Ryndam Two week Review-phase one

[Toad]

Embarkation: went very quickly at port of Tampa. Very friendly staff, and we were on board by 11:15, and in our suite by 11:30. Coffee and treats were available for our fifteen minute wait in the Neptune Lounge, and the consierge, Tiffany was very welcoming.

 

Life Boat Drill went off without a hitch, except there were a few "No shows". For all of you who are thinking of skipping it, forget it as those who did had to do a make up the next day that lasted wAAAAAAY longer. We walked the promenade, (four times around is a mile) and set sail. The seas were smooth and the air was warm.

 

We had two days at sea, the second day was formal dress. Gildus, the Maitre D' was efficient and welcoming and we were happy with our table for two. I do understand that on the first or second night out there were some burst pipes on a lower deck, I believe A deck and some fifteen rooms got flooded. One woman I spoke with said that her room was flooded and that she was offered a free dinner in the Pinnacle as compensation. Not sure what the end result of all that was, but did hear that many rooms had to have their carpets replaced.

 

Our first port was Puerto Rico. We took a leisurely walk around Old San Juan. The city has really improved in recent years. We did some shopping and walked around the fort. Lots of walking. Returned to the ship for an 8:00 dining and then watched as we cruised out of the harbor at midnight.

 

The crew shows were typical for HAL. Young kids with lots of energy. One of the male singers was quite good, while I would say the others were average, but enthusiastic. The shows were newer and different than we have seen in the last few years and that was nice.

 

ST. Thomas: We docked out of town which was fine with us, although some people complained that we were not in Havensight (sp). Have docked in both places and really don't mind either although I am not the dedicated shopper that others seem to be..... Again we did a little shopping, a little walking ad a little beaching....

 

We are still on the road heading home, so I will continue this when we get there, however if anyone has any burning questions please ask....

[Dyziblonde]

DH and I were on the Feb 5, sailing. It is fun to relive it through your great review. Looking forward to the next phase! Thanks!

[Toad]

Barbados:

Nice walk from ship to town. It was fun visiting the local fish market, and cheapside, the local veg and fruit market. Visited a really nice church in town that was under going renovations. Think the next time in port we will book a tour as we had more time there.

 

Domenica: Did the river tubing and loved it. It was well staffed, fun, and exciting without being too difficult for most passengers, although I would suggest participants don't mind the water, and are fairly agile.

 

S/O both liked the size of the Ryndam. The internet and library area were much improved. Ship seemed clean and well kept up. The Captain was very nice, although I have forgotten his name, will let you know when we are home. New beds were fantastic! Showers were a bit whimy.....

 

More later.

[sail7seas]

Thanks for your review, Toad. We have our documents for our Ryndam cruise and are very much looking forward to returning to her. We have not sailed on Ryndam for years. It'll be nice to see her SOE changes and compare to what we just saw on VODM.

 

How did you find the dining room? Smooth service? Know how subjective food is, did you enjoy it? Did you like the menu selections? How was Lido? Room Service?

 

Was there a Suite Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party? Suite Dinner?

Thanks for any info you don't mind sharing.

 

Hope you continue to travel safely as you make your way home.

 

[Toad]

Sail:

Yes there was a suite cocktail party for welcoming in the Neptune Lounge, dinner with the Captain, and Chief Officer for some, and a nice luncheon as well. The service in the dining room was very good, but I would have liked to see a greater selection of fish. There was Salmon, every night as an alternative, but I still would have liked more of a selection. Room service was very very good, and predinner appetizers were wonderful! As I said previously, I found the crew on the Ryndam to be extremely nice. We had dinner with the Chief Officer Richard and his young wife, Tanya who were sailing with their two year old son. It was truly fun dining with them.

[Toad]

Sail: In answer to the food question, I would say, "good", but I have had better on HAL.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, Toad. Appreciate your great info.

 

One more thing, if you don't mind. Our documents say three Formal Nights but I understand it more likely there will be four. Did you have four?

I agree with you that I like for there to be good fish choices at dinner. I'm happy they have the choice of salmon every night but I wish the menu offered more (good) fish.

[Toad]

Definately four formal nights. I always travel with an extra dress just in case, so this time it paid off.

[Toad]

Definately four formal nights. I always travel with an extra dress just in case, so this time it paid off. BTW most of the fish was over cooked so if fish is your thing be careful!

[Orlandocruiser]

Thanks for the review - we are doing the 14 day out of Tampa in November so I'm anxiously awaiting anything you have to add regarding your cruise.

[Toad]

Grenada: This was one of our favorite places. Here we engaged the services of a cab driver named Bobbitt. If you as for him at the taxi stand they should find him for you, I have packed his email address and will find it if needed. He was wonderful. We had him for the day, and he took us all around the island. He was very knowledgable and made stops whenever we asked, including waiting for us while we went to the beach for an hour. This is a beautiful island that did suffer a lot of hurricane damage, but is still worth a tour.

 

Isla de Margarite: Was much improved since our last visit, with the beach within walking distance of the ship providing masny services. Shade was provided as well as rentals of water toys and massages. Lots of locals selling things right by the ship.

 

We did have a fire on board one evening on one of the lower decks, I believe it was B deck. I heard the announcement while in the casino. Apparently, it was very small as the Captain said everyone could stay where they were, and he would sound the all clear, which he did shortly. It was all taken care of with very little fuss.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for your review.

 

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

[bluegrass grannie]

Toad--Wasn't 003 wonderful? I thought it was a great location. Tiffany is indeed a helpful and efficient concierge. Did you encounter the rough seas your first night out? The crew was concerned that the weather system we had experienced on our last night (2/4) would also affect you all on the 5th.

 

The Isle de Margarita port area offers that very nice beach and the vendors but taking a tour of that island with Marcella and Steve (formerly from Ohio) was a delight. It is a beautiful island and you can't tell that at all from the port area. I can provide Marcella's contact info if anyone is interested. (Don't have it with me now).

 

Sail--it's odd that we only had 3 formal nights on the very same cruise just prior to this one, but had brought clothes for 4 as had been indicated on HAL info.

 

It's fun to relive this cruise through your review, Toad and to know that we experienced it from the same suite just two weeks apart. I'm still having cruise withdrawal after being back over a month!:(

[oma&opa]

We will be on the Mar 19 trip -- and are very interested in getting in touch with your driver in Grenada.

Thanks

[Toad]

Oma-Opa:

 

Will try and get you his email and phone when we unpack....... He was Great!

[K&K]

Toad: We are sorry we did not get to meet you guys and the other c/c er's at least formally (that we know of)!! We had a wonderful time annd had few complaint's such as a few smells, not much fish or seafood even had imitation crab meat!!! but it was still wonderful. We also wish we would have hadd a least one good day of rough seas, can't remember in 250+ days at sea a smoother cruise.

 

Drive safely

Kevin

[sail7seas]

Darn.........I was looking forward to some nice fish at dinner. Think I better 'adjust' my culinary expectations. Fish sounds like it is disappointing on Ryndam. :( I don't care about crab or lobster but certainly would enjoy some nice filet fish servings.

 

 

 

 

[K&K]

Sail: The fish that was offered was very very good. We did not think there was alot of it offered compared to other ships we have been on.

 

I also would have liked at least once a nice iceburg lettuce with tomato and stuff salad. Also the deserts were a dissappointment in my opinion. Good cheese cakes though.

 

Kevin

[sail7seas]

Thanks, KK.......you have restored my hope for some nice fish dinners to enjoy. :)

 

 

I eat most any fish so I'm not too picky about which they are serving as long as there is something that sounds tasty.

 

 

[dsawyer]

We have missed you over on the 3/25/06 Noordam thread. Please check in soon.

 

I am happy you had a great time on the Ryndam. :)

[Toad]

For those of you interested in a great tour in Grenada, contact Bubbit at bubbit@hotmail.com or call him at 406-0896, or 420-2797. He really gave us a wonderful tour.

[dsawyer]

Did you do the river tubing tour in Dominica with the ships tours or was it The Wacky Rollers.

 

Thanks

[Toad]

We did the river tubing through the ship, however we did notice others doing tubing along the way to the site where we started. As I said before we really enjoyed it. The give you a huge innertube with a piece of plywood in the bottom and send you down the river. There are many young men along the way to help if you flip or get stuck. About halfway through we stopped for a snack break, and then continued on.

 

In Grenada we got some wonderful pictures of monkeys! Just been looking at them.

[dsawyer]

Did you paddle to make them move or do the currents of the river take you along?

[Toad]

just the currents.... and sometime quite quickly!