Hawaii/tahiti The Ryndam Review Part Ii

[kakalina]

PART II

FRENCH POLYNESIA

IS THAT A WHALE?

 

There are five sea days between Hawaii and the first port in French Polynesia. They were filled with

many activities and games that I won't bore you with.

We did see a lot of sea life on this cruise. Lots of flying fish, a whale or two and dolphins playing hide

and seek in the waves.

 

The ship is in very good shape. She is elegant, clean and well cared for. With simply tons of lovely

antiques and classy decor she reeks of money well spent in her recent dry dock. One point and a

personal opinion, I think money could have been spent on better places the the huge spa upgrades, the

extension on the spa took a great deal away from the lovely views from the Crows Nest.

 

The crew abound with energy and graciousness. They are happy with their management on this

particular ship and it shows. The service was quick, efficient and obtained with a smile. A genuine smile.

 

Their were two guest chefs on this cruise Chris Constatino and Lon Symensma. They did

demonstations in the culinary arts room ( Wajang Theater ) and I enjoyed them. There were also

demonstrations by the Excutive Chef Andreas Bruenett, and the Pinnacle Chef Ani. There was also a

recipe contest for the guests. I covered that quite extensively in the thread " The Great Ryndam Recipe

Contest".

Another particular joy on this cruise were the two florists they brought on board in Honolulu to stay on for

the balance of the cruise. These two gentlemen were amazingly creative and talented. We took great

pleasure in finding the beautiful and cunningly made arrangements throughout the ship. They did indeed

greatly increase the pleasure we took in being on this ship.

 

During our sea days we were entertained by coffee chats with the officers and entertainers. The cast

performed "Street Singin'" Mostly hits of the 50's and 60's. Very well done and I enjoyed it very much.

Also to entertain us we had, the vocal stylings of Annie Francis, the comedy of violinist Chris Pendleton,

the musical artistry of pianist Paul Pappas, opera singer John D. Smitherman.

 

The Master of the Ship Captain Maurits Groothuis, Hotel Manager Ceese Tesselaar, CD Michelle

Worthley. We travelled a total of 8,979 nautical miles on this cruise.

CROSSING THE EQUATOR JAN 19

 

WHERE'S THE &$#&()_ !@ FISH!!!

 

The day dawned overcast with a moderate breeze. We knew the ship had planned a biggish ceremony

to ask the permission of King Neptune for the Ryndam and all the souls upon her to cross into his

domain. Early in the day they starting setting up chairs around the aft pool on the Navigation deck. As

this is where all the smokers go to sit there were a few logistical problems. We found ourselves seats

early and held on for dear life. With about 15 minutes to go before the official start of the ceremony

there is not a seat to be had. Everyone has moved the chairs that were so carefully placed earlier in the

day. Those of us who were up front are no longer up front but somewhere in the back of the bar they set

up. Oh well, at least the bar will keep others from moving their chairs there. The stairwells are full of

people standing their drinks in hand awaiting the ceremony.

Suddenly, there he is King Neptune in full costume escorted to his throne by several lovely mermaids.

Now begins the dirge, Dum, dum, dum, dum de dum dum dum dum dum. . . Pirates in full regalia lead

prisoners in chains to the caged area set aside for the poor, demented pollywogs. They ( persons on

the staff and crew who have never crossed the equator before) are led one by one to kneel before

Neptune and beg for his mercy. There first horrid punishment is to kiss the fish. But wait, where is the

magnificent fish meant to be kissed and caressed on this momentuous occasion? Well, according to

friends in the kitchen some poor nameless cooks helper forgot to purchase it in Honolulu. What to do??

They found the largest fish in the freezer, already beheaded and gutted and used that for the prisoners

to kiss. Poor King Neptune, that is certainly why he was in a bad mood and had no mercy to spare for

the prisoners. They were drenched with ice water and then doused all over with foul smelling liquids and

noxious solid wastes from the bowels of the kitchens. One poor wretch was heard to scream out " Tell

my mother I love her. . ." So sad.

Once everyone was punished properly they were allowed to jump into the aft pool and clean off

somewhat. Lowly pollywogsno longer but proud shellbacks. Someone did manage to accidently push the Cruise Director into the pool also, too bad.

Picture opportunities with the poor fish were also available.

In just three more days we arrive in Raiatea, Tahiti.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wasn't that a great ritual for crossing the equator?? We have done it a few times and really thought the one we had on the Ryndam was the best.

 

Do agree with you about the spa -- it really ruined the view from the Crows Nest.

 

We thought the flowers were the best we have seen in along time.

[KSCnCA]

Was the guest chef (Chris) from the Food Network's Next Iron Chef? That name sounds so familiar.

[kakalina]

Yes, it was. He was really interesting and then the next morning he did a coffee chat in the Crows Nest.

[kakalina]

I forgot to mention the wonderful lunches every sea day around the Lido pool. Every day there was a theme luncheon. One day German, Indonesian, French, a fabulous seafood day with grilled shrimp,lobster quiche etc. Even an ice cream table with over 100 different toppings to play with. I fell in love with the pretzel type rolls at the German buffet and again with the Nasi Goreng at the Indonesian buffet. They were really quite good.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I forgot to mention the wonderful lunches every sea day around the Lido pool. Every day there was a theme luncheon. One day German, Indonesian, French, a fabulous seafood day with grilled shrimp,lobster quiche etc. Even an ice cream table with over 100 different toppings to play with. I fell in love with the pretzel type rolls at the German buffet and again with the Nasi Goreng at the Indonesian buffet. They were really quite good.

 

We also had all that you mentioned on our cruise. We loved it!!!

 

If HA keeps this up on the Ryndam, that ship is going to be sold out for every cruise very quickly!!!

[Sage]

Thank you for posting part two. We are eagerly looking forward to part three.

[clyde3]

Here are pictures of the ceremony.

[bobpatj]

I think the reason Michelle, (our CD) was "tossed in the drink," was for not pronouncing the Captain's name correctly! She was such a good sport. :)

[KSCnCA]

Yes, it was. He was really interesting and then the next morning he did a coffee chat in the Crows Nest.

 

How fun! Thanks for sharing. Guest chefs is a smart idea since cruising is so focused on food. I found a list of upcoming guest chefs on Holland's website. Unfortunately they didn't show one for our 10-day Ryndam. (some 7 and 10 day cruises and also quite a few longer cruises)

 

Looking forward to your next segment!

[kakalina]

I think the reason Michelle, (our CD) was "tossed in the drink," was for not pronouncing the Captain's name correctly! She was such a good sport. :)

 

Pat, it's not that she mispronounced his name it's that she names the previous Captain Peter Van Maurik who was on vacation. :eek: :D