Carnival Family Trying Ryndam

[pcrum]

Hello: We were on HAL several years ago on the Veendam, but just booked the Ryndam for my mom's 80th birthday. It's been a few years since we've been on HAL, so have some questions:

 

--are refrigerators not in the ocean view rooms? Can you call ahead and request a refrigerator?

 

--are hair dryers provided in the cabins?

 

--Is afternoon or high tea offered everyday or just sea days?

 

--are wine tastings offered onboard?

 

--is there a charge to use the steam room and sauna?

 

Is there anything in particular not to miss onboard the ship?

 

Thanks so much. Lately we've been cruising other lines and it's been so long since we did HAL, but from what I've read the Ryndam is the sister ship to Veendam, so should be quite similar.

[RuthC]

Outside cabins do not come with a fridge. You can rent one for $2.00 per day. Have your TA order it in advance, as there are a limited number of them, and it's first come/first served.

Every cabin on every ship has a hair dryer. Reports on effectiveness vary, depending on the length and thickness of your hair.

Afternoon tea (not high tea) is served every afternoon. Once per cruise there should be a Royal Dutch Tea, Indonesian Tea, or cupcake tea. Or some combination, perhaps all three.

[pcrum]

Outside cabins do not come with a fridge. You can rent one for $2.00 per day. Have your TA order it in advance, as there are a limited number of them, and it's first come/first served.

Every cabin on every ship has a hair dryer. Reports on effectiveness vary, depending on the length and thickness of your hair.

Afternoon tea (not high tea) is served every afternoon. Once per cruise there should be a Royal Dutch Tea, Indonesian Tea, or cupcake tea. Or some combination, perhaps all three.

 

Thanks. What about the restaurants that charge a surcharge? Are they worth it? I am thinking about booking the steakhouse.

 

Also, is there a piano bar onboard?

 

Thanks again!

[RuthC]

I haven't sailed on the Ryndam in several years; I'll be on her in May. I have been to the Pinnacle on many other ships, though, and have enjoyed my dinners in each one. I do plan to visit the Pinnacle on the Ryndam.

I don't eat at Canaletto, the Italian restaurant, so can't give any advice there.

There's no Piano Bar on the Ryndam anymore. :( It was replaced by "Mix", which is an open area including what used to be the Piano Bar and Casino Bar. It's totally open to the walkway and shops. It's very brightly lit.

I've been in the version on the Veendam, and Ryndam is the same.

The atmosphere is totally different than it was as a Piano Bar. There is a guitarist on one side early, and a piano player on the other side later on.

[pcrum]

Thanks. Can you tell me anything about the Master Chef's Table? We did the Chef's Table on Carnival and loved the food and wine pairings. I assume the Master Chef table is similar?

 

And then I've been reading about a special dinner the last night of the cruise? Can you tell me about this?

 

Thanks so much!!

[RuthC]

I don't know anything about the Chef's Table, although I am sure others do, and will post about it.

The last night of most cruises has been the Master Chef's Dinner (not to be confused with the Table). Not my favorite, so I have avoided it for the last several years. Let others chime in about the delights of it.

[kazu]

Thanks. Can you tell me anything about the Master Chef's Table? We did the Chef's Table on Carnival and loved the food and wine pairings. I assume the Master Chef table is similar?

 

And then I've been reading about a special dinner the last night of the cruise? Can you tell me about this?

 

Thanks so much!!

 

The Master Chef's table is similar to the Chef's Table on Carnival. It is $89 per person (or was on our cruise). Limited to 12 to 18 people depending on the ship. Probably wise to sign up for it on day one in order to secure a place:D

 

The last night - HAL is supposed to be cutting this out or toning it down. Hard to say what you should expect. Many do not care for the twirling of napkins, etc.

[pcrum]

Thanks for all the information. As this is our 2nd HAL cruise (the first was 5 years ago, so details are fuzzy!), I was wondering if there is a past guest reception, as there is on Carnival. Also, is there a Captain's night cocktail party?

 

Thanks so much.

[RuthC]

There will be a repeat passenger brunch at some point in the cruise; it's by invitation, so you know when and where. It may be preceeded by a reception for passengers with a high number of sailing days, and those getting recognized for milestone days.

At the brunch, either at your place, or at the door upon leaving, you will receive a delft tile as a remembrance.

There is a Welcome Aboard toast the first formal night. No receiving line and photos with the Captain, as there was in the past. Senior officers will be presented on stage, and there is a faux-champagne toast.

[SwissMyst]

We had an excellent cruise on the Rydnam last fall - good choice. We like the smaller ships and we had a very friendly and accommodating dining staff on that cruise. Ruth pointed out some of the differences to look for. She has some great itineraries. We sailed her from Barceolona to Barcelona via Malta - great trip.

[innlady1]

The Master Chef's table is similar to the Chef's Table on Carnival. It is $89 per person (or was on our cruise). Limited to 12 to 18 people depending on the ship. Probably wise to sign up for it on day one in order to secure a place:D

 

The last night - HAL is supposed to be cutting this out or toning it down. Hard to say what you should expect. Many do not care for the twirling of napkins, etc.

 

On our recent Maasdam cruise, it was toned down a lot...a selection from the regular menu on every other night of the cruise, minimal napkin twirling. If one chooses to continue the tradition of Baked Alaska, an individual one may be ordered as a dessert choice. It was actually quite pleasant.