Wow! New Ryndam pictures!

[localady]

Holland America has posted new pictures of the upgrades to the Ryndam. In looking at the pictures, it appears the Explorations lounge area is very large and nice, rather than doing away with the library, it appears they have made it larger, more comfortable with many lovely options.:)

The teen waterfall makes me want to be 16 again, ( well maybe not, but close:rolleyes: ) it looks like a lot of fun as does the teen loft area!

I am not sure where the new wine bar area is located, that too is very pretty, although with 4 chairs I am not sure there is much space to enjoy your wine.

Overall, the pictures are just stunning, and since we had been on the Ryndam for 2 weeks this summer I remember the "before" pretty clearly.

Cheers to HAL for the additions/renovations:cool: !

[Esme]

Thank you for letting us know about the photos. They are incredible. The new Explorations Cafe looks wonderful. They used the library/card room/internet centre for this beautiful large room.

We can't figure out where the wine bar is either. I had heard that it was going to replace the Java Cafe. Guess we will just have to wait until someone returns from the ship to find out.

Yes, wish I was a kid again. That teen area is great. Lucky them! :D

[shipcafe]

These photos are FANTASTIC ... WOW. I can hardly wait for my upcoming 12-4-04 cruise now . . . another month!?!?

[doone]

Makes me want to book the Ryndam, great pictures.

[gizmo]

Makes me want to book the Ryndam, great pictures.
Me too!!!

The pix are great.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

WOW, I am getting even more excited, I plan to use it all :o well maybe not The Oasis but I am short. Gee, I wonder if I can pass for 16 turning 50:eek: This is my Birthday cruise for the first time I actually plan to use the Spa. DH thinks I should treat my self to a Massage and may be a Facial. So I plan to use the whole works. The gym looks nice too and of course I will use that every morning. This will be so neat just like being on a Brand New Ship.
These pictures really do show more than it did in the Web Cast.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Oh Yes, Thank you localady, I would of never thought to look at their website for mor new photos. I was wishing they had should the improvements in the state rooms but I guess I will have to go and be impressed in person.:cool:

[bepsf]

Wow!!!

I had been looking at the deckplans - (no updates yet) but these pictures are fantastic!!!:D

I'd be willing to bet that the Wine Bar is in the transitional space off the atrium previously occupied by the Internet Cafe and Java Cafe, facing the entrance to the Wajang.

Is that an enourmous aquarium in the Crow's Nest???:)

[robertmartha]

If all the ships turn out as beautiful as this - I'm going to need to get a second job to pay for all the cruises I'll want to take as each ship comes out of drydock!

[RevNeal]

Well, the rape of the library doesn't look nearly so bad as I had feared. I was afraid it was going to be totally ruined. I hope it's not.

Otherwise, it looks very nice. That's a major refit of the Crows Nest.

[shipcafe]

Yes and alll of those posts about how the library was being removed, destroyed, etc. From the photos it looks as though it was refreshed and more comprehensive than ever!

[bepsf]

Yes and alll of those posts about how the library was being removed, destroyed, etc. From the photos it looks as though it was refreshed and more comprehensive than ever!
I promised myself that I wouldn't say "I told you so...."
:p

[jazzsea]

Thanks for the info on the Ryndam pictures. Now we just need a list of when the other ships we be completely upgraded. Does anyone have an idea?

[jhannah]

They mentioned during the webcast the ships that will be refitted over the next six months ... but I didn't take notes. I do remember that the Prinsendam was one of them, and I think the Zaandam was another. Since we have bookings on both, that was good news to me. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a complete list.

[shipcafe]

I believe the Zaandam is next - taking place in late January. The Statendam should follow not too long thereafter ...

[Esme]

Wow!!!

I had been looking at the deckplans - (no updates yet) but these pictures are fantastic!!!:D

I'd be willing to bet that the Wine Bar is in the transitional space off the atrium previously occupied by the Internet Cafe and Java Cafe, facing the entrance to the Wajang.

Is that an enourmous aquarium in the Crow's Nest???:)

Asked this question of a friend who works on board as I thought that was an aquarium also, but it's a giant TV screen - probably what we are seeing is the screensaver like I have on my computer with all the fish swimming back and forth. I thought the wine tasting bar was where the Java cafe used to be, but he said it's now done in the Culinary Arts Centre. I don't get it. That wine tasting bar looks like it's not inside a room. Guess we will have to wait for the answer on this one until someone returns from the ship.

[dougnewmanatsea]

Hmm... I don't think I really like the Explorations Center or the new Crow's Nest all that much, honestly.

In the case of the former, I think I'd just prefer a separate library, card room, etc, though the new space itself looks nice enough. (What can I say, I'm a traditionalist.) As for the Crow's Nest, it just doesn't look like the decor will "mesh" with the rest of the ship. I do wonder who handled the interior design; if it was VFD that room is quite a departure for them. To me it looks more like the interior of a Celebrity ship than HAL. Of course the original room was not designed by VFD (the designers who have done almost all HAL newbuild interiors) but by Joe Farcus!

[Esme]

"Of course the original room was not designed by VFD (the designers who have done almost all HAL newbuild interiors) but by Joe Farcus!
"

Doug - are you sure it was done by Joe Farcus? I understood that after he made a mess of the Statendam and the 2 rooms he did had to be re-done, he was never allowed to touch a ship again.

[bepsf]

"Of course the original room was not designed by VFD (the designers who have done almost all HAL newbuild interiors) but by Joe Farcus!
"

Doug - are you sure it was done by Joe Farcus? I understood that after he made a mess of the Statendam and the 2 rooms he did had to be re-done, he was never allowed to touch a ship again.
...or at least a HAL ship, Esme. Joe Farcus does all the interiors for Carnival and Costa.

[Esme]

OOPS - made another mistake. I forgot to say "another HAL ship". Thanks bepfs for correcting me. :D

[TylerRose]

Thanks so much for post, Photo's make me ready to board NOW!

[Pete&Cat]

Thanks Locallady, all I can say is WOW!

[Tinknock50]

Asked this question of a friend who works on board as I thought that was an aquarium also, but it's a giant TV screen - probably what we are seeing is the screensaver like I have on my computer with all the fish swimming back and forth. I thought the wine tasting bar was where the Java cafe used to be, but he said it's now done in the Culinary Arts Centre. I don't get it. That wine tasting bar looks like it's not inside a room. Guess we will have to wait for the answer on this one until someone returns from the ship.
Hey Esme, can you ask your friend about the Steamroom fee? Not the one in the spa , but the one in the locker room.

[localady]

Oh Yes, Thank you localady, I would of never thought to look at their website for mor new photos. I was wishing they had should the improvements in the state rooms but I guess I will have to go and be impressed in person.:cool:Lisa- My pleasure!!! You know I love this ship, wish I was sailing with you!!
P.S. I think 50 going on 16 will work to access the Oasis!:D

Can't wait to hear your review!:cool:

[dougnewmanatsea]

Doug - are you sure it was done by Joe Farcus?I'm pretty sure that the Crow's Nests on STATENDAM, MAASDAM, and RYNDAM were all done by Farcus. Also the showlounges on those three ships plus VEENDAM (VFD definitely did the Crow's Nest on VEENDAM).

I'll have to do a bit more research, but I'm almost positive here.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

localady, I will definitely give a full review when I return. I plan to take a lot of pictures and will also post them. Gee, I just realized what you quoted from me that I typed like I was already on the ship after a bottle of Champagne:o
Those pictures really make the ship look like she is brand new. I can't wait, I will definitely be thinking of all of you while I am cruising.

[gizmo]

I'm pretty sure that the Crow's Nests on STATENDAM, MAASDAM, and RYNDAM were all done by Farcus. Also the showlounges on those three ships plus VEENDAM (VFD definitely did the Crow's Nest on VEENDAM).

I'll have to do a bit more research, but I'm almost positive here.
Doug,

I am not so sure about this. For some reason I think I read a looooong time ago that Farcus did the Crows Nest on the Statendam. All h*** broke loose with major complaints from pax and Mariners. They redid it.
I could be totally wrong about this. Maybe Esme or Liz can give us the answer.

[Esme]

I'm pretty sure that the Crow's Nests on STATENDAM, MAASDAM, and RYNDAM were all done by Farcus. Also the showlounges on those three ships plus VEENDAM (VFD definitely did the Crow's Nest on VEENDAM).

I'll have to do a bit more research, but I'm almost positive here.

I think you are wrong there, Doug. Farcus did the Crow's Nest and show lounge on the Statendam, which was the first S class ship. There were so many complaints about the horrid colours, that those 2 rooms were changed. As far as I know that was the last HAL ship he ever did.

[Stevesan]

The new interiors look stunning. The Explorations Cafe is a major improvement. Although the previous library was an attractive and comfortable venue, the card room and internet lounge were frumpy looking. Opening them up was brilliant. The redesign of the Crow's Nest is very appealing - a big improvement. The new teen and Club HAL centers look so attractive they'll have to extend the operating hours. I suppose teens could use the Oasis without direct supervision.
The only negative is the expansion of what, I think, is the spa/gym area which causes an encroachment onto the upper viewing deck. The resulting protrusion is ungainly. It doesn't match the ship's lines. It also robs pax of a great viewing point, especially in regions such as Alaska. Except for that, HAL's evidently accomplished a praiseworthy redesign.

[dougnewmanatsea]

I am not so sure about this. For some reason I think I read a looooong time ago that Farcus did the Crows Nest on the Statendam. All h*** broke loose with major complaints from pax and Mariners. They redid it. The key though is - who redid it? I don't know that they had someone else redo it.

There was at least one space on MAASDAM - the showlounge - that was also redone; in this case it was actually before the ship entered service.

I have never seen photos of the original Crow's Nest on STATENDAM, nor the original showlounge on MAASDAM. Both probably hidden away in the Fincantieri archives someplace.

Farcus did the Crow's Nest and show lounge on the Statendam, which was the first S class ship. There were so many complaints about the horrid colours, that those 2 rooms were changed. As far as I know that was the last HAL ship he ever did.He definitely did the showlounge on MAASDAM - maybe not what's there now, but definitely the original design which was actually replaced before the ship entered service, as I said above.

Whether any Farcus spaces survive on HAL ships today, I do not know. As I said, I'm still of the opinion that the Crow's Nests and showlounges on the S-class ships (except the Crow's Nest on VEENDAM, which I know was done by VFD) were done by Farcus, but I can't find anything definitive saying that this is true - or that it's not true.

I'll have to do a bit more digging around and see what I come up with.

[gizmo]

Doug,

Keep digging around. It would be interesting to get to the bottom of this. :)

[Tinknock50]

The only negative is the expansion of what, I think, is the spa/gym area which causes an encroachment onto the upper viewing deck. The resulting protrusion is ungainly. It doesn't match the ship's lines. It also robs pax of a great viewing point, especially in regions such as Alaska. Except for that, HAL's evidently accomplished a praiseworthy redesign.
That was my fear......I think the S class had perfect lines. Sorry to see it lose that. Did this swallow up the entire deck, or is their still a place to stand outside? There is still a viewing deck on Veranda deck that was never crowded because a lot of people didn't know it was there. I guess people will find it now that the spa may have taken up the viewing area on that deck.

[shipcafe]

It looks as if there are still a couple of areas outside of the Greenhouse Spa in which to stand and look out. IMO, HAL ships have some of the most exterior deck space in the industry so I don't think that this hampers that too too much. . There is still the deck space above the Crow's Nest and then, of course, the bow - which, again, to which many other lines do have allow access . . .

[Stevesan]

There are few other ships with forward viewing decks, and most (all?) of those have tinted plastic screens obstructing vision. It appears from the photo that the encroachment has taken all, or nearly all, of the upper deck. That's a shame because that's premium viewing space, especially in Alaska where it is often crowded with hot chocolate sipping, awestruck passengers. The naturalist provides a running commentary on these decks while cruising glaciers.
We spent time on our cabin's balcony, but that didn't compare with the grand panoramic view from the forward decks. That was an unforgettable experience.

[shipcafe]

Note that Verandah Deck forward is still available as on exterior viewing deck. The layout is almost identical to that was up outside the Ocean Spa . . .

[Tinknock50]

Note that Verandah Deck forward is still available as on exterior viewing deck. The layout is almost identical to that was up outside the Ocean Spa . . .
Thats correct...thats the one I was referring to. The one forward of the Greenhouse Spa can be seen from the Crows Nest. The one on Veranda deck cannot be seen from the Crows Nest so many people don't know it is there. Conversely, looking back up from the bow , only one deck can be seen, when there are actually two viewing decks.

[shipcafe]

FYI :

The following areas were done by VFD : Greenhouse Spa, Culinary Arts Center, Explorations Café.

The following areas were done by Yran & Storbraaten of Oslo, Norway :

Wine & Gourmet shop, All Club HAL Areas, Oasis, etc. Crow's Nest Lounge and rejuvenated Lido Restaurant.

Hope that helps!

Steve

[dougnewmanatsea]

Keep digging around. It would be interesting to get to the bottom of this.OK... Here's what I have so far.

The main lounge and Crow's Nest on STATENDAM, MAASDAM, and RYNDAM were definitely done by Farcus. All of the other rooms were by VFD Interiors (Frans Dingemans).

The main lounge on VEENDAM was also by Farcus, but on her the Crow's Nest was done by VFD.

This information is from a contact who has copies of the ships' inagural books.

On the R-class and Vista-class ships, of course, all interiors have been done by VFD. Even when people condemned ZUIDERDAM's interiors for being "Carnivalesque", they were purely VFD, with no Farcus influence whatsoever, and they contained all of the subtle trademarks that have marked all of VFD's recent designs for HAL.

The following areas were done by VFD : Greenhouse Spa, Culinary Arts Center, Explorations Café.

The following areas were done by Yran & Storbraaten of Oslo, Norway :

Wine & Gourmet shop, All Club HAL Areas, Oasis, etc. Crow's Nest Lounge and rejuvenated Lido Restaurant.Thanks Steve, I appreciate that.

Interesting that Y&S were hired to do this work - I do not recall that Carnival have ever hired them before, though they did the Seabourn ships and have worked for P&O.

I think this is the first time a designer other than VFD have done work for HAL since VEENDAM, with the exception of PRINSENDAM's refit which was handled by Tillberg Design (but she was not originally a VFD product of course).

I suppose the Crow's Nests on the other three S-class ships are going to be redone as well - what about the R-class ships?

Presumably the Crow's Nests in the Vista-class ships will be untouched as those all have Greenhouse Spas. PRINSENDAM's spa is nowhere near the Crow's Nest so I imagine her original design (originally done by Njal Eide as the Stella Polaris Room when she was built as ROYAL VIKING SUN) will remain as well.

Personally I think I would have preferred it if VFD had done the Crow's Nest on RYNDAM, to maintain continuity. The new room almost looks like something off a Royal Caribbean ship - and, unsurprisingly, Y&S have done a lot of work for RCI. Y&S are a fine team but over time VFD have developed a very distinct aesthetic for the HAL ships that is being broken with here, something I'm not crazy about.

This is also a problem I have with the redesigned spaces on Carnival's CELEBRATION - they hired Tillberg to do them, and they don't blend with the rest of the ship's interiors. Farcus is even more closely identified with Carnival than VFD is with HAL (I believe that hiring Tillberg for CELEBRATION was the first time Carnival had hired another designer since the 1970s!) and again the spaces don't "mesh". The explanation for hiring Tillberg was that Farcus was too busy with brand-new Carnival ships, but I don't know if that applies here. Maybe HAL and Stein Kruse were looking for something different?

I assume that NOORDAM will be pure VFD material (as is the current/old NOORDAM for that matter) but the ships beyond NOORDAM (they're not ordered yet, but there will be ships beyond NOORDAM, and the planning for them has already started) are another story - with a new CEO and the biggest changes in years now underway, it will be interesting to see if the days of VFD being to HAL what Farcus is to Carnival are coming to an end. I can't imagine what a Y&S-designed HAL ship would look like... And people think PRINSENDAM doesn't fit in! (She, by the way, was designed by Njal Eide, best known for his work on Royal Caribbean ships and Princess' breakthrough ROYAL PRINCESS. In the 1980s, Eide was widely regarded as the best cruise ship designer in the world. Eide is one of the strongest influences on modern cruise ship design, though not as much as Tage Wandborg who almost singlehandedly invented modern cruise ship and cruise ferry design.)