Ryndam ?????

[buck_92105]

I see the Ryndam was just in dry dock. Anyone been on her since September?

I've got D cabin, are there fridges in cabin.

What about gym, steam/ sauna are these just for spa customers or open to all?

Thanks for the info

Sailing 11/13/2004 Sea of Cortez

[Esme]

She is still in dry dock in Victoria, B.C., so no one has seen her. She should be out of dry dock around October 21st or 22nd.

No fridges in a D, but if you need one, contact Ship's Services and order one. I think they are around $2.00 per day.

The gym is being completely overhauled and the Greenhouse Spa is being installed. You will see all kinds of changes to the ship lik, no more Java Cafe - now the Windstar Cafe will be located where the Library and Card room are.

[buck_92105]

Esme, thanks for the quick reply. No wonder I can't find any current info.

[kruzkeen]

This is a question that I posted on another thread. Perhaps someone knows the answer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shipcafe

This is all very exciting stuff and the Ryndam is currently in dry dock in Victoria, BC where she will soon emerge with ALL enhancements completed.

Steve
www.shipcafe.net



When Ryndam dry dock is complete will it be the first ship, excluding the Vista class ships, to have the complete SOE upgrades?

Will it have the new spa with the thassilotherapy pool and the necessity to buy the $15 per day package in order to use the steam room or sauna?

I have sailed on the Oosterdam and although the gym is free, I did miss not being able to shower and spend 10 minutes in the steam room without having to pay $15.

If this is the case, it is a SOE upgrade I could have done without.


Thanks
Ken

[Krazy Kruizers]

Except for the gym area - treadmills - weight lifts, etc. - everything else you will have to pay for on the Ryndam - i.e., sauna, steam rooms.

The part that iratates us - no more library - it is being replaced with the new coffee bar area - pay for coffees.

And so far I don't see a place where the library is to be moved to as the card room as well as the puzzle room are also part of this new coffee cafe.

Guess they don't want people to read books anymore and get educated while on a ship??

[Esme]

When Ryndam dry dock is complete will it be the first ship, excluding the Vista class ships, to have the complete SOE upgrades?Will it have the new spa with the thassilotherapy pool and the necessity to buy the $15 per day package in order to use the steam room or sauna?

Yes, it will be the first ship to be completed and have the new spa. I was told the other day which ship was next, but I can't remember. I think it was either the Zaandam or Statendam.

KK - I have been told the new Windstar Cafe will be like a Barnes and Noble or a Chapters/Indigo here in Canada, where you can go and have a coffee (and pay for it), relax and read a book (library will be located within the cafe) or listen to music (ear phones provided). I think it's going to be very nice. The card room was really empty space - I rarely saw anyone playing bridge in there (maybe on longer cruises there were lots of people) and very few ever in the library. Personally, I am looking forward to it.

[buck_92105]

I'm with you. I like to shower, sit and steam after work out. This sounds like a change for the worse if it is the case.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I see the Ryndam was just in dry dock. Anyone been on her since September?

I've got D cabin, are there fridges in cabin.

What about gym, steam/ sauna are these just for spa customers or open to all?

Thanks for the info

Sailing 11/13/2004 Sea of Cortez
Hi buck_92105 We are also going on the Ryndam November 13th, Why don't you come over to the Roll Call Board and chat with us. So far there are 3 of from CC with you that makes 4 CC members going on that cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Esme

Just wondering - it could be the Zaandam that is going to get everything added when she goes into dry dock January 8 - 22.

[kruzkeen]

KK and Esme:

Thanks for answering my questions regarding the gym and spa after the SOE upgrades.

Have I got this right?

The library and cardroom are to be replaced with a Vista type Wind Star Coffee shop. This will annoy those who liked a quiet place to read the papers and write their cards or journals. Where will the duplicate bridge players go on at sea days? I know these people, they would rather give up bread pudding than the opportunity to gain more master points.

The Java Cafe will now be the internet room. I remember quite a few computers in that little room between the library and the cardroom. It was never crowded.

Time will tell, but it seems like a lot of structural change for not much gain in revenue.

I wait for the first report in November to hear what changes have been made to the gym on the Ryndam to accomodate the new thassilotherapy pool and other spa enhancements.

Ken

[Esme]

Esme

Just wondering - it could be the Zaandam that is going to get everything added when she goes into dry dock January 8 - 22.


KK - you could be right. I just don't remember which ship it was.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Time will tell, but it seems like a lot of structural change for not much gain in revenue.

I wait for the first report in November to hear what changes have been made to the gym on the Ryndam to accomodate the new thassilotherapy pool and other spa enhancements.

Ken
Ken, We are on the November 13th Ryndam and I will try to give a full report of how it looks when we come back. Unfortuately this will be our first time on a S Class ship so I cannot compare to the past but I will let you know what I think of it:)

[Bill HaHa]

The dry dock is the reason why my 10/10/04 cruise was cancelled. I had to replace it with my Ryndam cruise on March 6, 2005. At first we thought she would be out of dry dock for the 10/10 cruise. Have been on the Statendam three times and looking forward to seeing the changes on the Ryndam.

[DonMaryCar]

We are going to be on the 11/13 cruise with Lisa and the only HAL cruises we have taken were on the Statendam so we will be able to compare the changes to the Ryndam. So we'll put our heads together and give you a honest opinion of the changes to the gym area. Any cruise is a good cruise don't ya think

Mary:)

[kruzkeen]

We are going to be on the 11/13 cruise with Lisa and the only HAL cruises we have taken were on the Statendam so we will be able to compare the changes to the Ryndam. So we'll put our heads together and give you a honest opinion of the changes to the gym area. Any cruise is a good cruise don't ya think

Mary:)
Thanks, I know a lot of posters will look forward to your reports. It will seem strange to come out of the dining room and not have the library and cardroom on the port side.

If I can make the time will cruise on the Ryndam in the spring.

Ken

[Bunny2]

Does anyone know about or have suggestions about the Pinnacle Grill on the Ryndham??

[Tinknock50]

Are you kidding?? A charge for the steamroom???
I am not liking this at all. Hardly what I would call an "improvement".

[localady]

Does anyone know about or have suggestions about the Pinnacle Grill on the Ryndham??
Bunny2- I sure do. Make sure you book early and request a window seat. Look at your itinerary, and see which nights in your itinerary you have scenic cruising. The Ryndam is one of the ships that has windows in the Pinnacle, it makes for the most romantic experience when cruising in a picturesque spot like the Inside Passage or the Meditterrean! This is especially true for the cruises that have long summer evenings. The Pinnacle in the Ryndam has window side tables for 2 and 4. Enjoy!!:cool:

[localady]

Are you kidding?? A charge for the steamroom???
I am not liking this at all. Hardly what I would call an "improvement".
You are obviously not a HAL Marketing professional!:p :cool:

[gizmo]

Are you kidding?? A charge for the steamroom???
I am not liking this at all. Hardly what I would call an "improvement".
You can stop in the Winstar Cafe and BUY coffee after you pay for your steamroom visit, another, so called "improvement".

(coffee is still free in the Lido)

Seriously, I do agree, this is not an improvement.

[Himself]

Ryndam comes out of drydock later today

[Bunny2]

Bunny2- I sure do. Make sure you book early and request a window seat. Look at your itinerary, and see which nights in your itinerary you have scenic cruising. The Ryndam is one of the ships that has windows in the Pinnacle, it makes for the most romantic experience when cruising in a picturesque spot like the Inside Passage or the Meditterrean! This is especially true for the cruises that have long summer evenings. The Pinnacle in the Ryndam has window side tables for 2 and 4. Enjoy!!:cool:
Thanks for the info....how about the food there....good?? Better than the dining room?? We called to make res and were told that it is a request and when we board there will be tickets in our cabin with what we got from the request...it may or not be what we wanted?? While my husband was on the phone he also asked if we were getting the new beds and the agent actually spoke to the Ryndam manager and said yes!!!

[MercedMike]

Just to clarify the posts about the Thermal Retreat:

We were on Zuiderdam recently, and we loved the Thermal Retreat and the Hydropool. Each of them cost $10 per day to use and were well worth it. The Thermal Retreat is not just a steam room. It has beautiful heated couches, looking out through a huge picture window at the sea. Then there is a great steam room, a beautiful sauna, and also an aromatherapy room with warm breezes bearing the scent of spices wafting around. After that there is the Tropical Rain shower, and a button you can hit when you are ready for the Icy Blast! It is wonderfully relaxing and worth every penny. Being co-ed also makes it very nice for couples.

HOWEVER, there are also FREE steam rooms in the Men's and Lady's dressing rooms, just as before, so this is an extra added value item, not a charge for something that was previously free.

Mike

[kruzkeen]

HOWEVER, there are also FREE steam rooms in the Men's and Lady's dressing rooms, just as before, so this is an extra added value item, not a charge for something that was previously free.

Mike

Thanks for the clarification. I did not get that information on the Oosterdam when I asked at the Spa counter.

I look forward to the reports from the folks on the Ryndam now and in November.

[localady]

Thanks for the info....how about the food there....good?? Better than the dining room?? We called to make res and were told that it is a request and when we board there will be tickets in our cabin with what we got from the request...it may or not be what we wanted?? While my husband was on the phone he also asked if we were getting the new beds and the agent actually spoke to the Ryndam manager and said yes!!!Bunny2-
They also told us that it was a request. On the first day of your cruise, visit the Pinnacle and confirm your reservation with the staff. They are wonderfully helpful and if they don't have a table for 2 windowside at the time you requested, they will work to find you a time that is good! The food was top notch and the service and ambiance sublime.:)

I really fell in love with the Ryndam, not sure why, but it seemed like the service onboard was a notch above the others we've been on. It's great to hear that the new beds are there, I figured that was part of the drydock. Can't wait to hear your impressions of her now!:cool:

[shipcafe]

Looking forward to the 30th when the first guests experiencing the "new" Ryndam will be getting back!

[Tinknock50]

Looking forward to the 30th when the first guests experiencing the "new" Ryndam will be getting back!
Me too......I am dying to know if their will still be a free steamroom along with special for fee spa.

[Tinknock50]

Except for the gym area - treadmills - weight lifts, etc. - everything else you will have to pay for on the Ryndam - i.e., sauna, steam rooms.

The part that iratates us - no more library - it is being replaced with the new coffee bar area - pay for coffees.

And so far I don't see a place where the library is to be moved to as the card room as well as the puzzle room are also part of this new coffee cafe.

Guess they don't want people to read books anymore and get educated while on a ship??

I am curious......where did you get the info that there would be a fee for the steamroom?

[shipcafe]

I am curious......where did you get the info that there would be a fee for the steamroom?

I think someone mentioned a few posts ago that there was no charge for standard steam room usage? The Thermal Suite is additional but very well worth it (from experience) and far beyond a "steam room".