Assessing the Cruise

There are many angles from which to judge a cruise. One can discuss the ship and its accommodations, or the ports of call, or the passengers met along the way. Trying to be fair with an overall assessment is difficult. Scoring from 1 to 10, I think this trip should receive an overall ComDAK Rating of 6.

ms Ryndam, one of the smaller vessels we've experienced, is a comfortable ship. Layout is convenient; staterooms are a little more spacious than many; personnel are very friendly, always cheerful and abundantly courteous and helpful. We have especially enjoyed the combined library / internet cafe area. Oh - let's not forget the food. Now that I've made that connection, forget it.

For the most part, entertainment and scheduled activities have been weak. One exception: Cheryl Sinclair, a young songstress from the U.K., dazzled us Saturday evening. I occasioned a meeting with Ms Sinclair this afternoon, and she sparkles equally in person. She has a CD in the works - one I'll be anticipating for sure.

A busy musical group - Lisa and the Hellcats - performed most afternoons on the Lido Deck as passengers wound down from their day's events.

This particular cruise, visiting Mexico's Sea of Cortez, is an excellent example of careful planning on the part of Holland America Lines to provide maximum port calls while minimizing fuel costs. The question, though, is whether the public will find the ports of great enough interest to return another day. Those with no particular interest in ports may return one day. Travelers who enjoy land tours and onshore places of interest should probably look to other venues.