The 2020 GWV on the ms Amsterdam ended in Perth, Western Australia on 23 March 2020 due to the surging worldwide pandemic.   This is the first world cruise since the restart and there are 483 guests currently onboard who were also onboard the Amsterdam in March of 2020.

Surprisingly, there were only 21 crewmembers from the 2020 Grand World Cruise on this cruise.

2020 Grand World Voyage Reflection Get-together

The day before our arrival in Fremantle, there was an Amsterdam 2020 Grand World Voyage Reflection Get-together held on the World Stage.    Over 400 guests attended.  Glasses of champagne were served as we entered the World Stage in preparation for a toast toward the end of the ceremony.

Capt Friso welcomed everyone and made a few brief remarks before introducing Henk.   Henk discussed some challenges the crew faced as their world was turned upside down, with many facing unemployment and new challenges at home.    Ian joined Henk for a brief Q and A session before they played the below video where the 21 crewmembers who were on the Amsterdam told their stories about their experiences over the last 3 years.   They were all asked four questions:

• What do you remember about the day passengers had to leave the ship,
• What did you do during the pandemic,
• What did you miss most about not being on the ship
• How did you feel when you were called back?

Many of them started new businesses or focused on being full-time parents.    Others described the challenges of looking for work.   They all were very happy when the ships began to sail again, and they could return to the jobs they enjoyed most:  working for Holland America on cruise ships.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the 21 crewmembers paraded across the stage to thunderous applause, and Ian offered the following toast – “Happy to meet, but sorry to part, but always happy to meet again – Cheers!”

Here is a video clip of the humorous answer to the question of what Henk was doing during the Pandemic, along with the parade of the crew participants and the toast.   The entire ceremony was about 50 minutes.

2020 Grand World Voyage Reunion Party

After our Fremantle Port Visit, about 250 guests from 2020 gathered in the Crow’s Nest to remember that event and celebrate our continuing journey.    Planning for this event started on our Roll Call last fall and spread to other social media.

When we started planning, we had no idea how many 2020 Alumni might be on board, and at one point, we thought everyone interested may fit in the small Gallery Bar.   As interest grew, we worked with HAL to book the largest space available, the Crow’s Nest, and we quickly reached capacity.   The event was scheduled from 4-5 PM on the 23rd.

As people arrived, Champagne was served, as well as orange juice.  Waiters circulated and served a variety of hors d’oeuvres.   Everyone received a commemorative luggage tag, and we had a banner for people to use in photographs.

Commemorative Luggage Tag

Judy and Pete with Henk at the photo station

We handed out a few commemorative pens to the “winners” of various categories:   Last person to leave Australia, Last Date to get home, Longest distance traveled to get home, and the date luggage was received.   NOTE – for those not aware, we left our luggage on the Amsterdam and it was ultimately offloaded in Singapore and shipped to FLL via container ship.   Everyone received their luggage in Sept/Oct of 2020, and it was in remarkably good condition.

I started the toast by recalled Capt Mercer’s toast back in March of 2020 when the fate of our cruise was still uncertain  “May we go where we want to and not where we have to”.

Here was my toast for this event:

“We have faced obstacles and setbacks along the way, but our passion for exploration and discovery has never waned. We have waited patiently for this moment, and now we stand on the brink of new horizons.

Let’s raise a glass to the challenges we’ve overcome, the lessons we’ve learned, and the memories we’ve made. As we set out on this next leg of our journey, let’s remember to savor every moment and appreciate every opportunity.

Let’s embrace the unknown with curiosity and enthusiasm, and let’s never lose sight of the wonders that await us.

So here’s to the adventure that lies ahead, and to the resilience and determination that brought us this far.

Let’s treat every cruise as if it’s our first and last

Cheers to the journey ahead!”

Later on the ship

The Dance Band was on the World Stage this evening and performed “Jazzed up Beatles”.   They performed a collection of Beatles hits with jazzy arrangements, and it was outstanding.   Their performance of a jazzed-up arrangement of Dear Prudence included a nice drum solo by Band Director and Drummer Jordan.   Their final song was “This Boy,” with Jordan, Christopher, Alvaro, and Thomas sitting on the edge of the stage singing to the accompaniment of a single acoustic guitar.

The Dance Band on the World State performing Jazzed up Beatles

Singing “This Boy” to conclude the show