Quite impressive to noise control is a feature of the vintage ship I immediately fell in love with -- Every two spacious well-appointed cabins have their own recessed hallway that kept cabins away from hall-chatter when people were out late forgetting that others sometimes sleep. This feature alone was a stellar feature for us.
Dining: This is our fourth Holland America cruise, each one on a different ship. We are always pleased with dining, but this cruise seemed extraordinary. Whether it was the actual preparation, or the delight of our new friends and dining companions or both, we enjoyed and looked forward to evening dining in the lavish La Fontaine main dining room.
One evening we reserved a window table for two in The Pinnacle Grill. This is a worthwhile ‘extra-fee’ experience. The elegance from fine Bvlgari china to impeccable and personable world-class service made this a memorable evening. The menu varies, but each delicacy we tasted seemed quite special, and the romantic setting was ideal.
For lunch we opted to forgo the more formal La Fontaine and we really enjoyed the cafeteria-style Lido dining. If eye-appeal is buy-appeal we were completely satisfied with the Lido. In fact one evening we were late from a shore trip and just popped into the casual Lido for a nice evening meal. For breakfast we also preferred the casual easy-in-out Lido.
Adjoining the Lido is a hot dog, burger pool-side grill, and pizza was available as was ice cream, wonderful favored and of course badly needed ice cream, glorious toppings, and homemade cookies calling to us "take me … take me!" of course.
Closing thoughts: As the extended cruise came to a close I found myself again standing forward on the elegant Prinsendam admiring her classic styling on the last breezy afternoon day. Sparkles of adventure and history were dancing in my head with thoughts of explorers, classical Greek statues and buildings, the Roman Colosseum , Vatican City, Homer’s Odyssey, Socrates, the Greek Isles, the spirited Turkish Bazaars and so much more … how wonderfully exciting this had been … yet so graciously exquisite.
The next cruise after ours, Prinsendam ventured into the Black Sea, and her journeys and explorations continue onward. And, whenever I again see the profile of a classic ship chasing new horizons on distant seas, I will fondly remember Holland America’s Prinsendam and wish I were chasing new venues aboard this classic vessel.
Some people vacation on the sea, some even love and admire the mystery and unknowns of the sea, but like the thousands before me the sea is a taunting and seductive mistress beckoning me to join her again in passionately intimate adventures yet to be discovered just one more horizon beyond and beyond yet again.
Holland American Cruise Lines
www.hollandamerica.com
877-724-5425
Cruise Review by Doug Eads
