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View Full Version : Maasdam Review From 20 May to 27 May 06


Bandit
May 29th, 2006, 11:54 AM
I have just returned from a 7 day cruise on the Maasdam out of Boston to Montreal, Canada. Here are some of the things I encountered.

Boarding: We took a taxi to the pier. Arrived at 1050 AM. The doors to the terminal were not open. Sign read open at 1100 AM. At 1100 AM the doors opened and they started processing passengers. No one was allowed on the ship until 1130 AM. So if you go early don't expect to right away. It was a breeze to process our documents. All we needed was our Express Check In sheet we had done on line. They did not even look at our tickets. They wanted our credit card and slip, Passport/ID, and our Express Check In slip. What a breeze. We had to sit and wait for about 20 minutes before they started boarding.

They were taking everyone to the Lido, because the staterooms would not be ready until 1 PM. We were in ad deluxe verandah suite, so they took us to the Neptune Lounge. We immediately made our reservations for the Pinnacle Grill for that evening. And no they do not have half price on the first night anymore. Fantastic meal. The beef was to die for. The creme bru la was out of this world. The four of us had a wonderful meal. Sailing out of Boston.

Our room, cabin number 10 was perfect in every way. We had ordered Hors d'oeuvres, hot and cold for four in our stateroom for sailing. HAL gave us a bottle of champagne to go with them. Boy did we feel like big wigs. Real nice. It was a bit cold out on our veranda, but it was fun.

I normaly take my own binoculars, because the ones you usually get on a ship are not very powerful. HAL has spent some money on their binoculars. They are very powerful. Had an umbrella.

This is the first cruise where I have come home with all my clothes freshly laundred. That was a very nice touch.

The neptune lounge is very comfortable. The coffee is great. You also had a choice of ice tea, cranberry juice, orange juice, milk, and ice water. At least 5 different ways to fix your coffee. The chocolates were to die for. All and all the neptune lounge is worth every penny you pay for it. The concierge service is first class. I have been on 32 cruises and HAL has the best.

The ship is fresh and clean from her recent drydocking. We had no problems with anything.

Now for the Crows Nest. What have they done? It is ugly. I mean UGLY. We did not spend much time up there. The chairs are very comfortable, but the decor is down right UGLY. Pinks and orange with olive colored chairs. The rest of the ship is beautiful. Love the Lido.

All and all we had a wonderful cruise. No compaints. Not one.

If anyone has any questions just drop me a line.

Bandit

twinkletoes4445
May 29th, 2006, 12:23 PM
Thanks for the review. This is an itinerary we are wanting to do. :)

Krazy Kruizers
May 29th, 2006, 01:59 PM
Thanks for your review. Have sailed on the Maasdam many times - and have been in 10 a couple of times.

The Crow's Nest sounds like it was done over in the same colors as the Ryndam's.

May4
May 29th, 2006, 05:01 PM
We think that the Maasdam is and always was a beautiful ship.
I'm glad that you had such a lovely trip.

crusingici
May 29th, 2006, 05:30 PM
Thanks, Bandit, for posting your review -- I would LOVE to make this exact cruise ...... do you have time to post a review of your ports and excursions or activities you did off ship?

Thank you for taking time to let us in on your fun!

bruceh4
May 29th, 2006, 07:16 PM
Thanks Bandit for the review, I will be boarding the Maasdam in Boston on July 1st for the 35 day roundtrip cruise. I am really looking forward to seeing Boston again as I worked there for 16 years in the 60's and 70's. In fact one of my accounts at the time was the US Army which was in the building which is now the cruise terminal. Back in those days that building was a US Army supply depot and the surrounding land was an Army base. So it will be interesting to see how it now looks!!:eek:

NapTown Jim
May 29th, 2006, 10:38 PM
Now for the Crows Nest. What have they done? It is ugly. I mean UGLY. We did not spend much time up there. The chairs are very comfortable, but the decor is down right UGLY. Pinks and orange with olive colored chairs. The rest of the ship is beautiful. Love the Lido.

Bandit

Different strokes for different folks I guess...but I thought the crows nest looked cool. My favorite public area was the Explorations cafe, but I can't think of any part of the Maasdam I would call 'ugly'. Beuty is in the eye of the beholder I guess.