What's the PRINSENDAM like after drydock?

Tom S.

Deck Crew
MV Prinsendam is spiffy after recent refit? Anyone know how the old girl is holding up? We booked for it's Trans-Atlantic Mar 24th. Tom S.
 

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
Welcome to Cruise @ddicts!!

That is the only ship we have not been on -- and I haven't read any reports about her lately.
 

ShipMaven

Forever Remembered
MV Prinsendam is spiffy after recent refit? Anyone know how the old girl is holding up? We booked for it's Trans-Atlantic Mar 24th. Tom S.

Bon Voyage. I know of at least one @ddict who sailed Prinsendam last summer. I'll see if that person can respond to your query.
 

Lurline63

Staff Captain
Hi Tom, and welcome to cruise-addicts. We spent two weeks onboard Prinsendam in July 2009 and the ship looked fabulous even then. I understand from reading a number of online blogs (including Captain Albert's, located here: http://www.hollandamericablog.com/albert/) that some work remains on the aft deck, yet that will surely be completed by your cruise. Have you been onboard previously? I'm happy to answer any questions to the best of my recollection. She quickly became a favorite ship.
 

Tom S.

Deck Crew
About PRINSENDAM's recent Bahamas drydocking this month. I note that 'some' of the repairs/mods will be done while "Underway". That doesn't sound good...especially if it's being done next to our Stateroom. Insofar as various Cruisereviews indicate the vessel (built in 1988) is showing its age; I wonder if it is in fact being cascaded DOWN in the pecking order of fleet or due to be sold. Anybody know what aftdeck re-mods look like now? TOM S.
 

ShipMaven

Forever Remembered
I would seriously doubt HAL is about to sell her (though I never say never). She is HAL's "Elegant Explorer", has a large and loyal following, and sails quite a few very wonderful itineraries that the other ships don't do.

Several years ago, we sailed on a HAL ship that normally was always in pristine condition. Not so our voyage (just about everything that could go wrong, did), and several felt HAL was letting her run down to sell her off. She's "alive and well", and from all reports I've received, is in fine condition again.
 

Lurline63

Staff Captain
Tom, several of the blog entries in the link I provided contain photos taken during and after the refurbishment, including a couple of the aft cabin section addition. (See entries of January 11 and 13.) While it's true the ship is currently having some work done while underway, the Captain is reporting that this is being done away from passenger areas. Most of the other work is complete. As for the ship's condition, there was nothing I saw in July that would indicate she was getting tired. Then again, that's JMHO and others may be more concerned about the small stuff than I am. I honestly don't think you have to worry about the condition of the ship.
 
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