Mini Review Ryndam June 7 to June 28, 2014

[jaspersmycat]

I just returned from the Ryndam Fjords and Midnight Sun Collector's 21-day cruise.

 

The Ryndam is a wonderful small ship. The captain Mark Rowden was the friendliest and most informative of all the captains I've sailed with. He gave us history about the next port in addition to all the pertinent position and weather information.

 

The Hotel Director changed on Day 7. The new Hotel director was Craig Oakes. He was very accessible and helpful. When we were in Trondheim, I even saw him setting up folding chairs on the pier for people to sit in while waiting for the tender.

 

Service was excellent. Food varied from good to great.

 

I had the signature beverage card and it worked well.

 

The ports were very good. Geiranger and Flam were my favorites. I took a number of HAL tours and they met my expectations.

 

There was a collectors luncheon which included people on my 21-day collectors and those on the 28-day collectors cruise.

 

For those thinking about doing the Midnight Sun cruise, I highly recommend it. The fjords are spectacular.

[andrewhuston]

I've salied the Ryndam once before and looking forward to it again this September.

 

One point of discussion elsewhere was whether or not the ship still has the string quartet. Does it still?

[jaspersmycat]

It has a duo - piano and violin. According to the Hotel Director, they have been voted HAL's best entertainment for the past 2 months. I thought they were exceptional good.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your review.

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

[TracieABD]

Thank you for the review! 21 days on a ship sounds divine!!!

[Mtn2Sea]

Thanks for the info on your cruise. We're scheduled to be on the Ryndam this October. Who was the cruise director for your cruise?

[jaspersmycat]

The cruise director was John Clelford. I think he said he had 2 months left on his contract. He came to HAL from Princess.

[POA1]

Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

[Stratheden]

Thank you for your review. Another one for the bucket list.

 

Look forward to finding out which ship will replace the Ryndam.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for the nice review of your Ryndam cruise. Glad you had a good expierence. Good to know about the Captain he sounds great, hope we get to run into him on one of those 'dam' ship sometime.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report! Sounds like a great cruise.

[mtnmommy]

Thank you so much for your review. My family will be on the Midnight Sun cruise on the Ryndam on July 19, so it's great to hear such positive comments!

 

Could you please tell me if there were shuttle buses (for a fee, I assume) into the town centers in Tromso and Trondheim? And, in Bergen, was the ship docked at the pier that is within walking distance of the old town, Bryggen? We are traveling with my elderly mother, and her walking stamina is limited, so any info is much appreciated.

[Keith1010]

Glad you enjoyed the cruise.

 

Keith

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for the report. Glad you enjoyed your trip.

[Susie51]

Thank you for sharing.

[erewhon]

Thank you for this review of your Ryndam cruise.

[portofrome]

Thanks for the review.

[Vict0riann]

From our Midnight Sun cruise on the Ryndam last year - in Tromso, there was a shuttle bus (I think it was free) but there were such long lines we ended up taking a taxi, which worked out well, as there were three of us. We returned to the ship on the shuttle, so, if you do that, just make sure you make a mental note of the pick-up spot in town.

 

In Trondheim, the HOHO bus stopped at the end of the pier, and we were able to use that. I don't remember what it cost, but it was a good tour. We got off at the Cathedral, walked around, and then continued the tour and back to the ship.

 

In Bergen we were docked quite near Bryggen.

Edited July 1, 2014 by Vict0riann

[jaspersmycat]

In Tromso there was a free shuttle from the pier to the center of town. I did not use it so I'm not sure about lines.

 

In Trondheim we had to tender and were a ways out of town. There was no shuttle bus (free or paid) available.

 

There was a lot of information given about each port in the port lecture or by going by the Destination Specialist desk (next to Explorations Cafe) and asking. I recommend you talk to Sabina after you first board.

[mtnmommy]

Thanks so much to you both for the info. We like to DIY in some ports, but with five of us--including two kids and my Mom--I do have to plan ahead. We've cruised in the Med the last two summers, where private guides and larger (and less expensive!) taxis are more plentiful. Thanks again for the help!