HAL Princendam vs Azumara

[jjeffjb]

Any comparisons?

[arzz]

I have done both. 27 days on board Prinsendam last January/February from Lima, Peru to Buenos Aires via Antarctica. 7 days on board Azamra Journey to Bermuda last August. Please keep in mind that my Azamara experience was for a completely different kind of journey than my Prinsendam experience. Both cruises were excellent.

To sum it all up, DH and I much prefer the Prinsendam. Some of our reasons are below.

1 - Cabins on Prinsendam are larger -- even our outside cabin 479 -- lowest passenger deck, category EE Prinsendam cabin was larger than our Azamara Journey cabin, even though we had a balcony cabin on the Journey. While on Azamara we wondered how we would stash in our Journey cabin all that one would need to do the type of cruise that we did on Prinsendam where we experienced both Antarctic weather and the steamy tropics -- to say nothing of the 27 days on board. Prinsendam has those wonderful, large, walk in closets and a much roomier bathroom. Azamara has less closet space than a standard HAL ship in similarly ranked cabins and while they are extremely functional the Azamara bathrooms (most of which are shower only) are very tiny.

2. Prinsendam has self service laundry in addition to HAL's stuff all you can into the bag laundry. For 27 days on board we used both of these services liberally. Azamara only had laundry service (which we admit in seven days we did not need to use). There were rumors that self service laundry was coming to the Journey -- we do not know if that happened.

3. Our "butler" on Azamara was merely a cabin attendant in a tux with an attitude (who was constantly knocking on our door and/or walking in). Give me the friendly, exceptional service of an HAL cabin attendant any day. On Azamara we had great cabin service, but nothing any more special than that which we routinely receive on HAL.

4. Give me the traditional dining that we enjoyed on Prinsendam any day over the any time dining on Azamara. On the Prinsendam we were served daily by the same wait team who quickly got to know our preferences and whom we got to know better every day -- and they were rewarded for their exceptional service (above and beyond) at the end of our cruise. On Azamara not only did we sit with different people every night (and had to do the whole introduction thing), but we had different wait staff so our particular preferences had to be requested anew at every meal. There was no one to additionally reward for that daily "above and beyond" service at the end of the cruise -- so all we left was the auto-tip -- is that not going to get the staff down a bit over time? We also enjoyed sharing the company of the same folk each night at dinner.

5. On Azamara if we did not arrive at the dining room in the first 30 minutes or so of evening service it was usually full -- we then received a beeper and had to wait to dine until paged (unless you made a reservation in the extra cost specialty restaurants). This delay in dining can really interfere with your evening plans if they include a show or special, one time event. The dining room itself was also very crowded with the tables much closer together than we remember on the Prinsendam.

6. That last point brings me to the ship design -- the Prinsendam is not much different in overall tonnage than the Azamara ships but she is SO much better designed. We felt a little claustrophobic on Azamra -- the promenade deck does not wrap completely around -- so to walk you either must go back and forth, or up to the small track on the top deck which is not only small but it is not sheltered from the sun --and I sort of felt like a hamster on its exercise wheel when doing turns on this track. The stairwells had steep steps that were not carpeted, but covered in vinyl tile and they were very narrow. I wonder how that works in an emergency?

7. Both ships are attractive and well appointed, but when it comes to elegance I think that the decor of the Prinsendam and its delightful art collection is MUCH classier than the pretentious murals and artwork on the Journey.

8. True, we were on the Prinsendam for a much longer cruise than we were on the Journey -- the friendly nature of the service and staff of the Prinsendam who literally could not do enough for us was much more to our liking. In the first two or three days aboard the Prinsendam we felt immediately embraced and welcomed on board as if we were part of the family. Though excellent, the service on board the Journey was much less personal.

9. On the Journey we received an extra mini-dessert at turn down time instead of the daily HAL chocolate. We also could receive, upon request, a small plate of afternoon "savories" or afternoon tea in our cabin every day. We did not really require the afternoon snack as we ate early so it was not a deal breaker for us.

If you have specific questions I will be glad to try and answer them. We had good cruises on both ships -- in the future we will probably leap mountains to cruise the Prinsendam again, but we only see ourselves on Azamara again if both the itinerary and the value are special.

I am also sure that there are those on board who may have more recent Azamara experience to share.

[anchorage1977]

This is one of the most helpful posts I've read on CC in a long time. You've helped a lot of us by answering this one so clearly.

Happy Travels.

[kelmac]

Great post!
I must say -- "that after 29 cruises, six on Holland America, that the very best cuisine I've experienced was on the Journey". We were able to get around the open seating by showing up the same time each night and requesting the same table, with the same crew.
HAL's Lido was still a notch above Azamara's, but the dining room and alternative restaurants were superior.
I would love to do another Azamara cruise!

Kel:)

[jjeffjb]

Thank you for an excellent comparison. Our favorite line is Oceania. However, we'd like to do a back to back in summer 2009 on Azumara, depending on itinerary, or the 35 day Celtic Kingdom cruise on the Prinsendam. We have a deposit on the Prinsendam trip and we'll await the posting of the Azumara itineraries. Oceania is not offering back to back cruises that do not overlap quite a bit.

[Fblack]

But the biggest problem for me on both ships is that the big outdoor pool is NOT covered. That may be a deal breaker for me. I would rather take a larger HAL ship where to pool can be covered in cool or rainy weather.

[KLG]

Haven't been on Princendam, but just got off of Volendam yesterday, and sailed Azamara's Journey to Bermuda last summer. We're more likely to go back to Azamara than HAL (and most likely to return to Regent). As "small" as Volendam is, we MUCH prefer the ambience and intimacy of smaller ships. Because there are fewer people on board (700 versus 1400), you see the same people over and over and it lends itself to much more interaction. I suspect that you'd get that on any ship over 3 weeks, but we found it on the 7-day pretty easily.

Cabins: We had a sky suite on the Journey and a Veranda suite (BC) on the Volendam. I think the two were pretty comparable in size.

Dining: Open seating on Azamara was never a problem. We like to eat around 7:00. We always sat with others, usually at a table for 6. (We've had similar experiences on Oceania and Regent.) We were assigned to AWY dining on the Volendam, and we were terribly disappointed. You could make a reservation for AWY for 3 specific times (5:15, 5:45, 7:45), or walk in. Since those times were too early or two late for us, we did the walk in but, and we almost always had to wait for an open table. Didn't matter if it was 6:15 or 6:30 or 7:00 or 7:15. Usually just a few minutes, but definitely a wait. We felt that by allowing reservations, which filled up the "open" tables, AYW defeated the purpose of open seating.

Atmopsphere: The all-casual and non-smoking environment of Azamara was a real bonus for us. While we "dressed" on Volendam's formal nights, the ratio of suits to tuxes was probably 4 to 1. As for maintaining the evening's dress code throughout the evening, the number of people in the bars, show lounge, and casino in shorts or casual wear was (to me) appalling. Why take a cruise with formal nights if you're not going to participate? Why have formal nights if you're not going to enforce the dress code? Azamara avoids that problem.

Entertainment: HAL has good musical shows, if you like that type of entertainment. I don't remember much on Azamara, but in Bermuda many people leave the ship in the evening anyway.

Pool: The Volendam's cover was nice. Journey's pool is relatively small. On the other hand, there are a lot more chairs around the pool and it was easier to get a spot by the pool than on the Volendam.

Passengers: I think Azamara had a younger crowd--if 40s-50s can be considered younger--than HAL.

Just another set of opinions.
Karen

[dakrewser]

Haven't been on Princendam, but just got off of Volendam yesterday

Not really a valid comparison as the Volendam is quite a bit bigger than the Prinsendam.

Cabins: We had a sky suite on the Journey and a Veranda suite (BC) on the Volendam. I think the two were pretty comparable in size. And A Sky Suite is quite a bit more expensive than a HAL verandah cabin. More closely compared to the "SS" category.

I could have replied by comparing my VA cabin on Prinsendam to my Sky Suite on Infinity (Azmara's "big sister"), but I didn't think it a fair comparison, nor do I think yours is.

[Nancyquilts]

I can't help you compare, because Prinsendam is our favorite ship (looking forward to our 7th cruise on her this fall). I haven't found anything not to like on her. Nancy

[Harry1954]

thanks for critique of Prinsendam as we will be on for a month in summer and looking forward to it. been on other HAL ships but not this one.
harry

[hybrn8]

is what I'd call the Prinsendam. The wrap around promenade deck is a treasure. The old big R's are just moderate size ships which don't have that ocean liner feel, if that makes any sense. Also don't think the old Rs ride the ocean that well - bit bouncy for me.

[RuthC]

The old big R's <snip> Also don't think the old Rs ride the ocean that well - bit bouncy for me.
Just to clarify here, the "R's" you're referring to are the old Renaissance Ships, not the current HAL R-class ships.
Correct?

[hybrn8]

and her big ships. Three belong to Oceania and 2 to Celebrity with a couple more over at Princess and elsewhere. But, I think the baby Rs are worth seeking out as their cabins and small guest compliment are wonderful!

[dakrewser]

and her big ships. Three belong to Oceania and 2 to Celebrity with a couple more over at Princess and elsewhere. But, I think the baby Rs are worth seeking out as their cabins and small guest compliment are wonderful!

All of the Rs (the R-1 thru R-7) where exactly alike. The smaller R-I, II (and was there a III?) I've lost track of. But the Oceania ships as well as the Island Princess and Tahitian Princess are quite "nice" sized. Not exactly as nice as Prinsendam - but closer than just about anything out there! None of Celebrity's ships are former R boats, though, as I recall...

[arzz]

Azamara Journey and Quest are both former R ships - transfered to Azamara (Celebrity) from Pullmantur after it was purchased by RCI last year.

[dakrewser]

Azamara Journey and Quest are both former R ships - transfered to Azamara (Celebrity) from Pullmantur after it was purchased by RCI last year.

<senior moment> Now that you mention it, I do remember reading that at the time. So that's, I believe, all 7 of the old "R" boats accounted for...

[seacruise9]

Actually, there are eight former big R ships. Azamara has two of them, Oceania has three of them, and Princess has three of them (Royal Princess, Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess).

[dakrewser]

Actually, there are eight former big R ships. Azamara has two of them, Oceania has three of them, and Princess has three of them (Royal Princess, Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess).

Yep, I forgot about the Royal, which is a mistake on my part because it does Princess' most interesting cruises...

[crayfish]

is what I'd call the Prinsendam. The wrap around promenade deck is a treasure. The old big R's are just moderate size ships which don't have that ocean liner feel, if that makes any sense. Also don't think the old Rs ride the ocean that well - bit bouncy for me.

All these comments ate very relevant, but this one is perhaps the most important for planning long cruises. We've been on Prinsendam and Pacific Princess (a balcony suite, about twice as large as the standard cabin) and on a south pacific itinerary. That made the balcony useful but it appears that only pacific princess and tahitian princess have many of these suites. On the other R's there appear to be fewer. Also they are genarally very expensive. I guess that a choice between an oceanview cabin on both ships would be much in favour of prinsendam: (incomparable ride in the open ocean (and we've been on the QU2 and the old Rotterdam), R's are not too bad but much more of a compromise (2) much better cabins for the same price (2) much more open air space like the wrap around deck. The R's are fine floating boutique hotels for the carribbean, med and south pacific. Not for true voyages. Food, decor entertainment are very personal and not suitable for comparison, and certainly not linked to ship type (there are currently three lines with R'd, all pretty different, but the only way to make money with these things is to charge a lot per cabin initially and promise great intangibles. Prinsendam may be in the wrong company (it cannot match the ship's inherent qualities with a truly upscale cruise product), but they tried Cunard, Seabourn and probably the only one truly worthy of this ship would be Fred Olsen, a collector of ships vintage ships.. Not upscale, but.. british, strictly for 50 and over.

[hybrn8]

Wish Prisendam would go back to Cunard or, at least, Fred Olsen or SAGA. It is a ship for voyages and all-day upmarket experiences. The old "Rs" are, like crayfish noted, floating hotels best suited for port intensive areas where the waters are calm. The "Rs" don't have a lot of public space and most of them have retained, if I've read reviews correctly, too much of the faux fittings which I really dislike (fake fireplaces, flocked wallpaper, brocade, etc.). Oceania, in particular, takes great pride in their product and its appeal - after one cruise - escapes me.

[dakrewser]

Wish Prisendam would go back to Cunard or, at least, Fred Olsen or SAGA. It is a ship for voyages and all-day upmarket experiences. The old "Rs" are, like crayfish noted, floating hotels best suited for port intensive areas where the waters are calm. The "Rs" don't have a lot of public space and most of them have retained, if I've read reviews correctly, too much of the faux fittings which I really dislike (fake fireplaces, flocked wallpaper, brocade, etc.). Oceania, in particular, takes great pride in their product and its appeal - after one cruise - escapes me.

Hard to "go back to" a line it was never a part of. Not that the Prinsendam is ill-treated by HAL (unlike, say, the QE2 doing Caribbean runs).

You didn't like Oceania, fine, but I don't think you'll find a cruise ship with real fireplaces on any line today! ;)

[PalmBeachMom]

I love the Prinsendam and I think it is exactly where it belongs...as the prima donna of the HAL fleet. What a treat it is to sail on her with that excellent Dutch hospitality and HAL quality!

[orchestrapal]

Wish Prisendam would go back to Cunard or, at least, Fred Olsen or SAGA. It is a ship for voyages and all-day upmarket experiences. The old "Rs" are, like crayfish noted, floating hotels best suited for port intensive areas where the waters are calm. The "Rs" don't have a lot of public space and most of them have retained, if I've read reviews correctly, too much of the faux fittings which I really dislike (fake fireplaces, flocked wallpaper, brocade, etc.). Oceania, in particular, takes great pride in their product and its appeal - after one cruise - escapes me.

For those of us willing to spend the money for SMOKE FREE cabins and terraces, wonderful service and food it seems Oceania and Azamra are the only choices.
Jut cancelled 30 days on Prinsendam because of smoke discussion on this board. Glad we found out before this cruise.:D

[hybrn8]

and we were aboard her in 1995 for our 25th anniversary.....She was called something like "Viking Sun" having come from that defunct line. As for Oceania, the non-smoking is very, very nice and I will never, ever understand why the cruise lines are such chuckleheads about this....

[Bodger]

We were on the Journey in October to Bermuda and the Quest last month in the Carribean, and I can add a couple of updates.


2. There were rumors that self service laundry was coming to the Journey -- we do not know if that happened.

The self service laundry is indeed in place now. $2 in quarters, the dryer is set up to take quarters too, but works without them.;)

3. Our "butler" on Azamara was merely a cabin attendant in a tux.
I would agree that this was the case in October on the Journey. On the Quest they seem to have a better handle on the steward/butler duties. They worked together very well as a team and were very visible and most accomodating.

4. Give me the traditional dining that we enjoyed on Prinsendam any day over the any time dining on Azamara. On the Prinsendam we were served daily by the same wait team who quickly got to know our preferences and whom we got to know better every day -- and they were rewarded for their exceptional service (above and beyond) at the end of our cruise. On Azamara not only did we sit with different people every night (and had to do the whole introduction thing), but we had different wait staff so our particular preferences had to be requested anew at every meal. There was no one to additionally reward for that daily "above and beyond" service at the end of the cruise -- so all we left was the auto-tip -- is that not going to get the staff down a bit over time? We also enjoyed sharing the company of the same folk each night at dinner.

I personally enjoy having dinner with the same folks every evening as one gets with traditional dining. On the Quest, as the ship is small, we ended up eating with many of the same folks repeatedly. Meeting new people is part of the experience we enjoy. We were always asked if we wanted our own table or wished to share.

Out of fourteen nights we dined three times in the specialty restaurants, three times in Breezes and the rest in the dining room.

The specialty restaurants no longer have a surcharge, they only ask for $5 per person as a gratuity. A real bargain.

Breezes is the buffet area with custom pasta and stir fry areas. Also sushi, a carvery and other choices. We quite enjoyed this as it gave us lighter options.

I would not knock the HAL dining room offerings, we quite enjoy HAL dining, but Azamara dining room offerings are more upscale. (HAL does have better vegetarian offerings.)

5. On Azamara if we did not arrive at the dining room in the first 30 minutes or so of evening service it was usually full -- we then received a beeper and had to wait to dine until paged (unless you made a reservation in the extra cost specialty restaurants). This delay in dining can really interfere with your evening plans if they include a show or special, one time event. The dining room itself was also very crowded with the tables much closer together than we remember on the Prinsendam.

I am also sure that there are those on board who may have more recent Azamara experience to share.

We never had to wait at any of them but we also tended to go early. I have heard that they removed the specialty restaurant surcharge to relieve some of the pressure from the main dining room.

I haven't had the pleasure of sailing on the Prinsendam, but was very happy with the Azamara offerings. The choice to sail with them was driven first by itinerary, second by no formal nights and third by ship size.

Bodger

[beauwalker]

This is a very informative thread. We've been weighing our fall cruise options and the Prisendam has a very nice W. Europe itinerary (London-Rome). The "reviews" were not very encouraging. Some said Prisendam was moldy. Many didn't like the formal nights.Someone even suggested it was "nursing home-like." With the excellent reviews on this thread, it's back on my list.

One of the other ships with a similar itinerary is the Azamara Quest. We were on her last Oct for the ancient empires cruise. Best cruise I've ever been on (only 3 to date)! We didn't experience any of the Journey's downsides. There was coin operated laundry, good butler service and the wonderful food, minimal wait time for a table.

Any information on Celebrity Century or HAL Rotterdam?

[Pettifogger]

arzz: I'd like to thank you for two things; either you spent a lot of time to produce the most carefully written post I've ever seen on this board or, if you just dashed it off, you have a unusual talent that probably shouldn't be wasted on this board, and you've answered a question that has troubled me for a long time, should I consider Azamara as an alternative to HAL in general and the Prinsendam in particular.
You may have saved me a bunch of money.

[Pettifogger]

beauwalker: If you should ever discover a way to get in touch with those folks who think the Prinsendam is "nursing home-like," please let me know so that I can inquire as to whether they actually know of a nursing home like the Prinsendam. I'd like to make a reservation.

[beauwalker]

Actually Pettifogger, I really hope I don't have more contact with the "Prisendam as nursing home" person. He/she was obsessed with the hand sanitiser. If the Prisendam is nearly as good as the people on this thread think, a floating nursing home doesn't sound bad.

[arzz]

Thank you so much Pettifogger -- can you see me blush? I just enjoy sharing information about those things that I truly enjoy -- like cruising!

Do realize that my comments on Azamara are now two years old ... and though I am currently booked for another go on the Prinsendam it has also been over two years since we have been aboard her.

Good luck and do enjoy what ever you choose.

[Pettifogger]

beauwalker: There's only one trouble with it as a nursing home, they keep changing the officers. One just gets a set of them broken in properly than off they go and one has to start all over again.