The adventure: Vancouver to Seward and back. Fourteen days on the Ms Ryndam with my sweetie and the Alaskan landscape, enduring great food, and even greater service. Did I survive the year's first cruise?

Please allow me to take a step back. Why Alaska? It is part of the United States, English is spoken and any of the destinations are amongst the safest in the world. Am I being somewhat narrow-minded in my choice, an accidental tourist of sorts? Hardly. Alaska is one of the prettiest locations on Earth. The voyage is one of the most beautiful in the world. Also, consider Alaskan culinary ingredients prepared the Pacific Northwest way, mated with the Ryndam's impressive wine list...

The Ryndam is a smaller ship by modern standards. She is but 720 feet long and hosts 1200 passengers. Many of whom thought my sweetie and I were newly weds, but truth be told, we've been together longer than this ship has been around. I love this ship. I love the way she looks; the newer ships leave me a tad indifferent. The crew takes pride in her; she is the best run ship in the fleet. Every function is performed with military precision. Never a sour note when she moves, and the Rotterdam dining room is akin to a complex yet delightful symphony. From the kitchen to your plate and everywhere in between, the Ryndam matches and surpasses all your expectations. Read more