Our Alaskan Cruise
Written: Aug 22 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The service, the entertainment, the organization
Cons: The food, the front office girls who were snippy
The Bottom Line: This trip was an immersion in the wonders of Alaska as well as a floating hotel with all the amenities. If do a land-tour, do it before the cruise.
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| susiemama's Full Review: Holland America Ryndam |
My family, thirteen of us in total, set sail from Seward after several days of absolutely delightful land-touring (also handled by Holland America). We were the last of the group to board, arriving from an optional train trip from Anchorage that passed through the most spectacularly gorgeous scenery we have ever seen. We boarded the ship amidst an organized and well-run process and were delighted by our lovely cabin which included it's own verandah and whirlpool tub.
From the obligatory safety drill to the first dinner of the cruise, everything was new and exciting and the atmosphere on the ship was genuinely festive. Our first night's sleep was spent with the door to the verandah wide open so that the ocean breezes refreshed us all night but the cabins do include climate control to warm you if necessary or cool you down if the nightly "Martini Madness" up in the Crow's Nest Lounge brings a flush to your cheek.
The crew was extraordinary. From the steward who had the uncanny ability to know when you exited your cabin and then would clean and tidy before you returned (at night turning down your bed and leaving behind an animal cleverly fashioned from towels to amuse you)to the staff in the dining room who served impeccably every evening, the service was second to none.
The shore excursions were pricey but worth it. There are non ship-sponsored and much less-expensive tours available once you disembark, as well. We especially enjoyed the whale and otter watching from Sitka and most highly recommend visiting the Misty Fjords from Ketchikan. This was exceptional--perfect for all ages. My 16 and 20 year old sons were glad that they had done that instead of something more interactive based on the extraordinary beauty of the sights. If you are interested in purchasing souvenirs, shore excursions will cut into that as they can be time consuming. I ended up buying small things on the ship and if you wait till the last day, especially since our cruise was toward the end of the Alaska cruising season, prices in the gift shops were drastically reduced.
Be sure not to schedule classes, spa-treatments, etc. when the ship is scheduled to stop at the various glaciers. All you will want to do is stare at these amazing entities and you will never forget the sight of them. And, always pay attention to the printed schedule of the day's events which is delivered to every cabin the evening before. We kept it with us at all times.
The food was a disappointment. If you weren't up and about by 10 am, there was no breakfast for you but lunch was served starting at 11:30 and available later, in a much fancier version in the main dining room around noon. The midnight snacks begin at 11 and disappear at the stroke of midnight and consist of icecream and burgers, salads, etc.
The only food available for 24 hours is room service and it was very limited. The main dining room was lovely and festive but I found the portions tiny and while presented beautifully, very tasteless. My sons had to order more than one entree every night. You may order more of anything you want and can double up on anything. My favorite meal was from the all-day taco and burger bar located by the pool despite the elegant possibilities elsewhere. Meals are included in the price with the exception of soda and alcohol.
The shows are fun, there's daily bingo and the casino is lax about kids gambling if a parent is present which may or may not be a positive for you. The bars are spectacular..all beautifully appointed and the service, again, is impeccable. The staff will remember the specifics of your drink preferences after the first night and the drinks are perfectly made. Our favorite haunt was the "Crow's Nest" for a hour or two before dinner. It had spectacular views and great live music every day.
The kids in our group, ranging from 14 to 20, had no problem finding activities although the teen "club" was a bit too young for them. We all enjoyed bingo, trivia games, movies and the spa which offers a full range of services. I had a facial which came with a partial massage and it was bliss.
All in all, it was a spectacular experience and we now know that we love cruising. We will certainly choose Holland America again and loved this particular ship. It was not too big and had an intimate feel and was easy to "learn" and not get lost, Also, Holland America makes absolutely sure that no step of your trip from your arrival at the airport at the trip's start to your final moments at the airport at trips's end is unsupervised. They are thorough and organized to the point where we felt totally taken care of and disembarkation, which we had heard was chaos on other cruise lines, was an absolute breeze with Holland America.
We think you will have a great vacation if you choose an Alaskan cruise on the Ryndam.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
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Epinions.com ID:
susiemama
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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