Here is an interesting view of the bulbous bow on the Zaandam while we were at anchor at Half Moon Cay.

These are two gentleman that I had a business meeting with while on the Zaandam. This is the only photo I have of the organ in the lobby. It takes up the whole three deck high lobby. I think it's too big and kind of ugly, it looked like it was made of plaster of paris.

Here's the side of the ship while we were at sea. I like these types of photos. I had my little video camera on this trip, so I didn't take as many Photos of the ship and her interiors as I would have liked.

I had a chance to sit and chat with Mr. Kirk Lanterman about some ideas.

Here's the Marco Polo alternative dining room.

Here's a shot of the new Zaandam from one of the tenders.

Thanks Barry.

"This organ is an inspiration from Holland, but also from South America and Spain. We've drawn from several cultures to bring life to it," said F.C.J. Dingemans, the ship's principal designer from the Netherlands. "If you travel to Spain and South America, you will see elaborate church organs, with carved angels and music and curls. It is a joy to see the organ in those cathedrals. At the same time, we mixed this idea with the mechanical dance organs, which were developed around 1900 when real band musicians became too expense and were replaced by mechanical music."

So it sounds like the organ WILL play, and the music theme explains the autographed guitars and other instruments that confused some people.

The organ did follow the music theme throughout the ship but I felt that it was too big. It filled the entire atrium area. It also looked a bit cheap. There was a keyboard at the base, but I'm not sure if it was a functional organ. I sat there and pushed a few buttons, but nothing happened. It could be an electronic keyboard with some speakers built into the organ structure, but I don't think it's a real organ like in a church...it was too fake looking upclose. I think it was more of an artistic piece.

I wish I took photos of the engine room I kick myself now. I did run my video camera all the way through the engine room, which was fascinating. I like exploring the mechanical areas of ships. I saw the big diesels and the electric motor and the shafts. Being a brand new ship the engine room was spotless.

I also had a buddy of mine take a picture of me up in the crows nest tower of the Norway, but from such a distance it was hard to see me. I tried to get up into the forward funnel of the ss Norway to get a unique photo standing on one of the wings of the funnel. That would have made a great picture!!! But all the hatches were locked which lead to the funnel casing. I like unique photos of ships as some of you may know.

Anyways, back to the Zaandam, I thought she was a beautiful ship and built very well.

Hey now you know what Barryboat looks like.

Here's a blurb from their web site (note the ship was delivered much later than originally scheduled) and a pricture of the organ.

"At our firm we are now busy building a large chromatical organ.
(see photograph)
It is ordered by the Holland-Amerika-Line.
The organ will be placed on a cruise ship, MS Zaandam. In july 1999 the organ must be ready. It is a pleasure to announce that FR. Decap, Herentals is willing to build the electronic system. The organ will be played by midi floppydisk system. This firm was one of the first to build mechanical organs played by this system."

From the Pluer Company web site at http://www.pluer.nl/

Great pictures,nice ship. The organ is a
nice piece of ornamental art. It looks like
most of the casework is baroque like
so many of the organs in Bavaria (S Germany)

It would be a shame if it were strictly
decorative and not playable. Barryboat, you
didn't say how many manuals it has.

Some of you may not know,but the Britanic
was to have a huge fuctional organ before
she was put in service as a hospital ship.
Oh well, if they can put in rock climbing
walls and ice rinks then they can install
something worthwhile as well.

Thanks again Barryboat, the pictures were
great !!