I am going on the Ireland and Ice cruise on the Prinsendam this summer. Was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or advice on the ship.. ..how formal the dress is, how good the food is, how nice the staterooms are. I know we have a room with a private verandah, but am not sure exactly which category we are in.

emily6731 wrote:I am going on the Ireland and Ice cruise on the Prinsendam this summer. Was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or advice on the ship.. ..how formal the dress is, how good the food is, how nice the staterooms are. I know we have a room with a private verandah, but am not sure exactly which category we are in.

Emily, I'd love to help but it just boggles my mind that questions are asked but no dates or details given.

The 'Ireland and Ice Cruise'. .. .. .. ..now what does that mean?

The Prinsendam has many verandah cabins in different categories and locations.. ..they are all slightly different.

We're booked on the Prinsendam's Lisbon-Ft. Lauderdale sailing in November - I've read every scrap of information I can lay hands on and know exactly where our cabin is.

Well.. ..we haven't been assigned a room yet, which is why I don't know what category we are in. I too have done research on their website, but that doesn't do a whole lot of good if you haven't recieved a room assignment. And while I did read up on the dress code its nice to hear from people that have actually been on that ship. I've cruised many times and sometimes things aren't as formal as the website makes them out to be.

I'm just asking about the ship in general, so what details do you think you need? I said summer, which should be the only detail that is important as far as dress code is concerned. As for the Ireland and Ice tour the name implies that it travels through Britain and Iceland. Sorry if I wasn't specific enough for you.

SOOOOO sorry to have breached some sort of message board etiquette by not giving enough specifics.

Emily - I didn't mean to imply that you had breached any message board etiquette.. .. .. .. ..I'm new to this board so what do I know!. .. .. .. .. ..sorry about that.

Verandah cabins are pretty much as decribed in the brochure - the more you pay, the more space and perks you receive.

The dress code on board ship is really as it says - there are x# of Formal nights (probably 4 on your trip) and it's nice to dress formally (a ball gown is not necessary but some glitz and glamour is fine) as suggested for the entire evening - many men were a tux; informal nights, I sort of dress as if I was going to an upscale restaurant, jacket and tie for men; casual nights, slacks and blouse, cotton skirt etc. etc. Jeans, shorts, tank tops etc. are not popular in the dining room and certainly frowned upon for dinner.

Day time, sea or shore days, it depend - I'd be taking a couple of sweaters - might even be raining! (I grew up in that neck of the woods). . For sure I'd take comfortable shoes, a windbreaker and dress in layers.

Prinsendam is, from what I've read, a bit more formal than the larger HAL ships - you might like to check out a review I found on the Cruise Critic board. Actually there haven't been too many reviews. I've been searching because, as I said, we're planning on doing a T-A on her. We've cruised on most of the 'dam' ships and I understand the Prinsendam is much like the others.

Hope this helps

Emily - said I was new didn't I - I'm the 'guest' poster above!

We are going on the Prinsendam in October on the Black Sea cruise.

We are in a SS cabin which is a suite without all the extras - like conciege lounge, free laundry and dry cleaning and Captain's lunch etc. Our cabin is quite big though and has a huge verandah.

The Princendam is a lovely ship and I have only heard good reports about her. My sister has sailed on her and loved her so much she has booked to go to the Amazon. Another U.S. friend sailed from N.Z to Singapore and said it is her favourite ship.

It is a lovely size and yet it has been built as a real ship therefore it sails well in rough seas.

I have been on 3 cruises in Europe and on formal nights well over 60% of the men had on dinner suits and the rest had on lounge suits. The Prinsendam is HAL's most "upmarket ship" so I would expect dress standards to be met. I have never seen any woman passenger not come up to scratch on formal nights. Perhaps the one's that haven't have eaten in the Lido.

I hope I have helped you in any way.

[quote="Itchyfeet"]Emily - said I was new didn't I - I'm the 'guest' poster above![/quote]

We are travelling on the TA in November as well and I'm curious as to what to expect for weather ie whatt clothes will be needed for both the European cities and the TA part. Any ideas?
Thanks