Hello from Pacific Ocean - Ryndam

[lawgeek]

Hello all,

 

I was just sitting in a lounger in the xplorations cafe staring at the ocean rolloing by and thought I might give my initial impressions of the ship and first 2 days of our cruise.

 

On this itinerary, first 2 days are sea days and we have enjoyed them throughly. Yesterday was basically breakfast in bed, workout, couples massage, lunch, lounging with bucket of Coronas at the aft pool and finally Captains reception and formal night dinner.

 

The first night was a bit of rockin and rollin and my wife made it though the first bite of her sala at dinner before I had to escort her to room. I returned for my dinner (she was fine next morning and hasn't felt bad since, just needed sea legs). Speaking of dinner, this is really the only dissapointment on board thus far. Some items are good (pate appetizer was excellent last night and salmon tartare night before was good) but we have both been less than impressed with main courses, especially. First night I ordered steak (sirloin in peppercorn sauce). I ordered rare hoping for medium rare and received a medium rare to medium well. I'm not that picky, so ate it anyway and found it to be bland. Lamb with side of crab legs last night and lamb was overcooked and fatty (still ok) "king" crab legs were smaller than most snow and dungeness you get at a low level sea food joint. Wifes filet was very so-so too. One last small gripe was that wife ordered cake weeks ago for my birthday yesterday and they forgot. She had to remind them which delayed all desserts at table and spoiled suprise (which frankly I could care lees about, but was nice gesture by wife and she was dissappointed!).

 

On the plus side, I really enjoyed room service breakfast, which woke us up since we didn't read the card that told us to set clocks ahead an hour that night. And despite a prejudice against buffet food, I think the Lido is exceptional with a great staff. Wife can't get over her prejudice in this department though.

 

Overall food is B, only because dining room is brought up by other venues.

 

Massage was fantastic and the thermal suite was very nice before hand. Wife went back today for a facial while I type this. Definitley an A!

 

Loved the aft pool, less kids than lido (where there was maybe 5 or 6 and all were the only ones in water) and beat the wife at a best of three ping pong match (very close though).

 

Captains reception was nice and our captain is hilarious. He rrrolls all of his rrrrrrs with a deep booming voice.

 

Explorations cafe is awesome and this chair is very comfy. Casino staff is nice but gambling gods have not been thus far.

 

Our room is A deck 826 in aft area (F class). Love it! roomy excellent service big window close to waterline (which I like). It is particularly nice since I got excellent price on an H guaruntee rate! Which is also a good thing considering the amount I have spent on board in the past two days!

 

On a final note, I believe I saw Laffnlasvegas' sail away party on her Oosterdam verandah when we sailed away and took pictures which I may try and post when we return.

 

Oh well, off to Manzanillo...till next time,

 

Brendon

[Sage]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post. I'm so glad to hear that you are having a good time. We loved the Ryndam when we were aboard in March. I hope the rest of your cruise goes well.

[RuthC]

Hello back from the east coast land portion. All in all I'd say you're in the better spot.

Thank you for posting your observations. Sorry that the dinners are less than stellar, but glad to see that otherwise you're having a nice time.

[FlorenceItaly]

Brendon - Thanks for posting. It's so exciting to have Live Updates!

 

Did you purchase the Thermal Suite pass for the week or daily? I was wondering what the rate is. I was under the impression that it was $15 daily or $90 weekly, but someone recently posted a different figure. Thanks for you help.

 

Wishing you and your dear wife a wonderful cruise.

 

Marie

[CLE-B]

Hi Brendon:

Thanks so much for sharing.........it was so exciting just reading your comments. We are up next and can't wait. Have a fantastic time and please bring our ship back safe & sound. Enjoy!!!!! Mary

[willowoodf]

Brendon: I'm so glad you are enjoying your cruise on the "Beautiful and Elegant RRRRRRRYNDAM!" If you see the beautiful Anne in the front office, please please say that Mary and Jeff are very much looking forward to seeing her October 28. We have a inside guarantee room, so I'm wondering what we'll end up getting. But any room will be OK with us! Mary

[prshaker]

What a wonderful idea...taking the time to give onboard update and impressions is the type of great reputation this board has for those of us waiting to sail away. My wife and I are booked for 14 days out of Tampa Bay 5 Feb 2006 and are looking foward to enjoying the Ryndam after her refit. The last time we were onboard was in 2000.Enjoy your trip and look for my post from onboard in Feb 2006Paul and Liz Canada