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Dave's Live from Ryndam, Feb. 6-20, 2011

RetiredMustang

By RetiredMustang,
in Holland America Line

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IRL_Joanie

IRL_Joanie

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....(Joanie, feel free to copy any you want, and let me know if there is something you specifically want me to capture.).......

 

Dave

 

Dave, Grabbed em all and will get them up this morning:)

 

I think the questions most asked for are plugs, safes, bathtub/showers (heights and widths). What I'd like is the views that YOU and Mrs Dave want to see when you are researching to book a stateroom. Also Public Areas of the ship Please?? I have so so so few of them from passengers:(

 

You go enjoy this, your 2nd day on board:)

 

Joanie

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GoldenLover

GoldenLover

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Haven't had a Holland America "fix" for over a year and this NE PA winter is getting a bit depressing. Following this adventure is sure to help and I appreciate folks like you who take the time (and $) to treat folks like us.

Enjoyed the pictures of the suite life. Soooo one can go to heaven without that expiration thing!

;)

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RetiredMustang

RetiredMustang

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Sunday, Feb. 6 (continued)

After boarding we dropped our bags, ate some quick lunch in the Lido, and did chores such as signing up for a wine package and making a reservation for later in the cruise at Canaletto before returning to the cabin. We are in Code Orange, with staff serving us food and drinks in the Lido, although they had regular salt and pepper shakers on the tables instead of the little packets.

Our bags arrived between 1 and 2, so we were able to get fully unpacked well before boat drill. We went to tour the ship a bit, seeing as how we had not been on an "S" class ship since Maasdam in 2005. We mostly got re-acquainted with the layout, but there have been some changes. The biggest change is the addition of the Mix, which is where the casino bar, sports bar and piano bar used to be. It is now one open area.

Here are some links to photos I took of the Mix:

 

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Mix_champagne_bar.JPG

 

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Mix_cocktail_area.JPG

 

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Mix_beer_area.JPG

 

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Mix_beer_on_tap.JPG

 

We went to boat drill at 4:15, which was done without lifejackets, which is now the norm. Afterwards, we introduced ourselves to the bar staff at the Ocean Bar and had a wine before going in to our fixed early seating at 5:45. We did notice that the Ocean Bar was a bit understaffed with wait personnel, but an awful lot of staff were busy at that time setting up for the Super Bowl parties in the Mix and Crow's Nest.

Our table at dinner is a table for 2 on the railing. We had asked for a two-top when we booked over a year ago. I don't know if we got one because we asked for it so early, because we later upgraded to a suite, or because we are 3-star Mariners, or a combination, but we are glad to have it. Dinner was great (rare prime rib) and the service was the usual outstanding level.

After dinner, we went to the Mix to see how the Super Bowl was going, and got there just as Green Bay scored their first touchdown. We knew it was Green Bay who had scored, because a group of women in Green Bay jerseys were whooping and hollering and clapping. They had set up as many seats as they could, and there were a few open, but we just stood at the rail and watched for a bit. We then went to the suite reception in the Neptune lounge, and I was able to meet the hotel manager Simon de Boer and chat a few minutes, since most people were watching the game on the TV.

The game was also on the cabin TVs, so we went back to our room, and DW watched the game while I uploaded photos and posted to this blog. We then turned in and had a great night's sleep on those wonderful comfortable beds which the ship gently rocked. It was great to be back aboard at HAL ship!

More later,

Dave

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jtl513

jtl513

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The game was also on the cabin TVs, so we went back to our room, and DW watched the game while I uploaded photos and posted to this blog.

I wondered when I saw the time-stamp of your previous post (#23) why you weren't in the Mix watching the game! :D Edited by jtl513
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Tampa Girl

Tampa Girl

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Thanks Dave. We will look forward to your posts. We plan to take the same trip next year. Last evening, we were having dinner just across the channel from where you were staying. We waved figuring that some cruise passengers must be staying at the Marriott. We were at ground level so could not see the Ryndam docking. We look forward to next year's cruise. It is just that pesky long drive from our home SE of Tampa. The long drive takes us about 20 minutes so we might have to stay at the Marriot the night before.:)

 

 

We have you beat - we can do it in 10 minutes! Being able to take a short cab ride to the pier certainly does spoil one, doesn't it? Which explains our recent cancellation of a cruise out of Honolulu. The long plane ride was more than we wanted to deal with at this time. So . . . we are scheduled on the Ryndam for March 6th - yay!

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RetiredMustang

RetiredMustang

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Monday, Feb. 7, Key West

The morning was bright and warm. I watched the sun rise as I walked the deck for a couple of miles total (DW had earlier done three miles).

We had breakfast in the Lido, and a cappucino a bit later in the Neptune Lounge. I then did some more exploring of the ship, and taking a few photos. We ate a quick lunch in the Lido and watched from our balcony as we approached Key West, and sailed up past the west end of the island to Mallory Square. We passed two Carnival ships which had already come into port. We were moored a bit before our scheduled 1 p.m. arrival time, and the brow was quickly opened.

Here is a photo of Mallory Square, taken from our balcony: http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/510/Key_West_Mallory_Square.JPG

The Mallory Square moorage was certainly convenient, as it is in the heart of Key West. I had been to Key West a few times, and DW and I both had been there in the 1990s but had gone snorkeling then and so did not see much of the town. So, this time we took the old town trolley and conch train excursion.

We met on Mallory Square for a 1:30 excursion, and were led through the markets to the boarding area for the conch train. We then spent about an hour and a half winding through the streets of the old part of town, with a narration from the driver. It was a quite pleasant and interesting ride. The weather was perfect -- somewhat hot if you were in direct sunlight, but very nice short-sleeve weather in the shade, with a cooling breeze. Afterwards, we walked a bit and did a bit of shopping. Even though I'm a Parrothead, I resisted the temptation to go "down to Captain Tony's" but might lift a glass there when we come back next week.

We lounged on our balcony until it was time to dress for dinner. We had expected this to be the first formal night, but were a bit surprised to learn from the first day's program that the formal nights on this segment are Tuesday (at sea day) and Thursday (Grand Cayman). I don't know if they will do similarly on the next segment, but we came prepared for having formal night on Monday, Feb. 14, by packing my bright red bow tie and cummerbund.

So, we changed into Caribbean colorful garb and went for a pre-dinner drink in the Ocean Bar. I'm happy to report two things -- there were plenty of wait staff working so everyone was getting their orders taken and delivered quickly; and, they started two for one happy hour. Dinner featured several Caribbean style dishes such as jerk chicken, or the marinated rack of pork that I had, but the high spot for us was the dessert -- what else do you have the day you are in Key West than authentic key lime pie?

We did a bit of slots and then went to the Explorers Lounge to listen to the Adagio Strings for a while. As usual, HAL has brought aboard a talented string quartet to entertain us, this time four lovely young ladies.

All in all, we had a great, relaxing and fun day being pampered on a HAL ship!

More later,

Dave

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Aruba

Aruba

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To Dave or anyone else who has stopped in Key West: are there bicycles available for rent anywhere near where the ship docks? I've docked in KW twice before but sometimes if you're not looking for something you don't see it... Thanks.

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RetiredMustang

RetiredMustang

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Did you get any conch fritters?? It's worth a stop at KW just to go to one of the fritter vendor's stands. :D

 

Oh, no! I forgot that it's the law to have conch when you visit KW :D ! I saw the fritters stands, and have had them before. I guess I'll just have to get some next week.

 

Cruising Bob, yes a Parrothead is a fan of Jimmy Buffet. He does a song "Last Mango in Paris" which starts "Went down to Captain Tony's, to get out of the heat ..." which is what I was referring to with that comment.

 

Aruba, sorry I just did not notice bike rentals. I'll try to find out next week.

 

Dave

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woodofpine

woodofpine

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Is it still there?? The thing looked like old office furniture. I enjoyed Ryndam quite a bit over Thanksgiving (the anchor drop cruise) but I could figure out why they had that crappy looking desk in the lower lobby (the desk needs removal or upgrading). Funny the stuff one remembers.

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RetiredMustang

RetiredMustang

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Sorry, did not notice the desk in the Atrium, but here are some more photos of the ship:

Crows Nest:

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Crows_Nest_1.JPG

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Crows_Nest_2.JPG

Neptune Lounge:

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Neptune_Lounge_1.JPG

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Neptune_Lounge_2.JPG

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Neptune_Lounge_3.JPG

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Neptune_Lounge_3.JPG

Lido and aft pools:

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Lido_pool.JPG

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Lido_pool_2.JPG

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_aft_pool.JPG

Atrium:

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Atrium_sculpture_1_.JPG

Explorations Cafe

 

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Explorations_Cafe.JPG:

 

 

Stateroom power plugs. Joanie, I only was able to find three of these.

One is at the end of the long dresser, near the head of the bed : http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_suite_power_plug_1.JPG

and the second is at the dressing table: http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_suite_power_plug_2.JPG

Both are dual 110v/220v plugs. Here is a close-up: http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_suite_power_plug_3.JPG

The third plug is at the left end of the light fixture over the vanity in the bathroom, also dual voltage: http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_suite_power_plug_4.JPG

More later,

Dave

Edited by RetiredMustang
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RetiredMustang

RetiredMustang

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Apparently, I posted one link twice instead of the next one: http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Neptune_Lounge_4.JPG

 

Although, Joanie mentioned the Neptune Lounge goodies, so maybe it's just a gremlin. If not, here's a photo of them.

Dave

Edited by RetiredMustang
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IRL_Joanie

IRL_Joanie

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Apparently, I posted one link twice instead of the next one: http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/520/Ryndam_Neptune_Lounge_4.JPG

 

 

Although, Joanie mentioned the Neptune Lounge goodies, so maybe it's just a gremlin. If not, here's a photo of them.

 

Dave

 

Hey Dave, no probs for me since I saw the Neptune Loung_3.jpg twice, I figured it had to be a 4 so grabbed it right off the bat:)

 

The photos are up and running and have been for a few hours:) This is really great to get the photos Live from:)

 

Go have some relaxation and enjoy a show or 2:)

 

Joanie

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jtl513

jtl513

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Posted
Is it still there?? The thing looked like old office furniture. I enjoyed Ryndam quite a bit over Thanksgiving (the anchor drop cruise) but I could figure out why they had that crappy looking desk in the lower lobby (the desk needs removal or upgrading). Funny the stuff one remembers.
This is the lower atrium on 12/14/10. Is this the desk you're referring to?

 

Note the Christmas tree lying on the floor by the stairs. It had been knocked down by rough water two nights before, and not reset yet.

 

2263927450099632937S500x500Q85.jpg

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mtnmommy

mtnmommy

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Thank you so much for your wonderful live report! I'm reading it with much anticipation because my family will join you this Sunday. Would love to meet you--I'll be looking for you and please say hello if you spot our group.

 

We tend to stand out a bit: Mom and I are red heads, my husband is a large Greek man, 11-year-old son looks like Harry Potter, and 7-year-old daughter is a small Chinese fashion diva. Happy Sailing from the Paradise family!

 

Lisa

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