ryndam after the drydock

[zula]

My husband and I are considering a cruise on the Ryndam this fall. I read that the Ryndam was in dry dock a few weeks ago. Has anyone seen the newly refurbished Ryndam, maybe have photo's. Have they done a good job?
Regards,

[Cruzman]

The only reports I have seen are some who took the 3 day cruise to nowhere after dry dock, however; we will be sailing on her Sunday, 4/11, and will post a review.

[aliaschief]

The only reports I have seen are some who took the 3 day cruise to nowhere after dry dock, however; we will be sailing on her Sunday, 4/11, and will post a review.

In the meantime; hoping you have a great cruise. Looking forward to your thoughts and opinions. Bon Voyage!

[HNI]

My husband and I are considering a cruise on the Ryndam this fall. I read that the Ryndam was in dry dock a few weeks ago. Has anyone seen the newly refurbished Ryndam, maybe have photo's. Have they done a good job?
Regards,

I sailed the Ryndam in 2005 for the Mexican Riviera/Sea of Cortez voyage. I liked the size of the ship but twice we could not use the toilets. On one deck there was a sewage smell. Several cruise critic posts mentioned that the ship had irreversable plumbing problems. Has anyone who has sailed subsequent to the refurbishment encountered such problem? I am considering an Alaskan cruise this year but swore I would not sail the Ryndam again unless this specific problem was resolved.

[DutchByAssociation]

My husband and I are considering a cruise on the Ryndam this fall. I read that the Ryndam was in dry dock a few weeks ago. Has anyone seen the newly refurbished Ryndam, maybe have photo's. Have they done a good job?
Regards,

The ship looks incredible following the dry dock. Mix has replaced the Piano and Casino Bars and looks incredible, the shops have been refurbished, all the staterooms and bathrooms have been redesigned and have new decor, Canaletto has been added, the Showroom at Sea is stunning (really bold carpeting and white lamps on the main level that echo the "eggs" that were in there previously.

[Cruzman]

I sailed the Ryndam in 2005 for the Mexican Riviera/Sea of Cortez voyage. I liked the size of the ship but twice we could not use the toilets. On one deck there was a sewage smell. Several cruise critic posts mentioned that the ship had irreversable plumbing problems. Has anyone who has sailed subsequent to the refurbishment encountered such problem? I am considering an Alaskan cruise this year but swore I would not sail the Ryndam again unless this specific problem was resolved.

"Irreversible Plumbing problems" is an oxymoron IMHO. Certainly, there can be chronic plumbing problems, but these things can always be fixed. It was in 1999 that I last sailed the Ryndam, and I do not recall any plumbing issues. Tomorrow I shall board her again and give a full report when I return.

[Himself]

Dutch: Thanks for a classy report and a nice balanced observation. You are one class act.

Crusman: Have a great cruise and I look forward to your full report when you return.

[lorekauf]

"Irreversible Plumbing problems" is an oxymoron IMHO. Certainly, there can be chronic plumbing problems, but these things can always be fixed. It was in 1999 that I last sailed the Ryndam, and I do not recall any plumbing issues. Tomorrow I shall board her again and give a full report when I return.
I was on the Ryndam in 2007 and experienced nothing like that. I did have A/C issues. I'll be looking forward to your review when you return. Have a great cruise.

[lorekauf]

Dutch: Thanks for a classy report and a nice balanced observation. You are one class act.
.
He does work for the cruise line so I think he's not going to say anything nasty:D.

[alcpa1]

We were on the Ryndam on the Nov 29 sailing and were not happy cruisers. I imagine that some of our issues like the cabin have been addressed but I can only hope that the ship does not shutter so very badly, that the crew is more passenger oriented, and that they have made drastic improvements to the food and dining service.
Alaska is such a temptation that I would recommend you wait until a few more recent passengers have posted or choose another line.

[DutchByAssociation]

I was on the Ryndam in 2007 and experienced nothing like that. I did have A/C issues. I'll be looking forward to your review when you return. Have a great cruise.

I also don't hide the fact...

As I'm on here in an unofficial capacity though, I give my own opinions. I call things how I see them, give opinions based on my personal thoughts and experiences and wouldn't say something simply to "spin it." I hope over the time I've been on here I've also made that fact abundantly clear.

From my blog...
**About Me**
It is important to point out that any views shared are my own, and although I am a HAL employee and have been for several years, I am not a spokesman for HAL in an official capacity with regard to the content found on this blog.

[lorekauf]

I also don't hide the fact...

As I'm on here in an unofficial capacity though, I give my own opinions. I call things how I see them, give opinions based on my personal thoughts and experiences and wouldn't say something simply to "spin it." I hope over the time I've been on here I've also made that fact abundantly clear.

From my blog...
**About Me**
It is important to point out that any views shared are my own, and although I am a HAL employee and have been for several years, I am not a spokesman for HAL in an official capacity with regard to the content found on this blog.


I'm happy you are on here. I'm not trying to be nasty...really. I appreciate any information you will share with us. The thing is I would not generally badmouth my employer on the internet and I'm sure you wouldn't either.....

[rjm1cc]

I was on it just before it went into dry dock. I liked the ship and crew. I would love to go back and see the improvements they have made.

[exBFF]

just got off of the Ryndam this morning. I think maybe I expected more from the refurb. The public areas were nicely touched up, but that's all it really felt like, a touch up. Nothing radically different (at least that I could see). LOVED the new touch-screen tables in the bar area on Deck 8 between the stores and the casino. My son and I spent hours there playing chess. They seemed to be a very popular new addition.

The refurb did not include adding lanai rooms...which was something I was looking forward to seeing.

We've cruised the Ryndam several times in the past and have always enjoyed it...and did this time as well.

The only complaint we have is that decks five and six simply stank the entire cruise. Not the rooms, the entire decks. As you came down either set of stairs (or down the elevators) you were hit in the face with the most terrible odor - some vile combination of sewage and cigars. The crew appeared to continually (daily) steam clean the carpets in these areas, but the smell was there when we boarded a week ago and was still just as strong this morning.

Interestingly, they included a survey asking if a no-smoking policy would increase or decrease your likelihood of sailing with them again.

Personally, I'd pay extra to go on a smoke-free cruise. I hope they at least test the idea.

I do have some very positive things to share about the trip. Other posts in more topic-specific forums.

[ourfamilylovescruising]

I just watch the ryndam go under the skyway with my family and friends, we are going on her in Nov. for a Thanksgiving cruise cant wait to hear what you have to say.

[Gsel]

It is really sad to let this ship go on with the sewage problems she seems to have. She is a great ship otherwise, but we sailed on her before and had problems the whole time (we were in a suite) and won't again until they solve the problems. Not fun unless you can use your own bathroom on a ten-day cruise!

[wdw1972]

Interesting - I was on the Ryndam April 11 through this morning and stayed on deck 5. I didn't notice any bad smells anywhere (except where people were smoking in their cabins). Loved the refurb of the cabins & bathrooms, and my a/c worked REALLY well. I would have needed longjohns or a snuggie if I turned it very far into the "cooler" section. The crew was friendly, polite - always with a greeting. Food was fine. Entertainment (except the comedian) was outstanding!

I did comment to the hotel manager that I hate the idea of the lanai cabins and the trend towards taking public space and essentially "renting" it to passengers for their private use. The outside promenade deck should be 100% public space. It's bad enough the Eurodam took deck space and created those private cabanas!

Anyway, I really have no complaints about the Ryndam. The worst thing all week was the weather, and last I checked HAL doesn't control that!

Sue/WDW1972
Eurodam 3/5/11

[wdw1972]

I forgot to mention - the one area of the ship that was absolutely HIDEOUS was the Crow's Nest. The furniture is disgusting - like something from the 70's. That area needs to be redone! Since they allow smoking up there I wasn't going to be spending time up there, but I was taken aback by the burnt orange and bright pink seating up there when I walked through after boarding the ship.

Sue/WDW1972
Eurodam 3/5/11