Maasdam April 27, Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal

[calteacher]

Having just read that no one should ever take the first cruise of a season, I'm wondering about the 15-day cruise we have reserved from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal. I assume that this qualifies as the first cruise of the season. Should we be concerned about new staff, etc.?

We've taken 7 or 8 cruises on HAL and have enjoyed them all. The one time we were scheduled to take a cruise just out of dry-dock, we learned a couple of months early that due to drydock the cruise would be shortened by several days. We cancelled that one and took a different ship (same destination).

Another question: Our first cruise was an M category on the Statendam, so we've experienced "down low and at the rear". We've done a number of insides, a couple of verandahs, and once were upgraded (due to excessive noise in our selected cabin) to an SB. This cruise we've booked one of the "secret" cabins on the Main deck. However, it is forward of the stairs. Do we need to be concerned about excessive movement? I always bring Bonine and wrist bands with me, but wondered if I should be extra prepared for movement.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[JJPacer]

We are doing the last Caribbean cruise of the season on the Maasdam, and apparently from your post, you are the next to board. IMHO I wouldn't consider this a first cruise of the season. I doubt there will be a significant change in the crew from our cruise to yours. I think you should be fine. It's my understanding crew members are rotated in and out. I'm not aware of a total change of the crew.

I'm sorry, I can't answer your second ?. I wasn't aware there were secret cabins. Perhaps you can share the secret?

Enjoy your cruise. We'll take good care of the Maasdam for you! :rolleyes:

[Colakid]

We did this cruise two years ago and it was great. 15 days on a ship what else could one ask for in life. You go from warm through all the temp zones. I see Sept Isle is on the list again. This was a really neat place to visit. Not many people can say they have visited this port of call. Any questions ask away. Colakid

[Cruising-along]

We have an active roll call, lots of friendly people who are excited about this cruise. :)
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1355288
Come on over and join us! :D

[raindropsalways]

calteacher – Like Carolyn just suggested... please join us on our roll call.


I think maybe someone has led you astray in regards to the cruise. Theoretically, this is not the first cruise of the season, it is a repositioning cruise. The Montreal – Boston immediately after our cruise is the first cruise of the season. For either of the cruises, the climate can be rather brisk and not all the vendors will be out.


In looking at the deck plans, I did notice a couple cabins that might be described as “secret” cabins; or at least they appear to be a bit more spacious. Hal does well at identifying the cabins that many refer to as “secret” because they are so spacious and only makes them available to the general public when not reserved by a specific date close to sailing. Neither K548 or K549 would have restrictions or limitations.


Where in California are you from? Ruth lives in Santa Barbara and I use to live in Baldwin Park and a few other places.


I do not remember the flight schedules when we were considering flying home. Only that we felt air fare was extremely high. That is the main reason we decided to take the train.


Will be looking for you on the Roll Call... and yes, I would like your first names so we can add you to the roster.


Betty

[calteacher]

We've done Montreal to Boston in October, so know that the weather can be cool (it was plenty cold in a couple of the ports last time.) We were interested in this cruise as it is one of the only ones longer than 10 days in May as we've done the FLL to San Diego already.

We're in Southern California--about 10 miles east of BP. And, while we'd love a verandah, this time we decided to do an inside on the main deck and have extra money to spend on excursions. Besides that, we enjoy spending time in the Explorations Lounge as well as other public locations.

[raindropsalways]

Have not ever been able to get enthusiastic about fall colors. Guess I see them too much. Instead, I did a spring Montreal to Boston a few years ago. That was in the first of June and there was still packed snow and ice on the ground. With that in mind, I need to figure out how to pack “all weather clothing”...


I'm guessing that you would be somewhere near Kellogg Hill. Do they still have the Arabian horses there. Back in the late 30s / early 40s, we had a stable on the Rio Hondo and my father knew almost everybody involved with horses.


There is a bit more activity on the Roll Call http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1355288 Some of us are making port plans.


Betty

[calteacher]

Oops--I was directionally challenged--we are about 10 miles west of BP. We probably won't do much in the way of tours since we've done this cruise already. We were in Charleston in November, and plan to rent a car to do one of the plantations. Also, if you are wanting to do a carriage ride (highly recommend), go to the visitor's center first as they have a better price for the ride. One caveat: there are a number of different routes and you won't know until you are on the ride which route you will get as they are assigned once the tour begins.

By the way, yes they still have horses at Cal Poly. I believe one of the stipulations when the land was turned over to the state was they they always have a horse show. It was once a month when our daughter was there (20 yrs. ago) but I haven't kept up on when they have them.

[raindropsalways]

Carolyn's husband has not been able to find any rental car available service downtown on Sundays. They would also like to go to one of the plantations.


At present, we are just planning to wander around the historical area and see the sights. I did post a map with our tentative itinerary. Time permitting, we may also go to Patriots Point and see the sights.


You are correct about there being conditions on the land. I believe it was something to the effect that they have to maintain the horses and stables and I think it was specific about bing Arabian horses.


With your directional change, depending on the time, we were closer to being neighbors. I did go to school in Bandini for a couple months. Then later, in the early 60s, I lived in Rosemead, right on Rosemead Blvd, just a couple blocks off the freeway. Worked on the El Monte side of Temple City Blvd for 16 years.


Betty

[calteacher]

We do live in Temple City--since 1968. I just cancelled our cruise on the Maasdam in favor of a 7-day Mexico cruise out of San Diego. We can save quite a bit of money, not only on the cruise since it is 7 days instead of 15 days, but we can drive to SD rather than fly to FLL and fly home from Montreal.

We're adding a trip to Hawaii in May as we haven't been there since 2005. Have a great cruise.

[raindropsalways]

I'm sorry to hear that you will not be sailing with us. However, I do fully understand. Would have liked to met you, someone familiar with my old stomping grounds.


Tell me, is that Italian sandwich shop still on Temple City Blvd.? When we first moved to Minnesota, we had to adjust to the “food” and its lack of good taste. Especially ethnic foods. Now we can get good Chinese and Mexican foods, plus other ethnic groups, but one sure has to know where to find them. Just yesterday I stopped at a grocery store in St. Paul (about 25 miles from home) to get good tamales (stocked up).


Anyway, enjoy your cruise, we will miss you.


Betty