Your many cruise companions might be pleased to know that the MS Ryndam -- on which my wife and I joined you in Spain (2012), Italy (2013), and the Baltic Ocean (2014) -- is back in service. She was just refitted and is plying the Greek islands as Celestyal Journey, the latest addition to a small Greek cruise line. We are midway through a seven-night cruise of the Aegean (with overtones of St. Paul -- stops in Thessaloniki and Ephesus, and a view of the hill in Athens where he concluded that polytheistic Athenians would just add Jesus as one more on their long roster of gods, and thus gave up on them).
The transition from Ryndam to Journey was largely cosmetic and not even skin-deep. The elevators no longer remind us of the days of the week. The Showroom at Sea is now the Ampitheatro, but still has the same red velvet banquettes and chairs. The Ocean Bar held onto its name, but the DiGiallonardo Sisters are nowhere to be found. No Rich Dworsky or Fred Newman or ... well, let’s just say the level of talent does not compare. Bless their hearts -- the performers onboard demonstrate every evening why “cruise ship entertainer” is not a compliment. Nothing like the talent you assembled.
Most of all we miss the PHC cruisers. It is interesting to hear every announcement repeated in five languages, but this polyglot crowd lacks the glue that bound us all together on the PHC cruises. So while the weather is gorgeous, the sea is wine-dark, and the history fascinating, being aboard the Ryndam has made us homesick for the five cruises we took with you. To us, they rank among your finest achievements.
Hello Garrison --
Your many cruise companions might be pleased to know that the MS Ryndam -- on which my wife and I joined you in Spain (2012), Italy (2013), and the Baltic Ocean (2014) -- is back in service. She was just refitted and is plying the Greek islands as Celestyal Journey, the latest addition to a small Greek cruise line. We are midway through a seven-night cruise of the Aegean (with overtones of St. Paul -- stops in Thessaloniki and Ephesus, and a view of the hill in Athens where he concluded that polytheistic Athenians would just add Jesus as one more on their long roster of gods, and thus gave up on them).
The transition from Ryndam to Journey was largely cosmetic and not even skin-deep. The elevators no longer remind us of the days of the week. The Showroom at Sea is now the Ampitheatro, but still has the same red velvet banquettes and chairs. The Ocean Bar held onto its name, but the DiGiallonardo Sisters are nowhere to be found. No Rich Dworsky or Fred Newman or ... well, let’s just say the level of talent does not compare. Bless their hearts -- the performers onboard demonstrate every evening why “cruise ship entertainer” is not a compliment. Nothing like the talent you assembled.
Most of all we miss the PHC cruisers. It is interesting to hear every announcement repeated in five languages, but this polyglot crowd lacks the glue that bound us all together on the PHC cruises. So while the weather is gorgeous, the sea is wine-dark, and the history fascinating, being aboard the Ryndam has made us homesick for the five cruises we took with you. To us, they rank among your finest achievements.
-- Mike & Karla