Dear Holland America:

I just want to say that EVERYONE on our cruise on the Ryndam was simply wonderful. Our maître d’ in the upper Rotterdam Dining room (left side) was so attentive, kind, and helpful to us. We have food allergies and he went above and beyond to make sure that we had wonderful dinners while keeping us safe. Dodi and Catur, our dining staff, were excellent, fun, and so kind. I miss them!

Edward, the DJ and Cruise Director in training, was so nice to us all. Every time he saw us he smiled and encouraged us to get involved in the great activities. Due to his attention we tried line dancing, joined other activities, and had a great time. His boots were awesome, btw!

Leah, the beverage waitress in the Crow’s nest, was a sweetheart and answered many questions or us regarding our curiosities about cruise life. She helped us choose “mocktails” and chatted with us each time we visited the Crow’s Nest. Great girl!

Our stateroom attendants were so nice and respectful. One even showed us how to make a Towel Animal one night. So fun! Cabin 671.

The security staff was SO MUCH fun! They kidded with us when we were checking in and out of the boat at ports, smiled and called us by name, and just made the whole thing so much fun. Neil and his staff were just great.

Everyone deserves a raise – from corporate of course – so that the prices will stay low and I can come again!!

Blessings and Hope to see you all again soon. – Dina Fox

Topics: ms Ryndam, Staff & Crew | | No Comments

Ryndam recently participated in humanitarian efforts in Livingston, Guatemala, when a group of guests, along with myself, traveled to a small school to provide supplies, gifts, and candy to the local children in this fishing village.

Tom Hand is Ryndam’s human resources manager.

Topics: Good Deeds, ms Ryndam, Panama Canal | | No Comments

Here’s a picture of the beautiful Ryndam high and dry in Grand Bahamas dry-dock number 3 during her bi-annual maintenance period.

Andrew Barker, Safety Officer
ms Ryndam

Ryndam in dry dock at Freeport, Bahamas.

Topics: ms Ryndam, Technical | | 3 Comments

Mariners Nancy and Doug Crosbie cruised with HAL three times this year, each time on a different ship. They were kind enough to share a photo from each voyage. Thanks Nancy and Doug!

In Belize with Ryndam in the background.

(more…)

Topics: Baltic/Northern Europe, Half Moon Cay, Mariner Voices, ms Eurodam, ms Noordam, ms Ryndam | | 4 Comments

Special thanks to Ryndam’s Future Cruise Consultants Neil and Natalia Reilly for this post and photos.

on October 25, Ryndam held a “World’s Largest Cruise Sale” celebration to cap the week-long sale. Our event took place in the afternoon and was billed as a celebration and charity auction. We invited our guests for coffee, tea, cake and ice cream along with little snacks. They walked under a pink balloon archway to remind them of our support of the On Deck for the Cure walk, then were greeted by numerous towel animals which were all over the showroom including two ‘apes’ in shirts, hats and pants.

(more…)

Topics: Art, Activities & Entertainment, ms Ryndam | | No Comments

Cees and Yvon Kloppenburg recently sailed on back-to-back western Mediterranean cruises aboard Ryndam. They chronicled their experience for us on the blog and shared this video with us. Enjoy!

This video was filmed during a barbecue around the pool on Ryndam’s Lido deck. The HALCats were playing music and guests enjoyed good food in a pleasant atmosphere. This was just another highlight from our cruise.

Topics: Europe, Mariner Voices, Mediterranean, ms Ryndam, Videos | | No Comments

Special thanks to Ryndam’s Safety Officer Andrew Barker for sharing this post.

I was testing out ms Ryndam’s swimming pool disabled persons lift and 4th Officer Peter Philip Johannes Van Steenselen volunteered to lend a hand!

Andrew Barker
Safety Officer
ms Ryndam

Topics: ms Ryndam, Staff & Crew | | 1 Comment

Oct. 20, 1994: Ryndam, HAL’s third ‘S’-class ship, is christened at the port of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., before setting sail for her first Caribbean cruise. With a Dutch worldwide exploration theme, the decor of Ryndam features art and artifacts from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. At the heart of Ryndam is a three-story atrium featuring a monumental fountain created by sculptor Gilbert Lebigre in Pietrasanta, Italy.

Ryndam's atrium.

Topics: HAL History, ms Ryndam | | No Comments