Prinsendam Europe 2019 Help with Cabin Info And Other Questions

I just put a hold on a Prinsendam cruise for 2019. This sailing is included in the Cyber Sale and we received the free grats and beverage credit. Our price with our casino discount is approximately $900.00 (Canadian) per person less expensive than the price previously published.

Since we have never sailed on Prinsendam, we need a little assistance with cabin choice. At this point we're looking at a large interior, Cat. K on Promenade deck. We have booked cabin 234. Does anyone know if this cabin has a sofa/sofabed? Is the bathroom shower or tub/shower combo? Is there a better interior cabin that you could recommend? Is the ship in good condition, considering it's age? We just returned from 2 weeks on Koningsdam and loved it! I think this would be a totally different experience from Prinsendam. If anyone has any photos they could share, I would be most appreciative.

If you go to http://www.halfacts.com you can find photos of several inside cabins on the Prinsendam. It was my understanding that some of the inside cabins have built-in beds that can't be moved but the one's on this website look nice. We are booked on the Prinsendam in the fall 2019 for 46 days in an ocean view.

If you go to www.halfacts.com you can find photos of several inside cabins on the Prinsendam. It was my understanding that some of the inside cabins have built-in beds that can't be moved but the one's on this website look nice. We are booked on the Prinsendam in the fall 2019 for 46 days in an ocean view.

If you look for the pic submitted by skiww, they had a HUGE inside (we were on the cruise with them) and they kindly showed it to us.

Not sure if it would appeal but it was a very large cabin. I believe it was one of the old SS cabins before they redid the aft and moved it.

As to shower only/tub combo and walk in closets - the deck plans clearly designate which cabins are shower only and which ones do NOT have walk in closets.

You are correct in that the King is very different from the Prinsendam but they both have their appeal in different ways from what some have posted that have been on both.

If you look for the pic submitted by skiww, they had a HUGE inside (we were on the cruise with them) and they kindly showed it to us.

 

Not sure if it would appeal but it was a very large cabin. I believe it was one of the old SS cabins before they redid the aft and moved it.

 

As to shower only/tub combo and walk in closets - the deck plans clearly designate which cabins are shower only and which ones do NOT have walk in closets.

 

You are correct in that the King is very different from the Prinsendam but they both have their appeal in different ways from what some have posted that have been on both.

Thanks Kazu! I'll try to find it. The cabin we've booked is available on www.halfacts.com and it does look very large. It's aft and has a sofa and a chair and looks to have tub and shower combo.

At the top of the page the website gives credit to the CC member who submitted the pics.

What else were you looking to find out about the Prinsendam? We've been on a few times and sailing on her again in 2018. :D

At the top of the page the website gives credit to the CC member who submitted the pics.

 

What else were you looking to find out about the Prinsendam? We've been on a few times and sailing on her again in 2018. :D

Is the food and service comparable on Prinsendam?

No. The food and service are much, much better on the Prinsendam than on the other HAL ships. Because it is smaller, with so many fewer passengers, the staff really gets to know your likes/dislikes, what you want & need, sometimes even before you do.

This summer I was able to make special requests for dinners, and they were not only met happily, but the people involved seemed to be thrilled they could go out of their way for me.

Thank you! Those photos are what I was looking for. Have you been on Prinsendam? If so, any information would be appreciated.

ssst.....don't tell anyone that you're going on the Prinsendam, you might fall in love....

No. The food and service are much, much better on the Prinsendam than on the other HAL ships. Because it is smaller, with so many fewer passengers, the staff really gets to know your likes/dislikes, what you want & need, sometimes even before you do.

This summer I was able to make special requests for dinners, and they were not only met happily, but the people involved seemed to be thrilled they could go out of their way for me.

( bolding by me): I usually nod a happy agreement to all of RuthC's posts but this time I disagree with that sentence which I bolded only: We love the Prinsendam and the service is absolutely great, but even if the food on Prinsendam is quite good we honestly have to say that Koningsdam's is better, at least in the Lido Buffet, the Exploration Café and the two extra dining options that don't exist on Prinsendam (Dutch Café and New York Deli). We found both the variety and the quality of the food excellent and better than on Prinsendam. Right now we are discussing another cruise to Norway and I'm quite sure Prinsendam will win because of the much better itinerary and her lovable crew and lovely service, but if it comes to food we'd choose Koningsdam . (I'd rate the food on Prinsendam a bit better than on the other ships of the fleet we have sailed, but Koningsdam wins by far).

ssst.....don't tell anyone that you're going on the Prinsendam, you might fall in love....

No. The food and service are much, much better on the Prinsendam than on the other HAL ships. Because it is smaller, with so many fewer passengers, the staff really gets to know your likes/dislikes, what you want & need, sometimes even before you do.

This summer I was able to make special requests for dinners, and they were not only met happily, but the people involved seemed to be thrilled they could go out of their way for me.

( bolding by me): I usually nod a happy agreement to all of RuthC's posts but this time I disagree with that sentence which I bolded only: We love the Prinsendam and the service is absolutely great, but even if the food on Prinsendam is quite good we honestly have to say that Koningsdam's is better, at least in the Lido Buffet, the Exploration Café and the two extra dining options that don't exist on Prinsendam (Dutch Café and New York Deli). We found both the variety and the quality of the food excellent and better than on Prinsendam. Right now we are discussing another cruise to Norway and I'm quite sure Prinsendam will win because of the much better itinerary and her lovable crew and lovely service, but if it comes to food we'd choose Koningsdam . (I'd rate the food on Prinsendam a bit better than on the other ships of the fleet we have sailed, but Koningsdam wins by far).

We also loved the food on Koningsdam, so it will be hard to beat. However, we relish the opportunity to sail on Prinsendam and I'm sure we'll be well fed!

Firstly, I haven't sailed on the Koningsdam so I am in no situation to compare but....

I have sailed the other classes of ships, like Ruth and I agree with her 100% that the food is better on the Prinsendam. (Ruth was just recently on IIRC so her confirmation is significant). Service is phenomenal (or has been on my cruises).

FWIW, last time we were on, we enjoyed both the Canaletto and Pinnacle Grill and thought they were the best in the fleet.

One thing to note, if you look at the stats you will see that the Prinsendam has a higher crew to passenger ratio than the other ships. It does show IMO.

I plan to do a live thread when we sail in May next year, so by all means feel free to follow along and ask any questions.

Firstly, I haven't sailed on the Koningsdam so I am in no situation to compare but....

 

 

I have sailed the other classes of ships, like Ruth and I agree with her 100% that the food is better on the Prinsendam. (Ruth was just recently on IIRC so her confirmation is significant). Service is phenomenal (or has been on my cruises).

 

FWIW, last time we were on, we enjoyed both the Canaletto and Pinnacle Grill and thought they were the best in the fleet.

 

One thing to note, if you look at the stats you will see that the Prinsendam has a higher crew to passenger ratio than the other ships. It does show IMO.

 

I plan to do a live thread when we sail in May next year, so by all means feel free to follow along and ask any questions.

Thank you! I'll definitely be following your live thread, Kazu. We're really looking forward to a different sailing experience and we are so excited to try Prinsendam!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have. I was worried the first time we sailed as I knew she was old. We really enjoyed the ship. A little story....

DH usually doesn't care what ship we are on as long as he likes the itinerary. He wasn't on 10 minutes when he said "I really like this ship".

It wasn't hard to convince him on other cruises. In fact, it got to be a bit of a joke as if it was an intriguing itinerary in Europe - he immediately said - "Prinsendam, right? Again???" And his next words were... "Book it". LOL.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have. I was worried the first time we sailed as I knew she was old. We really enjoyed the ship. A little story....

 

DH usually doesn't care what ship we are on as long as he likes the itinerary. He wasn't on 10 minutes when he said "I really like this ship".

 

It wasn't hard to convince him on other cruises. In fact, it got to be a bit of a joke as if it was an intriguing itinerary in Europe - he immediately said - "Prinsendam, right? Again???" And his next words were... "Book it". LOL.

Prinsendam food and service were standard for the fleet.

We heard multiple people telling each other that the food was supposed to be the best in the fleet. I guess they were trying to convince each other.

We were underwhelmed with the ship.

A small ship doesn’t impress us just because it is small. And we don’t get excited if a service member knows our name.

The large inside cabins on the Prinsendam were added in 2010. I remember one of the CC couples onboard had one of those K category Staterooms on the Promenade Deck and they were very pleased with it as it is huge.

Take a look at the model of the Royal Viking Sun Model onboard the Prinsendam to see what she looked like before suites and insides were added.

Prinsendam food and service were standard for the fleet.

We heard multiple people telling each other that the food was supposed to be the best in the fleet. I guess they were trying to convince each other.

We were underwhelmed with the ship.

A small ship doesn’t impress us just because it is small. And we don’t get excited if a service member knows our name.

The large inside cabins on the Prinsendam were added in 2010. I remember one of the CC couples onboard had one of those K category Staterooms on the Promenade Deck and they were very pleased with it as it is huge.

 

Take a look at the model of the Royal Viking Sun Model onboard the Prinsendam to see what she looked like before suites and insides were added.

Yes, it is so large! Glad we booked it as there are only a few of them.

Four to be exact. They were added back in 2010 so they don't have the walkin closets. But who care if you get a large inside for a reasonable price on the Prinsendam. Enjoy!

( bolding by me): I usually nod a happy agreement to all of RuthC's posts but this time I disagree with that sentence which I bolded only: We love the Prinsendam and the service is absolutely great, but even if the food on Prinsendam is quite good we honestly have to say that Koningsdam's is better, at least in the Lido Buffet, the Exploration Café and the two extra dining options that don't exist on Prinsendam (Dutch Café and New York Deli). We found both the variety and the quality of the food excellent and better than on Prinsendam. ar).

I have hesitated to do a review, just off the P-dam Transatlantic. I’m thinking hard because the food was ..let’s just say of poor quality. This especially applied to fish (except the daily salmon). Mainly the MDR. Mainly dinner. Breakfast in the Lido was very good, though gluten free bread had to be requested and waited for, but the eggs to order cook did an excellent job. The Lido lunch main courses were unidentifiable so we stuck to the decent soups and extensive salad bar. Being gluten free I cannot comment on the sandwiches, which looked particularly good to me. 😜

Back to the MDR dinner, I was served gluten free items chosen a day ahead. They were good. Most portions were small but the poultry portions were huge (roasted chicken was a half of a bird). Lamb was good. Steaks were mixed. I saw many meals sent back.

Most food was made with low quality ingredients and on the transatlantic it was like leftovers toward the end of the 16 Days.

Breakfast and lunch in MDR were very good: somewhat limited though practical from a service viewpoint.

One big surprise..I always celebrate my Nov birthday dining in the Pinnacle and was shocked that the lobster tails were a $20 upcharge.

I have hesitated to do a review, just off the P-dam Transatlantic. I’m thinking hard because the food was ..let’s just say of poor quality. This especially applied to fish (except the daily salmon). Mainly the MDR. Mainly dinner. Breakfast in the Lido was very good, though gluten free bread had to be requested and waited for, but the eggs to order cook did an excellent job. The Lido lunch main courses were unidentifiable so we stuck to the decent soups and extensive salad bar. Being gluten free I cannot comment on the sandwiches, which looked particularly good to me. 😜

Back to the MDR dinner, I was served gluten free items chosen a day ahead. They were good. Most portions were small but the poultry portions were huge (roasted chicken was a half of a bird). Lamb was good. Steaks were mixed. I saw many meals sent back.

Most food was made with low quality ingredients and on the transatlantic it was like leftovers toward the end of the 16 Days.

Breakfast and lunch in MDR were very good: somewhat limited though practical from a service viewpoint.

One big surprise..I always celebrate my Nov birthday dining in the Pinnacle and was shocked that the lobster tails were a $20 upcharge.