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Wednesday, August 18, 2010
In June this year, I had the pleasure of attending CLIA’s (Cruise Line International Association) Cruise 3sixty conference where it was a week of all things cruises. Along with informational and seminars, social events and entertainment (Blue Man Group were AWESOME) there was plenty of opportunity to network, ask questions and my favourite part – cruise ship inspections!! The two ships I walked around on, sang karaoke on (attempted), dipped my toes in their pool and tried out their beds were the Princess Diamond and Holland America’s Ryndam.
Diamond Princess
Entered service in 2005, 2650 passengers, 1100 crew onboard. I love the fact that it has over 740 balcony suites and in a variety of room categories. The Diamond Princess primarily sails Alaskan and Mexican Riviera itineraries.
The first thing that stands out is the number of pools this ship has and the size of them. Cruise ship pools can be on the small size however the Diamond Princess has 5 swimming pools and 8 whirlpools. The Lotus Spa area is very nice. I somehow gravitate straight to the spa...
Entertainment – the main theatre hosts Broadway and Las Vegas type shows. The casino is quite large and there is a cigar bar nearby. If you are sensitive to smoke, stay clear of this area. I could smell smoke a ways from the Casino. There are plenty of bars with Club Fusion being the hot spot. Extensive kids club as well.
Dining – main dining room, Vivaldi for Italian, Sante Fe for southwest dining, Pacific Moon for Asian dining. Sabatini’s serves an 8 course Italian meal for a small fee. There is also poolside dining for quick eats and room service. Having lunch on board, I had a lovely Salmon dish in their main dining room and it was delicious and a nice portion. Service was also attentive.
Accommodation: rooms are clean, small and charming. Shower only in inside staterooms. If you need a bathtub, or a larger space an upgrade to a balcony room is highly recommended.
Weddings-At-Sea – the Diamond Princess has an onboard chapel called Hearts and Minds. It is a small room but nicely decorated. The ship’s captain can legally marry you right onboard! Online, guests who could not make your cruise wedding can watch your ceremony live via webcam.
Holland America Ryndam
Entered service in 1994, 1260 passengers, 602 crew onboard. It is an attractive mid-size ship sailing primarily Caribbean and Alaskan itineraries.
Walking onboard, the first thing I noticed was the friendly staff. Every deck that I was on, a staff member asked if they can help me locate a room or area. Even with this assistance, the Ryandam is very easy to navigate and the deck plan is not confusing. Walking around the ship, it is very airy, with large windows and nice lighting and also very elegant with uniformed stewards, museum like artwork in the halls.
Entertainment – the 600 seat Vermeer Lounge hosts production shows while the Wajang theatre hosts movie nights with new releases and popcorn. The Casino is a decent size with over 116 slot machines and there are many bars to choose from: Piano bar, ocean bar with tables that have touch screens to play cards and games electronically, Crow’s Nest Lounge up top to dance the night away.
Kids – I know that you are thinking, HAL ships are not for young families but the kids club is pretty impressive. They have a kids club for ages 5 and up and for teens ages 9-17 there is a teen’s room with video games, mini-golf, pizza parties, teens disco, movie night. Something to think about – being on a smaller ship means fewer kids onboard and the kids may have more personal attention from staff.
Pool and fitness – big and bright fitness room with classes available, HAL has a running track, tennis and so on. The Spa area is decent. The Lido Deck Pool is located mid-ship with its sliding glass roof, spa tubs and bar. The quieter Sea View Pool is at the rear of the Navigation Deck. Beautiful wooden lounge chairs are on deck for you to enjoy.
Dining – Very elegant two tier Rotterdam main dining room, Lido restaurant serves up breakfast and lunch, Terrace Grill offers burgers and light fair, Java cafe has espresso drinks. Pinnacle Grill offers Pacific Northwest fine cuisine, and is reservations only and a small charge is necessary. The lunch that I enjoyed on board was scrumptious, and my steak was quite a large portion.
Accommodation - All the rooms are a very good size, even the inside staterooms were larger than I expected them to be. The furnishings are modern, with marble sinks and big fluffy beds and towels. The Mariner’s Dream™ beds are wonderful. For rooms with a bathtub and shower, an upgrade to at least an Oceanview stateroom is recommended. Or spoil yourself in their penthouse with a king size bed, living room, dressing room, bathroom with whirlpool, large closet and private veranda. Ahhh, the good life!
Weddings: packages are available – you can be married on an Alaskan glacier or Caribbean island!
Diamond Princess
Entered service in 2005, 2650 passengers, 1100 crew onboard. I love the fact that it has over 740 balcony suites and in a variety of room categories. The Diamond Princess primarily sails Alaskan and Mexican Riviera itineraries.
The first thing that stands out is the number of pools this ship has and the size of them. Cruise ship pools can be on the small size however the Diamond Princess has 5 swimming pools and 8 whirlpools. The Lotus Spa area is very nice. I somehow gravitate straight to the spa...
Entertainment – the main theatre hosts Broadway and Las Vegas type shows. The casino is quite large and there is a cigar bar nearby. If you are sensitive to smoke, stay clear of this area. I could smell smoke a ways from the Casino. There are plenty of bars with Club Fusion being the hot spot. Extensive kids club as well.
Dining – main dining room, Vivaldi for Italian, Sante Fe for southwest dining, Pacific Moon for Asian dining. Sabatini’s serves an 8 course Italian meal for a small fee. There is also poolside dining for quick eats and room service. Having lunch on board, I had a lovely Salmon dish in their main dining room and it was delicious and a nice portion. Service was also attentive.
Accommodation: rooms are clean, small and charming. Shower only in inside staterooms. If you need a bathtub, or a larger space an upgrade to a balcony room is highly recommended.
Weddings-At-Sea – the Diamond Princess has an onboard chapel called Hearts and Minds. It is a small room but nicely decorated. The ship’s captain can legally marry you right onboard! Online, guests who could not make your cruise wedding can watch your ceremony live via webcam.
Holland America Ryndam
Entered service in 1994, 1260 passengers, 602 crew onboard. It is an attractive mid-size ship sailing primarily Caribbean and Alaskan itineraries.
Walking onboard, the first thing I noticed was the friendly staff. Every deck that I was on, a staff member asked if they can help me locate a room or area. Even with this assistance, the Ryandam is very easy to navigate and the deck plan is not confusing. Walking around the ship, it is very airy, with large windows and nice lighting and also very elegant with uniformed stewards, museum like artwork in the halls.
Entertainment – the 600 seat Vermeer Lounge hosts production shows while the Wajang theatre hosts movie nights with new releases and popcorn. The Casino is a decent size with over 116 slot machines and there are many bars to choose from: Piano bar, ocean bar with tables that have touch screens to play cards and games electronically, Crow’s Nest Lounge up top to dance the night away.
Kids – I know that you are thinking, HAL ships are not for young families but the kids club is pretty impressive. They have a kids club for ages 5 and up and for teens ages 9-17 there is a teen’s room with video games, mini-golf, pizza parties, teens disco, movie night. Something to think about – being on a smaller ship means fewer kids onboard and the kids may have more personal attention from staff.
Pool and fitness – big and bright fitness room with classes available, HAL has a running track, tennis and so on. The Spa area is decent. The Lido Deck Pool is located mid-ship with its sliding glass roof, spa tubs and bar. The quieter Sea View Pool is at the rear of the Navigation Deck. Beautiful wooden lounge chairs are on deck for you to enjoy.
Dining – Very elegant two tier Rotterdam main dining room, Lido restaurant serves up breakfast and lunch, Terrace Grill offers burgers and light fair, Java cafe has espresso drinks. Pinnacle Grill offers Pacific Northwest fine cuisine, and is reservations only and a small charge is necessary. The lunch that I enjoyed on board was scrumptious, and my steak was quite a large portion.
Accommodation - All the rooms are a very good size, even the inside staterooms were larger than I expected them to be. The furnishings are modern, with marble sinks and big fluffy beds and towels. The Mariner’s Dream™ beds are wonderful. For rooms with a bathtub and shower, an upgrade to at least an Oceanview stateroom is recommended. Or spoil yourself in their penthouse with a king size bed, living room, dressing room, bathroom with whirlpool, large closet and private veranda. Ahhh, the good life!
Weddings: packages are available – you can be married on an Alaskan glacier or Caribbean island!
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Diamond Princess Pictures:
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Holland America Ryndam Pictures:
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