Prinsendam help needed

[fizzy]

To all the HAL experts around....... I have been invited to join a friend on a segment of an upcoming late summer cruise. I have not yet recieved a brochure and was wondering if you folks could give me some insight as to what to expect. I understand this to be a mature passenger group. What style would best describe the the activities on board during sea days? Is the suggested attire on the formal side vs. country club casual? I believe the caabin accomodations to be an SY something. Would this be a good size cabin and what type of ammenities would be included? Is there a lively night life scene or casino? What exactly am I to expect? I have never sailed with HAL before and knew that this would be exactly where to begin my research. Thank you so much.

[fizzy]

Would there be a better area of the CC boards to post my questions? Thanks

[TedC]

Prinsendam is HAL's oldest and smallest ship - and has a lot of fans. It was the Royal Viking Sun when it was launched in 1988 or 1989 and holds fewer than 800 pax. It later became the Seabourn Sun briefly before it was transferred to HAL and renamed again.

 

The SY is about 362 square feet. Most of the cabins have walkin closets. It's a very attractive ship with classic lines - it's not a "floating hotel."

 

Each cruise has three dress codes - formal (tux or dark suit), informal (sport coat, blazer etc with or without a tie) and casual - slacks, collared shirt. Figure about two formal and one informal a week and the rest casual.

 

Age of pax varies depending on length of cruise and time of year. But Prinsendam, dubbed by HAL the "Elegant Explorer," tends to do longer and more interesting itineraries, and thus generally has more mature pax.

 

We're not big nightlife people. We dine around 8 pm, take in the late show, and then retire so we can explore the next port. On sea days there are activities but we usually read, swim and relax.

[jhannah]

We have sailed the Prinsendam twice and really like the ship. The more intimate feel of having fewer than 800 guests is really nice. We love Holland America because we feel like guests and not just customers.

 

As Ted mentioned, the Prinsendam will likely attract an older passenger due to her more lengthy itineraries. But I would not let this taint your perceptions in any way. The people you meet will be well-traveled and fascinating.

 

I'd also suggest you check out the HAL website. There is tons of passenger information there to help you.

 

Enjoy your cruise ... and the planning in advance. (That's half the fun!)

[Copper10-8]

The Prinsendam is a beautiful ship and you will definitely notice the difference between her and the S, R or Vista class vessels. There is also somewhat of a less lively nightlife on her except for the formal evenings when pax tend to congregate in the Ocean Bar. The Crow's Nest on Prinsendam is pretty much deserted after the late show lets out (at least it was on our cruise in 2004). On that cruise, the Ocean Bar was more lively than the Crow's Nest and it too, vacated around midnight on non-formal nights. Still enjoyed her a lot though! Just a little bit of a different atmosphere, probably due to the crowd being older like Ted and Jim already stated! Have a great cruise!

[Grumpy1]

We spent almost 4 months in an SY on the 2005 world cruise. Nice, roomy cabin with a verandah. There is a walkin closet. There is vanity that is L-shaped and quite large, with storage space. There is an entertainment center with a fridge and desk. thge desk has two drawers that can be locked. there is also a safe in the closet. the bathroom is divided into two sections. The stool, a wash basin and medicine cabinet are in one section. The tub/shower and a wash basin with large counter top are in the other section.

 

There will be HAL robes in the closet for you to use during the cruise. although the cabin is referred to as a "superior suite", it is actually inferior to a "deluxe suite". You will not have the suite reception, the use of the neptune lounge, free laundry that go with the deluxe suites.

 

As others have said, the night life is a little lacking, except in the Ocean Bar. There will be daytime activities... look in the daily program that will appear in your cabin each night along with your chocolates.

 

Unless you are looking for a 24 hour a day party, I think you will enjoy the cruise.

[fizzy]

Thank you guys so much. You are a wealth of information! HAL sounds very refined and relaxing. I guess my next step is to start researching the available excursions. One more question..... Is there a nice library on this ship? Regards

[Copper10-8]

Thank you guys so much. You are a wealth of information! HAL sounds very refined and relaxing. I guess my next step is to start researching the available excursions. One more question..... Is there a nice library on this ship? Regards

 

Yes, the Erasmus library is on Promenade Deck across from Shorex and near the shops and Front Office. It has a nice range of books, however area wise, is quite a bit smaller than the ones you'll find on the "S", "R" or Vista class ships

[tuggers]

Guess I better take a good supply of reading material?

[fizzy]

What about the "S" suites on the Lido deck of the Prinsendam---Do services for that deck include free laundry ? How does one secure alcohol for human consumption while cruising w/o having to pay for it one drink at a time? Is it advisable to have one's credit card " cleared" prio to departure in order to absorb all of the on-board expenses? When is the best time to sign up for land tours? Does one pay for them in advance?

[Grumpy1]

What about the "S" suites on the Lido deck of the Prinsendam---Do services for that deck include free laundry ? How does one secure alcohol for human consumption while cruising w/o having to pay for it one drink at a time? Is it advisable to have one's credit card " cleared" prio to departure in order to absorb all of the on-board expenses? When is the best time to sign up for land tours? Does one pay for them in advance?

 

All cabins on Lido are S Deluxe and have the free laundry service. Cabins on Verandah deck are Superior Suites (SS &SY) and do not have free laundry service.

 

You can preorder a bottle of liquer for your cabin, or you can order it through room service onboard. The bottles are the full litre or in some cases quart size, so the prices aren't prohibitive. It will be a lot more than duty free prices, though.

 

If you're pretty sure what you want for tours, sign up on the website, since some of the more popular ones may be sold out by the time you sail. Otherwise, just head for the excursion desk and sign up. There may be changes... some tours cancelled, some added... but there will be flyers available that show the choices.

 

Yes, you'll want to make sure you have "headroom" on your credit card... you don't want to hear an announcement "Would Fizzy please come to the front desk with a wad of cash... your credit card has been declined":eek:

[Margi]

I was on RV Sun in 1998 for 6 weeks and all self service laundries were free. I am booked on Prinsendam 9/15/06 Istanbul to Athens in Upper Prom Deck cabin. What is the laundry situation? Many thanks.

 

Regards,

Margi

[Aussie Gal]

Margie,

 

On the Prinsendam the laundries are free as well which is different to the other HAL ships where you need quarters for the detergent and the machines.

 

Jennie

[Margi]

Thanks, Jennie.

 

Regards,

Margi

[Grumpy1]

Just a little tip, Margi, there are two self serve laundries on Prinsendam. One is on a lower deck, has a few more machines, but also is close to most of the cabins on the ship. It gets used a lot.

 

The other one will be one deck above you on Verandah Deck. It only has a couple of machines, but since it is on the deck with all of the SS class of cabins, and quite a few of the SS passengers will opt for a laundry package or laundry by the bag, it usually isn't crowded. Many passengers on the lower decks never realize that there is a second laundry room.

[Margi]

Just a little tip, Margi, there are two self serve laundries on Prinsendam. One is on a lower deck, has a few more machines, but also is close to most of the cabins on the ship. It gets used a lot.

 

The other one will be one deck above you on Verandah Deck. It only has a couple of machines, but since it is on the deck with all of the SS class of cabins, and quite a few of the SS passengers will opt for a laundry package or laundry by the bag, it usually isn't crowded. Many passengers on the lower decks never realize that there is a second laundry room.

 

Thanks, Grumpy.

 

When I was on RV Sun in 1998, I was in cabin 128, on what is now Prinsendam's Verandah Deck. I remember the laundry because it was so convenient to my cabin. And yes, most passengers from the lower decks never migrated up to that laundry!

 

Regards, Margi

[Margi]

P.S. for Grumpy:

 

I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed yours and Slinkie's account of your world cruise on Prinsendam.

 

Margi