UPS AND DOWNS OF THE PRINCESENDAM
Prinsendam Cruise Review to Europe - Northern Europe
14 Night Baltic & Kiel Canal Explorer (Amsterdam Roundtrip)
Sail date: July 20, 2016
Ship: Prinsendam
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 153
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE NUMBER OF BROKEN WASHING AND DRYING MACHINES WHICH WERE SUPPOSEDLY FREE. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT IS THE SHRUGGED SHOULDERS OF THE FRONT DESK STAFF ABOUT GETTING THEM REPAIRED. SEVERAL PEOPLE WENT THERE AND CAME BACK SWEARING. PEOPLE ARE JUST NOT RESPONSIVE.
FOOD WAS FAIR, NOT EXCELLENT OR EXCEPTIONAL. MAIN COURSES LACKED FLAVOR, BLAND MIGHT BE A GOOD WORD. DESSERTS AND APPETIZERS WERE MUCH BETTER
CABIN STAFF EXCELLENT. THE BEST.
ENTERTAINMENT OVERALL WAS GOOD. THE SHIP CAST WAS EXCELLENT. SOME OF THE ONE NIGHTERS WERE, EHH? HANGERS ON EXTENDING THEIR CAREERS.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
NICE SIZE BOAT NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE AND EASY TO GET AROUND. AND TO MEET PEOPLE. DINING HOURS WERE NOT A CATTLE CALL. WAIT STAFF VERY GOOD.
Ports of call
Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), Netherlands
Cruise Limfjord, Denmark
St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Enter Kiel Canal At Holtenau
Exit Kiel Canal At Brunsbottel
3 Comments
noname111 7 years ago
Thank you for posting your review. It is frustrating to deal with unresponsive passenger services crew.
We don't think they get much in the way of training especially when working in a market where customers are primarily from the U.S. We think there is a cultural norm factor in play. While there is a minority of cruise passengers (not only from the U.S.) who are irritatingly obnoxious and demanding, most are not. We simply expect a customer service rep to (at a minimum) be understanding and responsive to a request. The shoulder shrug may be the most infuriating response. Even if the person has no control over the problem, we would be satisfied with a simple "we apologize for the problem and will let xyz department know but cannot give you an exact resolution date at this time." We suggest writing to HAL corporate directly.