Prisendam Going into Dry Dock Oct. 14?

[CMJ33]

It's not clear but I think CMJ33 may have been referring to a report by Naomi2 about a thruster problem. In any case, I suspect any delay on repairs is due to the time it takes to get parts. I know on my 2004 Crystal Harmony trans-Pacific we extended our port time in Honolulu for divers to do a repair to the thruster. According to the CD, it had been an issue for quite a while and the repairs were scheduled as soon as the parts could be secured. Probably a custom build. It does not seem to me that thruster issues should usually cancel a tender stop. If the anchor can hold the ship in place, that should be sufficient unless conditions are already marginal.

 

Roy

 

Yes, I was referring to Naomi2.

 

If there is any current/wind the ship will try to pivot around the anchor. The thrusters are critical to keep it in place. I watched this happening on my cruise in June.

[jtl513]

If there is any current/wind the ship will try to pivot around the anchor.

No stern anchor that can prevent that?

[CMJ33]

Problem was reported by someone on board. It has not had a major impact on the cruises as according to the captain the other stabilizer does 75% of the work.

 

They already tried to repair it with underwater divers but it could not be done so they have scheduled the dry dock.

 

Known about it for months??? A bit of an exaggeration I think. We were on her in May and June and crossed the Atlantic. The ride was as smooth as glass - not that there weren't waves but she handled them well.

 

Suspect it takes time to get parts made/ordered (obviously they needed something if she couldn't be fixed earlier) and mechanics.

 

I would hardly call the ship crippled:rolleyes:

 

I was referring to the thruster issue.

 

I would think when a ship misses multiple ports, has numerous long delays and has to do an emergency dry dock, something is seriously wrong.

[CMJ33]

No stern anchor that can prevent that?

 

The ship was only using the bow anchor and thrusters.

[OlsSalt]

I was referring to the thruster issue.

 

I would think when a ship misses multiple ports, has numerous long delays and has to do an emergency dry dock, something is seriously wrong.

 

I start with the presumption HAL (or any other hospitality operation) is not in the business to alienate passengers. While trying to make money and not inconvenience prior passenger reservations at the same time. Delicate balancing act. Cruising takes on inherent unknowns just based upon weather and seas alone. Then keeping any large floating structure operating at top efficiencies 100% is almost an impossible task, leaving the passenger to accept there will be deviations from time to time.

 

Before a well-planned land tour of India, a seasoned traveller told me never expect any trip to India to go as planned and there is no uninteresting street in India. When plans did go awry primarily because of a terrible weather pattern and I found myself "stuck" in an unseemly place for a few days, I just got out and started walking and there were remarkable treasures to find. Not on anyone's tourist maps of must see, must do, but deeper insights into the daily lives of the locals in this area.

 

Since we are on the Prinsendam's last cruise before dry dock, we are prepared to have an adventure regardless, which may well not be the one we signed up for. Should make for some interesting member reviews after it is over.

[kazu]

I was referring to the thruster issue.

 

I would think when a ship misses multiple ports, has numerous long delays and has to do an emergency dry dock, something is seriously wrong.

 

thanks - I thought you were talking about the stabilizer - apologies if I misunderstood. But as Roy said, the parts may have to be ordered.

 

I don't know if I agree with your multiple and numerous, but your definition may be different than mine:D

 

We can just agree to disagree:D

 

Poor Prinsendam can't win. Dam if they do and dam if they don't. If they do a drydock to attend to a problem, it's an emergency and cruisers have been on a ship that had something seriously wrong.

 

If they don't fix the problem and carry on, then the ship is ignoring the problem.

 

I suspect the parts have to be specially ordered. A lot of the things on this ship are specially made as they are not standard. IMO glad to see they are taking care of the issue and it is being rectified. :D

[CMJ33]

I start with the presumption HAL (or any other hospitality operation) is not in the business to alienate passengers. While trying to make money and not inconvenience prior passenger reservations at the same time. Delicate balancing act. Cruising takes on inherent unknowns just based upon weather and seas alone. Then keeping any large floating structure operating at top efficiencies 100% is almost an impossible task, leaving the passenger to accept there will be deviations from time to time.

 

Before a well-planned land tour of India, a seasoned traveller told me never expect any trip to India to go as planned and there is no uninteresting street in India. When plans did go awry primarily because of a terrible weather pattern and I found myself "stuck" in an unseemly place for a few days, I just got out and started walking and there were remarkable treasures to find. Not on anyone's tourist maps of must see, must do, but deeper insights into the daily lives of the locals in this area.

 

Since we are on the Prinsendam's last cruise before dry dock, we are prepared to have an adventure regardless, which may well not be the one we signed up for. Should make for some interesting member reviews after it is over.

 

I would never expect a ship to operate at 100 % efficiency. It is just unfortunate that we were booked on the 26 day cruise and now it is gone.

 

All the best on your cruise.

[CMJ33]

thanks - I thought you were talking about the stabilizer - apologies if I misunderstood. But as Roy said, the parts may have to be ordered.

 

I don't know if I agree with your multiple and numerous, but your definition may be different than mine:D

 

We can just agree to disagree:D

 

Poor Prinsendam can't win. Dam if they do and dam if they don't. If they do a drydock to attend to a problem, it's an emergency and cruisers have been on a ship that had something seriously wrong.

 

If they don't fix the problem and carry on, then the ship is ignoring the problem.

 

I suspect the parts have to be specially ordered. A lot of the things on this ship are specially made as they are not standard. IMO glad to see they are taking care of the issue and it is being rectified. :D

 

Okay. ;)

[OlsSalt]

I would never expect a ship to operate at 100 % efficiency. It is just unfortunate that we were booked on the 26 day cruise and now it is gone.

 

All the best on your cruise.

 

I appreciate your disappointment losing that long of a planned cruise. I had a Red Sea cruise set up once and then 911 happened and not only did I lose my cruise, but my deposit as well since the NYC travel firm went bankrupt and I sat there with my paid for RT NYC plane tickets with the travel world in chaos at that point.

 

A travel friend recommended why not take a land trip to Jordan instead since that was a big part of the cruise plans so off I went in a time of great travel upheaval to the Middle East no less and it turned out to be a fabulous choice - security was high, tourists were way down and bargains were to be had everywhere I went.

 

Best news is AMEX made good on my lost deposit, I fell in love with Jordan and got to see Petra all to myself. So you never know what is out there after well-laid plans get sent askew.

[kazu]

I would never expect a ship to operate at 100 % efficiency. It is just unfortunate that we were booked on the 26 day cruise and now it is gone.

 

All the best on your cruise.

 

It is really sad that you were a victim of the dry dock and the changes it made to your plans. I hate to see anyone's plans for a cruise get dashed. I feel very badly for you. I know I would be extremely disappointed if it happened to us. I do hope you can find something else that will fulfill a dream that you will enjoy.

 

Okay. ;)

 

thanks:D

[C&Sun]

I start with the presumption HAL (or any other hospitality operation) is not in the business to alienate passengers. While trying to make money and not inconvenience prior passenger reservations at the same time. Delicate balancing act. Cruising takes on inherent unknowns just based upon weather and seas alone. Then keeping any large floating structure operating at top efficiencies 100% is almost an impossible task, leaving the passenger to accept there will be deviations from time to time.

 

Before a well-planned land tour of India, a seasoned traveller told me never expect any trip to India to go as planned and there is no uninteresting street in India. When plans did go awry primarily because of a terrible weather pattern and I found myself "stuck" in an unseemly place for a few days, I just got out and started walking and there were remarkable treasures to find. Not on anyone's tourist maps of must see, must do, but deeper insights into the daily lives of the locals in this area.

 

Since we are on the Prinsendam's last cruise before dry dock, we are prepared to have an adventure regardless, which may well not be the one we signed up for. Should make for some interesting member reviews after it is over.

 

Your quote on India reminded me of the movie, The Marigold Hotel" about Btitish retires moving to India. Wonderful movie with my favorite British actors.:)

[KirkNC]

That's part of what set my expectations too high. I expected more luxury for the price - better than on S-class or R-class ships - and I didn't see it. IMO the only "elegant" place is the Oak Room, and the rest is standard HAL.

 

Hopefully we will experience closer to Kazu, time will tell.

[OlsSalt]

Good question: How will the P'dam be different than other HAL ships?

 

Been spending time looking at the HAL videos of the various rooms and think the Lido buffet area seating looks very spacious and uncrowded, compared the more hectic set-ups on other ships.

 

The SS we just got assigned on the Verandah deck looks lovely and unlike any other HAL suite we have enjoyed. Decor looks like they set a lower-key and soothing tone than our more typical orange and gold cabins. And the room arrangement looks terrific - lots of storage and closet space.

 

Downsides are the green astro-turf looking covering on the Sky deck looks like a mistake, and the poolside loungers look more generic than I would expect for the P'dam. However, these are older photos online, since it still looks like the back deck of the Lido dining area is still open and not glassed in as it is now.

 

Just the smaller scale of the ship looks very appealing. No long hallways to navigate and get turned around in. Looks like two elevator and stair banks only. The deck plan did not indicate where there is library space, nor were their photos of the Explorations Cafe so should I assume that is where the library is also located?

 

The Oak Room looks like it has a bar with snacks out - what is its function because other HAL ships don't seem to have this sort of separate room for a snack function - is it like like the Explorations Cafe coffee snack area?

[kazu]

Good question: How will the P'dam be different than other HAL ships?

 

Been spending time looking at the HAL videos of the various rooms and think the Lido buffet area seating looks very spacious and uncrowded, compared the more hectic set-ups on other ships.

 

The SS we just got assigned on the Verandah deck looks lovely and unlike any other HAL suite we have enjoyed. Decor looks like they set a lower-key and soothing tone than our more typical orange and gold cabins. And the room arrangement looks terrific - lots of storage and closet space.

 

Downsides are the green astro-turf looking covering on the Sky deck looks like a mistake, and the poolside loungers look more generic than I would expect for the P'dam. However, these are older photos online, since it still looks like the back deck of the Lido dining area is still open and not glassed in as it is now.

 

Just the smaller scale of the ship looks very appealing. No long hallways to navigate and get turned around in. Looks like two elevator and stair banks only. The deck plan did not indicate where there is library space, nor were their photos of the Explorations Cafe so should I assume that is where the library is also located?

 

The Oak Room looks like it has a bar with snacks out - what is its function because other HAL ships don't seem to have this sort of separate room for a snack function - is it like like the Explorations Cafe coffee snack area?

 

Explorations Cafe is by the Casino - at the aft end of the ship. Lots of nice muncihies there too.

 

Oak Room is not a bar - it is a nice room with leather chairs and very relaxing. It actually has the other library books that there are not room for n the library. The library is right beside it and just in the middle the intenet and computers. the library on this ship is very nice but don't forget the Oak Room as it has a ton of books there too.

 

sorry, I forgot the SS category is very nice on this ship - well laid out - I think you will enjoy it.

[jtl513]

The Oak Room looks like it has a bar with snacks out - what is its function because other HAL ships don't seem to have this sort of separate room for a snack function - is it like like the Explorations Cafe coffee snack area?

As kazu said, the Oak Room is not a bar, but a quiet "reading room". The picture you're looking at with "snacks" must be showing some part of the Java Bar and Cafe just outside the Oak Room.

[OlsSalt]

As kazu said, the Oak Room is not a bar, but a quiet "reading room". The picture you're looking at with "snacks" must be showing some part of the Java Bar and Cafe just outside the Oak Room.

 

Right you are, if you click the deck plan for both the Java Bar and the Oak Room, they play the same video..... which appears to be only the Java Bar

 

There are other photos on the main page for the P'dam so this is sorting out better between the two sets of photos available on the HAL site. That set includes the Explorations Cafe library and it looks great. But still nothing of the secret Oak Room. Good to have some surprises still.

[RuthC]

There are other photos on the main page for the P'dam so this is sorting out better between the two sets of photos available on the HAL site. That set includes the Explorations Cafe library and it looks great. But still nothing of the secret Oak Room. Good to have some surprises still.

The Prinsendam doesn't have an Explorations Café; they still have the Java Café, although there is now a charge in there.

If you head down the port side from the forward elevators, you come into the combination library/Internet center. As you keep walking, you go through a doorway into the Oak Room, or turn and go into the Java Café. If you keep heading aft, go through another doorway and you then are in the Casino.

 

The library is very large, considering the size of the ship. The Oak Room looks like a library in someone's home, with the fireplace, overstuffed chairs, and desk. The port guide is stationed there.

The Java Café has similar chairs and a couch for lounging, as well as televisions.

[OlsSalt]

The Prinsendam doesn't have an Explorations Café; they still have the Java Café, although there is now a charge in there. ....... [/color][/size][/font]

 

if you go to the HAL website for the P'dam and click the left hand columns for photos and virtual tours you see the name "Explorations Cafe" and the photo carries the identification label "Explorations Cafe" as well. Probably just a convention to keep terms familiar from ship to ship. It looks lovely.

[jtl513]

The Prinsendam doesn't have an Explorations Café; ...

On the deck plans the library/internet center is now called the Explorations Cafe:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlansFull.action?ship=pr&deck=p&WT.ac=pnav_Onboard_PrinsendamDeck

 

But the deck plan is wrong in that it doesn't show the doorway between the Oak Room and Ex. Cafe

 

But still nothing of the secret Oak Room. Good to have some surprises still.

Surprise! IRL_Joanie has a picture of the Oak Room:

http://abqreunion2008.com/Prinsendam/Oak-Room.html

 

Just above that picture are more links to other places on the ship.

[jtl513]

... and if you click on the Java Cafe link she identifies the pictures as the "Java Cafe and Oak Room Lounge" although I don't see the Oak Room there! I remember the Oak Room as being smaller and darker than shown in her pic.

[RuthC]

If you want a cuppa on the Prinsendam, and you are in the library, you need to take a few steps to the Java Café, because there isn't any served where the deckplans refer to the "Explorations Café". :D

[OlsSalt]

If you want a cuppa on the Prinsendam, and you are in the library, you need to take a few steps to the Java Café, because there isn't any served where the deckplans refer to the "Explorations Café". :D

 

Explorations "reading room" would have worked better, wouldn't it? Looks very comfortable. I love reading all the restaurant, chef, food history and cooking books I find in all the HAL libraries. Just the right touch for vacation reading for me. I have found some winners on all HAL ships in the past, so that is the section where I will head first when I get on board.

[moviefan2010]

Note that I was on the 21 day cruise which was delayed for two days by the stabilizer removal. Stabilizer not needed except in extremely rough seas that are not likely to be seen in the Med and Black Seas. Only likely to matter when rounding South America. Glad to see that HOL has a reasonable schedule for replacing the stabilizer unlike their one for removing it.

 

 

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[jarand]

We are booked on the revised 8 day itinerary, immediately following the dry dock. Crossing our fingers things go well. We hear a lot of horror stories about the sailing following a dry dock.

[jtl513]

We are booked on the revised 8 day itinerary, immediately following the dry dock. Crossing our fingers things go well. We hear a lot of horror stories about the sailing following a dry dock.

 

She just had her "regular" periodic dry dock last Nov, so I would think that not much needs to be done other than the stabilizer.

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