anniecat
February 24th, 2005, 10:03 PM
Here's part one of MY review of the Ryndam cruise to the Mexican Riviera and the Sea of Cortez. Before I start, a disclaimer...this is my second cruise, I am not extremely picky about stuff, and I tend to be relaxed about things that go wrong. So please...keep the above in mind.
Starting with the ship itself. As you know the Ryndam got her upgrade last fall, and the exploration cafe/library/internet cafe is wonderful...great reading chairs, tons of new books of all types, music listening stations and free access to the NY Times on line. Books and DVD's could be checked out (no charge for books and $3 for DVD's)...and the rooms all have DVD players. Internet access is as before, expensive and somewhat slow (70 cents a minute with package plans for less). They also have laptops for rent (don't know the cost) and a wireless hotspot. And very helpful staff. The Cafe charges for latte's, cappucinos', starbucks-style frappes etc: costs...a little less than our local Starbucks and quite tasty. GREAT IMPROVEMENT in my mind.
The teen only oasis...(only 2-3 teens on our cruise) looks like great fun..kind of like a Survivor set...hammocks, palms, a waterfall into a wading pool. Personally though... I'd be nervous with my kids...it is a very sensuous looking place..perfect for summer romances. and S-E-X. Hopefully there is supervision by staff. (it is located on the deck above the sports deck between the smoke stacks in the back)
The Crow's Nest has new sofa's in HOT pink, nice reclining lounge chairs and watered down drinks. The dance floor is good size and fun, 20-something style lighting. There are curtains which can be drawn encircling the pink sofas...maybe for privacy or smoke retention????
Didn't notice any major changes in the Lido Buffet or pool area. and I'm not sure about Dining Room changes...seemed the same..
The Gym is smaller...about half the size...spinning cycles, a well equiped gym and 9-10 treadmills with TV's/headphones (only 3 worked)
We had a Verandah room...Dvd player, flat screen TV (but on the dresser), a refrig that the door wouldn't stay shut on, a wonderful new bed, linens and new carpet. The bath was old, mildew stains in the tub grout, a tub faucet that had broken parts (but worked ok). and the TOILETS....I knew we had trouble when we first walked down the hallway...sewer smell. For the first five days our toilet (and others on the aft starboard side) worked occasionally
(very nerve wracking). We made many calls, and stopped at the front desk 2-3 times daily..would have liked some sympathy at least. The problem was obviously not a new one as the attitude was pretty ho-hum (except by Tanto our steward..who called also everytime he found them not working) (I bet he was really happy when they patched the problem :p
to be continued later.......
Starting with the ship itself. As you know the Ryndam got her upgrade last fall, and the exploration cafe/library/internet cafe is wonderful...great reading chairs, tons of new books of all types, music listening stations and free access to the NY Times on line. Books and DVD's could be checked out (no charge for books and $3 for DVD's)...and the rooms all have DVD players. Internet access is as before, expensive and somewhat slow (70 cents a minute with package plans for less). They also have laptops for rent (don't know the cost) and a wireless hotspot. And very helpful staff. The Cafe charges for latte's, cappucinos', starbucks-style frappes etc: costs...a little less than our local Starbucks and quite tasty. GREAT IMPROVEMENT in my mind.
The teen only oasis...(only 2-3 teens on our cruise) looks like great fun..kind of like a Survivor set...hammocks, palms, a waterfall into a wading pool. Personally though... I'd be nervous with my kids...it is a very sensuous looking place..perfect for summer romances. and S-E-X. Hopefully there is supervision by staff. (it is located on the deck above the sports deck between the smoke stacks in the back)
The Crow's Nest has new sofa's in HOT pink, nice reclining lounge chairs and watered down drinks. The dance floor is good size and fun, 20-something style lighting. There are curtains which can be drawn encircling the pink sofas...maybe for privacy or smoke retention????
Didn't notice any major changes in the Lido Buffet or pool area. and I'm not sure about Dining Room changes...seemed the same..
The Gym is smaller...about half the size...spinning cycles, a well equiped gym and 9-10 treadmills with TV's/headphones (only 3 worked)
We had a Verandah room...Dvd player, flat screen TV (but on the dresser), a refrig that the door wouldn't stay shut on, a wonderful new bed, linens and new carpet. The bath was old, mildew stains in the tub grout, a tub faucet that had broken parts (but worked ok). and the TOILETS....I knew we had trouble when we first walked down the hallway...sewer smell. For the first five days our toilet (and others on the aft starboard side) worked occasionally
(very nerve wracking). We made many calls, and stopped at the front desk 2-3 times daily..would have liked some sympathy at least. The problem was obviously not a new one as the attitude was pretty ho-hum (except by Tanto our steward..who called also everytime he found them not working) (I bet he was really happy when they patched the problem :p
to be continued later.......