The Ryndam 10-21/10-31 Mex Riv/Sea of Cortez The Review!

[kakalina]

Okey dokey. Here it is for what it is worth.

 

Embarkation: Was one of the easiest and quickest we've had in awhile. We have always like embarking in San Diego and true to form it was simple and easy. There were three ships in port on the 21st and I did not care for the way they handled the baggage. We had to take it to the space between the two ships and just leave it there. I was concerned it might end up on the wrong ship but no worries. We were through the line and the first ones on the ship in about 20 minutes. We arrived at the terminal about 10:30 am.

 

Overall Condition of the Ryndam: She had just recently come out of drydock and she was freshly painted on the outside and looked beautiful in the San Diego sun. The interior had a few worn spots on furniture and carpet but overall she is still quite lovely. As usual the crew keep her spotlessly clean and shining.

The public rooms are more than comfortable and we were not bothered by smoke in any of the public lounges. There was a bit of a lingering smoke smell in the Crows Nest in the early am but nothing we couldn't deal with.

 

Staff and Crew: As always the hotel staff and ships compliment are wonderul, efficient and highly motivated to provide the best of service and comfort for us.

Captain and Master of the Ship: Pieter Jan Van Maurik

Hotel Manager: Ceese Tesselaar

Cruise Director: Drew Murdock

I thank them all for providing a wonderful cruise for us.

 

Dining and Food: OK Here is where it gets just a little bit sticky folks. We booked at the last minute and were given As You Wish Dining. To be perfectly honest it wasn't as bad as I had expected. Others have done a good job of explaining how it works so I won't go into that. Suffice it to say I never saw anyone waiting longer than 5 minutes for a table and those I spoke with were quite happy with the arrangements. For the solo traveler it may be different. My DH isn't normally fond of the main DR and chooses to eat most nights in the Lido. He was impressed that we were able to be seated, order and finish dining in about 45 minutes. However, when I went alone to the DR I was invariably seating with two other couples. They do ask if one wished to be seated with others and it worked out fine for me.

Now, the food. It was extremely disappointing. I don't care for the new menu format at all. It is set out in such a way that you have to read the entire menu. For example there may be two soups listed on page one, but another soup may be listed under the chefs recommendations and yet another listed in the always available section. I found it annoying and just not logical in its format.

The food was blah. It was not bad and not good. It was indifferent which is worse. I had no trouble finding something I like to eat every night, believe me. It was just that there was rarely anything that jumped out and said Yum. There seem to be fewer appetizers available for the evenings. I used to sometimes make a meal of the appetizers and some soup. For some reason all the desserts tasted the same! It may be I am getting jaded and used to the food, however I was disappointed.

The service in the DR was wonderful as always and the lower DR Host Rachmat was absolutely the best.

The dining in the Lido was quite good and offered more of the same selections as in the main DR than on other cruises. It would seem they are trying to even out so that everything is available everywhere. On the last formal night surf and turf was available in the Lido. DH was very happy :D The Lido manager Antonio was accomadating and the service was efficient, pleasant and swift.

 

Entertainment: I love the production shows. We had "On Broadway", "Club Nevada" and "Street Singin' ". The cast is a new one and although they haven't quite pulled it together they were good. I do have to say that the production show Street Singin reminded me alot of the acts that they did in the passenger show called both :Golden Rolldies and later the "Great Pretenders" many of the songs and costumes appeared to be the same. Especially shining out was one of the lead male singers Christopher, and two very enthusiastic dancers Chip and Callie. I enjoyed them and look forward to seeing them again in Jan. I know they will be really great together by then.

We also had Bryson Long, comedy/juggler; Janine Gardner: late night comedy ( she was a hoot ) Jeff Peterson: comedy magician, and Donnie Abraham, Sinatra Martin type impersonator. They were all entertaining and I enjoyed them . The CD Drew put alot into getting good entertainment and it shows. There were no lecturers or enlightment talks as there used to be. I did miss them. We did have lovely local dancers come aboard in Topolobampo and they were very good.

 

I am not covering any kind of ports or shore excursions. We have done this trip many times and therefore did not partake of any excursions. In some ports we barely got off the ship. I am pleased to say that there were only two "art" auctions in the ten days we were on and they were poorly attended.

The "night action" in the Crows Nest was great mostly due to Kelly who is an excellent DJ and one of the best activity staffers I have met.

The pianist in the Ocean bar Alexsander Courtney was excellent if a bit of a drama queen. The group Meryll and the Halcats left alot to be desired. Meryll has a wonderful strong operatic voice, not at all suited to the type of music for lounge singing. She should be in the production shows. The regular band U-4 was great. We have sailed with them before and they keep getting better. The HAL orchestra lead by Larry was wonderful.

 

This has gotten longer than I anticipated. We had a wonderful time and fully look forward to spending 30 days on her in January. If I can answer any questions please let me know.

[GOLFER3]

Very good review. Our biggest disappointment was the dinner service, quality of food and selection at the early dinner in the Rotterdam Dining room. The quality of the food has good down tremendously (our last trip on HAL Oosterdam in March '07 the food was outstanding). I will write a review as soon as I have time. Nice meeting you and Virgil - stay well.

 

Bob

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Hi Kakalina, thank you for your review. I know you are looking forward to your upcoming 30 days on the Ryndam to the South Pacific. (Sure wish I could go with you on that one). Do you think you can stand the dining room food that long?;) Thanks for the info on As You Wish Dining, as well as all the details about the entertainment onboard. Welcome home!

 

Karin

[ekerr19]

Kakalina -

 

Thanks for filling us in!!! Glad to hear the ship and crew were great. Sorry to hear about the food... we are on the Westerdam 12/2 and I read about the "new" menu, sadly this is one area I think HAL should not have touched... it was scaled down a few years back and we liked it even better then. We might be eating in the Pinnacle a few nights... :confused:

 

Thanks again - and welcome home!

[hammybee]

Welcome home.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your perceptions, blah,blah,blah.:D

 

I am happy you survived AYWD and lived to tell. Did you hit the dining room at a consistent time or get into the flexible thing?

 

So sorry that you did not enjoy the food. What's up with this?

 

Don't tell my DH S&T were available in the LIDO. He will never return to the DR. :eek:

[kakalina]

Hi Hammydear:

I consistently went early. I was told by the DRM that the busiest time was approx from 6:45 to 7:45pm. Anytime before or after was really easy to get. In the Q&A with the HotMan and Captain they said at first the "traditionalists" gripe about the AYWD, until the first time they are tired and back late from port, etc and then they discover the ease of the AYWD plan.

In reality they track whereever you eat dinner. All the dining venues are on computer and you are asked your cabin number prior to being seated. Thus they are able to see where everyone is going and when. It is a work in progress. I didn't like having to call every single day to reserve a time to eat so I just did the walk up. Those that do call can guarantee a time but not a table which makes perfect sense to me.

As for the food. As I said perhaps I am just jaded. But several times I ordered pork which was too tough to chew. My DH says his food was tasty and he loved it all except above mentioned pork.

I guess if I have a beef it is this: If they can serve the quality of food that they do in the Pinnacle Grill I feel that quality food should be served to everyone. Silly me.

Sorry for the long reply

[joyous]

I think we've made a mistake. 10 days with not great food and no lecturers and a DJ instead of live music. Maybe I should have stayed with the other cruise line. On the other hand, maybe the itinerary will make up for it and maybe the smokers will not be next door to my balcony. What a thread that smoking one is....not to be believed. Anyway, I'll be looking for the rainbow and enjoying the sea. joyous

[cruz chic]

Thank you for the review Kakalina. I was on the Ryndam b2b Oct.7-11 then Oct.11-21. I agree the food is not the same as it used to be although most things I had were pretty good. I really try to stay away from the beef and I have always found it not to be the best. I am from Alberta it's got some pretty high standards to meet IMO. I agree with you on the desserts. They used to be awesome now...mediocre. Sounds like you didn't have any A/C issues. I wasn't so fortunate.

[realent]

Again, thanks for the review. I hope that you made comments on the comment cards and hopefully enough people will voice concerns to bring the food back up to snuff. How is the Pinnacle? We will only be onboard for 4 nights so will want to try a bit of everything. Having never sailed HAL before I would like to have a good experience.

 

Someone mentioned they liked the Oosterdamn. I have heard conflicting reviews but that would be an easy ship for us to try being from so cal.

[GOLFER3]

I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST WHEN IT COMES TO THE SMOKING SITUATION. WE WERE ON THE 10/21 RYNDAM SEA OF CORTEZ CRUISE IN VERANDA 204. WE COULD NOT SIT ON OUR VERANDA WHEN THE COUPLE IN THE NEXT CABIN WAS OUT THERE AND SMOKING - WHICH WAS MOST OF THE TIME. WE COULD EVEN SMELL THE SMOKE THROUGH OUR VENTS. THE SMOKE WAS ALSO CONSTANT WHEN WALKING THROUGH OR NEAR THE CASINO.

[Quenby]

Hi again everyone!

 

I'm sorry to be ornery, but I liked the food!!! :D I thought some of the new desserts were wonderful.

 

But then I don't cook much any more......

[Krazy Kruizers]

kakalina

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

Do have a couple of questions.

How is the air conditioning?

How is the plumbing?

Do the verandahs have new furniture?

Thank you

[kakalina]

The Pinnacle Grill was wonderful Nancy. It has the best food and service. We loved our experience there on my birthday. We were treated to a lovely chocolate mousse cake, Yum-yum.

 

KK: We experienced no a/c or plumbing problems. We didn't speak to anyone that had any problems. We didn't smell anything untowards in the corridors or elsewhere. We were in an ocean view but it didn't appear that any new furniture was put in during the dry dock. Nothing was exceptionally worn that I could see. A few threadbare arms on chairs in the lounges, etc. Hope that helps.

 

ps I did not say the food was bad just that I found it bland and I think part of that is that we cruise so often that the food gets bland. JMHO and certainly not everyone feels that way. I had many dinners that I enjoyed. I just think it needs more spicing up. The presentation as always was impeccable.

[Nutrioso]

Kakalina ----

We have made the observation that people from the Southwest often use the word "bland" to describe cruise food. And we have used it ourselves to describe food on various cruise lines. I think we have developed a taste for the spiciness inherent in the Southwest cuisine. Maybe I'm wrong, but seems like it to me. Penny

[kryos]

Excellent review, Trish. Very comprehensive.

 

Just wondering aloud here ... I'll be very curious as to your evaluation of the dining room and other food on the 30-day cruise on this same boat. I'm wondering if the declining food quality is as a result of this being a shorter sailing?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks

Also - how were the stablizers? Remember when someone mentioned that they weren't working?

[garydm]

Trish-I read on another thread about a jacket being required on casual nights in the PG on Maasdam. Was that your experience on Ryndam? Thanks.

 

Gary

[garydm]

Ignore.

[GOLFER3]

RE:10/21 RYNDAM - WE HAD NO PLUMBING PROBLEMS. WE HAD A/C PROBLEMS. A/C WAS FREEZING COLD AND COULD NOT BE REGULATED. ONCE WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM IT TOOK ABOUT A HALF A DAY BUT IT WAS FIXED. THE NEXT DAY WE GOT A LETTER OF APOLOGY FROM THE HOTEL MGR AND A $75 CREDIT FOR EACH OF US ON OUR ACCOUNT. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE!

 

FURNITURE WAS NOT NEW BUT IN CLEAN AND GOOD CONDITION. STABLIZERS WERE WORKING FINE. THIS WAS ONE OF THE SMOOTHEST CRUISES EVER. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT CRUISING OUT OF SAN DIEGO AND ON THE WAY BACK THE WATER IS A LITTLE ROUGH - BUT THAT ADDS TO THE FUN OF CRUISING.

[kakalina]

KK: As Golfer3 said the seas were disgustingly smooth. There was little to no motion to the ocean. ( Darn it ) :(

 

garydm: We saw men in the PG without jackets on smart casual nights.

 

Penny: I hadn't thought of that but it is very possible. DH thought the food was teriffic but he had been eating fairly bland food since his heart attack.:rolleyes:

 

Kryos: Hey girlfriend, you and I both know that on longer cruises there is always more choice in the menu offerings. As for the quality we will see. And you had better be there with us to check it out! So there!:eek: :D

[Irishblessing]

I go with "Pappa Goose"!! I just completed training and the walk in ATL for the 3-Day 60 miles walk for A Cure for Breast Cancer so I now have time to explore our upcoming 30 day cruise in Jan. You are great in sharing so much of your experience with cruising. Thank you. I have read yours as well as several other posts about the tasteless food on your recent cruise. Maybe if enough of us contact HAL regarding our concerns, HAL will look into it. I wrote and spoke to a HAL agent today. We sailed on the Noordam 2 years ago and the food was outstanding. I think it can vary depending on the chef. Thanks again for all your helpful input.

[puddles'n splashes]

Thanks Kakalina for your review.:)

I was especially interested in AYW dining as we booked late and that's our option.Sorry they are playing around with the menus as I always enjoyed the format even though every cruise the choices seem fewer. As to bland; that's true, but I'm glad it isn;t so salty! I can do that myself.

Love the Ryndam. Been on her three times before and can hardly wait for the 10th to board her.

Wish I could join you for the 30 day. Really loved that on the Amsterdam.

Have a great time in all those ports and especially on the sea days.:D

[cruz chic]

Thanks

 

Also - how were the stablizers? Remember when someone mentioned that they weren't working?

 

I think the stabilizers where fixed on my cruise (Oct 11 - 21) after the brutal storm on the first part of my b2b (Oct. 7- 11). I could be wrong but I think the repairs were done in Topolobampo. Don't know for sure as I did the Copper Canyon tour that day.

[goat rancher]

We are in the process of arranging transportation to and from the cruise port for our February trip on the Ryndam.......At this point, considering the number of us going and the luggage situation, we either have to drive 2 large vehicles and put them in a parking structure for 10 days....or take a limo/shuttle service......

The limo folks want to know when we want to be down there and when to pick us up......we are the kind of folk that would LOVE to be on that ship as soon as is humanly possible, so were wondering when embarkation began..........Also, how did debarkation go?? Did they do it by color code and were there provisions for handicapped?? Just don't have a clue when to tell them to pick us all up.....

Thanks!

[kakalina]

The embarkation rarely starts before 11am. At about 10:30 they will allow folks into the terminal and approx 11 - 11:30 before actually allowing boarding.

As for disembarkation, I don't know what to tell you. It depends on a lot of factors coming together at the same time. If the ship is on time and if you get an early number, and if customs clears the ship early you might get off between 9 and 11am.

You can request express disembarkation if you are willing to take all of your luggage off with you. If you are in a suite you can make arrangements as well. Otherwise it is the luck of the draw.

Have a wonderful cruise.