SeeLegs

Yes, the RV Sun is now the HAL Prinsendam.

I sailed on her for segments of three World Cruises (mid 90's) and she is one of my favorite ships. Captain Harsheim and the entire crew were marvelous and it was indeed like a "private club".

When first acquired, Carnival placed the RV Sun under the "Seabourn" label and then after a year or so, "downgraded" her and moved her to Holland America.

I never sailed on Dolphin, but worked on the Crown line out of the Port of Palm Beach. We had a comedian onboard by the name of "Carme", I remember him saying he was also a regular on Dolphin. Anyone remember him?

As others have said, it is about 35/40 minutes to the port.

You may also try calling your cruise line, they all have air/sea packages and usually at least a few guests are flying into Melbourne rather than Orlando. Perhaps you can purchase a shuttle ticket, I know you can in Orlando.

At least one of the cruise lines uses "Melbourne Airport Shuttle" and their number is: 321-724-1600.

Hope this helps!

The last time I saw Captain Skjerve was on the "Crown Del Mar" out of Palm Beach. I think it was 1990. He was no longer singing then.

 

Yes, as the former Cruise Director on the "Crown Del Mar", I can assure you that Captain Skjerve was still singing! He had a selection of songs for various days/ports and he would use the "all call" button on the intercom (this goes into crew cabins as well as passenger areas) and drive all of us crazy with those early morning serenades!

He also opened his frequent addresses with "Mushi Mushi", then he'd go on with a joke, like telling the ladies to all "be sure and wear underwear under their dress as it is windy on deck." He was quite the character and loved by the passengers.

I was onboard for his 50th year at Sea celebration and then Crown Cruise Line was sold to Commodore and later to Cunard and he was "retired". He married a woman named Petra who was our "psychic lecturer" onboard and I saw them in the late 90's. He had been a relief captain for RCCL and finally retired. Petra passed away shortly after that.

 

For those of you intereted in the "Crown Del Mar", she recently ended her "life" in a fiery blaze during a refit. All of us who knew her were deeply saddened, we were a small company, a small ship and had a lot of fun.