Ryndam info/opinions needed

[SeaBunny]

DH and I are thinking about booking this ship for a two-week cruise in the Caribbean. We've never done HAL before (Carnival Miracle, RCL Brilliance, and Crown Princess in 12 days) and wonder what to expect from this older but refurbished ship.

Thanks!

[AWED23]

One of my personal favorites......

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have sailed on her quite a few times - most recently - 20 days November 2005.

She is one of our favorite ships.

Go for it!!

[Spoely]

Hi. My SO and I cruised the Ryndam this past April on a 14 day Southern Caribbean cruise out of Tampa. We absolutely loved it! The ship is gorgeous and the crew members are first-rate! You won't regret your choice.

Cheers,
Spoely

[RustaRoo]

Yes, the Ryndam is a special ship - loved being on her. You'll have a wonderful time - book it:)

[SeaBunny]

Glad to hear all your positive feedback on this.

Still wondering how you would describe the expereince. Maybe I need to give you some idea of what we like: meeting people, trivia, games, good food. We don't care much about big stage entertainment but like small combos/pianos/etc., could care less about bingo and casinos, like a good gym, love finding quiet places to look at the ocean/sea from a shady nook -- I read, DH snoozes.

Still sound like good match?

[RuthC]

Still sound like good match?
Yes.

[Spoely]

Glad to hear all your positive feedback on this.

Still wondering how you would describe the expereince. Maybe I need to give you some idea of what we like: meeting people, trivia, games, good food. We don't care much about big stage entertainment but like small combos/pianos/etc., could care less about bingo and casinos, like a good gym, love finding quiet places to look at the ocean/sea from a shady nook -- I read, DH snoozes.

Still sound like good match?

Actually, you have described shipboard life on the Ryndam! Friendly people, trivia contests, games, great food. No big stage stuff, although the entertainment is often very good, but wonderful little bars and lounges with combos and piano. Plenty of quiet nooks to curl up in. They have a fine fitness center and a superb and comfy library with lots of books.

Cheers,
Spoely

[cactuslady]

There is NO better place for a snooze or a read or a people-watch, in my opinion, than a teak deck chair on the shady side of the lower promenade deck of the Ryndam. The steward will come by with iced tea at 3:30 (I think), so try to wake up for that.

The Ryndam is very, very special for me (mostly because I met my DH on her ;) )

[happy cruzer]

Absolutely, you must try the promenade deck on HAL. It is covered. Early or late you'll have to pick the shady side. It is low enough to hear the water and the wind. Very peaceful and usually not crowded. The teak deck and chairs are wonderful. Great snoozing and reading. Sometimes you can spot a dolphin or two.

If by some weird chance the first time you go out, there is something amiss like a little too hot, a loud party sitting and chatting, too smokey (I think it's ok to smoke in one part) please give it a try a little later. You will learn that there is a time of day that is perfect for you. I like around 5:00pm when there is a gentle breeze... but you will find your time to enjoy.

HAL is my favorite - love the ship (becasue it is smaller, elegant, and has a full promenade deck), the food, the service, and good music to dance to.

[shipcafe]

DH and I are thinking about booking this ship for a two-week cruise in the Caribbean. We've never done HAL before (Carnival Miracle, RCL Brilliance, and Crown Princess in 12 days) and wonder what to expect from this older but refurbished ship.

Thanks!

Feel free to check out my photologue of the newly refurbished Ryndam HERE (http://www.shipcafe.net/shipcafe/ry/rydm04.htm).

[cruiserfromohio]

My wife and I did the 14-day cruise on the "beautiful and elegant" Ryndam last spring. We had a great time and enjoyed the ship and the crew! If you go, I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves. :)

[Orlandocruiser]

We are doing the 14 day Ryndam cruise on Nov 10. While we have never been on the Ryndam before we have sailed on the Maasdam and Veendam (her sister ships) and love the size and the amenities. We use the gym and while it isn't health club size it is perfectly adequate for the size ship and passenger load. Tampa port is easy to fly or drive into - a great place to start and end a cruise.

[SeaBunny]

The Nov. 10 14 day trip is exactly what we were considering. You guys have sold me! I can picture myself on that teak deck chair now. Aahhh

Thanks!

[earl_m]

I was on the Ryndam last april on a 14 days cruise.I find that it s the perfect size ship. There was never any waiting for the shows,meals
or any thing else, You will love the ship!!

[serendipity1499]

Seabunny ..We're booked, with our friends, on the Ryndam Nov. 10 cruise out of Tampa..We were on the Ryndam years ago & looking forward to cruising on her again..What we especially enjoy about HAL is the Excellent service, Friendly Crews, Excellent Food and being able to park ourselves in a nice shady spot on the Promenade deck with a good book &/or a snooze..We enjoy most of our lunches in the Lido & like the different stations such as, Pasta, Sandwiches, Hot entrées, Ice Cream, etc.:) ..My downfall is the Pasta, Ice cream & the wonderful Bread Pudding with Vanilla sauce;) ..Their signature of excellence up-grades are great..Beds are so comfortable that I sleep better on the ship than I do at home! As far as smokers go, we've never had a problem with that...Most smokers are very considerate of others..Hal's ships have small combos & piano bars..However most HAL Cruisers are not night owls..The bars except the Crow's Nest seem to close around Midnight..We love HAL's smaller ships as opposed to the Vista class ships..They are much more intimate & lovely..

Hi. My SO and I cruised the Ryndam this past April on a 14 day Southern Caribbean cruise out of Tampa. We absolutely loved it! The ship is gorgeous and the crew members are first-rate! You won't regret your choice. Cheers,
Spoely

Spoely, Can you tell us how many formal & Informal nights we can expect..Normally on 14 nighters they would have 3 or 4 formal, but wonder if they cut down on the formal & informal nights on your cruise because of the itinerary..

We have 2 sea days together when we leave Tampa on the way to San Juan, 8 days together in ports & then 3 sea days together on the way back into Tampa from Aruba...All departure times from port are either 5 or 6 P.M & 2 are Midnight departures..

If anyone else who has cruised this itinerary knows the answer to my question would really apprciate your input..Thanks everyone for your help....

Happy cruising all:) Betty

[starysacz]

Sailed two cruises on the Ryndam. Several years ago and last October. Excellent crew, great food, and exceptional service. You will enjoy.:)

[SeaBunny]

Hey, Betty and OrlandoCruiser,

I started a roll call for this cruise. Join in!

We're fairly new to cruising -- took our first one last October. But this will be our fourth, so you can tell we like it. This is our first HAL.

Love to hear about other's experiences.

[serendipity1499]

Hey, Betty and OrlandoCruiser,

I started a roll call for this cruise. Join in!

We're fairly new to cruising -- took our first one last October. But this will be our fourth, so you can tell we like it. This is our first HAL.

Love to hear about other's experiences.

Sea bunny there was a roll call for this cruise which was started by another person..However Orlando cruiser is the only one left & we planned to join him..I really think you should check this out with Orlando cruiser first..

The URL for the roll call is:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=310840


Have no ideas why it doesn't show when you do a search, but it's still there..I'll try posting on it & see if it comes up..

[serendipity1499]

Seabunny & Orlando Cruiser..Ok have posted on the original roll call which was started by C 2 C...Can't believe that so many bailed out for the later cruise & left you there alone Orlando Cruiser! Now both roll call threads are shown...

Perhaps we can get them combined...Orlando Cruiser, just wondered if you have been in touch with HAL about setting up a room or an area for a get together..

This is my 13th cruise(hope it's still good luck) & my DH's 12th...7 of which are on HAL...Can you tell that we really like cruising..;) LOL

SeaBunny now that you are getting ready for your 4th cruise, you are really a PRO..Were any of them on HAL?

I'm trying to find out how many formal/informal nights there will be , so I can start our clothing list..I like to plan ahead!;)

As of today our cruise is 11 weeks away...Is anyone getting excited yet?

Take care every one & looking forward to meeting you all on board..:)

Betty & John

[Spoely]

Hello Serendipity 1499,

We had 3 formal nights and 4 informal nights. The rest were casual dress. We opted for the Pinnacle one of the casual nights so we got all jazzed up.

We enjoyed the ports very much with the sole exception of Isla de Margarita. Given the extreme anti-Americanism of the Venezuelan government, we opted for a lovely onboard day and had a marvelous time.

One really neat thing happened in the morning just after we docked in Aruba. We hadn't left our stateroom yet and out the veranda doors I could see giant masts taller than our ship going by very close. I yelled for Dave to get out of the bathroom and come see. It was an American destroyer, wish I could remember the name, and all the crew and officers were in their dress whites standing at parade rest. Even the engineers were on the stern in white coveralls and blue hard hats. They docked right next to us. I was so proud!! I got huge goose bumps and sort of saw this as a greeting from my late husband (a Navy man who served on a destroyer). OK, so I'm a bit mystical.

As all HAL repeaters know, a crew member walks though the ship chiming you to dinner. Well, here's the thing. We had early seating and delightful table companions. We were almost always the last to leave the dining room as they were setting up for second seating. One evening as we were busy talking and laughing, the crew member actually walked through the dining room to chime us out. Oh, my. :D

Cheers,
Spoely

[serendipity1499]

Spoely..Thank you so much for the info about formal/informal...I think it's a riot that you were chimed out of the dining room..It's wonderful that you had such nice table mates..

Your description of the Navy Destroyer brought goose pimples to me too..I too would have been very excited & proud to see that..My Mothers cousin was a Navy Capt. in charge of a Navy Base at Lakehurst, New Jersey..As a young woman I attended his daughters wedding to a Naval Officer..Wow was that exciting for me..We've been to Annapolis several times & I still get goose pimples when I see the Noon day Parade with the men in their dress whites..

We're hoping that the political situation in Venezuela has not tainted Isla de Margarita...We've never been there, but have been told that it is a very beautiful place & I really would like to see it...

Thanks again for your info..Now I can start making my lists..Betty

[Spoely]

We were in Isla de Margarita at the time our Ambassador to Venezuela had his car stoned while the police stood by and laughed -- this was this past April. :( Chances are excellent that the folks who service the cruise passengers would have been just fine but we opted out. While sitting on our veranda sipping drinks :D , we saw a gorgeous beach right outside the security fence. They had chairs, floats, skee doos, other kinds of personal watercraft, etc. right there.

A more personal question if I may...where in Southwest Florida do you live? I live in Englewood, south of Sarasota and Venice, but north of Ft. Myers and Naples. Ring a bell?

cheers,
Spoely

[bubbajones]

My first cruise on HAL (I am a 25+ cruiser on Celebrity/RCCL) was on Ryndam with a 7 day out of San Diego to Mexico last year. It was a delightful cruise - beautiful ship - great staff - and our cabin was just two cabins off of the lido pool which became my favorite area of the ship --- a lido pool (facing aft) is not a very common feature in the newer ships. Enjoy yourselves --- this is a superb ship!

[serendipity1499]

We were in Isla de Margarita at the time our Ambassador to Venezuela had his car stoned while the police stood by and laughed -- this was this past April. :( Chances are excellent that the folks who service the cruise passengers would have been just fine but we opted out. While sitting on our veranda sipping drinks :D , we saw a gorgeous beach right outside the security fence. They had chairs, floats, skee doos, other kinds of personal watercraft, etc. right there.

A more personal question if I may...where in Southwest Florida do you live? I live in Englewood, south of Sarasota and Venice, but north of Ft. Myers and Naples. Ring a bell?

cheers,
Spoely

We live in Cape Coral which is right across the river from Ft.Myers...My mother was in a Nursing Home in Englewood before she passed away (10 years ago), so we used to go up to visit with her every weekend..I have some wonderful pictures of my Mom on your lovely beach..

In the summer it took us less than an hour to get there, but when the Snowbirds were here it was over 1 1/2 hrs each way..

We also stayed in a Marina in Englewood Beach when we had our boat but CRS is setting in & can't remember the name..We used to walk up to a cute little restaurant about a mile away for a great breakfast..

Thanks again for the info on your cruise..Betty

[serendipity1499]

My first cruise on HAL (I am a 25+ cruiser on Celebrity/RCCL) was on Ryndam with a 7 day out of San Diego to Mexico last year. It was a delightful cruise - beautiful ship - great staff - and our cabin was just two cabins off of the lido pool which became my favorite area of the ship --- a lido pool (facing aft) is not a very common feature in the newer ships. Enjoy yourselves --- this is a superb ship!

Bubbajones..Thank you for your post..

We were on the Ryndam in 1998 & looking forward to our cruise on her again! Just 11 weeks away, but who's counting..;)