Cruise Talk: Prinsendam to do 2004 world cruise?

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Topic: Prinsendam to do 2004 world cruise?

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 01-31-2003 02:20 PM

I know this news is old, but why did HAL chose the Prinsendam over the Amsterdam?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-31-2003 04:24 PM

Could be that the number of passengers booking is down from other years and with a smaller ship they can get into many smaller ports. A lot of the paxs have done the WC many times and maybe they wanted a change in the itinerary.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

HomeLines
First Class Passenger
Member # 1707

posted 02-01-2003 08:08 PM

A friend of mine who works for Holland America said it's because there's so much uncertainty in the world it's too risky to use a larger ship for the world cruise (I guess because so many people won't go).

Posts: 165 | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

sail7seas
First Class Passenger
Member # 1550

posted 02-02-2003 02:02 PM

We disembarked Amsterdam in FLL the day she was to begin the World Cruise. There are only slightly more than 400 passengers doing the entire WC this year and with world conditions being so uncertain, it is likely the number will be even lower next year.

I think it is a double edged sword for HAL. I think that substituting Prinsendam will lower the numbers even more as many people do not like that ship as well as the Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
They cannot fill the flagships....but will chase people away from WC because of the choice of ship.

Posts: 40 | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 02-02-2003 02:37 PM

This is really sad. HAL should build shhips like ROC's Explorer.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

vulcania
First Class Passenger
Member # 822

posted 02-04-2003 04:56 PM

The answer is VERY simple...HAL can't fill the AMSTERDAM or RORTTERDAM for the world cruise...I was aboard the ROTTERDAM for part of World Cruise 2000. She had about 900 passengers ONL because of 4 days around a peninsula in Antarctica. I did half of World Cruise 2001 in her. We were less than 700 passengers at any time. Then last January I embarked in the AMSTERDAM at Ft. Laud - ship was full to LA but only 168 of us were going beyond LA...We had from Sydney to Hong Kong 620 passengers, our maximum. From Cape Town we were about 400. Only about 300-325 of us were full cruise passengers. This year she has 275 full cruise passengers - and you know it's NOT a circumnavigation, rather a "Five Continents" cruise...As for next year, Chris and I are already booked for the World Cruise in the PRINSENDAM....great itinerary, decent prices...We'll see how full she gets...

Posts: 182 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-04-2003 05:37 PM

What a surprise to see your "name" on a post Vulcania. Welcome back.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

BTF
First Class Passenger
Member # 2024

posted 02-05-2003 10:52 PM

The HAL World Cruise has been decreasing in popularity for several years and for a variety of reasons. The situation following September 11th only magnified the issue. By substituting the Prinsendam for the Amsterdam, Holland America is only reflecting market reality and using a ship that they can reasonably expect to fill. It is not really a bad choice. The Prinsendam was designed for long range cruising, has a high degree of luxury and can fulfill the role of being their exotic elegant cruiser. Also the 2004 itinerary is a gamble in that it is scheduled to pass by the Arabian Sea and the Suez Canal, two waterways that the Prinsendam was forced to cancel in Spring 2003 due in part to difficulties in getting war risk insurance in those waters following the Limburg incident. What Holland America is gambling on is that the political situation in that area of the world will improve by the time that 2004 rolls around and that its vessel could pass with reduced risk.

Anyhow getting back to the Prinsendam and the world cruise. a vessel the size of the Prinsendam provides them will a great deal of flexability and beside Holland America can more profitably use the Amsterdam during that period on the South American run and the Rottendam on the 10 day Panama Canal cruise.

Posts: 287 | From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 02-06-2003 12:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by BrianTF:
The Prinsendam was designed for long range cruising, has a high degree of luxury and can fulfill the role of being their exotic elegant cruiser.

How did Royal Viking and Cunard use this ship?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

empressport
First Class Passenger
Member # 2511

posted 02-06-2003 01:30 AM

In a way it's a sad commentary if the round the world cruises are getting less popular. In the '30's the Empress of Britain, Franconia et al were doing World Cruises, and now 70 years later the market doesn't seem to have grown that much. Odd, especially when you consider the growth of the cruise industry as a whole.

Posts: 464 | From: Vancouver, BC | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 02-06-2003 04:24 PM

I am shattered!! Having been on 3 different segments on 3 World Cruises on the Rotterdam,I was pleased to see that the Prinsendam's itinerary for the 2004 World cruise included my favourite port,Bali!!

However,I was dismayed,to say the least,to find that the single supplement for the category I usually ask for,has been raised from 120% to 150%!!!!!The actual fares,even with my 25% discount as a previous World Cruiser,have catapulted beyond reason(as far as I am concerned)
When I do the exchange rate from US dollars to Canadian,with this 150%,it is mind-boggling!!

So I will have to say nay to seeing my lovely Bali.BTW the current World Cruise on the Amsterdam is still giving the 120% single supplement but it isn't going to Bali!!(sob)

It's too bad of HAL to do this to solo travellers on World Cruises.So bye bye to all the segments on the Prinsendam.For me,she is a sinking ship (again!)

Terri

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Count Florida
Just Boarded
Member # 3655

posted 02-09-2003 01:15 AM

The Prinsendam entered the Holland-American fleet in June, 2002. At the time, it was a worn-out ship trying to be HAL's "elegant explorer". It was not nearly ready for that role, and has since failed to attract the minimum number of passengers needed to continue. So it is being relegated to Alaska service this (2003) season. HAL must be desperate if they are using the Prinsendam on a world cruise. Read all about it at http://www.cruisereviews.com/mature/Prinsendam1.htm

Posts: 3 | From: Sarasota, Florida, USA | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

HomeLines
First Class Passenger
Member # 1707

posted 02-09-2003 10:37 AM

Let's not forget that this ship, when she was first built and served under Royal Viking Line, and did the world cruise for Royal Viking Line.

Posts: 165 | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

Count Florida
Just Boarded
Member # 3655

posted 02-09-2003 05:11 PM

[ 02-09-2003: Message edited by: Count Florida ]

Posts: 3 | From: Sarasota, Florida, USA | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

Count Florida
Just Boarded
Member # 3655

posted 02-09-2003 05:12 PM

Yes, it did. And for Seabourn, in 2001 and 2002. The 2002 world cruise was its grand finale for Seaborne. Reportedly, Seaborne dumped it because it could no longer meet its high standards, and they were loosing loyal passengers and money on it. It was assigned to Cunard for a time earlier, but was transferred to Seaborne. Who knows why. The Seaborne to HAL explanation is speculation, twelfth hand "latrine secret service" type info as well. What does it prove? Read the reviews. At least two out of three are negative. The crew really tries, but the ship is no longer able to cruise as a premier ship, and Carnival's ownership probably doesn't help. Sell her to Regal, for goodness sake. At that level she would again reign supreme, as she apparently once did for Royal Viking Lines.

Posts: 3 | From: Sarasota, Florida, USA | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

HomeLines
First Class Passenger
Member # 1707

posted 02-09-2003 09:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Count Florida:
Yes, it did. And for Seabourn, in 2001 and 2002. The 2002 world cruise was its grand finale for Seaborne. Reportedly, Seaborne dumped it because it could no longer meet its high standards, and they were loosing loyal passengers and money on it. It was assigned to Cunard for a time earlier, but was transferred to Seaborne. Who knows why. The Seaborne to HAL explanation is speculation, twelfth hand "latrine secret service" type info as well. What does it prove? Read the reviews. At least two out of three are negative. The crew really tries, but the ship is no longer able to cruise as a premier ship, and Carnival's ownership probably doesn't help. Sell her to Regal, for goodness sake. At that level she would again reign supreme, as she apparently once did for Royal Viking Lines.

I saw the ship back in May (right after she was transformed into the Prinsendam) and she looks very good, for Holland America. She should have NEVER been with Seabourn. Seabourn is about small ships, large suites, intimacy..that this ship could NEVER deliver. She's too big (for Seabourn at least).

The ship is really a good fit for Holland America.

Posts: 165 | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

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