Dave’s Live from Ryndam Southern Caribbean Feb 16 – March 2, 2014

[rkacruiser]

Looking forward to your always interesting posts and photos! Thanks for taking us along!

[rafinmd]

Have a great cruise. I'll be watching tomorrow on the Key West Webcam.

 

Roy

[erewhon]

Thanks for the update.

Wishing you a fabulous cruise.

[fm6175]

Thank you sir , this will be the second cruise of yours that I follow . Truly a pleasure . BTW I love the itinerary . Somehow we have never considered it , never even aware of it as we usually only consider departures from FLL . Have fun ! Frank

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[RetiredMustang]

Feb. 16, Tampa – embarkation day (cont.)

We spent yesterday consumed with all of the things involved with embarking a ship, and then with enjoying the experience, so I got behind in my blog. We now resume our regular programming …

Check in

We left the hotel and drove the mile or so to the ship at Terminal 6. Roy, it was indeed within walking distance, but I wouldn’t want to do it with a bunch of bags. A couple leaving the same time we were had Ryndam tags on their luggage as well – they took a cab.

The terminal is a different one from the one we embarked Ryndam in 2011. It looks new or at least newly-refurbished. We went through security/scanners and then filled out the medical questionnaires. The terminal had several small tables with forms and pens, so there was no bottleneck. We then went to the check-in lines. We noticed against the far wall that there was a separate check-in for suites and 4 or 5-star Mariners. We were heading toward that, when we were waylaid by a cheerful and efficient HAL rep who kept guiding us to the regular check-in line, even though we said twice we were 4-star Mariners. There was no line, so we just went with the flow. But, when we got to the agent, she said, “Oh, you are 4-stars. Why didn’t you say so?” But, she checked us in and went over and got our cards for us. We then went to the suites/Mariners area for a seat.

A few minutes later, about 11, the cruise director came ashore and got on the announcing system to say that the ship had been cleared, but that they were running a little behind with the rooms since more than 1200 passengers had just gotten off that morning. He said we could go aboard, but please go to the Lido until the announcement was made that the rooms were ready.

The Lido was in Code Orange with no self-serve available, but we did not eat lunch. We were not hungry after a large breakfast at the Marriott, but we went to the Lido bar and officially christened the start of our cruise:

We enjoyed what is one of our favorite moments: we have made it aboard the ship, and it won’t sail without us, and the whole of our cruise is ahead with all of the possibilities and promises of good times. We savored the moment and toasted the future.

On board

About 11:45, the announcement came that the rooms were ready. We went to ours, and I got several shots before DW started unpacking our carry-ons. Even in a suite, unpacking is better if just one person does it so you aren’t getting into each other’s way. DW prefers to do that, since she wants to know where everything is and figures she can tell me if I’m looking for something and can’t find it. So, I’ve learned over the course of many cruises either to sit down out of the way or make myself scarce. I proceeded to do so, wandering the ship to check out our dining table, look at the dinner menu, talk to the internet manager, get some shots of the public areas, etc. It was then when I noticed Colin in the Pinnacle Grill.

I went back to the cabin, and took photos of the daily program and things. Our shore excursions packet came, and our bags showed up a bit later. So, I parked myself at the desk, out of DW’s way, and posted those earlier posts prior to boat drill.

Boat drill was the usual, with announcements that anyone who refused would be put ashore. Everyone at our station made it, and I presume everybody else did, as I did not hear of anyone being kicked off.

We then repaired to the Mix for a pre-dinner drink, and encountered the bartender Rolando, whom we had met on Noordam last year. He served us our glasses of wine and we chatted for while. He also served us some hors d'oeuvres (small crab/lobster cakes, and spanakopita pockets, but no bitterballen, sorry L).

More later,

Dave

[dvcmember]

I remember Rolando from our December on the Ryndam. He made the best "Perfect" Manhattans. We would frequent the Ocean Bar just for that reason alone. He also made sure we had a supply of hors d'oeuvres. Such a nice person. Just 14 more days until we have another with Rolando at the helm.

[PetNanny]

Looking forward to reading more. Thanks!

[Lovely other]

so excited to read your "live from". We are on the Ryndam in May so look forward to seeing her in action ...

[cruz chic]

Thanks for the bitterballen update:D. I'll be on the watch. I'm enjoying your blog very much.

[Copper10-8]

John, mission accomplished. Colin was in the PG as I was rambling about the ship, and I popped in and passed on your greeting. He was pleased that you remembered him.

 

Dave

 

Thanks Dave; enjoy your voyage on RYDM! I'll be watching the Key West cam

[RetiredMustang]

Feb. 16, Tampa – embarkation day (cont.)

We went into dinner at 5:15. Early fixed dining has been 5:45 for several cruises, and we were not sure why Ryndam went to 5:15, but had no problem with it. Our table, #85, is against the rail along the back. It is a table that normally sits 4, but we had asked for a two-top, and they had it set for only 2 places. Nice.

Here are the menus:

We both had the tomato Florentine soup (which I finished about the time I remembered the camera). Our main dish was the traditional prime rib:

Here is the dessert menu:

I had the apple strudel (again forgetting the camera), which was very good. DW had the red velvet cake. She reported that the frosting was lighter than normal, like it had been whipped a bit, which she enjoyed.

More later,

Dave

[RetiredMustang]

Feb. 16, Tampa – embarkation day (cont.)

After dinner, we went out on the deck to catch some better views of the sail through Tampa Bay. We got out there just as the ship was passing under the bridge. Here is a shot back past the wake to the bridge.

We then took a stroll on the deck, but when we turned into the direction we were sailing, the wind was a bit cold, so we went back inside. We went to the Explorer’s Lounge and listened to Adagio for a while. The two ladies were OK, but missed a note now and then.

By then, the casino was open, so we went and played the silly penny slots for a while before turning in.

More later,

Dave

[RetiredMustang]

Feb. 16, Tampa – embarkation day (cont.)

Here is the front of the Explorer booklet, which outlines our itinerary, and the bio of Captain Mark Rowden:

More later,

Dave

[RetiredMustang]

Monday, Feb. 17, Key West

Today we are due into Key West at 1 p.m. Last evening, the Captain said we are due to dock at Mallory Square, which is great – it’s right downtown. He also said he expected to get there a bit faster, and expected to dock at noon.

Here are photos with today’s program:

 

 

More later,[/font]

Dave

Edited February 17, 2014 by RetiredMustang

[cruz chic]

Hope you have a wonderful day in key west.

[RetiredMustang]

Monday, Feb. 17, Key West (cont.)

 

The rest of the program (oops):

 

 

More later,

Dave

[WhansaMi]

Please tell Happy Harry that Sheila, from the last cruise, misses him!

[RuthC]

Thanks for your posts, Dave.

I'd like to get back to Key West some day. I was only there the one port day, and there was so much I never got to do. Reports of that port make it sound so appealing.

[cruisingxpert]

Ryndam is already at Key West - I can see people getting off the ship.

 

Love your live report, Dave.

 

CJ

[kazu]

Your reports are always so good Dave - since you offered - I am going to use your cabin photos if you don't mind - but I didn't see the cabin number?

 

You are just a gem. Your pics are always so good as are your reports.

 

Loved Key West - especially the walk to (and) Hemingway's house. :D

[solocanadian]

Enjoying your blog and photos. Has Capt. lost any of his Yorkshire accent yet?

[erewhon]

Enjoying your blog, great photos, thank you.

[catl331]

Oh, there is that great pic of your traditional cruise roast beef!!! Tantalizing! Bon Voyage!

[rafinmd]

Your reports are always so good Dave - since you offered - I am going to use your cabin photos if you don't mind - but I didn't see the cabin number?

 

You are just a gem. Your pics are always so good as are your reports.

 

Loved Key West - especially the walk to (and) Hemingway's house. :D

 

A suggestion here. Should Dave, when he has a chance, email halfacts with the cabin number and express permission to use the photos. I would think having all the permission in one place would be a good idea.

 

Roy

[RetiredMustang]

Feb. 17, Key West (cont.)

Here are the pages about Key West from the Explorer:

The weather in Key West was fabulous, clear and in the 70s F. We booked a ship’s excursion to do a pub crawl this afternoon. We met up with our tour guide Darleen, from Key West Productions:

And then we visited five nearby bars in 2.5 hours, including the Flying Monkeys Saloon:

We had drinks in each bar, but they were smaller pours, usually rum punches or 8 oz. beers. The Flying Monkey Saloon had a great frozen margarita. We stopped finishing the drinks after about the third bar, so I wouldn’t find myself trying to converse with Elvis or something …

It was a fun,, totally not serious afternoon.

More later,

Dave