Prinsendam Lisbon to Rome - Days 5+

[jhannah]

Today we're in Argostoli, Cephalonia, Greece. Was originally supposed to be Sami, but this port was substituted. We drove over to Sami, and there's probably more here anyway. Beautiful day. We've had great weather.

Rome was absolutely fabulous. We went in both days. First day we toured with Claudio. He was outstanding. I highly recommend him. Cactuslady, dwkoester and their mates were with my DW and me. We had a great day. Claudio got us a guide for the Vatican, and she got us right in. Others on the ship reported waiting in line for 60-90 minutes. We also got right into the Colloseum. On day two, we rode the train from Civitavecchia to Rome. Very easy walk from the port to the station. We got off at St. Peter's and went from there. The 110 bus is really great, especially for first-timers. It makes about a 2-hour circuit of the major sites, and there is audio narration as you go along. You can hop on and off as often as you want. I was surprised that the tix were 13 Euros each. Seemed a little steep to me. We were in St. Peter's Bascillica during mass on Sunday morning. (Not the one celebrated by the Pope ... just one of his "underlings.") ;=)

Yesterday was a sea day. Very relaxing. Cruised the Stromboli volcano for about an hour. Beautiful. We then went through the Strait of Messina that separates the tip of Italy's boot and Sicily.

I haven't said anything yet about shipboard service. It's been adequate to good, but not outstanding. The dining room stewards seem to have too much to do. I guess it's just the state of affairs now. The food has been fabulous, so far as I'm concerned. I haven't had anything that I felt was lacking in any way. I've had escargo twice! The volcano cake is all I remember it to be!

Entertainment is also nothing to rave about. The ship's cast was very lackluster at their first performance. Since I began my college career as a music major, I may be more critical than many ... but I felt their intonation was off quite a bit and that there just wasn't much "zip" in their performance. We've also had a comedy duo, concert pianist, and comedic magician. They were entertaining in a cruise ship sort of way. You know ... typical fare.

We still love the ship. So much so that we went ahead and booked a 14-day cruise for next August.

Guess I'll sign off for now. I may have time to post more later. I'll just have to see.

[ekerr19]

Jim-

Thank you so much for taking the time to keep us updated! We are on the Noordam - Rome to Lisbon 11/3/04 and really looking forward to it!

Keep the info coming if you can! :)

[shmabbies]

I stuck this question on your other posting but it's so far down now that you probably didn't see it. We are on Prinsendam next year in AA193 on the Promenade deck. Another poster indicated the proximity of these cabins to the casino and Explorer's lounge might be a problem as far as noise goes, and of course smoking is probably allowed in one or both venues as well. If you are strolling around the ship, could you scope out that area and see just how far the distance is between the casino & lounge & AA193 and if you personally would find anything offensive about the area? I would be tremendously grateful! I'll keep bumping this up this time so maybe when you next post you will see it near the top! Thanks so much for all your information as there is so little about Prinsendam to be found. I know we and the couple traveling with us are devouring every word!

[localady]

Jim-

Great to hear that you enjoyed Rome, sounds like you all are having beautiful weather at this time! Wondered which cruise you booked on the P-dam next year, we are sailing her from July 26-Aug.9 with the BillS's. It would be great if you were joining us!!:) Safe seas!:cool:

[Slinkiecat]

I eat up every word about the Prinsendam as that's where we will live for three plus months on a world cruise. Thanks so much for the honest appraisal and I'll be watching for updates.

Slinkie

[Aussie Gal]

Jim,

Great to hear you are enjoying the Prinsendam and that you have booked another cruise on her. We leave tomorrow for Athens and our great cruise on her plus holiday in Europe. Can't wait.
Have a safe trip home.

Jennie.

[dakrewser]

We leave tomorrow for Athens and our great cruise on her plus holiday in Europe. Can't wait.
Have a safe trip home.
Bon Voyage! THat looks like a fantastic itinerary!!

-dave

[Aussie Gal]

Dave,

Thanks for your good wishes. I loved the itinenary when it first came out last year. We booked the cruise when we were on the Noordam in September, 2003 so we have had a long wait. I am sure it will be worth it.

Jennie

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Jim, Your cruise sounds really great. I can't wait to hear full details when you get home.

That is great you booked another cruise.

Thanks for posting.

[jhannah]

Things going great still. Today we visited Olympia, and it was awesome seeing the original Olympic venue built in 776 B.C.

One unpleasant glitch so far. Many toilets don't flush ... including ours. It wasn't working yesterday when returned from shore. All the work closets in the corridor (deck 10, port side, all SS cabins) were open ... but no one was there working and there wasn't anyone around to tell us what was going on. Only after we used the toilet did we discover the problem. It didn't work until this morning, and now it's not working again. Must be a major problem, as when we went ashore today there was a terrible odor that got worse with each deck down. Our next door neighbors got their carpet soaked with overflow. I hope they get it fixed soon.

The ship's cast performed again last night, and I'm afraid my initial review will have to stand. They simply don't have the zing that we saw in the cast of the Zuiderdam.

Other than that, we are having a wonderful cruise. Sorry I haven't been able to visit the area of AA192. Walking by in the daytime would probably not be indicative of what to expect during the nighttime hours.

[shmabbies]

You make a good point about the situation not being the same outside AA193 during the day as at night!! Thanks for thinking of that and hope maybe an evening stroll takes you by that area at some point.

I'm sure everyone booked on this ship is concerned about the toilet situation!! I can tell you I'm not a happy camper hearing about it. I hope you'll keep us posted not only about the progress fixing it but about HAL'S attitude towards the affected passengers, which can make or break a situation like this.

[dakrewser]

One unpleasant glitch so far. Many toilets don't flush ... including ours.
Often this is a sign that someone tried to flush something they shouldn't - and the plumbers need to locate it and remove it. (Now there's a job I wouldn't want to have!)

-dave

[jhannah]

If it's Thursday, this must be Santorini! As of now our toilet is working fine. A couple of doors are still ajar in the hall. Ours didn't flush on one try yesterday evening ... but since then it's been okay. Captain Gunderson and the hotel manager sent us a nice bottle of wine and plate of cholocates (down, Ruth ... down) and choc. dipped strawberries with a note of apology. I thought that was a nice touch.

Having another great day. Sunny and warm. Santorini is a great port. Absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow it's Kusadasi, then Rhodes, and onto Athens where we'll turn things over to Aussie Girl. Man ... I don't even want to think about getting off the ship!

[dakrewser]

Man ... I don't even want to think about getting off the ship!
Then don't think about it. Instead, put your mind to more useful occupations - like acquiring a jumpsuit and wrench so you can stay on board masquerading as a plumber!

:rolleyes: -dave

[jhannah]

What a great idea! Today we're in Kusadasi, Turkey. I'm sitting in an internet cafe on the fourth floor of a genuine Turkish bazzar, and I'm looking right at the Prinsendam, about75 meters away. We had a great all-day tour of Ephesus. Very inspiring. Things are going well. Early seating is 15 minutes earlier tonight (the last formal night) to get the disembarkation talk done between the sittings. We got our luggage tags today ... so I guess this is it. Tomorrow is Rhodes, and I doubt I'll be back online until after we get back to the desert. (I'm being very macho and not crying!!) :cool:

[localady]

Safe travels Jim!!!:) Can't wait to hear from you when you return home. That final day is the hardest day of a cruise, IMHO.:eek:

[jhannah]

Well, I did get back on. We're in Rhodes. Found a taxi driver to take us around for a fraction of what the ship charged. Plus, he took us to a family operated ceramics shop where they make some of the most beautiful pottery we've seen. My DW finally found a piece she liked. It was much, much cheaper than in any of the shops we've looked through. Plus, we met the maker, whose father founded the little factory. Tomorrow we're done!