Just returned from 14 Day Golden Gateway Cruise on board the MS Prinsendam! If you have the opportunity to partake in this itinerary, don't waste another moment debating it. Jump at the opportunity! This limited itinerary was a last minute replacement for Europe and its planners took full advantage of the Prinsendam's size and opportunities for the path less traveled! Once boarding, one cannot help but think this is the way cruising was meant to be! Her elegance is inviting and dEcor subtle and sophisticated, not at all overwhelming and determined to maintain a single theme. If anything, it is obvious her theme is elegance, and cruising as it once was.

We were fortunate enough to be in suite 002. Prinsendam has very few cabins other than suites that can accommodate a third person. Therefore, a family must use additional cabins, or upgrade to a full suite. Warning, once you have "suited" I fear it will be hard not too suite again and again! The room was beautiful. Dark soothing woods and a VERY comfortable size for the 3 of us! A wonderful wraparound curtain completely separated the "living area", where my son slept on a sofa bed, from the sleep area! The suite utilizes 2 comfy blue sofas and appears quite different than photo on HAL website. There is a desk on the same side of the room as the beds, and an "office module" in the living room side. There two televisions in the room, and both VHS & DVD players with plenty shipboard to borrow! Bathroom hosted a full size tub, 2 sinks, and 2 entries allowing the toilet area to be closed off from bath! Although cabin placement was initially a concern to us, due to being adjacent to Crow's Nest, it was an unwarranted concern. On the Prinsendam, the Crow's Nest is a Piano bar with a beautiful round window overlooking the full view up ahead! In no way is its volume intrusive or passersby a problem. On the contrary, we often left our cabin door open to welcome visitors, and spent far more time in Crows nest than we might have otherwise! The suite passengers benefit from the Neptune lounge that handles snacks, excursions, and any other arrangements or assistance you may desire! Suite passengers are also invited to dine in the Odyssey Restaurant for breakfast and lunch if they so desire. We were a party of 7 in 3 cabins... some of us preferred formal dining... others preferred the Lido. Food was yummy in both, so either way- all were pleased! Suite dinner was quite formal, held in the Neptune lounge, and while I was glad I opted out for our 2 tweens, all the adults had a great meal! Suite luncheon had an Indonesian theme, and only 2 of us chose to attend since it was last sea day. They said it was excellent!

This voyage was full capacity (approx 750 passengers) and rarely did we wait on line for anything! The Lido had ample seating both indoors and out! The Lounge had easy show viewing from all angles I tried! Guest performers were wonderful and greatly enhanced our trip! The La Fountaine dining room is separated into two actual rooms, with the larger of the two having full view of where you have been. We sat at a table for 7 as a family, but there were many people joined at large tables, as well as tables for two. The food was enjoyable, and the Lido buffet was ideal for a less formal and relaxing meal. Near the pool they have a chef cooking burgers, sausage, and salmon patties, etc., one by one, all made to order that are delicious! My kids were also thrilled with the made to order pizzas inside the Lido! Beware of the ice cream bar! Varying flavors will call out to you each day, as you slowly grow addicted to this afternoon snack! Both the Dutch Dinner and Indonesian luncheon are not to be missed! Read more