MAASDAM HOLIDAY CRUISE - Part #2

[Linda&Vern]

Dec 22 - Jan 2 continued:

PORTS: Well, everything can't be perfect. Because of the delayed sailing on Wednesday, we could not make it to HMC on Friday. As a gesture of goodwill, a shipboard credit of $100 per cabin was extended. Of course the port charges and any excursions already paid for were credited to the shipboard account as well. The Captain also offered free wine with dinner on our missed port day. We heard St. Thomas was fun for those shopping for jewelry or linens, but since we got bored looking at those items we took an open air bus tour which offered great views from high on the island. We aren't sure how safe it is in Dominica once you get one block from the pier. However, we do recommend Wacky Rollers tours - either the River Tubing (got rave reviews from fellow cruisers) or the 4WD open air jeep tour (not for anyone with physical problems/limitations!). We had a nice coast-to-coast tour in Barbados, but next time will take a bus to the beach. St. Kitts was fun to just do walking /site seeing, as was San Juan. As this was our first trip to the Caribbean Islands, we needed a general overview - next time we will know more!


SHOW ENTERTAINMENT: The Maasdam Cast was a talented and energetic group of young singers/dancers. Their shows were very upbeat and entertaining. Master flutist Nestor Torres even entertained DH. Juggler Charlie Brown was more comedy than technical feats - but it was a fun show. Will Allenby was a very good baritone vocalist. We did not attend violinist Martin Lass or Mark Klein's comedy, nor Victor J's comedy and music. On New Year's Eve the show lounge was the site of a celebration party with orchestra for dancing, hats, streamers, balloons, noise makers, and the free Champaign started flowing before midnight. Rather low key, but we enjoyed.



MISC. ENTERTAINMENT: There seemed to always be many things going on. We probably didn't even make it to 20% of the events: Personal enrichment lectures, onboard games, cards, spa seminars, golf putting contests, fitness seminars, movies, and of course, BINGO. The Casino isn't Vegas, and you won't win a million - but it was entertaining and we didn't lose much. We enjoyed the music in all the lounges. Younger groups probably find the Crow's Nest more entertaining.



So, all in all, we found our first cruise experience to be wonderful. We are "hooked" and can't wait to plan another trip. Was everything 100% perfect? Of course not. Even on the passenger survey there is no 10. But our cruise topped our expectations and we had a ball. Even with up to 18-ft. swells the first couple days neither of us were sea sick! Some passengers didn't look like they understood that ships "rock" - that's what they do in the water as the Captain would say. Some would get looks of disgust on their faces as we swayed back and forth - acting as if it was someone's fault things weren't smooth. Some fellow cruisers said they were bored and were going back to ships with more "fun" things to do. Some didn't like standing in line at the Lido Buffet when everyone on the ship decided to eat breakfast or lunch at the same time (don't worry - this didn't happen often). And sadly, some people probably wouldn't have had a good time no matter where they were! 1,266 passengers and 1,266 different personalities, tastes, and preferences.

Sorry we don't have time to write a more detail by detail review right now. If you have any specific questions, just ask and we'll gladly try to give our opinions of questions pertaining to events on this cruise. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and comments over the past few months!

[cheric]

Tell me more! We leave on February 27th for the Southern Car. from Norfolk and I am getting very excited. Did they have food demonstrations? How about wine tastings? Was high tea served during the cruise? Can't wait to hear more. We have a guarantee BB and hoping the up-grade fairy will visit, but if not, we'll be happy. Sounds like they really made it up to you for missing your port. We missed Puerto Rico on our first cruise (Celebrity Millennium) and all we got was $50.00 credit. No free wine! Oh well, everything can't be perfect. Thanks for posting. I'm still searching for someone on the board who will be going with us.

[Aussie Gal]

Linda and Vern,

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the Maasdam. I have enjoyed reading the reviews. We are looking forward to returning to the Maasdam after an absence of 6 years in July.

I am glad you found the ship to be as good as you expected and you enjoyed your cruise. I am wondering when they will be replacing the mattresses, hopefully by July.

Jennie

[CaptData]

Thanks for list of Entertainment. I'm going on her in a month.

[Linda&Vern]

Tell me more! We leave on February 27th for the Southern Car. from Norfolk and I am getting very excited. Did they have food demonstrations? How about wine tastings? Was high tea served during the cruise? Can't wait to hear more. We have a guarantee BB and hoping the up-grade fairy will visit, but if not, we'll be happy. Sounds like they really made it up to you for missing your port. We missed Puerto Rico on our first cruise (Celebrity Millennium) and all we got was $50.00 credit. No free wine! Oh well, everything can't be perfect. Thanks for posting. I'm still searching for someone on the board who will be going with us.
I just checked all the Daily Programs. There was one cooking demonstration, a wine tasting event with the Pinnacle Grill manager, a liquor tasting near the gift shops area, and a rum tasting event. Every afternoon at 3:30pm tea was served in the upper level of the Dining Room ... one of the tea's was the High Tea. HAVE A GREAT CRUISE!

[cheric]

Thanks for answering my questions. The wine tastings and tea in the afternoon were two of my favorites ... especially the high tea ... on Celebrity. Glad we can do it on HAL too.

[kaiemiscott]

Linda & Vern,

Many thanks for your review of the Maasdam. We will be sailing on her on the 6th. of February and this will be our first HAL cruise, but have sailed on many other lines.

In one of the brochures it stated that there are 3 formal nights, which I expected, but other evenings are casual, pants suits or dresses for the ladies, and sport coats (ties optional) for the men. Did you find most of the men wore jackets and ties on casual nights. On other ships, smart casual would usually mean a nice sport shirt and slacks for the men.

Thank you again for all of your informative information.

[slineberry528]

Linda and Vern, enjoyed reading about your cruise. Glad you had such a good time on your first cruise.
Susan

[h2so4]

Thanks for answering my questions. The wine tastings and tea in the afternoon were two of my favorites ... especially the high tea ... on Celebrity. Glad we can do it on HAL too.

Personally, I was disappointed in the Royal Dutch Tea on Maasdam. The tables were not really set for tea when we arrived - in our case, the tablecloth was stained and there was salt and pepper spilled on it; no one made an attempt to clean it up or seat us elsewhere until we asked for it. The food was set out buffet style and guests got in line to select their food before being escorted to a table. For me the high tea experience on Celebrity was much nicer - more elegant. And I also liked that there was a dress code on Celebrity to make the experience a little more formal than the daily tea at the buffet. Just my opinion.

[RuthC]

Linda & Vern,

In one of the brochures it stated that there are 3 formal nights, which I expected, but other evenings are casual, pants suits or dresses for the ladies, and sport coats (ties optional) for the men. Did you find most of the men wore jackets and ties on casual nights. On other ships, smart casual would usually mean a nice sport shirt and slacks for the men.
kaiemiscott, the dress you describe---pantsuits/dresses and sport coats is the dress code for informal nights. Typically there is one informal night on a 7-night cruise.
The nice sport shirt/smart casual is fine for the casual nights.

Hope this clears it up.

(RuthC hits the "Submit Reply" button with fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that she has not started the next round of the ever-popular Dress Code Wars.:rolleyes: )

[kaiemiscott]

Ruth,

Thank you for your information regarding the dress code. Since this will be a 11 night cruise, I would think there would be 2 informal nights and 3 formal nights. Most of the cruise lines, with the exception of Celerbrity, that I have sailed on are mostly smart casual and 3 formals. Like to get dressed up once in a while and always look forward to the formals. Since this is my first HAL cruise, just wanted to be sure.

Many thanks again for your speedy information.

Sandy

[luvs2beachit]

Thanks for taking the time to write your review. We are sailing on the 27th of this month and the more we hear the more we are looking forward to the cruise.

About the dress code stuff...............I understand that HAL formal nights are truely formal nights, is this correct? I cruised HAL twice before but that was in 90 and 91 and I do remember that we dressed in long gowns. However, because we had our two daughters 12 and 13 with us who were distracting to say the least, I can not remember too many details. Do the men wear suits or Tux??
Judie

[Linda&Vern]

Thanks for taking the time to write your review. We are sailing on the 27th of this month and the more we hear the more we are looking forward to the cruise.

About the dress code stuff...............I understand that HAL formal nights are truely formal nights, is this correct? I cruised HAL twice before but that was in 90 and 91 and I do remember that we dressed in long gowns. However, because we had our two daughters 12 and 13 with us who were distracting to say the least, I can not remember too many details. Do the men wear suits or Tux??
Judie
On our Maasdam 11 day Holiday Cruise there were 3 formal nights, 3 informal, and 5 casual nights. (Should be listed on page 4 of your documents.) The formal nights were pretty formal -- but this was the Holidays too (Christmas Day and New Years Eve, plus the first day at sea). DH wore his tux and was not out of place, but there were more dark suits than tux. Still enough tux were seen that he was comfortable and everyone looked dashing! Lots of "glitter & sparkle" on the women. Informal and casual were a little hard to tell apart. Informal was basically pantsuits or skirts/dresses for women and guys in sportcoats & dress slacks. I don't believe ties are required with the coat, but DH wore dress shirts so he could wear his Christmas ties. Casual nights were just that. Casual slacks, golf shirts/blouses, and of course all the Caribbean shirts start showing up as people shop the islands! HAVE A GREAT CRUISE! AND DON'T OVER-PACK LIKE WE DID!