Crossing +18,000km Working the Maiden Voyage and Inaugural Sailing from Eemshaven to Hong Kong
When I signed my contract in September 2017, I was ready for a grand adventure. I was told I’d be signing on in Papenburg, Germany. What actually happened was...different.
I landed in Amsterdam, got transported to Eemshaven, and only figured out a few days later that I wasn’t even in Germany. The revelation came in a seafarers' centre near the port, where I confidently asked a man for a German SIM card. He laughed, and it was a solid minute before I understood why. Turns out I’d been in the Netherlands all along.
Thus began my 18,000km journey from Eemshaven to Hong Kong. It was a voyage filled with hard work, strange moments, and a mix of awe and exhaustion as we crossed continents, oceans, and time zones.
Starting Out: From Papenburg’s Shipyard to Eemshaven’s Port
The ship was built in Papenburg, Germany, but I missed all the early action. By the time I joined, it had been moved to Eemshaven for final preparations. My first days onboard were a flurry of setting up, training, and figuring out which staircase would lead me to the crew mess.
Eemshaven itself was quiet. There wasn’t much nearby except wind turbines, open fields, and a seafarers’ centre. Walking in the crisp autumn air, marveling at the rows of wind turbines and occasionally spotting the local sheep – who seemed far less stressed about life than I was – was oddly therapeutic after long shifts.
A couple of times, I ventured into Delfzijl, a nearby town with charmingly quiet streets where people seemed to move at a slower pace, either walking or riding bicycles. The shops closed early – early enough to remind me I was no longer in a big city – but there was something peaceful about the simplicity of it all.
One of those times was during a blackout party when all of the ship’s crew – about 800 of us – were sent to the town to soak in the Dutch vibe followed by gathering for dinner.
There was also one day-trip highlight: Groningen. The streets were lively, and the coffee shops a welcome break from ship life. I remember it vividly because Saudi Arabia happened to be celebrating National Day that day – an oddly specific memory to hold onto, but one that sticks nonetheless.
Life Onboard: Strange Moments and Long Hours
Life on a cruise ship before passengers arrive is equal parts exhilarating and chaotic. One memorable incident was the case of the missing sofa. A crew member reported it missing from a cabin. After some frantic searching, we found it had somehow been transported off the ship. Whether that was intentional, a mistake, or part of some grand sofa heist, I’ll never know – but it gave us something to laugh about during those working hours.
Sea trials followed – a chance to test the ship’s systems before the real journey began. There was a unique rhythm to those days: work hard, wander the decks, and try not to trip over loose cables.
Crossing Oceans: From Gibraltar to the Suez Canal
Leaving Eemshaven behind, we started our journey south, passing Gibraltar – where I was allowed to go ashore. It was short but satisfying: a breath of fresh air, a stretch of the legs, and the surreal feeling of standing on land after days of staring at the ocean.
The Suez Canal was a highlight of the trip. On a map, it looks like a tiny thread connecting two oceans, but up close, it’s deceptively wide. The ship glided through with room to spare, flanked by desert landscapes. It was one of those moments where the sheer scale of human engineering left me speechless (and a little nervous).
The High-Risk Area: Three Days in the Dark
As we approached the high-risk waters near Yemen and Somalia, the mood onboard shifted. A security briefing became mandatory, and British maritime security guards joined us, armed and watchful. For three days, we operated as a “darken ship”: all windows covered, curtains drawn, and deck lights turned off. The ship felt like a ghost, gliding silently through the night.
The guards reassured us that no cruise ship had ever been attacked, which was comforting – sort of.
Arrival in Singapore and the Final Leg to Hong Kong
Reaching Singapore was a relief, but it didn’t mean we were done. We picked up a small group of passengers and continued on to Hong Kong. There was no time to rest – my shifts were a blur of cleaning, organising, and assisting wherever needed.
Hong Kong marked the start of the ship’s cruising operations, with itineraries based out of both Hong Kong and Nansha, Guangzhou. After weeks of silence, the ship came alive with passengers, music, and the buzz of activity.
The Crew Perspective: A Life of Contrasts
Working as a crew member during a delivery voyage is a unique experience. The days are long, the work relentless, and shore leave is rare. But there’s something thrilling about crossing continents and oceans, even if it means adjusting to new time zones every other day.
Three weeks after Gibraltar, I finally got another chance at shore leave – in Manila. By then, the contrast between the monotony of onboard life and the excitement of stepping on land had never felt starker. It’s those little moments – exploring a city, grabbing a local bite, or simply breathing in fresh air – that make all the hard work worthwhile.
Reflections on 18,000km
This 18,000km journey wasn’t just about delivering a ship; it was about personal growth, unexpected lessons, and finding humour in the chaos. Whether it was discovering I wasn’t in Germany or navigating high-risk waters, every moment added to the adventure.
For anyone dreaming of combining work and travel, I’ll say this: it’s not always glamorous, but it’s always unforgettable. The world is vast, and sometimes, getting from one side to the other is the adventure of a lifetime.