Maasdam Update 2/27

[CDRMark]

Greetings all
Up early so I thought I would hie myself down to the Norfolk cruise terminal (not as festive as it sounds, sorry) and check on "our Maasdam" since she and her schedule have been topics of interest.
I got there at 7:30 and she was already tied up. Spoke with pier personnel and was informed that Maasdam was early ("just after 6") and express disembarkation had already commenced. Indeed it had. I spoke with a few early disembarkers who said, in summary, 'great cruise no problems, wish it had been warmer down there but it sure beats up here'.
Much baggage was already on the pier, but sightline was poor.
Bon Voyage to all of today's cruisers, Maasdam or otherwise!
Cheers
MarkB

[TeresaJenkins]

Now that was a sweet thing to do! :O)

Good morning Mark.

[sail7seas]

Thanks for the 'report', Mark.


I can never read enough about "MY" :) Maasdam. ;)

Happy to hear the disemarking pax said they had a great cruise.

Hope everyone boarding today has a wonderful cruise, as well.

[schinz]

I heard some rumors that the Maasdam was going to have to divert around the big Noreaster developing. Anybody else heard anything like this??

[cru1s1ng]

Thanks for the update, Mark. 32 days and counting until I board. :D

[CDRMark]

There is a nasty system headed in tonite, but diverting is problematic as course from here is basically 'head East 40 NM; turn right'. It could be a rough ride, but it is February in the Graveyard of the Atlantic after all.
Cheers
MarkB
ps maybe I'll go watch sailaway.

[jbhcw]

Mark, thanks. Even though November is a long time away it's the only cruise I have planned this year (drats!) so the Maasdam is always in my thoughts. Hope everyone has a great cruise!

[mariner]

Maasdam left six minutes early. Just watched her on the Web cam. (sigh)

[jeffanddawn]

i tried to post once and it didn't work... so this one will be shorter sorry... the captain has told us " the weather forecast does not look good! " it looks like we are headed right into the storm... high seas and strong winds tonight and tomorrow... the outer decks may be closed tomorrow. Everything is great, its been 2 long years since we have cruised and there have been some nice updates/changes/additions.. .the pinnacle grill looks fantastic and we are very impressed with the neptune lounge

we'll answer any questions if we can.... and to our fellow cc'ers ... bon voyage

[schinz]

Jeff and Dawn -
How's the weather aboard? Are the seas rough etc. My mother and her friend are on this cruise, the friend is a first time cruiser and just wondering how it's going. Are you going to make the Bahamas and if so have they announced a weather forecast? Thanks for the information. Have a great cruise!!

[schinz]

Anyone heard how she made it through the storm? The weather is calling for 30 MPH winds in the Bahamas tomorrow with a high of 76. Sounds like rough sailing to me!!

[jeffanddawn]

well its been very bad on board... at about noon today the capt. announced that we weren't even going to try to make it to half moon cay... yesterday he announced 20-40 ft seas... teveryone we have spoken to has said this was the worst seas they have ever experienced... last night we didnt' get to sleep till 4 am because the ship was bouncing around so badly ... there were also at least 5 times when there was a big crash with things being thrown about the room

today the seas have been 20-30 feet all day with winds categorized as force 9 - strong gale ( i don't know what that is in mph )

so sorry to report there isn't much good to say.... the ship and crew are great but the weather and seas are doing their best to ruin everyones vacation... the good news is that tomorrow its supposed to start settling down

[cru1s1ng]

yeeeee-haaaaaa. sounds like you've had quite a ride. I'm gonna get flamed, but I hope my trip is as much fun. I hope all are safe and well also.

[sail7seas]

So very sorry to hear how dreadful your weather and the seas have been.


Fingers crossed for you (and everyone aboard Maasdam) that tomorrow dawns with better weather.

We (in Boston) are just about starting with the storm and they are predicting 9-15" depending upon how far in from the coast one is located.

Spring cannot come soon enough!

Hope the rest of your cruise will be in blue skies and calm seas. The most important, of course, is for everyone to be safe.

[schinz]

I hope to hear from someone on the ship today and hopefully things have calmed down. I have just heard a strong storm may effect Florida this weekend. This would not be good news for them either!!

[marcid01]

Wife and I have until 6:00pm to decide if this is right choice for Spring Break. Our two girls, (14 & 8) say that everyone is going away and we have to as well. Any insite or other Spring Break Cruisers out there? Also plan on driving from Michigan to Norfolk, need help with parking, shuttles, those type of things.

Thanks.

[schinz]

This is just my 2 cents so take it for what it's worth. I have been on 12 cruises and have had the kids on 2. I have sailed on Celebrity, Royal Carribean, Carnival and Holland America. If you were my friend I would tell you "Don't do it!!!." But since I am on these boards and will get flamed, I will say simply that all the lines I have traveled are great in different ways, however, HAL is NOT the line you want to take your kids on Spring break on. There is cheap airfare to Florida these days. Take them on a CARNIVAL ship for 7 days out of one of many florida ports and you AND they will have a ball. My 80 year old grandparents, my parents, my wife and kids ALL went Carnival on the same cruise and there was something for everyone. Next up would be Royal Carribean....Save Celebrity and HAL for a quiet trip for you and your wife. This has been my 2 cents only...I AM SURE others have different views!!

[dakrewser]

This is just my 2 cents so take it for what it's worth. I have been on 12 cruises and have had the kids on 2. I have sailed on Celebrity, Royal Carribean, Carnival and Holland America. If you were my friend I would tell you "Don't do it!!!." But since I am on these boards and will get flamed, I will say simply that all the lines I have traveled are great in different ways, however, HAL is NOT the line you want to take your kids on Spring break on. There is cheap airfare to Florida these days. Take them on a CARNIVAL ship for 7 days out of one of many florida ports and you AND they will have a ball. My 80 year old grandparents, my parents, my wife and kids ALL went Carnival on the same cruise and there was something for everyone. Next up would be Royal Carribean....Save Celebrity and HAL for a quiet trip for you and your wife. This has been my 2 cents only...I AM SURE others have different views!!

I don't, I think that's excellent advice, given what we know about the questioner. But for marcid01 - what are you looking for in a cruise? What activities do your kids like to do? And what do you like to do?

[marcid01]

This doesn't make it easier on us. We have waited so long to book something this is the best deal out there. I'm hoping that Easter Week other kids will be on board. The 14 yr old just wants to tan, the 8 yr old just need help keeping her busy till we hit the beaches.

[dakrewser]

This doesn't make it easier on us. We have waited so long to book something this is the best deal out there. I'm hoping that Easter Week other kids will be on board. The 14 yr old just wants to tan, the 8 yr old just need help keeping her busy till we hit the beaches.

If that's all they need, go for it! There will be other kids on the ship that week, so they'll probably have a really good time.

[cvillehf]

We were on the Maasdam last year during Easter week and there were plenty of kids on board of all ages.

[jeffanddawn]

today's report from the Maasdam... things are settling down, its much better today... officially seas are still considered rough (thats only 5-12 ft, nothing when compared to the 20-40 ft. of yesterday and the previous night) with near gale winds (there are still warnings about the winds on outer decks) but the ship is handling it just fine... and i think it helps that most people have their 'sea legs' now. so most people are out and about now ... the weather is supposed to get better and better as we go


we will be arriving in st. thomas at 7am instead of the previously scheduled 10am... so that will be nice to have a few extra hours

thanks for the thoughts sail7seas, it really was a tough night, but all is much better now

[JaniceB]

MarciD01,

When is your spring break? We are also traveling during spring break. We are leaving on March 19th. We chose the Zaandam because it has just undergone an extensive drydock. They have a nice kids area. We have a 14 and 16 year old. Good luck on your decision. By the way the Zaandam leaves from Port Canaveral which is closer than FLL or MIA. Tampa is probably a better drive for you.

[mariner]

jeffanddawn

Glad to hear the seas are finally behaving and that you'll have a few extra hours to enjoy St. Thomas. I hope with a Force Nine (out of 12) they had a few extra drink specials.

Enjoy

[boomer58]

Maasdam left six minutes early. Just watched her on the Web cam. (sigh)
Hi Mariner. I am a new member and wondered if you could give me the link to the web cam for the Maasdam you were referring to. I'm also scheduled to go on her 3/31 cruise. It would be a treat to be able to see her live on line sometime. Many thanks for your help.

[cru1s1ng]

Welcome boomer. The address is:


http://www.wvec.com/cams/norfolktower.jpg

they make you give a bunch of personal info. i made a ficticious logong (yeah, yeah) use biteme666@aol.com where they ask for a login name and biteme666 for the password.

[obriendan]

Boomer58,

I don't think Maasdam has an accesible web cam. What is probably being referred to is a camera on the bow that is shown on the Maasdam TV's.

[cru1s1ng]

There is no cam on the maasdam. The cam is usually pointed at the pier where the maasdam docks in norfolk.

[boomer58]

Thank you Cru1s1ng and Obriendan for the info. I will try to log on.:cool:

[marcid01]

MarciD01,

When is your spring break? We are also traveling during spring break. We are leaving on March 19th. We chose the Zaandam because it has just undergone an extensive drydock. They have a nice kids area. We have a 14 and 16 year old. Good luck on your decision. By the way the Zaandam leaves from Port Canaveral which is closer than FLL or MIA. Tampa is probably a better drive for you.

We booked the Maasdam on the 20th from Norfolk. Good to hear from other posts there will be kids aboard. I read a post earlier about actual passengers chatting but lost the link any help from anyone.

[schinz]

Jeff and Dawn
Hey - I guess the weather has improved and you're too busy to post, but if you get a chance could you give an update?? How's the weather, the ports, ship etc. Thanks.