good or something really bad when they call you.

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So I answered the call, and I see Dimitrios already there. I was like, "OK, it might be a social call." It was the best news we've heard in the last few years.

You will be rotating on a three-month on, three-month off basis. How will that work?

Dimitrios: We'll have to find ways to spend some time together because it doesn't work exactly like this. But there is a plan that we can be together for a while ... and call it a captain's cruise and the guests get to sail for a week with both of us, which will be advertised and it will be a good thing. And we already have some plans in mind for what we can do to confuse the guests about who is who (since we look alike).

How do you think it will be to share the role?

Dimitrios:  Knowing Tasos, I can trust his decisions in handling the vessel or handling his crew and guests with closed eyes, and that's not because he's my brother. He has proven from a very early stage how talented he is at handling a ship, and later on he has become a very, very fair captain.

Tasos:  I was trained by Dimitrios. ...   And as for the other decisions, the day-to-day operations, it's part of our nature to always consult with your colleagues and take the best possible decision, so we're going to just do the same. Out of conversation, you don't try to figure out who's right. You try to figure out what's right. So, it's going to work just fine. Worse comes to worst, rock paper scissors.

Home » What Is It Like Being A Cruise Ship Captain?

What Is It Like Being A Cruise Ship Captain?

Last updated on October 21st, 2023 at 09:25 am

Table of Contents

And you thought parallel parking was hard!

Being the captain of a cruise ship is a prestigious and challenging role that comes with a unique set of responsibilities and experiences. Becoming a cruise ship captain is a significant achievement in the maritime industry. It often represents the culmination of many years of hard work, training, and dedication to a career at sea.

Here’s an overview of the skills you need and what it’s like to be a cruise ship captain:

Strong Leadership Skills

As the captain, you are the ultimate authority on the ship. You are responsible for the safety of all passengers and crew members. This includes making important decisions in emergency situations, managing the crew, and ensuring that all onboard operations run smoothly.

Leading a team of skilled professionals on a cruise ship can be personally rewarding. Captains work closely with a diverse crew and have the chance to mentor and guide their team members.

Proficient In Navigation

One of the captain’s primary duties is navigating the ship. This involves plotting courses, reading nautical charts, and using advanced navigation systems to ensure the ship reaches its destinations safely and on time.

A cruise ship’s captain must also consider weather conditions, currents, and other factors that may affect the voyage.

For those of us who find parallel parking a challenge, docking a cruise ship is a complex procedure that needs careful planning, communication and skill. Ships have a propulsion system and side thrusters to help with the process, but can also get assistance from tug boats. All-in-all, it takes skill to make docking a smooth experience.

Unblemished Safety Record

Safety is paramount on a cruise ship. Captains must conduct safety drills, ensure compliance with international maritime regulations, and be prepared to respond to emergencies such as fires, medical incidents, or passenger and crew evacuations.

Each day on a cruise ship can bring new challenges and experiences. A captain needs to be able to handle any and all emergencies to keep everyone on board safe. From navigating complex waters to managing emergencies and interacting with passengers from around the world, the job rarely gets monotonous.

Excellent Communication With Crew And Passengers

Effective communication is essential. Captains must coordinate with various departments on the ship, including the bridge crew, engineering staff, and hotel operations. They also communicate with port authorities and other vessels at sea.

They are also dealing with a diverse set of crew and many cultural differences. The Captain must find a way to create cohesion among all those entities on his or her ship.

Although limited, cruise ship captains often have the chance to interact with passengers during special events and gatherings. These interactions can be enjoyable and provide a sense of connection with the people they serve.

Ability To Work Long Hours

Cruise ship captains often work long hours and may spend several months at sea without a break. The job requires a strong work ethic and the ability to stay focused and alert even during extended shifts.

While the job can be demanding with long hours at sea, it often provides opportunities for extended periods of time off between contracts. This can allow captains to balance work and personal life in a unique way.

Cultural Awareness

Cruise ships host passengers from around the world. Captains need to be culturally aware and sensitive to the diverse backgrounds and expectations of their guests.

Ability To Assume Responsibility

Captains are responsible for the well-being of their crew members. This includes ensuring that the crew has appropriate training, accommodations, and support services.

Captains are entrusted with the safety and well-being of everyone on board, and this level of responsibility can be very fulfilling. Knowing that you are responsible for the safe navigation of a massive vessel and the protection of passengers and crew can be a source of pride.

Maintain Regular Maintenance and Inspections

Regular maintenance of the ship is crucial to its safe operation. Captains oversee routine inspections and maintenance tasks, working closely with the ship’s engineering and maintenance teams.

Comfortable With Passenger Interactions

While captains may not have extensive direct contact with passengers, they often participate in formal events and may interact with passengers during receptions or special occasions.

Climbing The Ladder

Becoming a cruise ship captain typically requires years of experience as a deck officer, followed by advanced maritime training and obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications. Many captains have worked their way up through the ranks of the cruise industry.

Love of the Sea

Despite the demanding nature of the job, many cruise ship captains have a deep love for the sea and a passion for travel. They get to visit exciting destinations around the world, although their time ashore is often limited.

Many captains have a deep love for the sea and a strong connection to the maritime environment. Being on the water and experiencing the ever-changing moods of the ocean can be a powerful and spiritually enriching experience.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that while there are many rewarding aspects of being a cruise ship captain, the job also comes with its share of challenges and sacrifices, including extended periods away from family and friends and the need to manage high-stress situations.

Ultimately, the best thing about being a cruise ship captain may vary depending on the individual’s perspective and personal preferences.

Being a captain of a cruise ship is a prestigious and challenging career that demands a high level of responsibility, leadership, and maritime expertise. It offers the opportunity to travel the world and experience a unique blend of adventure and professionalism.

However, it also requires a strong commitment to safety and a willingness to work long hours in a highly regulated and complex environment.

Questions That Ship Captains Have Been Asked

Captains have had their fair share of questions from passengers, and many cruise lines offer a “Q&A” sessions with the Captian and other officers of the ship. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one, it is worth the time.

Here are some real questions that have been asked:

Is there a jail onboard? Yes, there is. It is called the brig.

How many people die on a cruise each year? An average of about 200 people each year die while on a cruise , most of those due to a cardiac event. With about 31.5 million people cruising each year, that isn’t a bad average.

Could I steer for a while? No.

Am I on a ship or a boat? You are on a ship. The best way to remember this is, you can put a boat on a ship, but you can’t put a ship on a boat.

Who steers the ship when you are sleeping? There are always two captains onboard a cruise ship. A Ship’s Captain and the Staff Captain as well as a number of officers.

Have you ever left a passenger behind? No. However, there have been occasions when a passenger decided not to be on board when we sailed.

Does the crew sleep on board? (Really?) Yes they do.

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About Jonathon Hyjek

Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)

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Current captains list

By Chele , June 11, 2018 in Royal Caribbean International

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Can someone tell me who the captain is on Allure?

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Can someone tell me who the captain is on Allure? Thanks!

Start at the latest post and work back: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1441813

CreativeCruiser119

Captain Tore Grimstad just began his rotation last week. He shares the helm with Captain Ron Holmes, rotating approximately every 10 weeks.

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Thank you. I wasn't sure about the rotation

You’re more than welcome! Typically, they rotate every ten weeks, however it is not unheard of nor particularly uncommon for captains to go an extra week. This is standard for all ships, at least in the RCI fleet.

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