Sea of Cortez days 1&2 post cruise 4/5

[Playsprite]

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early. I was excited, my husband and daughter(who is 22) were very nervous. They don't like to fly. A little last minute packing, run to the gas station for lattes and the taxi is here. five large suitcases (yes we over packed) and our carry ons stuffed into the taxi van and we are off to the airport. Flight was good, (my husband doesn't remember it) he tries to block that part of trips out. Landed in San Diego and the Holland America transfer guide was right at the baggage claim with a helper and a cart. He loaded our luggage and it was off to the bus. The transfer guide gave us the short health questionairre to fill out on the bus ride so we didn't have to take the time to do it when it was our turn to embark. Short ride over to the pier where our luggage was offloaded and sent to our rooms. We only had to keep track of our carry ons. The line was moderately long to embark, but moved very quickly. They had attendents along the way that told you what you would need to have out and ready which helped the process alot. After showing our documents and getting our room keys we were offered juice to drink. There was someone right there ready to sell you pop, wine, drink cards and the wine packages. The seller told me that I had to buy the wine package there. He was helping someone and it was taking a long time, so we just went onto the ship.

The Lido deck is where the party starts. The rooms aren't ready until 130 pm, so they have an area where you can store your carryons, its ticketed and someone is there watching. Buffet bars are open and seller of spa, drinks, classes etc. are out and about. We wanted to sit up in the crows nest, so we went up there. It was open but no one was there. So we went back down to the lido deck, had some drinks, and a little food. Then it was time to go to our cabin. Whooooohooooo!!!

We were on the main deck(5), our room was bigger than we thought it would be (after a week with 3 of us in the cabin it starts getting small). We brought an over the door plastic shoe rack-24 pockets. Came in very handy for all the sunscreen makeup jewelry etc etc.. There was alot of storage. We had 6 drawers and 3 tall closets. There was about 20 hangers. Our luggage wasn't in our room yet, but we put away our carryons. The room was comfortable and had ice. The bathroom has the wonderful spa lotion, hair conditioner, shampoo, and body gel. We used it the whole trip. If we ran out and it hadn't been replaced I just asked our wonderful cabin steward and he got us more. After putting everything away, the steward put all 5 large suitcases under the bed. I hadn't even put them inside one another yet and they all fit.

That night we just wandered around exploring, checking out the bars, getting to know Rene in the ocean bar and meeting others on the cruise. Drinks were well made and had plenty of alchohol. The only time we felt the drinks were weak was at the pool bar. We went to dinner on the lido deck, we were scheduled for early seating and we don't eat that early. We put in a request for late seating and the next day a card with our late seating and table number was left at our door. Don't remember much about the dinner that night. The lido buffet was good. Not great. But I am not a big fan of buffet eating anymore. I much prefer the time taken for each course with conversation at a regular table restruant. We never ate at the pinnacle grill. At $30 a person it was a bit more than we were willing to spend on food we have pretty much already paid for.

After dinner it was on to the Vemeer lounge for the show. Everyone seemed to enjoy the shows. The best ones for me were the special entertainers they brought in. The crew shows were ok. After the first night we only went to the special shows. We never went to a movie.

First day at sea, after finishing unpacking I went to the casino to play poker, and DH and DD went to the mixology class. Poker was fun and I heard quite a few people winning at slots. I won $100 one night at slots, and the whole trip I heard people winning. $200 to $2000 jackpots were won. The casino was fun and lively. After all the reviews I expected it to be slow and dull but it was hopping.

DH and DD had a good time at the mixology class. You don't actually get to mix your own drinks, the bartender does it and tells you about the drink and what he is doing as he mixes it. Also you get the receipes. Cost is $10 and you get 3 drinks. Good deal just for the drinks! At class they met a family of 2 brothers and a sister, Mike, John, and Pam. They hit it off. We sat in the crows nest drinking, laughing and having a great time until we had to get ready for dinner. It was the first formal night.

After much primping and application of war paint, we were ready. DD looked stunning in her formal gown, as did DH in his suit. We stopped in the ocean bar for a pre dinner drink. I must admit I was a proud mommy watching the mens heads turn as my daughter walked in. We met a lovely couple, Bob and Carol, in the Ocean bar whom we enjoyed talking with over pre dinner drinks each night of the cruise. On the way to dinner we ran into our new friends M,J,& P. Come to find out we are seated at the same table. It was great!! Dinner each night was a wonderful treat, great conversations, food, and friends. The dining room is beautiful, the waiters pull out your chair and place your napkin in your lap as they hand you your menu. Soups are all wonderful, there was always something new and different on the appetizer and starter menu. Sometimes I was adventurous and others I stuck with the frech onion soup or shrimp cocktail. Dinner tonight was King Crab legs and I had a double order (as did everyone else at the table except for DH.) We went to the ventriliquist show after dinner. It was really funny. We had a great time. Then it was up to the Crows Nest. DD spent the night in the crows nest every night. She met some wonderful people and had a great time. There weren't many people her age other than crew on board, but she talks to everyone, danced with anyone and had a great time everynight.

Cabo was our first stop. We didn't get to the vemeer lounge right away to get our tender tickets so we had to wait about 30 min for a tender. They were pretty organized. If you had a tour booked you got on one of the first tenders and they had two devoted just to those people. Once they had all gotten off, all 5 boats were open for everyone. As you get off the dock in Cabo, across the street on the sidewalk were all the tour vendors. They stayed on the sidewalk trying to get your attention. Once you start talking with one they will walk with you and do their sales pitch. After having a drink we hooked up with one of these guys and went parasailing. DH and DD did a tandem. DD was scared as she is afraid of hieghts, she had a wonderful time. They took us out around the ships. (Oosterdam was in harbor also. The rest of the cruise we were the only ship in port.) Then we came back in and got on a glass bottom boat. They took us out near Land End and we saw all kinds of fish. Then they took us out to the arch and past lovers beach. We chose not to stay there as there are no facilities at that beach. From there they took us over to Medano beach. The boat pulls up onto the shore and you have to get wet to get off. We knew that and had planned for it. We made arrangements to be picked up at a certain time with our boat driver and our vendor guide. They were more than prompt. He was there 15 min early and even was happy to wait on us as DD was in the middle of a contest.

We went to the Mango Deck. It was alot of fun. More expensive than we planned. Over $100, for food and drinks and we only had about 3 apiece. Look at your bill because we had things on it that we didn't have. Spring Break was still happening. My DD has never had the opportunity to experience spring break, so I was excited for her. Imagine spring break if you have never been... now quadruple to sexual antics. They had a contest who could demonstrate the most sexual postitions in 1 minute. In their swim suits. Thats just to give you an example. Of course that contest was after the booty shaking contest they held. We were still naive..lol.. DD in her bikini and cowboy hat was being called up by the MC to participate in the booty shaking contest. "No No" she says laughing. "Oh go ahead, you have a cute booty go shake it for the crowd," we encourage. So up she goes on stage, along with 5 other girls. Now the MC starts calling for male judges. They have to pay to judge, 3 young men willingly take on the task. Sitting in chairs on the stage they await the MC's instructions. "Girls these are who you must impress, so heres the rules. Guys have to hold there chairs, no touching, unless she wants to stand on your chair and dance then hold onto her hands. Girls, anything goes." I'm not quite sure what DH was thinking at that point, because I was laughing. I knew then what was about to happen. No innocent shake the booty. It was quite the almost lap dances. DH turned to me after it was over and said "That was more than I needed to see." I just laughed more. She got a spring break in cabo shirt, free drinks at a nightclub and a free booze cruise but we were leaving at 6. We had a blast there, but will probably avoid that type of place in the future. It was great for DD to have a taste of spring break.

At dinner that night MJ&P told us about their day in Cabo. They went to Cabo Wabo which was pretty dead, then shopped a little. When we told em what we did, they said they should have come with us.

After dinner it was more poker and crows nest. I think we were in bed by midnight. Not DD. She came in late everynight...lol.

[omegakom]

Here are a few photos of what my DW is reviewing. Just reading her review makes me want to be back on the Ryndam and the many ports. What fun.

 

My DD on day 1 up in the Crow's Nest

 

The Cruise Director Drew in the showroom on the Ryndam

 

The Martini class in the Crow's Nest with my DD

 

The first formal night my DD and DW with our new friends in the background

 

Coming into our first tender port Cabo San Lucas

 

DD and DW with the waiter at a little cantina in Cabo

 

 

 

 

Post more later...Thanks

Ron

[omegakom]

Here are a few more pic's from Cabo. This was our first time here. I wouldn't mine spending a bit more time here.

 

My DD enjoying herself at the Mango Deck on Medano Beach on Cabo with the Ms Ryndam in the background

 

Here's another from the first formal night my DD with the Lido Deck manager Roland. What a kick he was.

 

Wouldn't be complete without a family photo just outside

the main dining room. Again 1st formal night. DD,DW

and yours truly me

 

DD and myself getting ready to parasail at Cabo. What a blast

 

The MS Ryndam at anchor in Cabo San Lucas. The Osterdam was anchored right next to her.

 

 

 

More later....thanks for letting us share

Ron

[rochelle_s]

Thanks so much for sharing all of this. We will be boarding the Ryndam on Friday and this just builds the anticipation factor. It sure looks like you had a great time!!

 

Rochelle

[Playsprite]

I would love to be on the Ryndam this friday. Still working on getting over the let down of being off of the cruise. We had a great time. :p Didn't get to do as much as we wanted to, :mad: so another one will definately be in our future. :D This was our second and our dd first.

Have a great time.:cool: