Glacier Bay on Ryndam

[tomtwice]

I have heard that not all ships cruising to Glacier Bay in Alaska have permission to enter the bay, but instead cruise nearby. Does anyone know if Ryndam cruises up close to the Glaciers in the bay?

Also, as a two time cruiser on Seaborn, do you think that my wife and I will enjoy the Ryndam? I am aiming to cruise from Vancouver return (7 night) in early May, and out of the ships available, Ryndam, being the smallest, seems to be my best choice. ( I dont need climbing walls, pools, casinos, shopping malls etc) Any advice on this.

Thanks

TT

[CowPrincess]

HAL has permission to cruise in Glacier Bay. We were on the Ryndam last year in Glacier Bay. Just as an FYI, we had 400 Australians on board with us. They were cold, but thrilled :D We love the Ryndam, and have picked specific cruises just to be back on her.

 

We were so close to the Margerie Glacier that when it calved, the ship rocked. Have attached a pic we got from the deck of the Ryndam.

 

Can't answer your ? re Seaborn.

[tomtwice]

Thanks for prompt reply and good info CP. Hope the 400 Aussies behaved themselves .... but hopefully there wont be that many on my cruise.

Any advice on cabins and dinner sittings. I intend to book a verandah, but could be persuaded to a seaview. re Dinner sittings, I prefer open seating/any time. Is this possible?

thanks

tt

PS: I enjoyed reading your review on Ryndam

[NancyIL]

HAL changes its ships' itineraries from year to year, and in 2009 the Ryndam will go to Hubbard Glacier.

 

**Correction - if you're on the May 8 roundtrip - that cruise does go to Glacier Bay. The May 15 roundtrip goes to Tracy Arm, and the one-ways the rest of the season go to Hubbard Glacier.

[jer_l]

HAL changes its ships' itineraries from year to year, and in 2009 the Ryndam will go to Hubbard Glacier.

Statendam will be doing Glacier Bay on the N/S bound itineraries. That's why we chose to go north on the Ryndam (so we can go to Sitka) and south on the Statendam (so we can go to Glacier Bay). This will be the first visit to Glacier Nay in our 5 times to Alaska.

[docksider21]

re Dinner sittings, I prefer open seating/any time. Is this possible?

 

HAL has traditional and anytime dining = called As You Wish (sounds like a theme from Disney), so should be no problem.

The dinner option will show at booking. You can doublecheck for this voyage on the HAL website under "book this sailing."

[CowPrincess]

Geez, yeah, NancyIL -- as I'm watching and hoping re the May 8 sailing, I'd not really paid attention to the fact that Ryndam's itin for most of the rest of the season is different. 7 day NB, 7 day SB. Hmmmm.... maybe I could do a B2B :D (fat furry chance on THAT!!!)

 

 

Ryndam does have "as you wish" dining, I think it is called. Brucory did a review of Mex Riv that explains it in detail. We always take the 8 p.m. fixed seating so have no personal experience with it.

 

As for veranda or oceanview, well, we love oceanviews. They are a HUGE step up from the insides I used to travel in :) We try to spend as little as possible, while still being comfortable, and spending for a veranda would mean we NEVER cruised! However, far be it from me to tell someone who is travelling thousands and thousands of miles to get on the ship they should get an OV cabin! I really think that's a decision that only you and your companion(s) can make.

 

I hope you enjoy the Ryndam. The Aft Pool deck is lovely to enjoy the scenery. The Promenade Deck is 4 laps = 1 mile. They open the doors to the bow deck for Glacier Bay. We viewed Glacier Bay from there, mostly. Do NOT stay inside for Glacier Bay -- being on deck makes it much more real. Every time I've been to Glacier Bay, ther's been a park ranger and native person doing talks over the PA system (which you can hear on deck). Apparently if you find the right TV channel, you can also listen in your room.

 

All the Aussies were charming, and well-behaved. We had a delightful time with them :) Our countries (I'm Canadian) are so similar, it was fascinating!

 

Also check out the Alaska board -- lots of great info on shorex there!

[CowPrincess]

Okay, tomtwice, you've convinced me! I'm gonna "pull the trigger" and book the May 8 Ryndam cruise tomorrow. I wish DH could join me but he can't get time off work. So I'll join my best friend and another friend who will be cruising from San Diego on the repo and Alaska cruise. :D :D :D OMG :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have sailed the Ryndam in Alaska a few times.

Whether you go to Glacier Bay or Hubbard, the captins do try to get the ships up as close as possible and safely to the glaciers. Fantastic sights!!

Dress in layers.

[CowPrincess]

I'm booked, I'm booked, I'm booked

 

Still not certain if I will go, got some angst about spending the money on myself (without DH). But for now.....

 

I'm booked, I'm booked, I'm booked :D :D :D

[NancyIL]

I'm booked, I'm booked, I'm booked

 

Still not certain if I will go, got some angst about spending the money on myself (without DH). But for now.....

 

I'm booked, I'm booked, I'm booked :D :D :D

 

That's a great feeling, isn't it!! Enjoy your cruise.

[tomtwice]

I'm booked, I'm booked, I'm booked

 

Wow, that was quick. Is it because you know that at least two Aussies will be aboard on that cruise as well? Hope I can live up to the rep of the others you met... you described them as charming and well behaved.... I can only promise you one of those attributes!!! ;)

I'm 'almost' booked....still trying to get the cheapest fare.... so far HAL online have the best deal.

Thanks for all the info, and hope to meet you onboard

TT

[CowPrincess]

Sorry tomtwice, not because of 2 Aussies. :D My best cruisin' buddy and another friend are taking this cruise from San Diego, and I've been considering it since they booked. Have been watching, waiting, and hoping re pricing. Given HAL's favorable exchange rate on their website, and the non-improving Canadian dollar, I took the plunge today. I don't think I can do better with a TA, given that I'd pay about 20% exchange Cdn to USD, and HAL's is about 10%.

 

I'm sure we'll meet up -- I can recognize an Aussie accent at a 100 yards (my bridesmaid married an Aussie, so I hear the accent regularly when we phone or visit).

[geshaw30]

I'm booked, I'm booked, I'm booked

 

Still not certain if I will go, got some angst about spending the money on myself (without DH). But for now.....

 

I'm booked, I'm booked, I'm booked :D :D :D

 

 

Congrats- now jump over to the Ryndam's "Roll Call" and and jump right in the "planning" conversation

[CowPrincess]

jump right in the "planning" conversation

 

Your wish is my command! :D Have joined the RC, I'm pretty boring, and I'll be doing boring things in AK this time, I think. We rather blew the budget on our Mex Riv cruise, and have a 14 day Caribbean planned that is going to cost a WHACK of money, so I need to be cautious on this trip.

[cruznon]

Congrats on your booking.....Alaska is incredible.

We loved the Ryndam. ( Great ship and crew.)

 

We did a B2B in 2007 and loved it. We found that it was not much more to sail back southbound than the airfare from Alaska. There were approx 150 of us that did the b2b on our cruise(s) for that reason--I called HAL and asked for the best B2B rates and did a comparison of airfare/cruise return from Alaska. It was so much better than flying back. Just a thought, since you had mentioned it.

[CowPrincess]

Thanks, cruznon. DH has no vacation time available, so I'm doing this one with 2 friends.... I'm "gooseberry" so have to pay single supplement already! My friends have been planning since Oct, and this is the BEST trip for them, so I don't dare suggest changes :D DH and I will someday do a b2b in Alaska, probably after we recover financially from the 14 day Caribbean we have planned/deposited for Feb/Mar 2010 :)

 

Yes, Alaska and the Ryndam -- what a combo. So enjoyed it last year, can hardly wait for May!

[tomtwice]

Hi CP,

Took me a while to decide, but just last week I booked wife and I on Ryndam, 8th May sailing from Vancouver. We're sure to bump into you in one of the bars.

 

Tom

[CowPrincess]

Woohoo! We'll be listening for Aussie accents -- I usually hang at the aft pool :) watching the scenery. Looking fwd to meeting you and Mrs.