back from 1/29 Ryndam /Panama Canal

[GAJE]

Back in one piece, hale and healthy, after another great cruise. We had been apprehensive due to the large outbreak of norovirus on the Ryndam the week before. However, the efforts to sanitize the ship between cruises were mind boggling! An officer said HAL spent one million on these efforts between these two cruises. In addition to general fogging, all the pillows (bed and throw) and drapes were taken out and cleaned; every book and DVD in the Exploration Cafe were disinfected, as well as all the poker chips. Those are just examples. There were constant wipe downs and spraying of public areas throughout the trip. The RED ALERT status with no self-serve food, no salt, pepper, sugar containers on the tables, etc., etc., etc. continued for about the first 10 days. Then we went to YELLOW. The Germstar containers were at all the food areas, as well as the disembarking doorways. We were even givin germicidal wipes whenever we returned to the ship. All the efforts seemed to have been worth it, as very few passengers got sick.

One of the best tips I have received on these boards was to take along an over-the-door shoe organizer to put on the bathroom door to hold our toiletries. DH thought I was nuts to insist on taking this, and even he had to admit that it was a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just not having to root thru the dop kit several times a day, and having the sunscreen, Lysol, glass cases, etc. right at hand was super!

Yes, the Ryndam does have plumbing problems - the vacuum system would quit for varying periods of time (minutes to hours). It was not a big problem in our area of the Verandah deck, but passengers on B deck were complaining that they were without use of the toilets for some time everyday- unhappy campers!!! An officer said that this has been an ongoing problem since the

Ryndam underwent the SOE work.

All in all, a great 16 days!! But iit is so hard to get back to reality!!!!!!!!!

Betty

[Ziggy7]

Thanks Betty for sharing your cruise with us, I'm glad you did not get sick and had a good time :)

Welcome Home!:)

[cruisinjudy]

Thanks, glad to hear they curbed the virus! We leave on Ryndam in less than three weeks.