Storylady

The Amsterdam is still in Manila Ba, the Captain’s companion just made cookies to send to the crew onboard. From what she said in her posting, crew have disembarked and crew are embarking. Our luggage still hasn’t been off loaded. Sarah Coles is suppose to be composing a letter to send to everyone. And the luggage will be delivered to Ft Lauderdale. Check the roll call, one of the passengers got a long e-mail from Sarah. And I received a message from her also.

Another interesting article that I haven’t seen posted. Media seems to like to point out cruise ships, but what about resorts, planes, restaurants, theme parks, concerts, sports events etc. haven’t seen the media say much about them. http://www.yourcruisecoach.com/cruise-travel-and-covid-19-perception-vs-reality/?fbclid=IwAR2DQTW7ohbIhwB3UTj0fh_sWkx3ilHmw0wlr-vK-X7xiDmOR49tds69O1k

Before the Amsterdam reached Manila, Filipino cruise ship crew had been quarantined for 14 days in hotels. The Philippine government decided that the crew should be quarantined on ships instead. One of the Filipino crew posted an article about the chaos of Filipinos stuck in hotels and not allowed to go home even after the 14 days. So it was better for our crew to be quarantined on the ship. The Philippines have over 500,000 Filipino seafarers who will all be returning to the Philippines sometime this year. No wonder there are so many ships still stuck in Manila Bay.

Just had an update from a wife of an officer on the Koningsdam which has been involved in gathering different nationalities on the Koningsdam so that they can all go home on a chartered flights. Right now they are headed to Panama where they will embark new Filipino and Indonesian crew that have flown on a chartered flight from Indonesia and Manila. On the same flight will be all Latin Americans and Caribbeans still on Carnival ships (mainly Princess and Seaborn) in Manila Bay. That is probably the reason why the Amsterdam is still in Manila Bay. The new crew members will replace their counterparts who will then be flown home. As for the Latin Americans and Caribbean crew members, they will stay onboard the Koningsdam until their country’s borders open to allow them to go home.

Angel, DRM wine steward, on the Amsterdam just posted her experiences being quarantined: the good, the funny, the sad parts and the happy parts. She is so talented! Wishing her the best.

Angel, DRM Wine Steward, posted a video of the last group on the Amsterdam going ashore. Angel is the one who created several of the other excellent videos. Enjoy their happiness. https://youtu.be/HD9YlS5sWMg

Jarrie, the barista at the Explorer’s Cafe, is still onboard the Amsterdam. She is hoping to go home soon. She messaged me that Sir Henk is still onboard. Can’t answer the question about the luggage as she has been quarantined for 21 days!

The Westerdam is now in Manila, it will be sometime before the Filipino staff get to disembark as they have only been there a few days.

Thanks for posting. My DH and I have sailed with Christina. She was the Captain’s host aboard the Prinsendam. We found her to be very friendly!

The best news is that all the crew left onboard that will be going home have tested negative which is no surprise to those who had been on the Amsterdam. They will probably be leaving later today as it will be Monday in Manila.

No she didn’t Roy, she had just been on another ship. And there wasn’t enough time for her to be quarantined and tested before boarding the Amsterdam. Thus, we all put temporary tags on our suitcases.

Not sure, but my understanding is that they are still onboard probably until all the crew that is departing has departed and until the luggage has been shipped. Maybe Captain Jonathan can answer that question once he posts his last blog.

You are correct. Presty has stayed behind as have several other Filipino and Indonesian crew members. The ones who stayed were the ones who had the most months left on their contracts from what Presty said. Also the ones most needed to take care of the ship. He didn’t say how many. He did say, he would go home, but not for quite awhile. And I believe Henk Minsink and Crystal are still onboard.

The video was made by Angel before the Filipino crew went into quarantine. Since then, they have been housed in veranda cabins and isolated from each other. Holland America gave them books to read. Suggested websites for free books and also free WI-FI. Duterte demanded the quarantine results be expedited, but there are still lots like too many ships to count in Manila Bay!

The Eurodam was one of the first ships in Manila Bay. Just got a message from Jarrie, the barista on the Amsterdam. She said she hasn’t gotten here swab results yet. So not everyone is off the Amsterdam either.