Prinsendam engine noise

[LindaM]

We just spent a wonderful 2 weeks on Dolphin deck midship. We were very happy with our cabin and it's location. I don't remember being on a ship that had such a loud engine. On the newer ones, you don't even realize when you have left port.

We are planning another Prinsendam voyage (as we loved everything about the ship). But, I was wondering if anyone knew if the cabins nearer the front of the ship might be quieter. We want to stay with Dolphin or Main deck. (I should have investigated before we disembarked). Otherwise, we will just have to tune it out, as we did.

[mancunian]

We were on main deck towards the front - in fact the first window after the portholes. As far as engine noise I do not recall any, but you do get the thrusters when docking or leaving port. This does not bother us. It was very quiet otherwise.

[MightyQuinn]

We are planning another Prinsendam voyage (as we loved everything about the ship). But, I was wondering if anyone knew if the cabins nearer the front of the ship might be quieter. We want to stay with Dolphin or Main deck. We spent 26-nites aboard the Prinsendam on Main Deck slightly forward of midships. We loved the location right next to the stairs/elevators leading to the LP Atrium. At times, if we really strained to listen, we could hear the ping of the elevator. Not an issue. Absolutely no engine noise. But our cabin groaned! I know it sounds silly, but it actually made a distinct groan that we've not heard on other ships. It wasn't continuous & we got used to it quickly, but it was noticeable the first few days.

[jcrandle]

When the engine noise stops, then you should worry!

[arzz]

A cruise ship is an anthropomorphic beast -- it is a live creature that plies the seas. The seas also move. Without some "noise" or vibration, without some motion from the ocean .... why cruise? Just get a hotel room at a resort!

We are quickly getting spoiled by the new behemoths of the seas that are so large that you are removed from those things that make a cruise a cruise.

The Prinsendam is a real ship and these issues are part of the reasons that we love her.

[MrsMuir]

Arzz, you are my Good Twin. We try to book a forward stateroom because we like the feel of the ocean. We also love to watch the goings-on when the ship docks and when it leaves, refuels -- the whole enchilada. Of course, the OP talked about noise, which could be a drawback if it were constant, like engine noise. But I'd take that over a floating, silent building any day.

When I'm missing the feel of a ship, I like to watch the beginning of "The Black Stallion," which takes place aboard a freighter in the 1930s.

[LindaM]

We love the movement on a ship, also. I do my best sleeping when the ship is rocking me to sleep.

Have you ever had a cabin midship or rear on Dolphin? If you had, you would know what I'm talking about. It's not a hum, but a roar. I doubt if you would like it, unless you are hard of hearing.

[arzz]

We actually spent 27 days in cabin 479 in Jan/Feb '07. This cabin is two cabins forward of the official aft cabins on the ship.

There was a plexiglass cover on the inside of the cabin window -- we think to lower the noise. There was a definite vibration but it really did not bother us at all -- sometimes there were cabin bits that would start to rattle in a harmonic rhythm but we quickly figured out how to prevent that from happening (such as being careful of the placement of the bathroom door at night) -- and please be aware that we spent something over 36 hours in 45 foot seas (and worse) with better than hurricane force winds on that trip.

The cabin that provided, for us, an intolerable vibration was an aft facing balcony on a lower deck of the Westerdam -- the vibration was so bad that the storage drawers under the cabin couch would open and close repeatedly on their own while at sea - and on that trip we really had no remarkable seas.

We are booked again on the Prinsendam for next summer, and have happily booked another dolphin deck cabin.