Sailing on the Ryndam this Friday

[CINCY40]

Our plane leaves Macon at 6:30 AM. (ouch) Time for breakfast in Atlanta and then we have a non stop from Atlanta to Vancouver which appears to be only half full, so we can stretch out. (Great!) Staying at the Hyatt tomorrow night, upgraded to the club floor.

We have 016 S suite on the Ryndam, very near the Neptune lounge. Our first voyage on one of the smaller ships. Any suggestions for our first trip on the Ryndam?

How about shopping in Ketchikan or Sitka? I have to buy something for a friend of a friend who has a husky named Sitka and I would like to buy a Santa with bear for the sweet couple who babysit our cats. DH is always looking for high quality golf shirts or T shirts with logos from our travels.

So excited to be sailing and seeing Alaska again. I have been ill and undergoing a lot of tests. It was only yesterday that the Doctor said, go and have a good time. That is why I have really waited so long to ask. Wondering how long it takes to pass under the bridge in Vancouver once the ship gets underway as we have Pinnacle reservations at 6PM.

Any help appreciated.

Nancy and Andy

[localady]

Have a fantastic trip! My DH and I really enjoyed our B2B on the Ryndam this last July. Wish I could answer questions about shopping in Ketchikan or Sitka, but I am not a big shopper so although I popped thru a few shops, nothing really stood out in my mind! I would figure you will get some excellent bargains, this time of year! Have a great trip, I sure hope you enjoy it as well as we did!:cool:

[CINCY40]

Any idea about how long it takes to get to the bridge? Did you eat in the Pinnacle? Are there window seats for two?

Thanks,
Nancy

[localady]

Oh yes there are 4 or 5 lovely tables for 2 by the windows in the Pinnacle, it was our favorite evenings as they were sooooo romantic.;)

I am not sure which bridge you are talking about but if you mean in Sitka, there is a more than 50% chance that you will actually tender into the dock right beneath the bridge. We did a back to back on the Ryndam and the first day tendered into the small boat harbor. The second week we tendered into the dock right beneath the bridge. When I inquired, I was told that Sitka prefers to have ships tender at the bridge, as it causes less congestion in the small boat harbor.:)
Both times in Ketchikan we anchored at the "prime place" on the dock in Ketchikan. I believe this may have something to do with HAL's longevity in Alaska. Hope this helps!:cool:

[Bill S]

Cincy40: I assume you are referring to the Lionsgate Bridge in Vancouver. If so, and if the Ryndam leaves on time, you should be able to watch it pass overhead before 6pm. We sailed out of Vancouver a year ago last May on the Statendam and I recall we were up in the Crow's Nest going under the bridge and then were seated in the dining room at 6pm after we had cleared the bridge.

We thought that the best shopping was in Ketchikan; however the biggest variety of stores was in Juneau, and I think there was a store in Juneau that sold Christmas items even in May. We also enjoyed shopping in Sitka, too. I guess we just enjoyed shopping everywhere but felt that the best deals were in Ketchikan. Just a very subjective opinion.

I hope you have a great time! We have sailed on the Ryndam 3 times, most recently last April and you will enjoy the suite and the Neptune lounge!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I agree with Bill the very best shopping was in Ketchikan. It reminded of St Thomas in a slight way with lots of jewelery stores. Not that there is anything wrong with that:p Sitka was interesting and had some things that were not as touristy I guess more local things. I thought Juneau had a lot of stores but more of it seemed to be junk. Like Bill DH and I love to shop and like I said Ketchikan was the best but unfortuately when we were on the Oosterdam we left at noon which did not give us near enough time to spend our money.Although I did manage to buy a nice tanzanite ring so I guess it was good that we left early.
Yes Bill, there was a Christmas store in Juneau but I think there was one in Sitka also.

[CINCY40]

That is what I wanted to know. I have heard it is really neat sailing under the bridge. As we are from the East Coast, we will be tired early, so perhaps the early dining will be okay.

Thanks for the good wishes. From other postings I know we will enjoy the Ryndam and it will be a different experience. Hopefully the scenery will be different as well. Last time we were on the Amsterdam, on the outside passage and there was not a lot to see until coming into port.

Thanks again,
Nancy

[localady]

I'm glad BillS wasn't as dense as I was:rolleyes: , and could answer your question.

On our trip north on the Ryndam in July, we had the opportunity to cruise the "Inner Inner" Passage. It was an unbelieveable sight and at some points it appeared that there was land and trees on both sides of the ship. We were able to sail through as the tides were right and Capt. Smit did a great job! I hope you enjoy it, IMHO it's the most fabulous part of the trip!:cool:

[CINCY40]

Most of the people on this board are lovely, lovely people. Happy to enlighten those of us who ask questions. Thanks to all who took the time to answer this. It is 11PM now and 4AM is coming soon. Good night to all and thanks again for the replies.

Nancy

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have a great Alaskan cruise on the Ryndam.

[cruznon]

Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful cruise!! :)

[cruznon]

Bon Voyage!

Have a wonderful cruise! :)

[Ziggy7]

Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful cruise!
Be sure to tell us all about it when you get back!