?s about Prinsendam???

[bjrose]

For those of you who know, please tell me what's happened to the P-dam's bow??? Have they repaired it??

Also, on the P-dam is there a self-service laundromat or just laundry service? If so, how much does it cost?

What kind of TV do they have aboard the P-dam? Do they have the TCM and CNN?? If they rent DVDs, does that mean no movie channels???

On a TA trip from FLL, will the ship lecturer fill us in on all ports ahead of time?

And, most importantly, when do the ship's excursions come up for viewing??

 

Thank you all.

bjrose

[Kween Karen]

I am always interested in information about a ship I haven't sailed on but WILL be sailing on soon.......so I can't offer you information but I will read the responses!

[Nancyquilts]

Prinsendam has several self-service laundries. Several years ago, they didn't charge to use them (I found that just after first seating dinner was a good time to use them).

Some "port lectures" on all ships seem to be mostly about buying at jewelry stores. Also, their maps for each port are mostly about those stores. I copy maps from library guidebooks to help us find our way around.

[Padraic]

What kind of TV do they have aboard the P-dam? Do they have the TCM and CNN?? If they rent DVDs, does that mean no movie channels???

 

CNN is generally the international version rather than the US version. As to movies, there are usually two movie channels although not TCM.

 

On a TA trip from FLL, will the ship lecturer fill us in on all ports ahead of time?

There are port shopping lectures for the individual ports in addition to lectures that are of a historical nature of the area to be cruised to and/or particular ports. My wife and I usually skip the shopping talks but I never miss the educational talks.

[jcrandle]

Prinsendam has several self-service laundries. Several years ago, they didn't charge to use them (I found that just after first seating dinner was a good time to use them).

Some "port lectures" on all ships seem to be mostly about buying at jewelry stores. Also, their maps for each port are mostly about those stores. I copy maps from library guidebooks to help us find our way around.

 

Not only are the self service laundries free (or more correctly included in your cruise payment) but the soap is also included, as HAL wants to use detergent that is eco-friendly. Just pack a few dryer sheets, and you are good to go!

[luvcruisn']

When I sailed on the Prinsendam in Nov./09, I found that the laundry room on deck 10 had bigger washers, and there seemed to be fewer people who knew about this room than the one on Deck 6. Either that or others on these decks simply sent out their laundry!

[Modern_Viking]

THe Princendam was built for Royal Viking Lines in the 70 and 80s it was the premier line of the world. Its mangement morphed into Crystal.That said the Princendam was launched as the "Royal Viking Queen" and I toured her in 1988 at launch.

 

 

Actually, the Prinsendam was originally the Royal Viking Sun (in 1988). In contrast, the former Royal Viking Queen was launched a few years later and now sails as part of the Seabourn fleet.

[bjrose]

I appreciate your info about the Prisendam. I am a news freak which is why I originally asked. And, yes, I can be both, a person who likes to relax and forget about the mundane but also one who likes to know what's going on in the world around her.

The laundry situation aboard the Princess Line got hairy, even a fight one time because people didn't come to take out their laundry in time and another wanted to use the machine. I am more civilized and try my best to be generous. I'm glad to hear about the P-dam's situation.

Laundry, TV, lectures, casino, other activities aboard are all important to us when we are aboard. It is longer than a week, which changes everything for us. That is why I asked some of these ?s.

If any of you have more to offer those of us unfamiliar with HAL and the P-dam, please do tell.

Thank you again.

bjrose:)

[bjrose]

I am always interested in information about a ship I haven't sailed on but WILL be sailing on soon.......so I can't offer you information but I will read the responses!

 

Kween Karen,

 

I would be very interested to hear all about your cruise beginning Jan on the P-dam. You will learn a lot more for all of us. Will you check in online while aboard then? If so, would love to hear what you think. Like I said before, mostly cruised with Princess and HAL is a new venture for us. I know that ours in May is completely booked which says something for the choice of ports and the ship.

 

Thank you so much.

bjrose:)

[MUD]

Just left the P'dam three days ago. As noted by others there is a self service laundry--except if there is a health issue. On our cruise a G.I. infection hit some passengers (we think it was picked up on a luncheaon on the Nile) and the ship's crew handled it very well but self-service laundry was discontinued for a few days. The ship had TCM(but the same movies were repeated and repeated) and CNN. Depending on location it also had ESPN. You can get free DVD to play. The bow still has some of wrinkles. I presume these are from the waves it hit in the North Sea in September. All other repairs, including broken windows and a new floor in the showroom lounge have been made.

 

The port lectures were good, not excellent, and thankfully there was very little marketing of local stores. The ship is a bit tired but still pleasant. We considered the service to be excellent and the food good. The entertainment by the ship's dancers and singers was as good as we have seen in 13 cruises.

[bepsf]

For those of you who know, please tell me what's happened to the P-dam's bow??? Have they repaired it??

 

Prinsendam was in a major storm off the coast of Scotland about a month or so ago - Several windows blew out, the Queens Room flooded and the bow was dented.

I have no idea if the bow has been repaired - My guess is that it hasn't since that would most likely involve a drydock to remove and replace steelwork.

[iflyrc5]

Here is a link to a photo of the laundry room on deck 10. Prinsendam is a GREAT ship:D

http://www.pbase.com/iflyrc5/image/107443335

[Kween Karen]

Kween Karen,

 

I would be very interested to hear all about your cruise beginning Jan on the P-dam. You will learn a lot more for all of us. Will you check in online while aboard then? If so, would love to hear what you think. Like I said before, mostly cruised with Princess and HAL is a new venture for us. I know that ours in May is completely booked which says something for the choice of ports and the ship.

Thank you so much.

bjrose:)

 

Yes....I will be doing a blog that I will keep quite current. Feel free to check it out:

http://southamerica.kweenkaren.com/

[Kween Karen]

People have posted that doing self laundry on the P'Dam is free. Are you SURE it is still free??? I can't imagine why it would be free on this ship and not on others.

I was going to purchase the unlimited laundry package.....but if it is free.....maybe I should reconsider.

[serendipity1499]

People have posted that doing self laundry on the P'Dam is free. Are you SURE it is still free??? I can't imagine why it would be free on this ship and not on others.

I was going to purchase the unlimited laundry package.....but if it is free.....maybe I should reconsider.

 

It was free when we were on the Prinsendam in 2006...

 

The laundry's on the other HAL have never been free..However, you are on vacation, why not let HAL do it for you..

This is our favorite ship in the HAL fleet..Still remember those wonderful walk-in closets & the service in the MDR was the best we've ever had on HAL..

 

Enjoy your cruise..

 

cheers....:)Betty

[Grumpy1]

People have posted that doing self laundry on the P'Dam is free. Are you SURE it is still free??? I can't imagine why it would be free on this ship and not on others.

I was going to purchase the unlimited laundry package.....but if it is free.....maybe I should reconsider.

 

Yes, the laundry is still free. As to why... the Prinsendam is different from the other HAL ships in many ways. Don't question it, just enjoy it! :D

 

There are still dents in the bow area, but the railing, steps up to the bow pulpit, and ribs that were severely bent have all been repaired.

 

We were on the ship when the damage ocurred and we watched a lot of the repairs being made for the next month that we were onboard.

 

BTW, the info on the laundry comes from tablemates that used the laundromat. As four star Mariners, we get FREE LAUNDRY! That makes Slinkie very happy!

[travelinjones]

The laundry is free but the rooms are small; you will enjoy your cruise much more with the unlimited laundry option or by-the-bag rather than waiting in the laundry.

 

The Prinsendam is an amazing ship -- Enjoy!

[Grumpy1]

The laundry is free but the rooms are small; you will enjoy your cruise much more with the unlimited laundry option or by-the-bag rather than waiting in the laundry.

 

The Prinsendam is an amazing ship -- Enjoy!

I've been told that you can never know what is going on around the ship unless you go to the laundry room aka gossip room. :D

[mygate]

As I'm sure you know, they added 22 new staterooms to the Prinsendam bow so don't know if that is what you are referring to or the damage from the storm off Scotland.

 

The new rooms changed the shape of the Prinsendam

[Mary Ellen]

As I'm sure you know, they added 22 new staterooms to the Prinsendam bow so don't know if that is what you are referring to or the damage from the storm off Scotland.

No, the new cabins were added to the stern (opposite end of the ship from the bow ;) ).

[Juanita462]

The laundry rooms were still free last year when we sailed on the prinsendam. The free laundry and pressing for 4 star mariners has to be

the best perk - can bring less clothing and just send out a bag every 3 days or so.

 

the only negative on that cruise was diesel fumes in our room - we were

in 470 and there is a strip of cabins from top to bottom that have

plexiglass or some such material secured over the inside of the windows - head office told me that it was to try to minimize the fumes on port days. It was fine when we were at sea but on port days we had to stay out of the cabin.

 

don't know how many times I bumped my head on that covering when I was trying to see out the window.

Next time I would book a cabin on the starboard side.

[mygate]

No, the new cabins were added to the stern (opposite end of the ship from the bow ;) ).

You're right. I have trouble with left and right also, but it leads to interesting travel!!!

[nanasoxfan]

We were on the Pdam in September. On the cruise before ours, she had hit some severe weather off the coast of Scotland. Apparently it lasted for about 1 1/2 hours and people were pretty shook up. According to what we heard while on board, they lost 53 windows. They were still replacing them throughout most of our cruise. Some of the windows lost were in the Queen's lounge. Apparently the water was ankle deep, and in fact later on our cruise they re-finished the show room floor, having to close it because of unexpected strong fumes.

During that storm, the bow of the ship was damaged. Although we didn't see the dent, we could clearly see where it had been repaired but yet unpainted. Pretty big. As our cruise progressed, it was painted. The ship, however, did still show some signs of being under some distress.

At the start of our cruise, the captain made reference to the incident and assured us that the ship had been inspected by this one and that one and pronounced sea worthy. Thank goodness for that!

So that's what happened to the bow. As to some of your other questions, there is TCM and CNN. Not much else; lots of stations advertising HAL, the spa, future cruises, and so on. There are DVDs. The TV in our cabin, 111, was a typical flat screen, OK for size, because the room was SMALL.

If you are fortunate enough to have Frank Buckingham as your port lecturer you will be fully informed in a very interesting manner. He is great and really made a difference to us, since our cruise went to some rather different and unusual ports. He usually would lecture on a port and then it would be repeated on TV several times, as you would typically see.

For a complete review of our time on Prinsendam, you can see my review. It's titled "15 day European Sampler".

Have a great trip.

[nanasoxfan]

And the laundrys, two of them, are in fact free with soap, and there is ESPN.

[bjrose]

Here is a link to a photo of the laundry room on deck 10. Prinsendam is a GREAT ship:D

http://www.pbase.com/iflyrc5/image/107443335

Thank you so much for all of these pix. Love them. It makes us conceptualize about our upcoming cruise so much easier. Love the pix of the towel animals too, LOL.

The food looks good too.

Thank you for your trouble.

bjrose:)