Canada/New England Cruise ?

[DHarbormaster]

I'm considering a September 2005 cruise to Canada on the Maasdam. Does anyone know the single supplement charge ? I've never been on this ship and would appreciate any tips or comments on what I can expect in regards to service,accomodations, food.....and any thing else a novice cruiser would like to know. Last time I was on a cruise vessel was 30 years ago. Thanks.

[sail7seas]

I cannot help you with regard to single supplement but that is either on the website, in the brochure, your TA's office or a call to HAL.


As to Maasdam and Canada/New England cruises. We have lived in New England all of our lives. We have taken well over 50 cruises (at least 40+ on HAL) but had never taken a Canada/New England Cruise. Maasdam is one of our favorite ships so we decided to give that itinerary a try seeing as it was a ship we know we love and boarding was close to home....no flying necessary.

That cruise so exceeded our expectations that we were stunned and shaking our heads that we had not done it years before.

We fully expected to barely get off the ship..... simply relax aboard, rest, read, sun by the pool. We got off in every port and really enjoyed them.

We enjoyed so much that we are booked for back-to-backs for June on Maasdam. One week simply is not long enough for us.

[RuthC]

The single supplement is as low as 50% for an inside cabin, to as high as 100% for a suite. I can't recall the amount for an outside---I believe it's 50%.
There's also a single share program if you don't want to pay the single supplement. If HAL doesn't find you a roomie you get the cabin to yourself at the 1/2-couple rate.

I live in New England and have done the 10-day NYC-Montreal cruise twice. I think it's a kick to see my home area from a tourist's point of view, and I visit things a resident normally doesn't visit.
This itinerary is port intensive; if you love those long, lingering sea days this is not the cruise you want to take. But if you love Colonial (North) American history you will love it.

[wwinfl91]

We did a Maasdam cruise last year from Ft Lauderdale to Montreal, The ports included Jacksonville (although I'm not sure why), Charleston SC, New York, New London, Boston, Bar Harbor Maine, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Saquenay Fjord, Quebec and Montreal. We felt it was one of the better cruises we have been on with great opportunities to visit interesting places. The Maasdam is a beautiful ship and the food and service on our cruise were outstanding. The new mattresses and bedding provided us with the best nights sleep we have ever had on a cruise ship.

As you can tell I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone interested in taking it.

Have a great next cruise.

[DHarbormaster]

Thank you both for your fast replies. I'm a New Englander, too,and look forward to the Canadian portion of the trip. Although married, I'll be traveling alone as my wife doesn't enjoy cruising.....she'll be driving to Montreal and has promised to listen to all my sea stories.

[spirithaven]

As mentioned. 50% inside & outside and 200% for balcony/suites. Am on the Maasdam 5/21/05 and have a friend going. Like you waiting for family and friends doesn't work out all the time. I find HAL (my first choice for cruising) and Princess (my second choice). With cruise prices going up this season I will be trying Crystal in November as their markup is only 125%. Look at some of the 6star cruise prices as some are only 110% and folks always report that the service is better although I do not know how you could beat S category. Cruise about 2-3 times a year and if you really watch HAL's web site regularly there is a fluke and on the site for a couple hours or a day you can get a good price on category S suite as I did this past January on the Westerdam.

Good sailing.

[Tatka]

Thank you both for your fast replies. I'm a New Englander, too,and look forward to the Canadian portion of the trip. Although married, I'll be traveling alone as my wife doesn't enjoy cruising.....she'll be driving to Montreal and has promised to listen to all my sea stories.

You gotta convince her to try. My husband didn't even want to hear about the cruise..Now after 2 of them (and 3rd one coming in April) he is already asking me "Where do we sail next".;)