MS Prinsendam: Holland America’s ‘Elegant Explorer’
By Roger J. Ritchie
Holland America’s yacht-like ms Prinsendam is considered the line’s premium-plus “Explorer” vessel. She originally entered service in 1988 as the Royal Viking Sun for the now defunct Royal Viking line. Ten years later the vessel was acquired by Seabourn Cruises and sailed as the Seabourn Sun. In 2002, the ship was transferred to Holland America by parent company Carnival Corporation. She received a multimillion dollar refurbishment that added an alternative restaurant, a golf stimulator; a Lido buffet restaurant; an Internet Cafe; and a new volleyball/basketball court. Today her smallness in comparison to the other Holland America ships allows her to explore sail in areas too small for the bigger vessels.
This spring, this writer sampled a repositioning crossing from Fort Lauderdale (as far as Lisbon) on the first leg of a Spring Cruise to Italy. The ten-day trans-Atlantic portion of the 22-day cruise was the quiet start to the voyage, with just one call before landfall in Portugal. On this fairly typical Atlantic liner-crossing Prinsendam featured Funchal, Madeira, as the port of call—otherwise simply offering 3,838 nautical miles of sunny luxury.
Prinsendam - An amenable ship . . .
Nicely proportioned, in every way, Prinsendam offers all the big-ship comforts in a smaller package. The general atmosphere of the ship eschews the super-liner ethos in favor of a more manageable mid-size, smaller scaled cruiser. The more modest size for these days (nearly 38,000 tons) of Prinsendam – 669 feet long and the passenger capacity (793 guests) provides the bonus of the best quayside positioning at ports-of-call and more rapid access for the start of shore excursions.
The smallest of the Holland America fleet . . .
Prinsendam is the only ship in the Holland America fleet that was not designed specifically for the line. It was reconfigured to incorporate all the HAL features five years ago and has won the hearts of many of the Holland America “regulars.” For example, the full wrap-around teak-wood promenade deck is a feature much valued by the walker guests. It’s a sheltered zone for the exercising calorie-burners than the top deck sports tracks on other line’s ships. All HAL ships offer this attractive feature. Prinsendam’s promenade deck is a five-times-around-to-the-mile size.
Another down-sized feature provides the ship’s evening-entertainment impresarios only with a lounge-like setting for the after-dinner shows—as opposed to the full theatre-style environment now the normal shipboard venue for the song-and-dance shows and presentations.
The Spa is well sized and makes no compromise and the second pool—virtually part of the spa complex at the stern of the ship—is an unusual feature. The view over the stern from the spa’s twin outdoor whirlpools is one of those “if my friends could see me now” situations!
Walking and lifting . . .
The Prinsendam gym is a little cramped as these facilities go. But, all the usual exercise gear is arrayed in the aft facing room. Two whirlpools (the less sheltered of the four onboard) are outside along with the ship's second swimming pool. This is really the best place for a pool as the broad vista over the stern is very stimulating. The separate ladies’ and gentlemen's steam rooms and saunas are adjacent to the gymnasium facilities complete with mounds of fresh towels and the to-be-ignored weighing-in scales!
Ship Ahoy . . .
The Crow’s Nest – any ship goer knows where that is – on Prinsendam it is a really appealing space. A full 190 degrees of windows surround the room, where a pianist plays cocktail music (and the occasional toe-tapper tune.) With over-the-bow views and its centrally located piano and dance floor (one of three on the ship) this is a tempting spot for and evening spin by the fox-trotters. HAL is, I have noted, a ballroom-dancer friendly ship operator.
Hideaways galore . . .
The deck layout of Prinsendam is served by four elevators at two main stairways. Outside it provides a vertical circulation with stairways at the bow and the stern. The accommodation corridors on Decks 9 and 10 open forward onto the bow terraces which are also accessible by the outside stairway upward from the promenade deck. These breezy outlooks are consistently quiet spots for taking those deep breaths of sea air. In similar fashion, at the stern the lido-deck-style terraces offer out-of-the-circulation spots for sunning and reading. These attractive stern quiet-places descend over three decks from Deck 9. These sea-gazing locations on Prinsendam are an appealing feature, providing plenty of quiet elbow room forward and aft.
Indoor quiet spots are another characteristic of the Prinsendam’s individuality. The Library (Oak Room) and Internet Center are particularly cozy, along with the quiet corners of the wrap-around Crow’s Nest Lounge/Bar, forward on the Observation Deck.
The HAL family characteristics . . .
Holland America Line fans will feel right at home on Prinsendam. The line’s Dutch touches are sprinkled throughout the ship. Along with the activities, the customary formal-dress evenings with Captain’s reception, are scheduled with the frequency of three in each ten-day sector of the cruise. These and other traditional shipboard program features signal the contentment of the HAL patrons’ with cruising in the classic manner with all the traditional features.
The artworks around the ship echo the HAL taste (and history) and the fresh flower displays maintain that touch of class that one expects from the line. All the HAL ships now have a culinary demonstration theater (the cinema in disguise) and these cooking “shows” are consistently popular. The space also provides three screenings each day at sea of a recent feature movie. The selections from the cinema are repeated on the in-cabin TV-screens the following day.
Dinner is served . . .
Two-seating dinner service is presented in the La Fontaine Dining Room surrounded on three sides with windows overlooking the promenade deck and on to the sea on Lower Promenade Deck. This is not a majestic space, due to the low ceiling, but very pleasant indeed. The service is rapid in keeping with the Line’s standards and the food is similarly fine and varied, HAL-style.
The Plan B for the HAL ships is the Pinnacle Grill also on the same deck. A supplemental charge ($15 per person) is made for the Pinnacle’s quiet, extra-attentive service and its elegant, and slightly quirky, decor. No traveler in the Prinsendam should sail on the ship without at least one leisurely dinner in this comfortable space. The Pinnacle’s dinner reservations are made to the guest’s time preference and the food is excellent. Just one note on the Pinnacle: the Grill’s wine list is centered on the United States Pacific Northwest, with very modest offerings from the world’s vineyards.
Throughout the ship, in-room service menu—outside breakfast time—offers a light sandwich and burger selection, which is not fancy, but requests are promptly delivered and fresh.
Daytime Dining Delights . . .
The ship's size translates into a number of benefits, including the pleasantly low sense of crowding at the leisurely breakfast and luncheon buffet occasions on the Lido deck. The Port and Starboard’s window-lined, dining zones in the Lido Restaurant open off the pool area and extend to the stern. There's plenty of elbow room at all the buffet tables with every variety of hot and cold food that might be expected. Several to-order stations are standing by for diner's personal preferences to be executed on the spot by the obliging staff. This is the Prinsendam's most resistance-barrier lowering area—a grazers heaven inviting the ten-course luncheon!
Diners are escorted to their tables—indoor or (to my preference) the sheltered outdoor deck to the stern. It is also easy to step forward with breakfast or midday goodies to the pool area where the pool bar staff is ready to add the suitable libation to the meal. Drinks are charged on the multi-purpose room-key-charge-card system now popular with the cruise lines. An option for soft drink consumers is a special discount soda-card—ideal for youngsters—that separates the mom-and-pop bill from the main account.
The Deck Layout . . .
The public rooms are not quite the standard layout of the contemporary cruise liner. The La Fontaine dining room and the Pinnacle Grill are on the same deck as the midship Ocean Bar, which is a song and dance venue, popular as a pre-dinner gathering spot as the Dining Room is adjacent toward the stern.
One deck above, the Promenade Deck offers the Casino to port and the Explorer’s Lounge to starboard. The Promenade Deck layout pleasantly provides circulation without having to pass through the Casino when moving for and aft. This is achieved by the Java Café/Bar—providing welcome access to espresso coffee selections throughout the day at no additional charge—which serves as the foyer to the Casino and the Oak Room Library.
The Walang Theatre doubles as the Culinary Arts Theatre and is fitted into the space between the coffee spot and the boutique shops. Continuing forward from the “movie house” the main lobby leads one toward Queens Room theater—the focus of the Prinsendam’s entertainment presentations.
Suite Contentment . . .
The “concierge” class of accommodation offered by most cruise lines in not missing from Prinsendam. A group of suites on Decks 10, 11 (362 sq.ft) and 12 (488 sq.ft) are served with extra diligence by a dedicated staff and their occupants are invited to the limited access Neptune Lounge on Deck 12. Very much like a small airline business-class lounge gone-to-sea, the Neptune Lounge offers the attention of a smart receptionist to guard their privacy—and the endless supply of nicely displayed snacks and canapés.
The Prinsendam’s cabins are the industry-standard selection of inside; windowed (181 sq.ft) and verandah- equipped (228 sq.ft); and the suites are mostly similar in size to the offerings of competitive cruise lines and similarly priced. The balcony rooms do have a bath in the bathroom and a walk-in closet. The ship boasts a star-rating on par with the bigger Holland America Line ships and is priced accordingly. Prinsendam’s verandah cabins have a slightly deeper outdoor space than other ships—perhaps two feet of extra teak-decked privacy—and much to be recommended!
A ship fan’s ship . . .
Prinsendam has the personality to win a dedicated following. And the slightly individual style—but within the HAL formula—to create a preference amongst those ship-aficionados who pick and choose their voyages more by ship than by itinerary.
The Prinsendam fans will eagerly tell you of their preference for this ship and from my observations, it is justified. The ship has its charms—and no drawbacks—other than perhaps the lack of a revolving stage for the energetic performers in the evening shows! The Holland America promise of value is fulfilled and the onboard services delivered with the enthusiasm that would make any shore-side hotel company green with envy.
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Roger J. Ritchie is a Contributing Editor to ShipsandCruises.com
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