Farewell Volendam - Torbay cruise ship says goodbye
Volendam, which was one of the ships to join in the chorus of ship’s horns for Remembrance and New Year’s Eve, is the first to leave
Four Holland America cruise ships in Tor Bay. They are the Nieuw Statendam, Westerdam, Volendam and Zaandam. Picture by Alex Jackson- AJ Photography
ONE of Torbay’s beloved cruise ships has set sail for warmer climes.
After months of choppy seas and chilly winds in the bay, the Volendam has left.
She is one of several ships of the Holland America line to have spent the coronavirus lockdown off the South Devon coast, awaiting the relaxation of regulations around the world and a return to cruising.
Volendam, which was one of the ships to join in the chorus of ship’s horns for Remembrance and New Year’s Eve, is the first to leave.
News of the departure prompted hundreds of goodwill messages from local people on social media. The crew of the Volendam had received cards and presents from local well-wishers at Christmas.
Crew member Maarten Janse said: “The time has come to say goodbye.
“Volendam has left and we’re heading now to Portland. Thereafter we’ll be repositioning towards the Mediterranean sea.
“Thank you all so much for your support and kind messages, hope we’ll be back one day in your beautiful bay!
“Take care and farewell, or as we say in Dutch ‘tot ziens!’”
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