Prinsendam Verandah Cabins

[mllewis48]

We're looking to book the 2012 Holiday cruise and am interested in any pro/con comments about Verandah cabins on this ship. We prefer a combo tub/shower instead of only a shower?

 

Thanks

Mike

[RuthC]

I recently spent three weeks in an A-category cabin, just off the atrium. My cabin had the tub/shower combination, and I visited in two other A-cat cabins with shower only.

I loved that cabin! Talk about spoiled.

The balcony had two "wicker" chairs, one large ottoman, and a small table. There were two chair pads inside the cabin. There was a love seat, and two nightstands.

I don't know how the beds could be separated in the shower-only cabin, as there was only one nightstand between the bed and the door to the bathroom. The other side of the bed was smack up against the love seat.

The generous-size walk-in closet had two sides with a clothes rack, some shelves, and some drawers. There's a light inside. There were drawers, too, in the desk, and some shelf space in the entertainment center (if you moved things around a bit). The fridge was in the entertainment center.

The tub had a very high side. The sink basin was higher than the small surrounding vanity. There was some shelf space under that vanity.

This was a beautifully layed-out cabin. Because there's a short hallway from the passageway, and your closet and bath abut the main passageway, it's very quiet.

[Nancyquilts]

I think every other cabin has the tub. We prefer just the shower as the bathroom seems bigger, but that's just our choice.

[zelker]

I recently spent three weeks in an A-category cabin, just off the atrium. My cabin had the tub/shower combination, and I visited in two other A-cat cabins with shower only.

I loved that cabin! Talk about spoiled.

The balcony had two "wicker" chairs, one large ottoman, and a small table. There were two chair pads inside the cabin. There was a love seat, and two nightstands.

I don't know how the beds could be separated in the shower-only cabin, as there was only one nightstand between the bed and the door to the bathroom. The other side of the bed was smack up against the love seat.

The generous-size walk-in closet had two sides with a clothes rack, some shelves, and some drawers. There's a light inside. There were drawers, too, in the desk, and some shelf space in the entertainment center (if you moved things around a bit). The fridge was in the entertainment center.

The tub had a very high side. The sink basin was higher than the small surrounding vanity. There was some shelf space under that vanity.

This was a beautifully layed-out cabin. Because there's a short hallway from the passageway, and your closet and bath abut the main passageway, it's very quiet.

 

Hi, Ruth. Are you saying that your cabin was larger overall than the ones with the shower only? Right now there's only one bath/shower cabin available on the sailing we're considering and it's a little more forward than I like BUT if it means giving up cabin space in a shower-only cabin, I'll just have to eat Bonine and head forward. :p Thanks for any advice. Barb

[RuthC]

Hi, Ruth. Are you saying that your cabin was larger overall than the ones with the shower only?

It felt slightly larger, and it looked a little larger, too. That could have been an illusion; I don't know. I expect it's larger by the width of a nightstand.

I know that the wall along the closet and bathroom did not run perpendicular to the entrance wall in any of the three cabins I saw. There was an everso slight angle---even the nightstand by the bathroom door wasn't a true rectangle! It narrowed to fit.

I don't know if that was particular to my area of the ship, and it changed more toward mid-ship, or what the story is. :confused:

 

I did love my cabin! Much as I prefer the shower instead of the tub, I would be happy to take this cabin again.

[zelker]

I did love my cabin! Much as I prefer the shower instead of the tub, I would be happy to take this cabin again.

 

What cabin # did you have? The one with the tub/shower combo that's available now is A140.

 

Different question - do you think there's an advantage to port or starboard on the North Cape cruise?

[RuthC]

What cabin # did you have? The one with the tub/shower combo that's available now is A140.

I was in A-137 on Upper Promenade. It's funny, but I couldn't remember the number, and just went to look it up on the deckplan. While I was there I checked out A-140. That's a fine location.

Different question - do you think there's an advantage to port or starboard on the North Cape cruise?

I don't expect there's much difference. Both sides will have awsome scenery. There will be times when the commentary lets you know you are on the wrong side of the ship. But other times, you luck out and have exactly what they're talking about right in front of you.

Can't win 'em all!

[zelker]

I was in A-137 on Upper Promenade. It's funny, but I couldn't remember the number, and just went to look it up on the deckplan. While I was there I checked out A-140. That's a fine location.

 

I don't expect there's much difference. Both sides will have awsome scenery. There will be times when the commentary lets you know you are on the wrong side of the ship. But other times, you luck out and have exactly what they're talking about right in front of you.

Can't win 'em all!

 

I think A160 is also available (shower-tub combo). Looks like it sits over the Oak Bar ... do you think there's any way for cigar and pipe smoke to permeate it's way up? (I know, this is probably a silly question but I'm extremely sensitive to smoke)

 

So it sounds just like Alaska, where there's beautiful scenery on both sides ... but for the $$ we pay, you'd think they could always keep the best scenery on MY side!! ;) :D

[RuthC]

I think A160 is also available (shower-tub combo). Looks like it sits over the Oak Bar ... do you think there's any way for cigar and pipe smoke to permeate it's way up?

The Oak Room on the Prinsendam isn't a smoking area. It's a small, beautiful room off the library on one side, the coffee bar on another, and the Casino on a third.

It looks like a home office in a country estate, with a desk, a couple of large, soft chairs, and a fireplace. The port lecturer held office hours in there.

Go ahead and book a cabin over it and have no fears.

The only inside smoking area I can remember is one table on starboard side of the Crows Nest. The only entrance to that room is on port side, so there's no need to be near smoke inside.

(I don't know if smoking is allowed in the Casino; I never went in.)

[zelker]

The Oak Room on the Prinsendam isn't a smoking area. It's a small, beautiful room off the library on one side, the coffee bar on another, and the Casino on a third.

 

I thought I read somewhere that it was a smoking room. Thanks for clarifying.

 

One more question - we've never sailed on a ship this small (smallest has been the Amsterdam, in Alaska last year) and when we sailed through the North Sea, it was on the X Constellation. So how was doing the North Sea on this much smaller ship?

[RuthC]

So how was doing the North Sea on this much smaller ship?

It was fine! I've sailed this area on the Prinsendam twice, and never had a problem. Most of the time I'm wondering if we're moving!

There was one night when I felt some movement, but that was it.

 

Remember, how much you feel the seas depends somewhat on the shape of the hull, more than the size of the ship. Some big ships do not ride nearly as well as the Prinsendam does. She was built to sail all parts of the world, and she does it well.

[zelker]

Remember, how much you feel the seas depends somewhat on the shape of the hull, more than the size of the ship. Some big ships do not ride nearly as well as the Prinsendam does. She was built to sail all parts of the world, and she does it well.

 

I did not know that. Thanks for the ship lesson.

[Travelrd]

ruth...which prinsendam cruise did you go on? don't you usually book inside cabins? sounds like you really went deluxe on this cruise. when and where is your next cruise?

 

cheers

[RuthC]

ruth...which prinsendam cruise did you go on? don't you usually book inside cabins? sounds like you really went deluxe on this cruise. when and where is your next cruise?

I did a round-trip out of Amsterdam in June. It stopped in Hamburg, went through the Keil Canal, to Copenhagen, then up the coast of Norway. We went over the top of Europe, and down to Murmansk, then headed back.

 

Yes, I do usually book insides, but booked an outside this time. The price of an E-outside across from the single inside (the cabin I wanted) was less expensive, so that's what I booked. Two days before I left home I got an e-mail notifying me that I was upgraded to an A-cabin! :eek:

It was quite a surprise, especially as the booking was marked "no upgrades". I loved the "porch" and used it most every day. I am one of the few people I know of who actually likes sitting outside for hours in that climate.

Next up is a cruise to the southern Caribbean and partial Panama Canal in December. I hate the hot & humid, but like the friends who are going. :D

[LindaM]

Ruth,

 

We stayed in 443 in August---across from your favorite cabin. It was a wonderful cabin. When we stayed in 463, it was noisy and the window had a plexiglass covering that I smashed my nose into repeatedly! What is nice about Prinsendam's OV cabins is that you can sit on the sofa or even lie on the bed to enjoy the view. The view isn't as expansive as a verandah, but I appreciated having a "lower" view. I am still regretting not getting a balcony for the Alaska cruise you were on with us. I wouldn't have enjoyed an OV as much on Amsterdam because of the bed being in the way. I hope you had a nice sunny day going through the Kiel Canal like we did!

[RuthC]

I hope you had a nice sunny day going through the Kiel Canal like we did!

The whole day was gorgeous! Sunny and warm. I was on the shady side of the ship, which I prefer. If there was a cold breeze it must have been on the other side of the ship, as I was happy as a clam out there.

For the first of my three visits to Honnesvag it was sunny there, too. There was a bitter cold wind on one side of the ship---the other side! I sat outside for hours!

One of the great things on the Prinsendam (of many), is that the balcony cabins are fairly low. I was on Upper Promenade. The view was awesome, yet more intimate than a high deck would have been.

I'm telling you, I got more out of my "porch" on this cruise than I would have in the Caribbean.

[Travelrd]

ruth, you are so fabulous. i love hearing about your cruising adventures and you always offer useful advice to anyone who asks. i'm so glad you enjoyed the cruise and the upgrades cabin. seems to me you should always be upgraded with the loyalty you have to hal. enjoy your upcoming cruises. i did a partial canal cruise on the island princess last year. it was fabulous but the humidity in april was probably worse than what you'll experience. thanks again for all your knowledge sharing.

 

cheers