Prisendam Vs Discovery for the Baltic

[Skippy2]

New cruisers needing help. We're looking to cruise in the Baltic next year. Right now our choices are down to the Prisendam or the MV Discovery (because we want to sail through the Kiel Canal). We like comfort but not glitz and we like the idea of interesting talks/lectures. The only reviews of the Prisendam we've been able to find are from 2002 when she had many problems. Anyone sailed in her recently and can help us with our decision?
Thanks in advance.

[TedC]

We were on the Prinsendam in March of 2003. It was one of our best cruises and the food was the best we've had on any of our many cruises.

There were some minor problems with the AC and our cabin phone service, which were addressed. It's an older ship, circa late 1980s, but I believe it's much younger than the Discovery. And from our experience, HAL generally does a good job of maintaining its fleet.

A big plus for the Prinsendam is that many cabins have verandahs, if that's of interest to you. We love to have a verandah on any ship or itinerary we sail.

[dakrewser]

Three recent threads - including two started by passengers just off a Prinsendam cruise in the Mediterranean - would be of interest to you. Click here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=86601), here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=87438), and here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=86396).

[bepsf]

Remember that Discovery is the former Island Princess/Island Venture built in '72 - whereas Prinsendam was built in '88 as Royal Viking Sun.

So not only is Discovery an older ship, but she doesn't have some of the more upscale and modern amenities that Prinsendam passengers enjoy, such as more spacious staterooms including many with private verandahs. Also, not a single Prinsendam outside stateroom has an obstructed view.

Discovery also lacks such amenities as a wraparound Promenade and specialty restaurant like the Pinnacle Grill. (yum)

If you're looking for a nostalgic vacation on one of the original "Love Boats" - go for Discovery - but if it were my money it's Prinsendam hands down.

[Druke I]

Another possibility for the Kiel Canal and the Baltic is Oceania's Regatta.

We were considering Prinsendam, but Oceania did have a "two for one" and "free air" sale for their 2005 departures, and we got in on that.

The Regatta is one of the former Renaissance "R" class ships, built in 98, and refurbished in 02 when Oceania started up. Size wise, 30,200 GRT and 680 passengers. Being newer, she does have "bells and whistles".

We sailed on her sister, Pacific Princess (new) this past November, Papeete to Sydney, and enjoyed it very much.

The Chief Executives of Oceania are the former president of Crystal and the former CEO of Renaissance.

[Aussie Gal]

We have just returned from the Prinsendam and I am sure you would love her. She is a lovely ship with a great Captain and crew and the food is the best we have ever had on a ship.

She rides well and I am sure you would have a wonderful cruise experience on her in the Baltic which is a fabulous destination at any time. We did the Black Sea cruise which was the second most interesting itinerary we have ever done. The Baltic was our number one.

Ask away if you have any questions regarding the Prinsendam. We were in a SS cabin and it was very spacious with a large verandah. We were able to fit a recliner lounge on it as well as two chairs and a table.

Regarding the Regatta, the Prinsendam is much bigger internally than the Regatta and the lounges are bigger. It also has a wrap around deck, which is a must for me. The Regatta does not have this luxury. As we sailed on the Tahitian Princess only in March (another Renaissance ship and a sister to the Regatta) I am in a position to be able to compare the two. Our verandah cabin on the Tahitian was very compact whereas on the Prinsendam everyone has a walk in wardrobe which is fabulous.

Jennie

[dougnewmanatsea]

Discovery also lacks such amenities as a wraparound Promenade and specialty restaurant like the Pinnacle Grill. (yum)Just one note, there is in fact a specialty restaurant on DISCOVERY.

[bepsf]

Just one note, there is in fact a specialty restaurant on DISCOVERY.
There is?:confused:
Where? Must have overlooked it on the deckplans and website...

[ger_77]

Can't compare the two, but from our experience in June on the Prinsendam, we would go back in a heartbeat! We enjoyed the ambience of the smaller ship, particularly the fact that we weren't trying to figure out where we were after the first day. The Pinnacle was outstanding, the cabins comfortable, and the wait staff were most accommodating and friendly, yet respectful and discreet. I don't think you'll go wrong if you choose the Prinsendam. We hope to sail her again in the future.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[jhannah]

Can't compare the two, but from our experience in June on the Prinsendam, we would go back in a heartbeat!We would ... and we are. While on the Prinsendam we booked her for next year. Fine ship. Almost seemed strange at first to get from place to place so quickly and easily.

[dougnewmanatsea]

There is?:confused:
Where? Must have overlooked it on the deckplans and website...It's the Yacht Club. This was formerly an observation lounge, but now serves as a reservations-only alternative restaurant.

[mejust1]

Where was your SS cabin located? We're looking at Cabin 198 on the Promenade deck but it looks like the verandah sits right out on the deck. Do you hapen to know anything about that cabin or that area of the ship?

[Pete Jackson]

The Prinsendam *will* go through the Kiel Canal on the July 26 cruise, but not on the June 30 cruise. But book quickly if you want to get on, only outsides and penthouse are left (insides, verandahs and suites are all gone). We were lucky to book early on this one.

[minke]

Doug, yacht club on discovery still is an observation lounge in daytime but you can also take your tray from lido buffet into there at breakfast & lunch to eat in a quiet spot. This summer the only menu available in there at night (no charge) was oriental so we did not use it.

[Bill S]

Pete: are you booked on the July 26 Prinsendam sailing? Localady & her DH and we (myself and my DW) are also on this cruise! Looks like an awesome itinerary! I made our air arrangements today!

[Pete Jackson]

Yes, Bill, we're booked both for the July 12 cruise to Iceland and Ireland, etc, and the Baltic cruise on July 26th. So we'll just stay on the ship in Copenhagen.

[Bill S]

Pete: that's great! We are flying to Amsterdam with a July 22 arrival and want to spend a day or two in Brugge then head back to Amsterdam for the days immediately preceding embarkation. Glad to have another CCer with us! :)

[Brandis]

Pete, we are also on the July 12 cruise. We loved the Prinsendam so much on our transatlantic cruise last month, we planned the next cruise while we were still aboard.

Marc

[Darrell6t]

Yes, Bill, we're booked both for the July 12 cruise to Iceland and Ireland, etc, and the Baltic cruise on July 26th. So we'll just stay on the ship in Copenhagen.

I hope you haven't made any plans for that stay in Copenhagen, because you will be in Amsterdam. I read your message and since I was looking forward to a couple of days in Amsterdam before the July 26th sailing, I went WHAT???

[localady]

The Prinsendam *will* go through the Kiel Canal on the July 26 cruise, but not on the June 30 cruise. But book quickly if you want to get on, only outsides and penthouse are left (insides, verandahs and suites are all gone). We were lucky to book early on this one.
If you are interested, I've posted a "roll call" for CCer's on the 7/26/05 Prinsendam cruise. Please sign on!:) (It can be found in "HAL rollcalls".)

[Bill S]

Darrell-so are you also booked on that cruise? Yep, I sure hope the Prinsendam picks us up in Amsterdam, too! It's OK Pete, after a few days on board, keeping track of the days and ports gets difficult! :)

[Darrell6t]

Yes. Four of us from the DC area are booked so far. It will be our first time on Prinsendam and we are really looking forward to the cruise.

[Pete Jackson]

We *do* get on the Prinsendam in Copenhagen, but on July 12, for the Iceland cruise. On July 26, we'll stay on the ship, in Amsterdam, for the Baltic cruise. Sorry for the confusion!

It's great that there will be seceral of us CC'ers there!

[crusinggranny]

Three recent threads - including two started by passengers just off a Prinsendam cruise in the Mediterranean - would be of interest to you. Click here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=86601), here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=87438), and here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=86396).
Thank you for the threads. It has helped me a lot to read about others on the Prinsendam. We have not saile Holland America in several years and have been doing the large ships on Royal Caribbean and Princess.
I am looking forward to our trip up the Amazon in Nov/Dec 2005. This also will be our longest trip ever on the water. (26 days)

Crusinggranny

[Bill S]

Pete & Darrell: wonderful! Glad to have you and yours joining this cruise! Localady and I have been communicating "backchannel" via email. Hope we can have a Cruise Critic get-together or lunch or two on-board! If you desire, you can email me at: w4hmv@aol.com Just be sure to ID your email by referring to this cruise so I don't dump it with all the spam I get at that address.