Alaska Cruise 2004

The Cruise


Arrived at the pier about 5:00 p.m., picked up our boarding package, turned in our forms for Canadian customs, and went through security much like boarding an airplane.  Our hand bags went through the x-ray machine.  We passed through a metal detector and had to show picture identification (passports).   [Our luggage from the room was waiting in our rooms on the boat already.]  Some couple was having to deal with packing their vouchers and passports in the luggage that was already on the boat.  Duhhhh!

Embarked ms Ryndam around 5:30 and had dinner on board in the Rotterdam Dining Room at 8:30 p.m., our chosen late sitting.  Met Victor and Pidi, our dining steward and assistant dining steward.  Also met Gunn, the wine steward.  We decided to alternate nights on buying wine to go with dinner.

Attended show in the Vermeer Lounge.  It was an introduction to the cast and cruise director staff, followed by a brief performance by a young magician from Australia (Melbourne).  (More about magic later.)

We lived on Floor 9.  There were 4 main public decks:

a) Floor 12, the Sports Deck, which was mostly open and we spent little time there.
b) Floor 11, the Lido Deck.  This had an open deck in front, a covered (sliding cover that wasn't opened on this trip) swimming pool, and the big Buffet Restaurant where we ate breakfast.  Lunch was also available there, and special events like the special chocolate desert night. 
c) Floor 8 had the balcony of the live stage area ("The Vermeer Lounge"), all the shops (pictures,  clothes, watches, liquor, ...; the Casino; Library; The Explorer Bar -- woodwinds; the Piano Bar; the bar we spent most of our time in -- with a hungarian trio of violin, piano,  and jack of all trades (clarinet, bass fiddle, accordion, ...); and in the back,  the top floor of the big dining room.
d) Floor 7 had the main seating for the Vermeer Lounge, the offices,  the movie theater, the kitchen, and the lower floor of the main dining room (where we ate).

So, we went up 2 flights for breakfast, and down 2 flights for dinner.  Down one flight to sit in the bar and watch the world go by to music.