A new HAL Blog! (Yes, I'm a HAL employee!)

[DutchByAssociation]

Hi Dutch:

What do you know about changes being made to the Prinsendam in 2010?

They are mentioned in this thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1015620

 

Can you verify this is happening?

Thanks.

 

Nothing has been announced by the office so I would not be able to confirm, deny or otherwise comment on this topic. (That and the fact the thread is so intensely negative have actually resulted in me completely avoiding it all together)

[DutchByAssociation]

Do all your ships have craps tables in their casinos? :confused:

 

I would imagine so, but as I don't play craps I haven't noticed. SHip services has fact sheets on all the ships that can confirm any specific casino games you are interested in though...

 

My gut says yes, but I just don't know for sure.

[DutchByAssociation]

The change in plans for the drydock, and the cleanliness score are two different things entirely.

The drydock plans involved removing a pool, adding cabins, changing outside cabins to lanai, changing the configuration of certain lounges, and other changes. Some of those will still happen, and some will be put on hold for the time being.

None of this has anything to do with cleanliness, food storage, or maintaining food at proper temperatures.

 

Agreed that these are not related, and just a quick reminder that anything over 85 is passing.

 

I actually got to speak with the Guest Relations Managers of both the Westerdam and Amsterdam right after they got their 100s. As neither of the ships is super new anymore (5 and 9 years old respectively) it's not AS common for ships that aren't brand new to get 100s, usually high 90s are more common place... Both ships were ecstatic about the acheivement!

 

As for what is being done, I have heard that in the drydock next Spring, Ryndam and Statendam will (and this is reflected in deck plans online):

• Get refurbished staterooms
  
• They'll do various AC and plumbing projects
  
• Showroom at Sea
  
• Mix
  
• Canaletto
  
• I've heard sources say but not confirm they will reconfigure the Casino
  
• Turn a few rooms on Verandah Deck into spa oceanview and spa inside rooms
  
• General drydock projects (carpeting, painting, etc)
  

I hope I'm not missing anything!

[Pettifogger]

DBA:

I would guess that almost every one of the "Intensely negative'" remarks to which you refer, about the proposed changes to the Prinsendam, is from someone both committed to HAL and devoted to the Prinsendam and that their motivation is a perhaps vain hope of forestalling those changes. Where could they ever find a replacement for "the little princess" just the way she is now?

I'm not aware of any other affordable cruise line that inspires that kind of interest in individual ships and while the emotional tide may ebb and flow depending on how they feel about individual management decisions, I think that's a lot better than an apathetic customer base.

[GAJE]

I think that some of us are extremely distressed that we had already booked specific cabins (196 and 197) in the area that will have the extensive construction. Now we hear (if we believe the "rumors") that our booked cabin will not be available, will not be in the same location relative to outside access, or will be diminished in square footage. Did Seattle not have an inkling of drydock changes this spring when summer 2010 bookings opened??????? I really believe that HAL's customers could have been treated much better in this regard.

[everyday]

I think that some of us are extremely distressed that we had already booked specific cabins (196 and 197) in the area that will have the extensive construction. Now we hear (if we believe the "rumors") that our booked cabin will not be available, will not be in the same location relative to outside access, or will be diminished in square footage. Did Seattle not have an inkling of drydock changes this spring when summer 2010 bookings opened??????? I really believe that HAL's customers could have been treated much better in this regard.

 

Hi there, we are just starting our search for our dream cruise on the Prinsendam. I'm not sure why so many people are having such negative comment on the new addition of the boat, I mean, isn't it a good thing to have more cabins to choose from? I know those two cabins are nice but do you really expect HAL not noticing that they made a poo poo when they make a mistake on the cabin category?? I've gone through that thread and sounds like the OP was just passing on useful information for you folks. Some people are just hard to please:p

[jtl513]

I mean, isn't it a good thing to have more cabins to choose from?

Not when it reduces public space and squeezes more passengers into less space. Also not when it botches up a nice design with grotesque appendages, like on the Veendam, and soon the Rotterdam.

[everyday]

Not when it reduces public space and squeezes more passengers into less space.

 

Well yes but based on my observation the so called passenger to space ratio on the Prinsnedam is really high to start with, so yes it will decrease but I just don;t know how much will be affected by that. Are we talking 44 people here?:confused:

[RuthC]

Well yes but based on my observation the so called passenger to space ratio on the Prinsnedam is really high to start with,

Have you ever tried to get a seat in the Prinsendam Lido at breakfast or lunch when it's a sea day, north of the Arctic Circle, and it's raining out? I have. Not an easy thing to do. Sometimes it's an impossible thing to do. Remember, there's no dome over the pool.

 

Twice I found one seat available indoors. And that was after walking around for a while. :eek: A few times I went outdoors (aft).

[everyday]

No I have not, if things go well this will be our first cruise. From all the posts I read so far (not a whole lot since we just start thinking about cruising) there's going to be a time the Lido will be crowded, is what you;re saying worse than the norm?:confused:

[RuthC]

is what you;re saying worse than the norm?:confused:

I thought it was tighter than on other ships. Remember, all the other ships have a dome over the Lido pool, so it's possible to eat there when the Lido restaurant is overcrowded. The other ships have more space to begin with, so table turn-over tends to be greater.

To add even more people to the Prinsendam, without increasing the space for them to sit, will not provide the "elegant explorer" experience that the Prinsendam has been known for.

There was no extra space in the show lounge, and there are not as many lounges---so they can get crowded at night. There were many, many times that Explorations Cafe was beyond full, and the next door lounge was almost full from the spill-over.

 

No, adding more people to this ship, without adding public space, is going to accentuate the crowded feel.

[DutchByAssociation]

A copy of the press release and images of post-drydock are available on the blog...

 

But ladies and gentlemen, please keep the discussion and opinions about this on the original post. I have asked the hosts to move these comments to that thread, but it looks like they haven't seen the request.

 

Thank you.

[dulcetto]

The change in plans for the drydock, and the cleanliness score are two different things entirely.

The drydock plans involved removing a pool, adding cabins, changing outside cabins to lanai, changing the configuration of certain lounges, and other changes. Some of those will still happen, and some will be put on hold for the time being.

None of this has anything to do with cleanliness, food storage, or maintaining food at proper temperatures.

Hi Ruth

 

 

Thanks for the info

[dulcetto]

Agreed that these are not related, and just a quick reminder that anything over 85 is passing.

 

I actually got to speak with the Guest Relations Managers of both the Westerdam and Amsterdam right after they got their 100s. As neither of the ships is super new anymore (5 and 9 years old respectively) it's not AS common for ships that aren't brand new to get 100s, usually high 90s are more common place... Both ships were ecstatic about the acheivement!

 

As for what is being done, I have heard that in the drydock next Spring, Ryndam and Statendam will (and this is reflected in deck plans online):

• Get refurbished staterooms
  
• They'll do various AC and plumbing projects
  
• Showroom at Sea
  
• Mix
  
• Canaletto
  
• I've heard sources say but not confirm they will reconfigure the Casino
  
• Turn a few rooms on Verandah Deck into spa oceanview and spa inside rooms
  
• General drydock projects (carpeting, painting, etc)
  

I hope I'm not missing anything!

Hi Dutch

 

Thanks very much for all the details re the refurb,its not always easy to know whether some of the comments are right or not

[dulcetto]

Hi Dutch

 

Thanks very much for all the details re the refurb,its not always easy to know whether some of the comments are right or not

Hi Dutch

 

Sorry first timer here whats Mix!!

[DutchByAssociation]

Hi Dutch

 

Sorry first timer here whats Mix!!

 

From the press release:

 

Mix and Mingle at Mix

An exciting new entertainment space called Mix is set to become the destination lounge where guests can meet and mingle throughout the day and night. Mix is an open and inviting space anchored by a pianist providing entertainment for three distinctly themed areas.

 

The bubbly will flow at Champagne, which offers a variety of 20 different champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. The centerpiece of this bar is a cool, ice-filled counter top chilling champagne bottles that invites guests to indulge by the glass or by the bottle served in traditional silver buckets. This venue will offer events such as late champagne breakfast, pre-lunch Mimosa and Bellini hour, champagne tea time and pre-dinner champagne hour with caviar canapés. Champagne will be the ship's premier celebration venue.

 

Martinis serves up 19 Grey Goose martinis elegantly offered in individual shakers as well as a full range of cocktails. Guests can also enjoy a martini flight made up of several mini martini concoctions. The martini flight includes Holland America Line's signature martini, the Yellow Tulip, a mixture of Grey Goose vodka, lychee juice, pineapple juice, guava juice, coconut cream and fresh lime juice. Other martinis included in the flight are the Peartini, Cosmopolitan, Sunshine Martini, Rum Sundae and High Tide Martini. A house specialty will be a signature Martini for Two with aged Cognac served with a dish of caviar and traditional garnishes.

 

Spirits & Ales will feature an international selection of beers and premium whiskeys and brandies sure to entice even the most selective connoisseur. Here guests can drop by to enjoy a wide selection of beers on tap while watching sporting events or relax after some shopping in the nearby boutiques.

 

See attached photos as well.

[boards]

Is the Zaandam scheduled for drylock anytime soon or has it already recently been there?

I was wondering since I have read a few complaints about the wear and tear in some areas of the ship.

[jtl513]

Is the Zaandam scheduled for drylock anytime soon or has it already recently been there?

I was wondering since I have read a few complaints about the wear and tear in some areas of the ship.

It hasn't recently, but according to this DESTINATION CALENDAR (click) it will be "under construction" (i.e. in drydock) in late Sep '09 and early Jan '10.

[DutchByAssociation]

Is the Zaandam scheduled for drylock anytime soon or has it already recently been there?

I was wondering since I have read a few complaints about the wear and tear in some areas of the ship.

 

Zaandam has I believe about a 2 week dry dock scheduled at the start of 2010...? My list is at work... I'll have to check.

[dulcetto]

From the press release:

 

 

See attached photos as well.

Hi Dutch

 

Thanks for that,really looking forward to trying them out

[SandyMc]

After reading this thread, I decided to check the Destination Calendar to see if the Zuiderdam would be in dry dock any time before our January 12 cruise. Imagine my surprise to find the Zuiderdam "under construction" the whole month of January! :eek: What's up with that?:confused:

[Iowa-Cruiser]

After reading this thread, I decided to check the Destination Calendar to see if the Zuiderdam would be in dry dock any time before our January 12 cruise. Imagine my surprise to find the Zuiderdam "under construction" the whole month of January! :eek: What's up with that?:confused:

 

Since we are on the cruise just before you (we'll try not to leave a mess), I would be interested to know too. The "cruise finder" section still lists 3 cruises in Jan 2010 and also a cruise the last part of April when the ship is also listed as under construction.

 

I certainly hope whoever put that construction schedule together made a mistake.

[jtl513]

Also the Destination Calendar shows the Zaandam "under construction" in Sep, but the "cruise finder" shows sailings on 9/4, 11, 18, and 25. Either the Calendar is wrong, or these are "construction-during-service" times! :D

 

However. the Zaandam does seem to be out of service for 15 days in Jan 2010.

[DutchByAssociation]

Dry docks scheduled through the end of 2010 as they are currently scheduled (note, this can be subject to change) as of mid-June.

Statendam 3/26-4/11, 2010 (SOE)

Ryndam 2/9-2/23, 2010 (SOE)

Rotterdam 11/18-12/16, 2009 (SOE)

Zaandam 1/7-1/19, 2010

Amsterdam 12/14-12/22, 2010

Prinsendam 1/4-1/13, 2010 (Aft, additional staterooms)

Zuiderdam 3/23-3/31, 2010

Westerdam 4/4-4/14, 2010

For those where I know/there has been an announcement, I have mentioned what is going on during the drydock… If there was no press release, etc it is safe to assume it is routine carpeting and projects that can't easily be done with 1000+ people onboard.

SOE = Signature of Excellence, and as a reminder Rotterdam will get everything Veendam currently has, and Ryndam and Statendam get all of the INTERIOR upgrades, with structural changes (additional balconies, lanai rooms, retreat, etc coming a couple years later)

Also, if I did not mention a ship, it means it already had a dry dock this year. (Except Eurodam, but she is still new)

Please also remember, that this information can be subject to change.

[SandyMc]

Hmmmmm - OK, Dutch - I think the question of "under construction" for the Zuiderdam is now to you. I know YOU can get to the bottom of this! :D Just a little worrying when you made plans, purchased airfare, etc.

Thanks!

Sandy