Welcome to Your Favorites, where you have the opportunity to share your travel experiences with fellow Internet Travelers around the world.

Holland America Line

MS Ryndam

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: G. L. Hufford
# previous cruises: 3
Date of Trip: August 8, 2003
Itinerary: Alaska

Very disappointed in the ship especially after reading all the positive reviews for Holland America. My wife said that she would never cruise on a HAL ship again.

Main dining room was attractive and our tables were at the rear by the large windows. The main entry to the dining area may have been grand at one time, but is noting special anymore.

At best, the food in the main dining room was mediocre. For example, the Clam Chowder tasted like a weak clam broth; seafood (e.g., lobster) was overcooked. The Pinnacle Restaurant was the exception but HAL charged an extra $20 per person to dine there.

Cabin steward was very good; the room itself (category B suite) was OK. A number of people we were with (nearly 25 in the group) complained of the odor of the hallways. One couple had a non-smoking room that reeked of tobacco even after having the bed sheets and room curtain replaced.

The entertainment was very uneven. For example, during the comedian's first night a number of people walked out and I overheard nothing positive about his performance. My wife went to his second performance (on the last evening of the cruise) and thought he was very good. Some of the ship's general cast were very talented, but others probably would not have made a high school talent show.

Ketchikan: Southeast Sea Kayaks Orca's Cove (booked directly with Southeast Sea Kayaks)
Sitka: Sea Otter/Wildlife Quest
Skagway: White Pass Rail
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier/Whale watching
Anchorage: Alaska Native History Cultural Center

We took bathing suits to use at the whirlpool at the ships indoor pool and did not use them because the whirlpool was too cool. The exercise room was well equipped but seemed to be understaffed. If you did not know how to use the equipment or another passenger could not show you how to turn it on, you were out of luck. I observed this on several occasions.

We went with a group of 24.