This cruise will be my first (and only) one aboard the Prinsendam. She is the most unique ship in the Holland America fleet for a variety of reasons.
- Prinsendam is the smallest HAL ship with a gross tonnage of only 38,848.
- She is the oldest ship in the fleet - built in 1988.
- She holds only 835 passengers.
- Prinsendam is known as the "Elegant Explorer" and because of her size is able to do many unique itineraries.
- She is the only ship in the fleet that was not built for HAL. Prinsendam was originally built for the Royal Viking Line (which is now defunct) and called the Royal Viking Sun, a name she kept even when she became part of the Cunard fleet in the 90s. She became the Seabourne Sun when transferred to the Seabourne Line (another one of the Carnival Corporation cruise lines). In 2002 she was transferred to Holland America and renamed Prinsendam.
- Unfortunately, she will be the next ship to leave the HAL fleet. Having been bought by the German Phoenix Reisen cruise line she will be renamed Amera after July 1.
