Tag Archives: cruise ship

February 23, 2018 · 5:35 am

Fun Photo Friday — 54 Days at Sea, MS Prinsendam

MS Prinsendam Flying Bridge — Captain Halle Thon Gundersen

MS Prinsendam is one of the very few cruise ships still in operation with an open-air “Flying Bridge“. Most ships have gone instead to an enclosed Bridge Wing, which is an extension on either side of the navigation bridge. Pictured above, standing on the right, is Captain Halle Thon Gundersen. Captain Gundersen served as the master of MS Prinsendam from the very first day she set sail as Royal Viking Sun in 1988. That means Captain Gundersen stayed with his ship through several company transitions, name changes, and retrofits. He finally retired in late 2012 or early 2013.

Bagus — The Guy who Rings the Nightly Dinner Bell

Two months at sea is a great way to make a lot of friends, and I don’t mean just fellow passengers. When you interact on a daily basis with the crew, they also become friends.

Dining Stewards Hamming It Up

Here is today’s photo gallery/slide show of MS Prinsendam favorites from this 54-day adventure:

Our dining companions Marilyn and her mother with Bagus

MS Prinsendam Atrium

Dining Companion Wendy

MS Prinsendam Promenade Deck at Night

Having Fun with Ursula

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Filed under Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation

Tagged as cruise ship, Fun Food Friday, Holland America, MS Prinsendam, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

February 21, 2018 · 5:35 am

54 Days at Sea — Continuing the at-sea tour of MS Prinsendam

Showroom at Sea panorama

Being such a small ship, the main theater is equally tiny by today’s mega-ship standards. But that lends this venue an air of intimacy and fun not found on most ships.

MS Prinsendam to being the smallest ship, she’s also the oldest ship in Holland America’s fleet, and probably one of the oldest ships of any major cruise line. That doesn’t detract from either her charm or her ability for passengers to find something to do. Here, again, is the Explorations Café library and internet area:

Explorations Café library and internet

If you feel like going upscale from the already very good main dining room, you can always pay extra and enjoy the Pinnacle Grill:

Pinnacle Grill for higher-end dining

What cruise ship would be complete without an area to sun oneself?

MS Prinsendam Lido pool and whirlpool, and Lido Bar

Shopping is even available aboard this tiny ship:

Jewelry store in the Shopping Arcade

This last image is the Atrium, Deck 8, looking across to the Guest Services desk:

Main Atrium

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation

Tagged as cruise ship, Holland America, MS Prinsendam, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

February 19, 2018 · 5:35 am

54 Days at Sea — Touring Holland America’s smallest ship, MS Prinsendam

Showroom at Sea

In my first article on this 54-day voyage, I posted images of our suite aboard Holland America’s smallest ship, the “Elegant Explorer” officially named MS Prinsendam. Since, after Gustavia, St. Barts, we were now transatlantic, this week I’ll take you on a tour of our home for the better part of two months. The venue pictured above and directly below is the Showroom at Sea theater for our live entertainment.

Showroom at Sea

MS Prinsendam began life in 1988 as the Royal Viking Sun, then the Seabourn Sun, and finally, in 2002, she was transferred to Holland America. By today’s standards, MS Prinsendam is downright miniscule by even Holland America standards. She measures only 669 feet/204meters in length, and weighs in at a very svelte 37,983 gross tonnage. She’ll house about 830 passengers, and is manned by 440 crew.

Dance floor and bar

As is typical with Holland America ships, at least in my experience, the library is extensive and eclectic. Once you’ve selected your book, you can take it to the Oak Room for some piece and quiet.