We signed up for this 14 day cruise 45 days before sailing since another cruise on our favorite line, Holland America was sold out. We heard a lot of good things about the Prinsendam but were not sure we wanted to sail on a 20 year old ship and pay higher fares due to the smaller size. We signed up for an outside room D Category thinking it would be big enough and the weather cool enough we would not need a balcony. More on this later when we moved up to a suite! This cruise leaves from Rome where we stayed at a B and B, the Domus Manlii near the Vatican for 90 Euros per nite. We found the B and B on www.venere.com and www.michelinguide.com. Our B and B was a very quiet, safe and recently remodeled apartment. We landed at the Rome airport and took a train to the St. Peter's Station for 5 Euros. We then walked with our bags to the B and B. We packed lite due to new airline rules and knew we would be schlepping our bags up and down stairs in metro stations where there are no elevators or escalators. From our B and B we walked all over Rome and took bus 64 to the main railroad station and back and could get off to see most of the sights that were important to us. Traffic in Rome is fierce so don't even think of driving a rental or a, heaven forbid, motor scooter. If you want you can take the train from Rome to the ship in Civitavecchia for about 5 Euros and it only takes about one hour. A friend we met on the ship paid 160 Euros for the same trip! After we arrived at the port city, we walked several blocks to the port entry and found a ship sponsored shuttle bus we took to the ship with the last stragglers and the ship's crew. We arrived about 3:45 PM and there was no one in the big embarkation tent and were met by a security guard who escorted us to the Front Office where a very capable Delores signed us in and we were in our room by 4 PM. We immediately were impressed with the condition of the ship and found new carpets, wall treatments, granite, new bathrooms, etc. The ship is very gracious, rooms and never felt crowded. It was hard to believe the ship was 20 years old based on what we saw. The crew was most friendly, helpful and courteous. We were called by our correct names from the first day forward. The ship is small enough to get around easily as it is only 700 feet long and only had 700 passengers. The Captain Halle Thon Gundersen was a delight, humorous very communicative and always working and in uniform. We had lunch with him in the Pinnacle Grill early in our trip where he told us of his background, home and favorite recipes (cod in salt water he catches near his home on the coast in Bergen Norway) Since the ship was built in Finland and operated by Seabourn everything is of high quality, light fixtures, furniture and wall treatments. We never felt vibrations or the throb of the ships engines as on other ships. The ship felt very stable and was not top heavy like alot of the new ships that have 15 decks. We were on deck 11 forward and we never felt any swaying or rolling as on other larger ships. Of course the Med and the Black Sea didn't have waves over 7 feet either.
We had anytime dining and loved it, change if you can. Those who didn't wanted to join us and couldn't. The dining room was a pleasure to behold with lots of room and never crowded or 'full.' Food was delicious and well prepared. Pinnacle Grill was the best we have ever seen and ate there twice for lunch. The halibut sandwich was fantastic as was the filet.
Our first stop was in Dubrovnik a quaint and lovely old walled city. You can take a bus 1B at the dock to and from town. We took a cab, it was 15 Euros one way and not worth it. Take the bus. It's only a mile to town! Some walked but it was hot that day and we opted to ride on the bus. We paid on the bus with Euros I think but there are ticket offices too, but we didn't use them due to lines. Be sure to eat a lite breakfast as there are great sea food restaurants in town. Check out the restaurants on the left side of town, after entering town at the nearest gate go straight about two short streets turn left and go about one block uphill and then you'll be at a narrow street with restaurants on both sides. Great place to have a drink or small meal of fish.
AS we were in S category and had a suite, cabin 21, we were very impressed with the furniture, carpet, furnishings, bed, walk in closet and especially the big and new bathroom with granite and a large tub and separate and extra sink with the toilet. The deck was large but not deep as some but adequate for the length of our voyage and temperatures experienced. Our suite was certainly the best we have ever stayed in and equalled or exceeded the Amsterdam's suites even though they are 10 years newer.