Holland America Alaska Cruise.. Part 1
Written: Jun 06 '00 (Updated Oct 02 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Luxurious, Fun, Great Food, Wonderful Service
Cons: None
|
|
|
| gpatters's Full Review: Holland America Ryndam |
Are you ready? Are you sure you're ready? Well then, let's go. You're going on a "Southbound" cruise on the HAL RYNDAM from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, B.C.
You must be wondering how you arrived in Seward, AK. You arrived 6 days earlier to take a land tour of Alaska. You've finished the land tour at this point, and you're ready for the treat of your life.
You board the ship around 7:30 p.m., a little late, but they won't leave your group behind. Today you've been touring the fantastic Kenai Fjords where you saw a pod of orca whales all around you, not to mention bald eagles, sea lions, and puffins.
You've thought for days how wonderful it's going to be to sleep in one bed for a whole week. You're pretty tired from traveling for 6 days already. You've been hoping that a leisurely cruise back on the Ryndam will be just the ticket. You did your research, and found that this ship is one of the newer ones of the fleet. It has an atrium which you've been told helps people to know quickly if they are choosing a newer or older ship of the line. There will also be a two-level dining room. On this ship, it's called the Rotterdam Dining Room. You've chosen the early seating at 5:45 p.m. so you can see the entertainment, and still get a good night's rest in case of an early excursion on some mornings. You've also requested a window table, but you won't know until later. Your table assignment will be sent to your room.
First things first - the dreaded, but necessary, lifeboat drill. This happens as soon as you are onboard because your bunch is late arriving. No time to unpack yet, just find those life jackets, get them on, and head to your station. You have to get the cabin steward to help you because yours is in a tangle, and you can't manage it alone. It looks like some child has been playing with the straps. Either that or you are incredibly stupid, hmm.
Your "Room"
Now you return to your room to get settled. Wow, it's just too much. You've booked a Suite, #018, because this is a very special trip for you and your hubby. You are going to celebrate your 35th Wedding Anniversary on this trip. The suite is amidships (You think that's what they call it. It's located in the middle of the ship between the elevators.) It's on the port side (left side). Your wonderful travel agent has arranged all this so you will be on the best side of the ship for sightseeing southward.
The room is over 500 sq. ft in size. It has a real king-size bed with mirrors all across the wall behind it and reading tables are on each side of the bed. The colors of the room are in aqua blue and soft gold, very pretty and very soothing. You have a bar, fridge, and champagne from the Captain. Your cabin steward, Dee, has already iced the champagne. You decide to have some champagne in the fluted glasses before you do one more thing. You and your spouse clink you glasses to Captain Mercer and each other. The next toast is to your travel agent, Gudrun, as you think about what an excellent job she did planning this cruise for you. Gudrun has also sent you a bottle of champagne that you will enjoy another night. You've planned a special secret that you will tell us about in another review.
In the sitting area of your suite, are a large sectional sofa, two comfortable armchairs, and a large round glass table. The table is perfect for the complimentary 24-hour room service trays with plenty of room left over for a vase of flowers. From this area, you look out through the huge patio doors that lead to your veranda (you call it balcony). In fact, the whole width of your room has windows. You can see out while reading in bed if you like. Since the sun sets only in the wee hours of the morning, there's always something to see, and you don't want to miss a thing. The windows near your bed start at a higher level though, as there is a counter and loads of drawer space beneath the windows. (Thank heavens that there are heavy drapes on every window and glass door, or you never would get any sleep in this daylight.) On the far end of the counter top is the TV with a VCR in the cabinet below it. You can check out videos from the Front Office if you just want to take it easy one night. You forgot to mention there is also a small safe in your room that works by using any type of credit card.
There is one step up to the bathroom that has a very comfortably sized whirlpool tub with a personal showerhead. There's plenty of room in here with lots of mirror space. In between the bathroom and the bedroom area is a small dressing area. There's a huge closet sectioned into three areas and even a vanity stool in front of the counter so you can sit while you do the makeup thing. You're even furnished with heavenly thick terry robes for use while you cruise.
The Veranda
Ahh, the veranda - it's the width of your room with a beautiful wooden railing. It is open to the elements except for the side partitions. There is a table with four chairs with plenty of room for two full-size deck chairs. There are wool blankets in your room to snuggle under while sitting outdoors. You are going to spend a lot of time out here with your binoculars and camera. It's chilly though. It's the last week of May, and most of the time you will wear several light layers of clothing when outdoors.
~You're thinking, "So this is how the other half lives. I could get use to this!"~
The Theatres
There are shows in the Vermeer Lounge Theatre (two levels of seating) every night, and your favorite is "Copacabana." The performers are very good and the costumes exceptional. One night there's a magician, another night a comedian or musician. One night you decide to see "The Green Mile" in the Wajang movie theatre. It's even better the second time around. There are movies shown twice daily in a small comfortable theatre. You get your coke and popcorn at the door.
The Wajang movie theatre is just across the hall from the Java Cafe where you can have a mocha latte any time you want. There is nice seating in the cafe for chatting or writing a postcard.
The Lounges
You can choose one of the many lounges on board to have a drink and take in the outdoors through huge windows. There's the large Ocean Bar with music playing and dancing if you like. There's the Explorer's Lounge, a bit cozier and very romantic, the Piano Bar, and the Crow's Nest. During the day, sometimes these lounges are used for different things. You might find dancing lessons in the Crow's Nest or an art action in the Ocean Bar.
The shops onboard are very nice, but as usual, very expensive. They are wonderful for window shopping though, and, of course, you have to check them out just to be sure there's nothing you "just can't live without" inside them.
Travel Documents, etc.
You're glad you brought not only all the regular medications you need, but also the everyday stuff you might pick up at a drugstore. Let's see, you've brought extra razor blades for hubby, shaving cream, Band-Aids, Tums, aspirin, and some decongestant tablets. You've included your makeup, hairspray, curling iron, a small pair of scissors, and a small mirror which has the magnifying side as well as the regular side. Of course, the extra film has to go inside your carry-on bag as well, along with your camera and binoculars. You knew that anything valuable should stay with you when you left on the airplane several days ago. You carried a large purse so between your carry-on and the purse, you get it all stuffed inside. The travel documents alone take up quite a bit of space. You've made copies of your passports and credit cards, and put them in a safe place separate from the originals. You included the travelers checks documents with the other items for safekeeping. In your case, you kept these copies in your hubby's sock, and he didn't mind a bit. You know you'll be glad later that you've brought an extra tote bag to carry your new purchases home.
Continued in Holland America Alaska Cruise - Part 2
Please take a moment to leave me a comment. I love comments!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
gpatters
|
|
Location: Mid-Missouri
Reviews written: 43
Trusted by: 54 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.