The ship's main theater, the Queen's Lounge, received a major facelift during the 2002 renovations. The 424-seat theater now showcases a rebuilt stage, and the latest in high-tech lighting and acoustics.

Other Holland America stalwarts are represented on Prinsendam, too. We always love the Ocean Bar; on Prinsendam, it's situated in the center of the ship's main public deck and so offers fabulous people-watching, just about any time. The Bar's blue leather banquettes are tucked under windows facing the Promenade, and its brushed chrome banisters are curved like waves upon the sea. The Ocean Bar is a cozy location for taking in a shipboard seminar, or meeting friends for drinks. There's a bandstand and dance floor, as well.

The Explorers Lounge, another Holland America tradition, is another impressive space, featuring mahogany-stained wooden walls, old fashioned (the thick kind) venetian blinds covering the windows, and leather armchairs with seats just long and wide enough to encourage passengers to tuck in and get lost in a great book (or stimulating conversation).

The art collection for auctions has its own boutique, and it's a lovely, wood-paneled space with windows fronting the promenade deck. The ship also features a very sleek and well-equipped Internet Cafe, offering laptop computer rentals and access to wireless Internet connections.

The Prinsendam includes a version of the Java Cafe, the coffee bar found on other Holland America ships. The Cafe serves cappuccino and espresso at no extra charge. The Cafe is adjacent to the casino, which may be one of the smallest we've seen on a mid-sized ship. It is nonetheless elegant, with wood paneled walls and offers basic gaming and slots. We were amused to find some 10-cent slot machines.

The Oak Room's dark wood walls, leather furnishings and (fake) fireplace are reminiscent of the stodgy gentlemen's clubs of yesteryear. Women are cheerfully admitted in this smoker's lounge, however. Other public room highlights include the Erasmus Library and the Half Moon (card and game) area. Holland America's signature Crow's Nest observation lounge is featured topside. A grand piano sets the tone for the evening entertainment here, which is low-key and traditional though at times raucous, depending upon the crowd.

Entertainment

Onboard activities during the day include the usual assortment of port lectures, art auctions, trivia contests and such. The excitement level gets ratcheted up a bit on the Grand World Voyage, where you can expect elaborate scavenger hunts, cooking, painting classes and dance classes. At night, the ship really hums, with music performances (from dance trios to pianists to ensemble quartets) in its lounges, to mega-spectacular shows in the Queen's Lounge. The Filipino and Indonesian crew members take great pride in hosting a show of their native song and dance, usually once per cruise.

The Wajang Theater offers movies on a daily basis, accompanied by free popcorn.

Fitness and Recreation

Let's just say this: The spa on Prinsendam is gorgeous. Run by Steiner, Ltd., it's decorated in an elegant Greco-Roman theme, featuring graceful columns and beautiful hand-painted murals. The spa itself offers the usual services (massages, body wraps, facials) as does the adjacent Beauty Salon. The facility will become a Greenhouse Spa (also run by Steiner) as part of Holland America's fleet-wide "Signature of Excellence" initiative, a $225-million, two-year enhancement program. The fitness facility on Prinsendam is small but adequate. Fitness classes are held on a daily basis. An nice interesting touch in the fitness area is a mini-fridge stocked with chilled towels for those who have overheated during workouts.

The pool on the aft deck is suitable for lap swimming, a relative rarity on cruise ships these days. Beyond the aft pool, the ship's main pool area is a hub on sunny days and has a swim-up bar. Other recreational opportunities include the golf simulation center, the walking track and the ever-so-slightly smaller-than-regulation tennis court.

One of the most enjoyable features of the ship is its quarter-mile promenade, located on deck seven. This broad expanse of genuine teak wood is an unobstructed walkway, perfect for leisurely strolls, star gazing, or relaxing on wood loungers.

Activities

Family

The ship offers "Club Hal" children's programming, with staff counselors onboard the majority of sailings. This is not an ideal ship for children, however, nor are the longer and generally more exotic itineraries conducive to family cruising.

Fellow passengers

Prinsendam typically attracts older, well-traveled passengers in the 60-plus range.

Dress

Plan for two formal nights per cruise; other nights the dress code is "country club casual."

Gratuity

For years and years, Holland America Line distinguished itself with its "no tipping required" policy, the objective of which was to prove that the cheerful and accommodating staff worked for the love of serving their guests, not for tips. Unfortunately, many passengers took this to mean "tips are included," or "tipping not allowed," so as Holland America hopes to attract a more diverse clientele and more first-time cruisers, the tipping policy has been specifically addressed.

According to a statement from Holland America president Stein Kruse, the tipping policy fleetwide is as follows:

"For your convenience, a gratuity of $10 per guest per day, for dining and stateroom service, will be automatically posted to your shipboard account. We are confident you will find the service on board exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by visiting the Front Office. Also, a 15 percent service charge will be automatically added to your bar and beverage purchases."