Maasdam missing Ports on her New Zealand cruise

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Today the Maasdam was meant to be in Akaora, but she missed Akaroa

 

 

I guess that might have been because of the weather?

 

Then I was checking AIS a little while ago and she just sailed past Picton! (Where she was met to go to tomorrow (27/11/ 2016) and Wellington the day after (28/11/2016) and she is sailing right to Napier (where it looks like she might go tomorrow).

 

 

Has anyone heard anything??

 

I am just about to check the Holland America board to see if anyone has posted anything there....

[SinbadThePorter]

Today the Maasdam was meant to be in Akaora, but she missed Akaroa

 

I guess that might have been because of the weather?

 

Windytv is showing very heavy seas around 8-9 metres between Tas and South Island. This is feeding 4m seas into Cook Strait and the West Coast.

 

I'd be heading for the East Coast of the North Island too.

[kiwijohn]

I have just looked up the Maasdam's position and she is sailing at 10.2 knots off Riversdale Beach, Wairarapa so she is obviously missing Picton today and maybe she will head back to Wellington where she is supposed to be tomorrow.

[MicCanberra]

It is always a shame to miss ports but the weather wouldn't be that great I suppose.

[GUT2407]

We saile right up to the anchorage at Akaroa, turned around and left.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Looks like they have been on a cruise to nowhere....

up the coast , then back down again , and now heading to Wellington.

 

[MicCanberra]

Here we go loop da loop, I suppose the Picton or wellington stop is back on.

[GUT2407]

Maybe after missing Akaroa they had to kill a bit of time, I seem to recall our cruise did something similar.

[MicCanberra]

Possibly. She is due in Wellington tomorrow.:D

[mrs and mrs]

Any port in a Storm.;)

[OzKiwiJJ]

I looked at the Significant Wave Height map in the Marine Forecasts section of the NZ Met Service website this morning and it showed some very nasty stuff on both sides of the South Island and in Cook Strait for today, but there was smoother seas closer in to the east coast of the North Island, presumably where they have been stooging around. The map has a "play" function so you can see how the predictions move throughout the day/week. It's a great resource.

[Bodogbodog]

Any port in a Storm.;)

 

Not necessarily - if it involves being in Cook Strait in rough seas it might not be a great decision. Better to take a jaunt up the east coast and come back when things have settled down

Edited November 27, 2016 by Bodogbodog

[MicCanberra]

Any port in a Storm.;)

 

Grandfather port is my fav although beggars can't be choosers.;)

[mrs and mrs]

ooppsee.:);):eek:

[OzKiwiJJ]

Not necessarily - if it involves being in Cook Strait in rough seas it might not be a great decision. Better to take a jaunt up the east coast and come back when things have settled down

 

Oh yeah! :D

[kiwijohn]

Maasdam is at last berthed at Aotea Quay, Wellington on a beautiful sunny day. I am sure the passengers will be glad to get off after missing two ports

[MicCanberra]

Maasdam is at last berthed at Aotea Quay, Wellington on a beautiful sunny day. I am sure the passengers will be glad to get off after missing two ports

 

Wellington is a great port especially on a sunny day.

[fire eater]

This is a bit long-winded, but we were on the 43 day Circumnav., and this is from my diary. Thought you might be interested. It was a wonderful, amazing cruise and we loved it.

Susan from Oz

 

Sat 26 Nov

AKAROA (CHRISTCHURCH)

Sailed into Akaroa to seek protection from the weather, but could not tender to shore, of course. Then the Captain told us that we were leaving straight away, as the anchor couldn't hold the ship as the winds were too strong, so we rocked and rolled out of there into the open water. Well, that was exciting!

We can't get into Picton and Wellington, so are sailing straight to Napier, hoping to get there by 6am tomorrow.

We will cross Cook Strait between 4 and 7pm today, which will also be very interesting!

 

Sat 26 Nov continued

6pm

We have been in Cook Strait for three hours. Enormous winds and huge waves. Should be through in about an hour or so. The sea water is blowing right across the deck, hitting the outside glass door of the cabin. Poor deck hands cleaned them all while we were in port only yesterday.

Someone told us that yesterday a woman took two $50 notes out of her purse, while walking down the gangway at Port Chalmers, and the money blew out of her hand into the sea. That's sad for her.

The general reminder for the captain in rocky/windy/bad weather is: one hand for yourself, one hand for the ship. Makes sense to me.

Saw landslips from the earthquake on the Kaikouras today as we sailed past.

7pm

Good Captain - Out of Cook Strait and handing north for Napier.

 

Sun 27 Nov

Woken up early by the Captain. We turned during the night and are heading back south to Wellington. Apparently the port boss in Napier failed to tell the Captain that we would be berthed next to a timber-carrying freighter which is to undergo pesticidal fumigation today. So, we are heading south again. The Captain was very restrained about the port officer and merely said, 'It was very unprofessional.'

His language no doubt would have been less restrained when he received the news during the night.

We have spoken since to some people who were up during the night and wondering why the land had changed to the other side since they went to bed!

So we are back in furious winds and very high seas, with deep pitching to the port side.

4.30pm

Still rocking and rolling.

 

PICTON

Didn't get there.

 

Mon 28 Nov

7am - 4pm

WELLINGTON

Tue 29 Nov

8am - 2pm

NAPIER

We got into Napier this time! Caught the Hoho bus in and walked all over as usual. Such a pretty place. The vintage car enthusiasts were on the dock as usual, to take people for rides. And before sailing at 2pm, the jazz band entertained us on the dock.

 

Wed 30 Nov

8am - 8pm

TAURANGA (ROTORUA)

Got off once all the excursion people had gone ashore and walked to Mt Manganui, and then wandered. Lovely port.

Last port! I don't want to go home! ☹️

The Captain told us that we are going to White Island for scenic cruising for an hour tomorrow. We will see another volcano. It will be the third one we have seen. Yay! White Island was puffing a bit of smoke when we went past the other morning.

 

Thu 1 Dec

Cruising Bay of Plenty - White Island volcano first - and then Coromandel Peninsula

 

I was up at 5.15 to go up on deck for the scenic cruising. Looked out and there was Mt Manganui! We were about to re-dock in Tauranga. There was just another woman on deck who was taking pics of the Mount and I told her that we were back in Tauranga and she did not believe it until Ron - a shipmate, showed her his pics from yesterday.

Two ambulances and a security van on the dock, with the short lower deck gangway out. I was worried that it might be for some of our new friends on Deck 6, so went for a wander and there was nobody around there.

7am

One passenger came out on a stretcher and another passenger walking. Suitcases all packed in a taxi and they left.

7.30am

Captain just told us there was a critical incident at 3am and that is why he raced back to Tauranga. We are waiting for the ship's doctor to return now, with all the specialist equipment that went in the ambulance with her and then we will leave again.

No volcano, but that's ok. Lucky we were so close to good medical care.

Home tomorrow.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks for the report. WOW ...what an eventful cruise.:eek:

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Yes, WOW what an eventful cruise. :eek:

 

Thank You for your post fire eater!

Edited December 31, 2016 by Kiwi_cruiser

[Riversedge]

That sounds like an exciting journey but not especially in a good way! We will be boarding before too long. Can you tell me who the captain and cruise director are? Thanks for the onboard report.

[fire eater]

Master Captain Ane Jan Smit

Cruise Director Jeremy Whited

 

Enjoy your cruise. We would do it all over again at the drop of a hat, even with all the weird weather. The Maasdam is beautiful.

[fire eater]

Saturday 12 Nov

8am-11pm

ADELAIDE

Very cold and dark and windy this morning as we sail into Port Adelaide. The sun is trying to get through, but dark clouds everywhere. I was up about 5.30am. Had muesli and fruit and am now in the Crows Nest having a cup of tea and watching as the pilot, who just boarded, guides us through the shipping lane. Very narrow and we are going very, very slowly.

Took a long time to get through the lane. Then we spun around, which took a while to do, with tugs pushing and pulling, as well as the engine revving fairly hard. Then we tried the sideways movement to the dock and because of the extreme winds, it took about half an hour to get there. The distance was about as wide as the ship, but we just did not budge.

 

Today is the Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Sad for all the people who come into the city from out-lying areas to watch it, as it will definitely rain on their parade today.

2.20pm and feels like gale force winds. Albatrosses having fun in the wind.

Wondering what will happen as we head for Kangaroo Island tonight. Tenders to shore are required for KI, so the Captain may decide not to go there and just sail very slowly for Burnie. Don't know. Lucky he does.

 

Sunday 13 Nov

7am-6pm

PENNESHAW, KI. TR

We left Port Adelaide at 3am.

Cannot go to K.Island- too rough. We have been sailing in a wide circle in Gulf St Vincent all morning. The Captain just told us that he will be turning shortly and there will be a list to starboard. What fun!

We just had coffee in one of the lounges and have come back to our cabin for the turn against the wind. I can watch the sea from our cabin. John is having a pre-lunch snooze on the bed and I am on the lounge. No sharp things to fly around in here. We have seen videos of dining rooms on ships during heavy seas, with everything just flying off tables. Feel more secure here.

 

Mon 14 Nov

At sea.

We finally stopped going back and forth up and down the S.A. coast and have turned towards Tassie. We will be there tomorrow morning.

[erewhon]

fire eater,

 

Thanks for reporting about our Maasdam cruise.

DH was reluctant to believe me when I told him we had returned to Mount Maunganui, then we saw the Ambulances from our balcony and understood the reason for the return.

[fire eater]

It was certainly an interesting journey, wasn't it. Lovely to meet you both. Happy 2017!