John Heald Interviews the Captain — Again

On his popular blog, www.johnhealdsblog.com, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Senior Cruise Director John Heald is featuring his second interview with Jeroen van Donselaar, master of Eurodam. John generously shared the interview with Eurodam News Blog.

John Heald: Captain, we read your wonderful interview a few weeks ago and I thought we could check in on you and see how you are. Can you tell us what stage of readiness the ship is in now?

John Heald

Jeroen van Donselaar: Hello John, well I have been at the yard a month now and progress has been amazing! Most public areas are 99 percent finished, in fact loading of loose furniture like chairs is well under way. This week we had a visit by Mr. [Micky] Arison who was visibly impressed and congratulated the yard on the progress.

Capt. Jeroen van Donselaar

JH: What are your priorities at the moment as captain of the vessel?

JvD: Well, I am heavily involved at the moment with voyage planning. This means checking the tracks, but also contacting the various agents in the ports that we will be visiting to obtain berthing information, for instance. I am familiar with most ports, there are however a few new ones for me, such as Edinburgh.

Other than that, I am working on various inaugural events with our PR department. The fifth and final ship’s staff officer — our Environmental Officer Hans Crijnen — has joined us this week so the management team is complete and we are very busy getting ready to move on board. This is a major logistical operation to move everyone from hotels and apartments into their cabins on board.

JH: As the ship gets ever nearer to delivery what do you think will be the highlights on board for the excited guests?

JvD: I personally am very excited about the very contemporary yet elegant design of the ship, areas such as the Pinnacle wine bar and the Lido are absolutely stunning. I think the new pan-Asian restaurant Tamarind will be a big hit with our guests.

JH: You will be meeting the Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands who will be the godmother of the vessel. Are you nervous about this great honor and have you been told of any specific protocols for when you meet her?

JvD: No, looking ahead to this event does not make me nervous. I know that it has been organized very well and we have a lot of resources in place to make sure that everything will go smoothly and that it will be an enjoyable day for all.

Yes, I have been briefed on protocol, the biggest no-no would be to have one’s cell phone go off … My only concern would be the rather unpredictable Dutch weather. Let’s hope for sunny skies!

JH: Holland America has an incomparable tradition of excellence. What do you think are the main reasons for this?

JvD: Well, we have been at it for 135 years. The key to our success in my opinion is our crew, our Indonesian and Filipino crew with a mix of international is a truly winning combination.

JH: Finally, as you navigate the ship away from the pierside, what thoughts will you have and is there someone you dedicate your very successful career to?

JvD: Well this moment of course is rapidly approaching. We are moving on board on May 31, the ship will be handed over to HAL on June 16, and our departure is on June 20.

I feel extremely privileged that I was asked to be the first captain of the new Signature-class Eurodam. Fincantieri and their partners have done an amazing job in turning this ship out to be what I believe is the most beautiful ship the company has ever had.

I am also very grateful to my parents who made it possible for me to attend nautical college now almost 25 years ago. I am looking forward to showing them “my ship” in Rotterdam!

JH: Thank you, Captain, and hopefully I will meet you soon.