Holland America Line’s Prinsendam to Leave the Fleet July 1, 2019

Holland America Line announced that Prinsendam has been sold and will leave their fleet July 1, 2019, and transfer to the German cruise company Phoenix Reisen. Following the sale, the 37,983-ton, 835-guest Prinsendam is being chartered back to Holland America Line to continue sailing its planned voyages through July 1, 2019.

Prinsendam’s itineraries from July 1, 2019, onward are scheduled to be assimilated by Rotterdam, Volendam and Veendam. Holland America Line is reaching out to booked guests and their travel professionals to re-accommodate guests on these cruises.

“Prinsendam has proudly served our guests since 2002, and we share in the fondness that many of our loyal cruisers have for this special ship,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “As we look to the future and focus on delivering the programming and innovations that our guests are asking for, we remain focused on exceeding guest expectations on every cruise and will continue to offer the unique itineraries that Prinsendam sailed on our other, smaller ships.”

Prinsendam was built in 1988 as Royal Viking Sun for Royal Viking Line. The ship was operated by Cunard Line from 1994 through 1998 and then transferred to Seabourn Cruise Line, where it became Seabourn Sun in 1999. In 2002 the ship joined the Holland America Line fleet and was renamed Prinsendam.

Phoenix Reisen is a Germany-based travel agency that also operates a fleet of cruise ships and first began operating cruises under its own brand in 1988. Today, its ships include ms Amadea, ms Artania, ms Albatros and ms Deutschland, and the company also operates approximately 50 riverboats.

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46 Comments

  1. Kathy Egger July 18, 2021 at 9:31 pm - Reply

    We are still am devastated the Prinsendam was sold! We were to go on a US/Canada/Greenland cruise, which was cancelled due to the sale! We had done a lovely Svalbard/Norway/UK cruise with her prior to our scheduled cruise 2nd cruise!!! Loved the small ship ambience! The crew was magnificent, the ports amazing, we are still in mourning!!! The new ships with HAL are all just getting bigger, not smaller!!!

  2. Kathy Egger July 18, 2021 at 9:31 pm - Reply

    We are still am devastated the Prinsendam was sold! We were to go on a US/Canada/Greenland cruise, which was cancelled due to the sale! We had done a lovely Svalbard/Norway/UK cruise with her prior to our scheduled cruise 2nd cruise!!! Loved the small ship ambience! The crew was magnificent, the ports amazing, we are still in mourning!!! The new ships with HAL are all just getting bigger, not smaller!!!

  3. Bertha Scherrer June 1, 2021 at 8:44 pm - Reply

    I am so sad to find out the Princendam is not longer with Holland America. I too loved this beautiful little ship. I have many fond memories of sailing on her with my husband who has passed away.

  4. Michael Roebuck September 17, 2019 at 7:35 pm - Reply

    One of my best cruises to the antartic such a peaceful place but I realise so dangerous with the wrong condition picking our way through the sea ice watching the huge Wales flipping over and the penguins seemingly scooting about while the sea lions bathed in the sun sifting by on a small ice flow and the crazy hat that Lana got from I think is wise lovely memories mike one of the dance hosts on the ship

  5. Brigitta Ludgate June 30, 2019 at 9:35 am - Reply

    My heart is broken but I must be thankful that I had the opportunity to sail on almost every cruise the Prinsendam sailed. I will miss you great lady. Thanks.

  6. Heide-Marie Henniger ****Mariner May 29, 2019 at 7:22 am - Reply

    My husband and I love(d) the Prinsendam. We don’t like the direction HAL is going: big ships – no atmosphere and lots of not the best quality passengers (f.e. Koningsdam). 140 years of wonderful ships, but now the same as all of the other companies, big and bigger. The HAL-management is only looking for profit and more profit, so sad. And all the qualified crew members will go.

  7. William Lee April 9, 2019 at 6:58 pm - Reply

    My late wife was significantly injured while aboard a Prinsendam trans-Atlantic cruise and the crew was outstanding. Unfortunately, due to her injury we had to disembark the cruise in Portugal. We (and I) loved the smaller ship and I look for smaller ships to continuing my cruising activities. I will NOT cruise on the larger ships designed to accommodate “the masses”. I recognize that the larger ships make a larger profit for HAL but I want a more intimate atmosphere when I spend thousands on a cruise. PLEASE HAL, give us another smaller intimate ship for me to work from my 4 star level to a 5 star – and beyond !!!

  8. Robert Riedling January 22, 2019 at 6:47 pm - Reply

    I did two transatlantics on the Prisendam. One of these was a 31 day trip from Ft. Lauderdale to the Baltic. I am saddened to see this ship go. I have fond memories from my two trips on her. I liked the intimacy of the small ship and the cabins were large with huge walk in closets. I had hoped to go on her once more. I will miss the Prisendam.

  9. Dan from Canada January 13, 2019 at 1:51 pm - Reply

    It was our favourite ship. Many great memories. Will miss her. Not happy with this sale. The big ships just don’t do it. They lack the special quality and atmosphere. This ship is very unique. Once you experienced Princendam it is hard to go on another ship.

  10. Monica December 13, 2018 at 2:34 am - Reply

    Prinsendam our favorite ship !! YOU WILL BE MISSED !!!

  11. Marcia Shore November 13, 2018 at 7:14 pm - Reply

    So very sorry about the Prinsey..we have cruised exclusively for years with her..good friends and good staff.. we left last year for Seabourn..terrific ! We do not like to see big ships.. no personal touch! Wish you all fair winds and following seas!

  12. Patricia Perryman September 26, 2018 at 5:44 pm - Reply

    I too am grieved to hear this news . So many happy times and miles and knots and days and nights and ports and people experienced on this special vessel .

  13. C E (G'ma) September 21, 2018 at 7:25 pm - Reply

    currently on my inaugural PRINSENDAM cruise.. we are enroute from ROUEN to LA ROCHELLE FRANCE.. what a wonderful ship and staff and crew.. am so grateful that was able to book 4 cruises back to back from AMS SEPT 2018 to FLL NOV 2018 without knowing that she would be taken out of service next year.. although the NIEW AMSTERDAM JAN 2016 has been my favorite HAL cruise and the VOLENDAM NOV+DEC 2016 my 2nd favorite and the ROTTERDAM VOYAGE OF THE VIKINGS 2017 my 3rd favorite thus far.. the PRINSENDAM is in a category of her own.. was shocked when informed onboard that 1JUL2019 her service with HAL would end.. so sad and disappointing.. therefore immediately booked her last 2 voyages in JUNE 2019.. meanwhile will be cruising the INAUGURAL EXC IN DEPTH program on the MAASDAM from NOV 2018 to MAY 2019 and perhaps will fall in love with that ship as well.. have cruised many places with many ships from PRINCESS and ROYAL CARIBBEAN to river ships from around the world and it is my opinion that HAL is by far the leader for service and value.. please consider the MAASDAM before you leave HAL to look for another small ship experience..

  14. Marie Murray September 12, 2018 at 12:58 pm - Reply

    We luv the “Prinsendam”, and have booked for April 2019. I am wondering if this will be her last cruise?

  15. Watson Connie September 5, 2018 at 4:36 pm - Reply

    Have only sailed once in a Xmas cruise which was fantastic. I sure hope HAL is not divesting all of her smaller ships. The large monstrosities that are out there now are not cruising. We love HAL and would hate to go elsewhere.
    Connie

  16. Hans De Kok September 2, 2018 at 5:31 pm - Reply

    My Antartica, Amazon, South America trip with the Prinsendam, was by far the best experience, I have had with any of the HAL ships. Not only the itinerary, but also the atmosphere on board of this small-sized ship was fantastic. Did trips on most of the other Dam ships, but none could match the same family type atmosphere on board. Sad to see there will be no replacement in this smaller size category. I will have to start looking at an alternative, like Seaborn or Silversea, although I am sure to miss the personal Dutch connection.

  17. Peter August 17, 2018 at 12:39 pm - Reply

    This is some very sad news. Although we only sailed on her a couple of times, she was by far our favourite. I have to say, that although I understand why HAL doing what they are doing lately, I really don’t like the direction the company is going. They going with bigger and bigger ships while selling off the smaller ones. Very disappointed.

  18. Jim and Sonja Main July 23, 2018 at 5:18 pm - Reply

    We almost lost a bet on the Prisendam during the Voyage of the Vikings (that is happening now) – we couldn’t believe it was true given the loyalty of its passengers. After 4 sailings on the Prisendam and 4 on another smaller ship favorite, the Statendam, we wonder if there are future sailings for us. Colossal ships are a none starter, so hopefully the mid- sized ships will endure. Our largest ship after 19 sailings is the Westerdam class which doesn’t compare to the elegance and personel attention of the Prisendam.

  19. Bob Thoms July 15, 2018 at 1:49 pm - Reply

    One of the many nice things about the Prinsendam is that she can get into places where the others cannot. One example is the Keil Canal.
    Her size and quality of staff gave me that “small town” atmosphere. Three days after embarkation, everyone knew me by name, and guided me to my favorite seat in the dining room, to great live entertainment and dancing in the Explorers Lounge. Service was unmatched!!
    As a result, the Prinsendam provided me with the best vacations I’ve ever had, thanks the crew, staff and friends that I met while aboard her, I must confess to a lot of fond memories. Even tho I’ve got one more adventure aboard her, I can say without a doubt that she will be sorely missed!!
    THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

  20. Peggy Rahkola ***** July 15, 2018 at 9:41 am - Reply

    It truly is a dark day. She is our favorite ship and loved circumnavigating So America on her. Our most memorable cruise. Please keep smaller ships – have no desire to cruise on a giant impersonal ship.

  21. Colleen July 14, 2018 at 10:33 am - Reply

    So sad! We just returned from 56 days on the Prinsendam. Such a beautiful ship with the best crew and staff one can imagine. We are now **** and half of our cruising days have been aboard the Prinsendam. We will probably stick to HAL, but will be checking out other lines with the smaller ships. No “Hotel on a Barge” for us.

  22. Janet& Carl Aldrin July 14, 2018 at 12:10 am - Reply

    We just returned from an excellent cruise to Norway on the Princendam. We had a wonderful time. Everyone on the ship when out of their way to give us a fun, relaxing cruise. So sorry to see this small ship go. We have many wonderful memories.

  23. Marcel July 9, 2018 at 5:58 am - Reply

    Sad to hear this news. The Prinsendam just has that feel of elegance and wecome home when you got back from a trip something that I mis with al other ships. As it was my favorite ship whish they had reverb it in stead of selling it.
    MS Prinsendam you will be missed, you where more than a little ship you where emotion.

  24. Katherine Dooley July 4, 2018 at 9:59 pm - Reply

    So sorry to hear this. My favorite ship and I am happy to be sailing on Prinsendam on July 15. My mother sailed on this ship many years ago when it was the Royal Viking Sun.

  25. Richard Hooper July 4, 2018 at 8:20 pm - Reply

    I am on the Veendam right now on my way back to Boston from a cruise to Cuba and otherwise. My wife and I booked a May 6, 2019 Prinsendam cruise two days ago. Tonight our dinner mates mentioned that they had heard that the Prinsendam had been sold. I am glad to find out that our cruise will not be affected. I think I will investigate the remaining cruises to see if we can get on another Prinsendam cruise before July 1, 2019.

  26. Erna Oosterling July 3, 2018 at 6:15 am - Reply

    This morning we were informed that our trip on the Prinsendam is cancelled due to her leaving the fleet. We very much looked forward to this very special Amazon Explorer trip starting November 20th 2019. Although the trip will be peformed by the Volendam, which also is a beautiful ship, she will not be able to meet the special feel of the Prinsendam. We are not sure if we will accept the offer to board the Volendam in stead, as we are not sure the trip will visit the same ports, which is also disappointing as this trip was meant to be for our 40th wedding anniversary.

  27. John Taylor July 3, 2018 at 1:17 am - Reply

    Sorry to see her go, bring back more “small” cruise liners 800 -1500pax.
    We enjoyed our Baltic cruise on her 2012

  28. Bobbie July 3, 2018 at 1:00 am - Reply

    This is sad news. I’m so glad we sailed on her just a few weeks ago. It was our first time, and we fell in love with ms Prinsendam. All of the crew and Captain Dag were just incredible. Simply the BEST service we have ever experienced on any cruise.

  29. Brendan Coory July 3, 2018 at 12:10 am - Reply

    It is totally wrong to expect Volendam and her sisters to replace a quality ship like Prinsendam with all those wooden features, walk in wardrobes, full size baths….and I could go on

    Farewell Holland America from us 4 star Mariners

  30. Sandra and Ken iverson July 2, 2018 at 9:27 pm - Reply

    Very very sad . We love Holland America but the Prinsendam is our very favourite ship. We will miss her so much. On our last trip we didn’t realise it would be our last time. Great memories!

  31. Barbara July 2, 2018 at 7:05 pm - Reply

    DEVASTATED! The Prinsendam is by far our favorite ship in the fleet – head and shoulders above the others! She has offered so many unique experiences because of the wide variety of ports she can access. As another person in this thread stated, I am officially in mourning.

  32. Lynne Paul July 2, 2018 at 5:45 pm - Reply

    We have taken Prinsendam twice. Too bad but I guess it is time to move on.

  33. (Mary) Damaris Wescott July 2, 2018 at 5:16 pm - Reply

    This is indeed a BLACK DAY. We all knew it was coming and we all prayed we would not be able live to see it come to pass. I hate big ships (anything bigger than the Amsterdam) so I will now have to start gaining loyalty points with a new cruise line which sails such ships. Such a shame after spending all those years and voyages accumulating Mariner Stars with Holland America! Therefore it is with a very heavy heart that I wish the Prinsendam Aloha.

  34. Loretta Lucas July 2, 2018 at 4:22 pm - Reply

    Sad to see her go. Please replace her with another small ship. The giant ships are a dime a dozen these days.

  35. Alice Waugh ****Mariner July 2, 2018 at 4:14 pm - Reply

    We are saddened to hear that you have sold the Princendam. We are booked September 16, 2018, I am glad we are sailing one more time on her. Gorgeous ship, I hope you will be adding another smaller ship to your fleet.

  36. juan martinez July 2, 2018 at 3:03 pm - Reply

    I did sailed on the Prinsendam wen she was Royal Vikin Sun, I was on board wen she went aground entering the Suez Canal, I was singing on the passengers choir that evening, they say that the choir was so gut , that we brough the ship down!!!!!! The hotel director Peter Einfield, was a friend of mine , we did worked together onboard MS Gripsholm SAL
    Very sad to know that she goes to Phoenix Reisen, well I will start learning German. Greetings to all from Juan

  37. Mark flake July 2, 2018 at 2:24 pm - Reply

    We have sailed the Prinsendam several times and loved it. Our favorite ship. So sorry to hears she’s leaving the fleet. Our trip in June 2019 is on her and hope it will be as memorable as the others. Love HAL

  38. Rick July 2, 2018 at 1:51 pm - Reply

    So and one of the grand ladies of the seas

  39. Marilyn brenner July 2, 2018 at 1:31 pm - Reply

    After four long trips on our favorite ship we will miss her.

  40. Jacqui July 2, 2018 at 12:51 pm - Reply

    I am officially in morning.

    The quality ship in the fleet that could do rivers and many different ports leaving the fleet.

    there is not another ship that can replace her or the many ports she went to that the others couldn’t. A real loss. I’ll enjoy my last cruise on her next year but it will be sad to get off and never get back on.

    HAL should replace her, but they won’t. Sad.

  41. Robert Pressrich July 2, 2018 at 12:33 pm - Reply

    Although many of us have long expected this, it is still a sad day to see it officially in writing from Mr Ashford himself.

  42. Alex IJske July 2, 2018 at 12:28 pm - Reply

    It is a black day today. We have just made a cruise to Norway with this beautiful ship.
    I hope that de Prinsendam will be replaced by a ship with about the same size.

  43. Jaap Lievisse Adriaanse July 2, 2018 at 12:27 pm - Reply

    So sad to see her leave the fleet . On our second to last cruise on the Rotterdam in april, the captain mentioned that “ Seattle “ would continue sailing with smaller ships .
    Too bad the Prinsendam isn’t one of them .

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