Ryndam, best place to see glaciers from ship?

[wow]

We don't have a balcony room and want to know where the best spots are on the ship to view the glaciers besides the Crows Nest! Thanks! Also any update on the Novo virus would be great!!

[middle-aged mom]

We don't have a balcony room and want to know where the best spots are on the ship to view the glaciers besides the Crows Nest! Thanks! Also any update on the Novo virus would be great!!

WOW!:) Based on my own experience (although I was not on the Ryndam), they should open up the bow for your viewing pleasure. You'll get great views from there. Anywhere around the Lower Promenade deck should also be good. The captain will turn the ship around so that all have a good view.

Here is a link to a post from a passenger on the April 12 Ryndam cruise. (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=9864732&postcount=1) According to this poster, the situation on Ryndam is improving.

[DAllenTCY]

Good heavens, you don't want to be indoors when you get to the face of the glacier! Get up early and take a chair up to the open are of the bow.
You'll find plenty of company there! Last time I was aboard the Oosterdam, they served hot chocolate, pea soup, and had a makeshift bar for coffee drinks with a little extra kick available. One of the best parts of the show is the noise that the glacier makes as it creeps downhill and breaks into the water. You don't want to miss that! Usually the port side will get the first view, and then they'll turn the ship so the starboard cabins have a good look.
Up on the bow, you can see well whichever way the ship maneuvers.
David

[jtl513]

Good heavens, you don't want to be indoors when you get to the face of the glacier! Get up early and take a chair up to the open are of the bow.Or up on the Sports or Sky decks where you can move side-to-side easily. Only wimps stay in the Crow's Nest!! :D

[wow]

Only wimps stay in the Crow's Nest!! Ha ha ha ha!! I will let you know if we wimped out when we return!! ha ha
thanks!!

[Sprotte]

We just got off the Ryndam on April 22. According to the Captain, there were only 2 people who got sick. You would not believe the effort the ship put forth. They had housekeeping crew on the train going to the Copper Canyon wiping down door handles, etc. on a regular basis. The same was done for all buses. Obviously, it paid off. We will be on the Ryndam for their Alaska season and are no longer concerned about getting sick.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We did the very first week of the Alaskan season on the Ryndam last year. When we got to Glacier Bay even though we had a huge mid ship verandah we spent at least 3 hours out on the bow outside. Yes, it was freezing cold but we brought extremely warm clothes and dressed for it. The sights and sounds of hearing the calving and the shaking of the ship from the actual earthquakes behind the glaciers is totally amazing. We were in awe of how amazing it was so we felt no cold at all. You can go to my link in my signature and see pictures from our Ryndam cruise last May. We saw some amazing calving. To me there is nothing like being right outside up close to see it all:)

[Tinknock50]

We don't have a balcony room and want to know where the best spots are on the ship to view the glaciers besides the Crows Nest! Thanks! Also any update on the Novo virus would be great!!

Actually the very best viewing place is up on Veranda Deck on the forward observation deck. The bow tends to get so crowded you can't get to the rail. Up on Veranda Deck, you are able to look over the people on the bow.

To get there directly, you have to go toward the port side of Veranda Deck through a short section of "crew only" area.....don't worry, just don't linger there and take a left to the outside door.

If you are not comfortable going through a crew area, you can reach this observation deck by stairs from a lower deck or a higher deck.

Also to help you see which observation deck I am talking about....go into the gym and look out the forward windows, you will see the deck below.

If its raining, the fully covered wrap around Lower Promenade is wonderful!

Enjoy Alaska!

[Krazy Kruizers]

The ship will stay longer at the glacier with the port side getting the longest view time before the captain
turns the ship around. Been to Alaska several times.

[jtl513]

The ship will stay longer at the glacier with the port side getting the longest view time before the captain
turns the ship around. Been to Alaska several times.I've only been to a glacier once (Hubbard on Amsterdam, '02) but there the Captain stopped with the bow facing the glacier for about an hour, then turned 180 degrees toward port and left immediately. Anyone who stayed on their port verandahs got a poor view, and those on the starboard side got a good view only briefly.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on several Alaskan cruises where all our captains arrived at Gklacier Bay and Hubbard glacier and had the port side of the ship facing the glaciers for the better part of 2 hours and then the starboard side got their view for about 1/2 hour. For HAL, our ships were Ryndam 3 times, Statendam 2 times (also did other cruise lines and it was the same thing).

[mamaofami]

You really want to be outside to see the glaciers. I remember being on the Lido deck, out back by the aft pool some of the time. that way we could see from both sides of the ship. People were on all the outside areas of the ship. You just don't get the "feel" if you are inside. And, you won't hear the "calfing" from inside.

[habenicd]

We have made that trip twice with my parents. My father who HATES cold weather would not leave the bow for 3-4 hours on each trip while we were in Glacier Bay. By all means outside and preferably somewhere forward like the bow or Verandah deck forward are your best bets. It is a sight and sound you will never forget.