Help! Volendam vs. Ryndam-Panama Cruise

G

gx94111

Guest
Hi All,

I finally got a good quote and started booking the late September 2006 14-night Volendam cruise through the Panama Canal and then saw a 17-day Ryndam cruise through the Panama Canal, which is leaving from San Francisco (where I live). Leaving from San Francisco is very appealing to me but I know nothing about the Ryndam, except it carries about 200 fewer passengers than the Volendam. Any information you can provide on the Ryndam, especially as compared to the Volendam would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help.
 
S

ShipMaven

Guest
I've sailed both.

Volendam is a slightly larger version of Ryndam and her sisterships. The Statendam-class ships, of which Ryndam is third in the series of four, have elevators forward and aft. Volendam (and Zaandam, Rotterdam and Amsterdam) have a midships set of elevators/stairs as well which makes getting around the ship very convenient. As far as cabins are concerned, all of the ships I named are virtually identical.

This year, I've cruised on Ryndam once, Volendam twice. While there is nothing wrong with Ryndam, my personal preference is Volendam. I readily admit that Volendam is my favorite of the HAL fleet.

Ryndam was the first of the ships to undergo the Signature of Excellence upgrades...and they were in place when I sailed on her. Volendam will undergo her SOE upgrades in December.
 
G

gx94111

Guest
Hi Mary Ann,

There is something odd going on with HAL. I had difficulty getting a price quote from HAL (using an on-line TA) for the Volendam cruise, but not from the HAL website--the price on the HAL website was almost $400 higher for the same category cabin. I didn't find the price difference surprising, just the fact that the on-line TA had difficulty getting a price from HAL (they said HAL wasn't showing the cruise at all). Now I can find the Ryndam cruise listed with on-line TAs but it isn't listed on the HAL website. Someone else (on other board) noted from a newspaper ad the Ryndam was listed as going from Vancouver to Hawaii and back to LA on the same dates as I found listed for the Panama cruise.

Even though the Ryndam cruise is longer (and more expensive) I would prefer it over the Volendam simply because all I would have to do is roll down the hill (I live on Nob Hill in SF) to board; and I like the idea of the ship being just a bit smaller, too.

I have sent an e-mail to HAL asking if this cruise is available and an e-mail to my on-line TA asking for a quote, assuming the cruise is available. Any ideas why there is this discrepancy?
 
G

gx94111

Guest
Hi Mary Ann,

Never mind! I spoke with HAL this morning and the cruise leaving from SF is fully booked. I'll be going out of San Diego, not a bad experience at all! ;-)
 
S

ShipMaven

Guest
Sorry you can't get on Ryndam next year out of SFO (people can't believe how far in advance some ships are already booked up!), but trust me that you're not going to be settling for second best with Volendam. Unfortunately, the departure port isn't as convenient, but I'm rather confident that you'll be most pleased with the ship.

Bon Voyage - now don't wait too long before booking! :grin
 
G

gx94111

Guest
Hi Mary Ann,

HAL sent me an e-mail saying the Ryndam cruise leaving from SF had been taken over by a private party and that is why it isn't available. Oh well. And, yes, I'm booking the Volendam cruise this week, just to be safe. I'm so looking forward to seeing the Panama Canal. I appreciate your feedback and the picture of the Volendam!

Happy cruising!

Ginnie
 
S

ShipMaven

Guest
Ginnie,

I'm green with envy, even though I'll have spent a number of days on that beautiful ship in 2006.

I hope Captain Charly will be in command for your transit - he usually is. He's a great person. He and I were communicating back and forth yesterday and today. If you didn't see Jennifer's post on the Community Board, check this out...

http://www.cruise-addicts.com/photogallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=93284

Our "Mascot" stands guard on the Bridge. :)
 
S

sage

Guest
Mary Ann,

Thank you and Jennifer for the beautiful picture of the Volendam in the Canal. I was so sorry that I missed the transit while the cameras were so close.

Ginnie,

I hope that you have a wonderful time on your Volendam cruise. The ship and crew are a delight.
 


Write your reply...
Top