What makes your favorite cruise ship so special? Is it the rock climbing wall? The three-deck high show lounge? Your comfortable stateroom? Or is it that friendly crew member?  Chances are you will rate the "software" during your cruise much higher than the "hardware". And here is where Prinsendam comes into her own right. Yes, you will miss out on the ice skating rink and disco, but Prinsendam's unmistakable charm makes her guests return "home" over and over again.  

First and foremost, Prinsendam is smaller than most of today's liners. Carrying less than 800 guests, she has a feeling of space and intimacy that is hard to beat. If you haven't booked one of 32 tiny inside cabins, the feeling of spaciousness starts in your stateroom. Our home is outside stateroom 221, measuring a generous 181 sq ft. Reached by a little private corridor which keeps away any noise, it has a large picture window overlooking the Promenade Deck, a small sitting area, flat screen TV and DVD player (bring your own music CD's!). The bathroom is showing its age here and there, with old-fashioned metal fixtures and a few cracks in the tiling. Still, it is large by any standard and has a full bath tub. But perhaps the best feature in our stateroom is the walk-in closet, something not usually found on premium class ships. It has zillions of hangers, a personal safe and is home to Holland America's soft and fluffy bathrobes.

Only a few steps from our stateroom is the spacious two-deck high Atrium, housing an Art Gallery and Internet Cafe, open around the clock. If you plan on surfing the web or checking your e-mail during the cruise, sign up early and make advantage of the pre-paid packages. One deck up is the Front Office, manned 24/7 by charming Philippine ladies. Further down on this deck you will find the Photo Gallery and Card Room, with a Sundry Shop and Boutiques.