The VALTUR PRIMA is simply lovely, a small (16,000 ton), traditional ship. I'm sure most know she was originally STOCKHOLM, of ANDREA DORIA infamy. Nothing, save the riveted hull, remains. However, you can spot some of the lettering from VOLKERFREUNDSCHAFT, the name that followed STOCKHOLM and under which she sailed for the majority of her career. Most intriguingly, with some careful peering you can spot where the new bow was fitted after the ANDREA DORIA collision. Decorated in contemporary Italian style, she's very unlike ships designed for the American market. I believe her decorator may be the same person who worked on the COSTA ALLEGRA conversion. Their decor is quite similar. A full, sheered, wrap-around teak promenade is heavenly. This is a cruise designed for Europeans. Italians and Germans predominate, with Spanish-speaking the third contingent. Native English-speaking passengers are in the minority, although many of the foreign tongued passengers understand and speak English. Announcements are conducted in four languages, a little cumbersome at times. The food was quite good, particularly the daily pasta specials and the buffets. The large, sectioned main dining room seats all passengers at a single sitting. Officers and engine staff are Italian (she's registered in Naples). The cruise staff are half Italians, half Cubans. The head chef, somewhat surprisingly, is German, with the sous chefs Fillipino. However, of particular note: the entire hotel staff (cabin, dining staff) are Cuban. As we found in Havana, they truly like Americans and are very friendly and inquisitive. In most cases their English is quite good and their impeccable service is the pinnacle of the entire operation. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, for many reasons. Brad Hatry © Brad Hatry, 2001 Back to the Stockholm page