Maasdam-Post Dry Dock Question

[djallar]

To anyone who's been on the Maasdam after the dry dock...Is there an actual Loft & Oasis?

I thought that was part of the SOE, but the website has some asterisks instead of checkmarks.

Thanks!

[mrskmirolla]

Just got off the Maasdam on June 3rd and didn't see either.

Kathy

[CaptainChuck]

Dave:

On our roll call board for the 7/1 Maasdam we had a note from Laurie who works with teens on the Maasdam that the Loft and Oasis had not yet been added as part of SOE. Our son was looking forward to the Loft, but I'm sure he'll survive.

Chuck

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wonder why the Loft & Oasis wasn't added? When all the other S class ships went into dry dock to complete their SOE programs, the Loft and Oasis was added? And now considering that in 2007 the Maasdam will be sailing out of Ft Lauderdale - more warmer weather for the children.

[djallar]

I have to admit I'm feeling pretty upset by this. One of the reason we booked this cruise was because there was going to be a Loft & Oasis.
We're taking our 15 & 16 year olds with us. We knew there would be few kids their age onboard because of the 11 day length and the fact that is was in Oct/Nov., but we thought they would be able to occupy a lot of their time at these teen facilities.


The website still has this paragraph under the description for the Maasdam:

The Loft for teens, new areas designed exclusively for teens (ages 13-17) to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age

I almost feel "bait & switched"...

I'm seriously thinking about changing plans because I don't want to spend 11 days listening to two teens whining about nothing to do...:(

[bruceh4]

To anyone who's been on the Maasdam after the dry dock...Is there an actual Loft & Oasis?

I thought that was part of the SOE, but the website has some asterisks instead of checkmarks.

Thanks!I just looked at some photos of the Maasdam that were taken after drydock. The oasis is definetly not there. I dont know what happened and why it was not added. I found the following press release on the HAL website and notice there is no mention of the oasis being added.

Seattle, April 26, 2006 – Holland America Line’s ms Maasdam emerged from drydock in Freeport, Bahamas today, becoming the last ship in the fleet to receive major enhancements in the company’s $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative. Physical ship upgrades included the addition of the Exploration Café — powered by the New York Times, Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, refurbished Crow’s Nest observation lounge, and an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon. This fall, Signature of Excellence will be completed when the ms Oosterdam receives its Culinary Arts Center.

Also the following paragraph was contained in the press release, again no mention of the oasis.:eek:


Younger cruisers now enjoy supervised, age-specific activities in a more comprehensive Youth Program and expanded Club HAL® designed for kids ages 3 to 12. The younger ones can enjoy creative activities at art tables, watch big-screen television and play on a fun slide. Older kids, ages 8 to 12, have an area featuring arcade games, air hockey, foosball, Karaoke, Internet access and Sony Playstations. The previously enlarged Youth Center has been upgraded to include Signature of Excellence amenities that provide a full youth program for toddlers, tweens and teens.

[mhurdle127]

I just spoke with HAL Ship Services and their official statement is that due to the age of the ship, that there are no plans to add an Oasis or Loft at any time in the future. Pity -- means we will have to forego a trip in May 2008 to Canada/New England aboard HAL with our teens.:(

[sail7seas]

Wonder why the Loft & Oasis wasn't added? When all the other S class ships went into dry dock to complete their SOE programs, the Loft and Oasis was added? And now considering that in 2007 the Maasdam will be sailing out of Ft Lauderdale - more warmer weather for the children.

My understanding is (and I could be wrong ---- wouldn't be the first time).......

Maasdam is the only ship that did not get a loft and oasis at her SOE because she was the only ship (pre -SOE) that had a kids center. Years ago, when she was doing summer Caribbean 7 days cruises, a youth center was built on Maasdam that other ships did not have. Because of that, the SOE upgrades on Maasdam last spring did not include a Loft and Oasis. She has a youth center though.

[sail7seas]

Maasdam has been doing Caribbean cruises for several years from Nofolk. She is now doing them from FLL. Her last Norfolk embarkation was the Christmas cruise.

May 4 she does her repositioning cruise for 15 days from FLL to Montreal.....a FANTASTIC cruise IMO