Please tell us about the Ryndam

[CINCY40]

DH and I have just booked an S suite on the Ryndam's final Alaska voyage for this year. We leave Vancouver on Sept 24th.for a five night sailing in the inside passage.

We have cruised the Caribbean on the Zuiderdam twice this year and to Alaska last year on the Amsterdam. We liked the Vista ship but know the Ryndam is much smaller. (Athough my husband says it is larger than the Titanic.)

I seldom see any comments on this board about the Ryndam. I do have three specific questions: Do the S suites have DVD players or VCR's? Anyone have an idea what the weather will be like at that time of the year?
On a five night cruise, how many casual nights?

Any information you can give us about the ship itself will be appreciated. Like most of our fellow posters, we take pleasure in anticipating an upcoming voyage.

Thanks,
Nancy

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We have been on the Ryndam several times and in suites. We posted a review of a couple of the cruises that we had on her, but they are lost.

The suites have VCR's. The cabins and verandahs are larger than on the Vista ships.

For a five night cruise, you should have 3 casual nights - but I could be wrong, not knowing what ports you are visiting.

Your husband is right, the Titanic was 45,000 tins and thr Ryndam is about 50,000+ tons.

:)

[CINCY40]

Thanks for the answer. The ports are Sitka and Ketchikan only. Hope that means three casual nights. We would do the Pinnacle each of those nights as we really enjoy going there but do not particularly enjoy dressing up. You did not say that you liked the ship though. How is the Neptune lounge? Is it a nice ship?

Thanks,
Nancy

[CINCY40]

Bumping this back up and hoping that someone will respond.

Nancy

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We love the Ryndam - took a quite a few cruises on her including a 21 day repositioning cruise on her. Love the Neptune Lounge. We were originally on her before the Neptune Lounge and by the time we did back-to-back Alaskan cruises on her last year, the lounge had been added as well as the Pinnacle Grill.

Sitka - you might want to consider the Sea Otter and Wildlife excursion there - did it twice and loved it both times. Sitka is the Russian influence port - you can buy lots of authentic Russian stacking dolls. The best fur shop is here.

In Ketchikan we have done Totem Bight and Saxman Village. Have been there so many times that we just love to walk around and shop. Always love walking on Creek Street. I think this is one of the better ports to buy GOOD totem poles. There is also a lumberjack show worth seeing - $29 per person.

:)

[Wer2pats]

We loved the Ryndam on our 17 day cruise in 2001. We cruised from Rio to Santiago. She is just big enough to be a grand ship. The food was great as was the service. No P. Grill or Neptune at that time. We prefer that size ship. We did hit some rough water in our trip and the ship handled it fine. Love the Ryndam.

[Bill S]

cincy: we have cruised on the Ryndam 3 times, the latest being this past April. She was our first ship, so she will always be special and she is in good shape.

We did the Otter and Whale cruise excursion in Sitka and it was great. Lots of good shopping in Ketchikan, but I would also recommend a Misty Fjords excursion, either by air, boat or both (if they still offer the air/boat combo).

We haven't been to Alaska in September, so cannot comment on the weather then, but if you are prepared for rain and dress in layers, you will be fine. Rain is always a possibility, especially in Ketchikan.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Always dress in layers.

We take light weight, lined, waterproof coats.

:)