Amera

Launched in 1988, Phoenix Reisen Amera cruise ship was previously operated (as "MS Prinsendam") by Holland America Line for 17 years (between 2002-2019). The small-sized vessel was initially built for Royal Viking Line (1972-1998 / defunct) under the name "Royal Viking Sun". It was purchased by Cunard Line and operated until 1998 (as Royal Viking Sun), then was transferred to Seabourn and in the period 1999-2002 was named “Seabourn Sun”.

History - construction and ownership

The German cruise tour company Phoenix Reisen (shipowner) started cruise operations under its own brand in 1988, with the chartered for 20 years liner TS Maxim Gorkiy (1969-2009 scrapped, owned by USSR's Black Sea Shipping Company / later privatized and renamed Sovcomflot). In 1993, Phoenix Reisen added a second cruise liner - SS Albatros (1957-built as RMS Sylvania, 2004-scrapped as SS Genoa). The vessel was chartered from V-Ships for 10 years (1993-2003). Today, Phoenix Reisen (travel agency and cruise brand) has a large fleet of chartered and owned ocean ships and riverboats.

Amera cruise itinerary program

Phoenix Reisen's Amera cruise itinerary program is based on European voyages (Baltic, Mediterranean, Black Sea) and once-per-year World Cruise. In Northern Europe, the ship is homeported in Bremerhaven Germany. In the Mediterranean, the ship leaves out of various ports, mainly in Italy and France.

Cabins

MS Prinsendam had a total of 419 cabins (of which 67 Suites, 99 Balcony, 31 Inside, 6 Single rooms) in 23 grades. Most ms Prinsendam staterooms were 155-205-sq.foot oceanview rooms (222). The largest aboard ms Prinsendam was the Pinnacle Suite (860 ft2). 

The MS Amera ship is conditionally suitable for guests using wheelchairs. There are cabins (#801, 807, 820, 828, 1016, 1019) on the Salon and Jupiter deck that are wheelchair/disability friendly. The cabins feature wide door entrances, a shower with grab bars, no threshold to the bathroom, and less room to move in the wheelchair. 

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Amera guests can benefit from culinary highlights at various events in ship's restaurants, with long table times and a free choice of seats. MS Amera has two equivalent restaurants named "Amera" (buffet-style breakfast, waiter-served lunch, and dinner) and "Ocean" (buffet-style/waiter-served breakfast; waiter-served lunch and dinner). Another dining venue is the Lido Buffet Restaurant. In addition, passengers have the opportunity to book a table for a special evening in Pichler's Restaurant (reservations are only possible onboard, no extra charge is applied). Many cafés, bars, and lounges (both inside and out) are also available on various decks.

During the day, passengers can expect a variety of program offers and in the evening live music and show entertainment. The onboard boutiques sell perfumes, jewellery, toiletries, cosmetics, souvenirs, sweets, and a selection of women's and men's clothing. Many onboard events and shore excursions are accompanied by a professional photographer and cameraman. Guests can buy the resulting photos at the photoshop. Weddings or renewal of the vows is possible onboard for voyages of 10 days or more. The ceremony is performed by the on-board chaplain or the captain.

MS Amera has a whirlpool, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and a large SPA with spa area, saunas, steam room, relaxation room, massage department (for a fee), and beauty salon. Reservations for the ship's SPA & Wellness area are possible online from approximately two weeks prior to the departure.

MS Amera provides a modernly furnished infirmary (ship hospital) run by a German-speaking doctor whose services are not part of the travel contract. In all cases, the doctor charges a fee for his services and the costs of medicines. Oxygen devices working with ambient air are allowed onboard.

Holland America Prinsendam was the company's smallest and oldest ship. The vessel is of the unique Explorer-class, and its history includes the following former names, shipowners and operators - "MS Royal Viking Sun" (1988-1998, by Royal Viking Lines and Cunard Line / 1994-1998), "MS Seabourn Sun" (for Seabourn, 1998–2002) and "MS Prinsendam" (2002-2019, by Holland America Line / Seattle-based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation).

Ship's Maiden Voyage was on November 29, 1988 (after the drydock in Turku, Finland). Prinsendam's first World Cruise was in 1989 (100-day itinerary leaving from San Francisco CA). Because of its design, smaller size/capacity and the "Around The World" voyage every year (since 1988), Prinsendam in HAL's fleet was nicknamed "Elegant Explorer". MS Prinsendam was Holland-flagged (MMSI number 244126000). MS Amera was reflagged to Bahamas (MMSI 311000840).

In July 2018, the vessel was sold to Phoenix Reisen, starting operations for the German travel company on July 1, 2019. Under its new name (MS Amera) it was officially christened in Port Bremerhaven on August 16. The vessel is owned by Phoenix Reisen and managed by BSM (Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, a 2000-founded subsidiary of Bernhard Schulte GmbH und Co KG). The cruise liner received several major technical upgrades during the drydocking in 2019 at Blohm+Voss Shipyard (Hamburg).

Prinsendam's cruise schedule was assimilated by the fleetmates MS Rotterdam, MS Volendam and MS Veendam. The last Prinsendam cruise for Holland America was scheduled for June 3, 2019. The 14-day "British Isles Explorer" itinerary was priced from USD 5400 pp (double occupancy).

The Prinsendam-Amera ship drydock refurbishment (6-week project) was conducted by Blohm+Voss Shipyard (Hamburg Germany). Along with the general maintenance works, all the ship's cabins were renovated, while most public venues were redesigned (partially or completely), mainly on decks 7 (Boardwalk) and 8 (Salon). The open deck area (Panorama Deck 12) was redesigned for mini-golfing.

MS Amera was upgraded with mobile business solutions provided by Resco (Bratislava Slovakia-based software company). The package included PMS (Property Management Software) with eMuster, aPOS (Point of Sale / cloud-based), eCheck-in, AVO (real-time tracking of cabin staff operations), eConcierge (with mobile apps).

Phoenix Reisen Amera inaugural cruise itineraries 2019

Starting service for Phoenix Reisen in July 2019, MS Amera is homeported in Bremerhaven Germany for regularly scheduled roundtrip itineraries. Next, are listed ship's inaugural itineraries by destination.

(Inaugural Cruise / Maiden Voyage) 5-day "Premierenreise mit Taufevent"

7-day inaugural Norwegian Fjords cruise ("Fjordnorwegen vom Feinsten")

18-day repositioning cruise from Bremerhaven to Villefranche-sur-Mer

16-day inaugural Mediterranean and the Black Sea cruise

17-day inaugural Atlantic cruise ("Weihnachten und Silvester im Atlantik") for Christmas and New Year

MS Amera World Cruise 2020 (Phoenix Reisen)

Next is listed MS Amera's first World Cruise for Phoenix Reisen. The 99-day Around South America itinerary ("Rund um Sudamerika in 99 Tagen") was scheduled as roundtrip from Monte Carlo, departing on January 6, 2020.

Godspeed to the old-new MS Amera!

MS Prinsendam ship review

La Fontaine, Prinsendam's main dining room, has lovely cut glass chandeliers and wraparound windows which offer exciting sea views. Dinner was once set-seating experience, but the "As You Wish" HAL program changed things, introducing flexible and set meal times.

The Lido Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and casual dinner offering indoor seating, outside deck (terrace seating) and a cadre of stewards who refill drinks and carry trays. Breakfast specials include biscuits and gravy, a breakfast burrito or Dutch style apple pancakes. At lunch, freshly made sandwiches, cooked-to-order entrees or individual pizzas are on tap, as well as steam-tray offerings. There are also vegetarian dishes at lunch and dinner. The burger thing is done by Terrace Grill, also offering chicken sandwiches, French fries and hot dogs.

For a special meal, head to the Pinnacle Grill, HAL's alternative restaurant that offers Northwest specialities. Expect to pay $15 for lunch and $30 for dinner.

Follows the complete list of ms Prinsendam restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (130-seat reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into “An Evening at le Cirque” once per cruise via partnership with NYC “Le Cirque” French restaurant)
• Terrace Grill (self-service fast food bar)
• La Fontaine Restaurant (436-seat aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options – 2 fixed seatings or “Any Time” dining between 5:15 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
• Lido Restaurant (complimentary buffet restaurant; offers self-service Breakfast 6:00 a.m. -11 a.m., Lunch 11:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., Afternoon Tea, and Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Lido Restaurant annexe) is an Italian Restaurant open for Dinner only (reservations required).

The 424-seat Queen's Lounge is Prinsendam's main theatre, featuring the latest in high-tech acoustics and lighting. Performances include classical concerts, song and dance shows. During the day, the theatre is the venue for lectures and dance lessons. Shows are usually offered twice nightly. Programming is specially planned for lengthy sailings. Activities vary during the day, especially when the cruise ship is at sea. Passengers can play bingo or take rumba lessons. Speakers lecture about history, sociology, geology, environment and politics, and offer insights on the culture of ports of call. There are also a digital camera and computer classes. Shore excursion offerings are abundant but are geared mainly toward less active cruisers. Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

The Atrium lobby has a sculpture of a fish, turtles & dolphins climbing a glass cylinder. The onboard art collection also features a collection of Roman Amphorae (50-150 AD) and a marble sculpture of a Viking ship (abstract art).

Follows the complete list of ms Prinsendam lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-deck high midship open-floor area with live performances)
• Stuyvesant Room (multi-purpose, used for cards playing, group meetings, presentations, “Club HAL” kids program)
• Half Moon Room (48-seat meeting room)
• The Showroom at Sea (450-seat theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America’s enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
• Wajang Theatre & Culinary Arts Center (90-seat cinema)
• Oak Room (20-seat smoking lounge)
• Java Bar & Cafe (24-seat speciality tea and coffee bar, also serving as Sports Bar)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Atrium Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs)
• Ocean Bar (Atrium bar and lounge, with dance floor and stage for live performances)
• Casino (served by Casino Bar)
• Explorations Cafe (speciality coffee bar and patisserie; also serves as ship’s Library and Online Centre/Internet computers room)
• Explorer’s Lounge & Bar (lounge with bar; classical concert performances)
• Neptune Lounge (club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• The Wintergarden (Lido buffet seating area)
• Fitness Center (gym with separate Aerobics Room); 3 jacuzzis
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon; Lido Pool area, served by Lido Bar and Terrace Grill; Sea View Pool area served by Sea View Bar
• Crow’s Nest (observation lounge; bar and dance floor; becomes disco at night)
• (deck games courts) Croquet, Shuffleboard, Bocce-ball, Ring Toss; Putting Greens; Sun Deck; Promenade Deck, Walking/Jogging Track.