MAASDAM --- August 5, 2006 AND August 12, 2006.....Canada/New England ....Some Commen

[sail7seas]

We returned yesterday from two magical weeks aboard the beautiful and elegant ms Maasdam.

Because we live very near Boston, we had a quick ride to Black Falcon and arrived at just the moment they were allowing passengers to enter the terminal. We entered, went to the second level as directed and checked in at the Suite Check In Line. Our friends arrived exactly at the moment we did, so the four of us had no trouble finding eachother and checking in together.

We were all checked in and waiting until embarkation would begin. It was just a very short time until we were the first four people to cross the gangway!!! Exciting!! No matter how many cruises, how many cruises on Maasdam, I still get the butterfly stomach excitement each time I cross a gangway to begin a new cruise.

I do want to comment that we thought Sign In and Embarkation was handled so smoothly and very well in Boston. We saw some familiar faces working the process and it is no surprise these very excellent, very experienced people have the system flowing smoothly. I couldn't imagine how it could have been smoother......(and the same applies to our disembarkation two weeks later). KUDOs to the shore staff. They are doing GREAT!

As we boarded, we heard Loads of Welcome Aboard, Welcome Back and even a few Welcome Home greetings.

Cabins were not yet ready so we happily went to Lido to have lunch. We had visited briefly on Maasdam since her drydock but had not seen all the SOE changes yet. We had seen them on Veendam and Ryndam so certainly knew what to expect. We think they are terrific and Lido was great. I love the way you can simply go to Pasta Section if that is all you want. Sure, you need to be careful to not cut in front of someone in line but there are always breaks when someone has stopped to take appetizers or fruit or whatever, so an empty space presents itself and you have gotten your pasta and are gone before the line moves forward.

Food in Lido was really good IMO Some of the stir fry dishes were so tasty. Pad Thai was especially good IMO A treat I rarely allow myself. There was sushi everyday in the salad bar. I don't eat it so can't comment if good or bad but I know people ask here from time to time if it is available.

Because we were early to board, there were loads of tables to choose from. Actually, on no day during the cruise did it take us mere moments to find a table on the occassions we had lunch in Lido. EVERY time I left the buffet line, a steward was ALWAYS right there offering to help me with my tray. Thankfully I don't require the assistance and thanked them but declined in order for them to be available to help someone who needed or wanted the service.

While we were having our lunch, a few crew friends happened to pass through Lido and seeing us, they stopped to say hello. How happy we were to see them all.

We finished our lunch and decided to show our friends around. We were passing through Lido Pool and went down to show them Neptune Lounge when we were told our two cabins were ready and we could enter them.

Upon entering, we found we have been sent some very special gifts from some very special people and were really moved by it. To read their gift cards was some great way to start what we knew were to be wonderful cruises. We were both celebrating our birthdays. We were so appreciative for these friends to be remembering us on our birthday cruises.

Our Suite (on Starboard side where we just about never stay but had to in order to have the same Suite back-to-back without moving) is in excellent condition. All curtains, carpets, furnishings in fresh, good condition. I admit I immediately ran a 'test flush' to assure myself the plumbing was working!@!@! :) We know that sometimes the a/c is not perfect when in port on embarkation day as so many doors and whatever are opened or it has been turned down (I don't know the reason-----but know it is sometimes lacking) but we knew there was some cooling going on. Fingers crossed there would be no problems with it as we had been having hot weather in Boston the previous week.

Some of our luggage arrived so we started unpacking. Finished it all up and done by life boat drill time.

Back to our cabin and the a/c was working. YES!!!

We went to Aft Pool for Sailaway Party and it was terrific. Boston's Logan Airport and the Cruise Terminal are very near. Planes were making their approach and take off and it was fun to watch. Here at Sailaway we found some other friends we've known from previous cruises and we were very much feeling like we'd come home to "My" :) Maasdam.

Time to dress for dinner. We have 8:00 Main Upper Seating as requested at the table we requested.

There was a Suite Welcome Aboard Party in Neptune Lounge and we saw Captain van der Loo and Hotel Manager Kees Streubing (who left after only 2 days).....Bar Manager Willy Bar Supervisor Delphin. [I know it disturbs some on these boards when names are mentioned, I name them as others like me who have cruised a lot have met many of the crew from ship to ship and we like catching up with where they are and how they are. For anyone who thinks it is name dropping or whatever, that's fine. Skip over this paragraph if you wish. :) I love hearing about where friends are and like to share it with others who are interested.]

We're off to dinner and loved seeing the gorgeous floral arrangements in place at the dining room. We meet up with Maitre d' Riza whose position has been changed to Dining Room Manager. Okay, I guess I'll stop calling him a Maitre d' at some point???!! Our dining steward Nixon and Assistant Eno are Great. They are Terrific!!! I mean really, really good. They certainly had plenty of people to serve but they never looked harried or seemed to rushed to answer our menu questions etc Always a pleasant good evening, and our special requests didn't seem to be a problem. Our friends and we never eat white breads. They got us whole wheat bread/rolls for our basket each evening. Very appreciated. Head Waiter Agun came by every evening to see if we needed anything, a pleasant chat,....he's wonderful!!!

Our coffee preferences were mentioned once and they remembered. It was also fun that our Asst Steward served ice cream at lunch time in Lido. A few times, a fat free or a sugar free yoghurt soft serve cone was more delicious because he served it to me.

We first encountered Cellarmaster on Ryndam and thought him terrific. Maasdam has a Cellarmaster named Andrew who was soooo helpful. We like wine but have a lot to learn. We certainly know what we like and what we don't when we taste it, but he guided us into a number of new wines we never would have sampled without his guidance. I had him remove a few labels for me to have as memories of wines we really enjoyed. We can't say enough about what a great/helpful addition he is to Maasdam.

This is getting lengthy and so much more to tell.......

I'll be back later with more.

[Amber14]

It sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read more! :D
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!:)

[Sea King]

Although I'm new to the Boards, I've read CC for some time and especially Sails reports. This cruise sounds among her best. Can't wait to hear more:)

[sail7seas]

We think the food in HAL dining rooms has consistently gotten better and better in the last year and a half or so and while we thought Maasdam's really good last summer, we thought it equally as good this year. A few menu changes that were particularly welcome.

Dutch Night brought Dover Sole.....the whole fish exactly as in the past and our excellent Steward Nixon did a great job of de-boning it at the table as some of us who've been sailing for years remember from the past. I did not order it but others at the table said it was wonderful.

I love salmon and had it several times as an 'alternative choice'. Excellent each and every time.

Captain usually made a late after noon announcement telling us all crew and passengers had been accounted for and that they'd be loosening the lines etc He spoke so well and with just the right touches of humor that we really looked forward to hearing from him each afternoon. He'd tell our route and when we would be embarking/disembarking a pilot etc Lots of pax enjoy knowing this sort of info. NO BINGO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN 14 DAYS!!!! NO ART AUCTION ANNOUNCEMENTS IN 14 DAYS!!! Gotta Love It.

Several times, Cruise Director Doug (terrific guy) made announcements as to special things that were occuring. That we fully supported as we saw a few new things introduced on Maasdam and without special mention of them, lazy people like us who don't always carefully read the daily program might have missed out. Maasdam has reached the perfect balance of sharing interesting information from our Captain and useful info from our Cruise Director without being annoying.

We had the most perfect weather imagineable for both our cruises. Twelve days of fourteen were picture perfect. We had on and off heavy rain/wind in Sydney, Nova Scotia our first week and the same for Charlottetown, PEI the second week. The other days were bright and clear and sunny and fabulous. The calmest smoothest seas ever in all our years of cruising.

Our first port, Halifax, was not new to us. We got an early tender and with our friends browsed the shops for a few minutes and then joined up for our Cadillac Mountain with Lobster Lunch Tour. DH and I were 'sort of' doing our friends a favor going with them as we didn't care much either way. We had such a pleasant surprise and really enjoyed ourselves. A comfortable bus with a tour person who spoke well and interestingly.....not too much!!! :D Beautiful scenery and the view from the top was breathtaking. I enjoyed seeing the pink marble the area is known for seeing as it is 'so close to home for us' and I wasn't aware. It sure is beautiful. Nice tour I highly recommend.

Happily relaxed and a bit tired, we returned to the ship and grabbed a small nap. That was formal night. We enjoyed a cocktail in Ocean Bar and a chat with a few friends and then were off to the dining room. Dinner was wonderful and all of us were happy with our choices. My girlfriend couldn't choose whether this or that and when our steward, Nixon, recommended the lamb, she settled on that and was happy she did. Trust your steward....... :) he knows what looks good. He's been looking at it in the kitchen and while serving. :)

Tne next day was Halifax and we woke to the sound of the Bagpipers/drummers and a Proclamation of Welcome was read to us. Fun!!!
We were booked with our friends for the Amphibious Duck Tour and we boarded it right on time in front of the passenger terminal but my girlfriend had an 'issue' and she and I left. Our husbands stayed and really enjoyed the tour. We thought they were booking it for our benefit and were being good sports but the truth is they liked it!!!

Sydney's tour was to be a sail but the weather was so bad it was cancelled and the cost of the tour was credited to everyone's onboard account.

Charlottetown is a lovely port and the day was beautiful and perfect to walk about on our own. It is pretty, and clean and friendly people. Certainly a tour to Green Gables if you wish or whatever other tour but we enjoyed it totally on our own. We had taken a tour there last year to Confederation Building and toured the museum which gave us history of the founding of Canada. They don't get a great many tourists in Charlottetown and enjoy the moderate number they get. It really is a very beautiful place. We like this port and don't tire of it.

The sail under Confederation Bridge is great to watch. The clearance seems to be scant but Captain assured us (and proved it !!!) that there is plenty of room for Maasdam to pass under safely.

Our next day was scenic cruising. For anyone who has never done it, I can't tell you enough how special the St. Lawrence and Saguenay are. So beautiful. We saw two schools of beluga whales playing near the ship. One school had to be at least ten whales and we had a good long view of them. Magnificent.

At the time we approached the famous Statue, the weather was perfect, the sky was blue, blue, blue and there was a small, snow white cloud formation. When we viewed the statue, they played the Ave Maria and it was truly a 'moment in time'. We had been there and seen it before but this time it moved us to our soul. It was exquisite. The entire cruise (even if far less than the wonderful cruise it was) would have been worth everything to us to have enjoyed this sight. We (and most everyone else) were speechless. Something I doubt any will forget soon. But each time one sees it, no matter the conditions, it is special. Last year we saw it on a gray, drizzly day and then, too, it was so special. If you ever have the chance to do this cruise........do it only for the Saguenay if no other reason. JMHO.......

Think I'll take another break. I'll be back. :)

[sail7seas]

SeaKing.......You're right. These cruises were definitely high on our list of great ones.

Glad you like the review, Amber. :)

[purplenorway]

Thanks so much for your review! I'm glad that you had such a great time! You mentioned that Riza is now dining room manager, I assume this is a promotion? (I thought he was an excellent maitre d') What exactly are the dining room manager's duties?

[sail7seas]

I think Dining Room Manager is simply a new name for the same position that used to be called Maitre d'.

I totally agree Riza does a great job!!! What a fine gentleman!!!

[SHayesShip]

Sail,
To this day I still have not been on the Maasdam but I must go one of these days because of your wonderful experiences on her.

[croman02]

I was so happy to read the wonderful review of your cruise!! We are booking the same back to back one for June 2007. Was there any problem keeping your same cabin for both legs of the trip? Did you think there was any price advantage to doing the back to back? Anything else you can report on your trip would be very much appreciated! It sounds great!

[sail7seas]

We are already booked for back-to-backs for next June. We will be aboard for June 23 and June 30, 2007 cruises. We always book our b-to-b's for weeks we can stay in the same cabin. If it isn't possible for one week's segments, we picks weeks where the cabin we want is empty for both weeks. We never have any price advantage booking more than one week.

I'll be posting loads more about Maasdam.
I never get tired of talking about that prettys ship. ;)

[Dog Mommie]

Thanks for the wonderful post, Sail...just reading about the Statue made me fill with awe (and just a wee bit teary eyed!;) ), remembering our cruise last year!

[RuthC]

You must have been writing each day of your cruise to have posted such an excellent report so fast! I'm impressed.

Glad you had a nice time. And thanks for telling us all about it. Makes me want to take that cruise again someday. :)

[sail7seas]

;O Embarrassed, Ruth.

No....I didn't do any writing while on our cruise. I did mark down a few notes along the way.....brief phrases just to remind myself I wanted to mention something.

I never pre-write anything I write here. I sit at the computer, write it in the CruiseCritic Message box and hit 'post'. That is why there are so many typos....sorry. I don't have the patience to do it in word or whatever and wouldn't know how to get it moved from word to the board anyway.

Sorry for typos, grammar errors but hope the content offers something.

[sail7seas]

Sail,
To this day I still have not been on the Maasdam but I must go one of these days because of your wonderful experiences on her.


Steve....

Whaddyawaitingfor? :D

Book Maasdam; I don't think you'd be sorry.

[Mack704]

s7s: Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I'm excited as heck reading your every word. DW and I are taking our first HAL cruise on the Maasdam in October. Can't wait!

Harvey

[jhannah]

Thanks for your wonderful description of cruising Maasdam style. I'll have to get in gear like Steve and get a sailing on her booked.

[Sparky56]

I just wanted to add my thanks for the post. We will be taking our first cruise in Nov. and it will be on the Maasdam. I think we picked the perfect ship. After reading your post, I can hardly wait to go. I am new to the boards but read them all the time. I have learned so much from you guys. Thanks for all the info.

Janet

[HeatherInFlorida]

Loved reading about your cruise, Sail ... thanks so much for taking the time. I look forward to more.

One question ... how is the transition handled from one to the next when you're staying in the same cabin. You can just leave everything? I'm assuming you have to get off the ship and reboard? I'm very interested in how this works.

Thanks!:)

[sunflowerstarr]

I greatly appreciate getting to hear more about this ship. Ill be sailing her this nov/dec and the time cant go by fast enough(well maybe it can since im earning the spending money! lol) I always check out peoples reviews of her even if it is a different itenirary. It was supposed to be my first cruise and it is perfect. One of the few going to the So Carib that doesnnt leave out of San Juan, leaves out of the port 2 hours from me to save money on flying and a great price when I booked. Since then my friend has convinced their family to take me on the one they are goingn on through Carnival. Im looking forward to it but I'm not quite as excited as I am about this one. Is that a bad way to look at cruising? Regardless I know I'll be loving it. Im just sad that they are takingg her out of Norfolk next year. I dont mind flying at all but its much cheaper if you dont have to and I am not anywhere near sure I want to try Royal Caribbean.

Anyways I am glad you had a great time!

[SDHALFAN]

Hi Sail,

Great review and it brought back many happy memories of my first (and only so far) cruise on the Maasdam from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal.

I am so glad that you had a good time on your Cadillac Mountain/Lobster Lunch tour as it brought back a special memory for me. Our weather, north of Boston, was pretty dismal with rain and high winds. I had booked a tour (don't remember the name of it but it wasn't the same one as yours) which included a drive up Cadillac Mountain. Well we got to the top of the mountain (or it may have been a lookout area - hard to tell) and we sat there for a good 15 minutes "enjoying" the beautiful sight of the rain pouring down the windshield, highlighting the mist (or fog), before the tour guide and the driver decided that the rain was never going to stop. Some people were pretty upset but my philosophy was that there was nothing the tour company could do about the weather and I actually had a good laugh about my trip up Cadillac Mountain. I'll just have to take your word for it that there is pink marble up there until my next Canada/New England Maasdam cruise.:D

Oh, and as for the statue in the Saguenay Fjord: I'm sure it's beautiful and awe-inspiring. I'll have to take your word for that one too since it was nigh impossible to see through the misty drizzle.

Looks like I need to book another Maasdam Canada/New England cruise very soon but I think I'll being travelling later in the season next time.

Valerie:)

[sail7seas]

Our port call in Charlotteville on our first week was short and all aboard was something like 1:00 P.M. That day, being bright and beautiful, they ran a seafood buffet at aft pool lunchtime. They brought out the band and had live music and set up the most delicious seafood offerings. I don't remember everything but there were the great big shrimp many of us love, a calamari salad, smoked fish, and I think there was grilled Mahi Mahi as well as red snapper. I'm a big seafood/fish eater and this was a wonderful treat. I don't recall ever seeing this done in this way.

Hotel Manager Simon de Boer and his staff tried new things we have never seen before and we totally enjoyed them.

For one of the sailaways, they ran a wine and cheese fondue party at the pool. Everyone loved it. There were so many more people out there than usual.....it was something different and it drew people out or it seemed to.

There's even more. On the last night of the second week, they ran a sidewalk cafe/market. They put out nicely arranged tables along the way from Casino Bar, past the shops, in front of Ocean Bar and by the elevator bank and had such things as:

A Dutch Food Table with appropriate nibbles;
Indonesian Food;
Filipino Food;
Tex-Mex;
A sweets and chocolate table including such things as a CHOCOLATE FONDUE ....that one sure caught my attention!!! It was fabulous with fresh melons and fruits etc cut up for dipping into the chocolate. Brownies and other sweets on the table and it really was terrific.

This was something like we never thought of/heard of. I've heard some people say, on the last night/morning.......sure, the comment cards are submitted; any tips have already been given......all that remains is for them to get rid of us. NOT SO!!!! THIS is when they set up this nice 'sidewalk cafe' themed display.
What a fantastic send off. Hospitable hosts who really want us to know they want us to feel appreciated and welcome and they made this special send off. I've never heard of any other ship or any of the 'biggie' cruiselines doing anything like this. I give them huge points and hope everyone liked it as much as we did.

[starysacz]

Excellent review of the trip and the Maasdam. Like your writing style. Thank you for the review.:)

[sail7seas]

Valerie.....I'm so sorry you didn't get lucky with the weather. It really does impact enjoyment but what can you do? Of course, I know you are reasonable and realize nothing anyone can do about it.


Starysacz......Thank you. I'm happy you are enjoying the review.

Heather.......When you have the same cabin and do not have to move on 'turnaround day' of a b-to-b, you often do not have to do anything at all. It depends upon the local authorities as to what you have to do in terms of disembarking and clearing immigration. On this cruise, in Montreal on our turnaround day, we did not have to do anything at all if we did not wish. We did not have to exit the ship at all. We could have slept until noon; we could have lingered over coffee for hours or done absolutely nothing at all. We chose to leave the ship and enjoy the beautiful City of Montreal but that was our choice.

Other ports require clearing Immigration; usually in the terminal. Show your passport and go right back aboard if you wish.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Oh my goodness, Sail! That's fantastic! I would love if you had to do nothing at all. I always thought it was a huge hassle on "turnaround" day. Thanks for the info.

Valerie, that cruise you took is the one I'm so dying to make. Sounds like you got bad weather, but I just love the itinerary. Still, a B2B would be an alternative idea.

[RuthC]

sail, that food display sounds divine! I would love to see something like that on my next cruise. Chocolate fondue, eh? :)

Heather, that turn-around day sounds perfect to me, too. I think the fact that it was in Canada, not the United States, made all the difference. Sometimes long cruises are broken down into segments. On the one's I've taken to European ports they seemed like any other port day---go ashore, or stay aboard. Your choice, but otherwise you wouldn't notice it was any different.

[sail7seas]

The VERY most we have ever done on many, many back-to-backs is wait until all the disembarking pax had left; gone into the terminal, showed our passport and turned immediately around to return to the ship. Takes less than 5 minutes.

That is what is customary in FLL. As long as you wait until disembarking pax are gone, you can reboard immediately.

[Sheebah]

Sail- can you tell me about the lobster lunch in Bar Harbor. I am doing the same tour I believe and wonder if they serve whole lobsters or lobster rolls...how was the tour?

[Aussie Gal]

Sail,

I am enjoying reading your great review. As I am reading I am imagining "your lovely Maasdam" as we have sailed on her twice now. I would love to do that itinerary, as I have always wanted to visit Quebec and Montreal, perhaps one day in the future!!
Jennie

[Bucky3]

Just love reading your review, Sail. This is one itinerary we really hope to do one day. We don't fly, so ours will be a land/cruise/land vacation! And a long one since we live in California!

[jhannah]

Sail- can you tell me about the lobster lunch in Bar Harbor. I am doing the same tour I believe and wonder if they serve whole lobsters or lobster rolls...how was the tour? I can answer this one. They serve whole lobsters. Nice sized, too. Plus mussels they told us were harvested just that morning. (It's been a couple of years, so I'm only guessing they still serve the mussels. Sail can clarify.)

[Sea King]

Great Review; makes me envious. :)

Are the other S class ships as luxurious as Maasdam?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sea King

Yes - the other S class ships are just as luxrious as the Maasdam. We have been on them.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks sail for taking the time to write a wonderful review.

What time of the day was the side walk sale/ market held??

[Krazy Kruizers]

It has been years since we have had chocolate fondue on a ship!!!

[giggles217]

We leave this Saturday on the Montreal to Boston trip and I can't wait especially after reading your wonderful reviews!!!!

Could you tell me on your Montral to Boston leg, which nights were the formal nights?

Also, on back-to-back cruises where you hit the same ports do you plan different excursions or maybe not even leave the ship?

I have read eslewhere that the location of the Explorations Lounge is too close to the casino and that the noises impact the enjoyment of that area, did you find this to be true?

And lastly, is there a good place to enjoy a relaxing coffee in the morning?

Thanks for all your insight.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I am dying here with all this talk of lobsters and mussels. How I miss New England with steamed clams, hot clam broth for dipping, drawn butter and fresh lobster.

My mouth is watering:D

[sail7seas]

Hope I remember all the questions. :)

Sheebah: The lobsters were whole and at least 1 1/4 pounds each. Lobstermen have to throw back any lobsters that are under a pound. They were delicious. We also enjoyed very generous servings of steamed mussels which I love. People were given second helpings if they wanted them. There also was coleslaw, steamed red potato and I think corn ---I don't eat corn (or white potatoes) so I would have given mine away I'm sure. They served us blueberry cake and there was iced tea and coffee included. They also had a small bar if someone wished to purchase a beer or soft drink.

Giggles: Happy my review has increased your excitement. This is the third year in a row we have done a Canada/New England cruise. We did a different route for 7 days three years ago for one week and last year we did the itinerary we did this year for back-to-back. We are already booked for next year, back-to-back but it is a different itinerary.

Because we have been there so much (and this is so close to home for us), we often roam off on our own and don't do tours in every port. But we do that in the Caribbean as well. We don't take that many organized tours. We simply love the Maasdam and the ship is really our primary destination.

I haven't talked yet about our two visits to Quebec but will add that to this thread.


KK......... The Sidewalk Cafe was set up after Main Seating Dinner. When we exited the dining room we saw them in the process of setting it up. I would guess it was around 10:15 - 10:30 or so when they began serving. I'm not really sure though as I didn't check the time. I wish I had because now I'm wondering just what time it was. It really was VERY nice. Such a great variety and a nibble here and a taste from there was great.

[sail7seas]

Giggles....... I also have read a few comments that the Explorations Cafe is too close to the Casino but I disagree. We went a number of times to the computers to check our e-mail when the Casino was fully open and operating and there was no noise factor that we encountered. The Cafe does stretch along a fair length so maybe someone sitting closest to the Casino end might have heard something but we always entered from that side and I never was aware of the Casino.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on the Maasdam's sister ships, Statendam and Ryndam. The Explorations Cafe is in the same place on all the S class ships.

We also did not notice any noise from the Casino.

[sail7seas]

Montreal To Boston Dress Code:

Montreal................... Casual
Quebec City ............. Casual
At Sea .................... Formal
Charlottetown........... Informal
Sydney.................... Casual
Halifax..................... Formal
Bar Harbor................ Casual
Boston


Boston to Montreal:

Boston ..................... Casual
Bar Harbor................. Formal
Halifax...................... Informal
Sydney..................... Casual
Charlottetown............ Casual
At Sea...................... Formal
Quebec City............... Casual
Montreal

[Sheebah]

Thanks Sail and JHannah for the lobster answers...my mouth is watering.

[sail7seas]

I haven't posted yet about our visits to Pinnacle. Fantastic, we thought.

We have been many times to Pinnacles on most of the ships and have, for the most part, had quite positive experiences. We think Pinnacle on Maasdam, under Hellmit's management, to be really good. We dined there twice on each cruise for a total of four times. Every meal was wonderful. Because I didn't want to keep eating beef, I even tried the chicken marsala this time, which I have never had in any Pinnacle before. Loved it.

Service was excellent; some of the best Pinnacle stewards we have yet encountered.

It was also one of the busiest Pinnacles we have seen. Busy every night for both of our cruises.

[giggles217]

If you were to recommend a night (or two) to have dinner in the Pinnacle Grill which nights would those be? Was the entertaining Dutch night on the formal night? I don't think that I would want to miss that.

[JunPOA]

"...aboard the beautiful and elegant ms Maasdam.

Because we live very near Boston, we had a quick ride to Black Falcon and arrived at just the moment they were allowing passengers to enter the terminal. We entered, went to the second level as directed and checked in at the Suite Check In Line. "

Thank you for all of those wonderful details - its making me crazy antsy for "our" Maasdam Sept. 30th. sailing Boston-Montreal.

My DH is going to luv the fact that he has sushi available at almost each lunch/ dinner - I beleive someone said it was at the Lido maybe?

? About embarking time - we arrive approx. 10:30am at Logan - after collecting bags & grabbing a taxi was woindering if we should go directly to ship port or otherwise.?? Any sense please of how early earliest embarkation might be permitted. We are in an "AB" category if that makes a difference?

Thanks a lot and welcome back! We'll take great care of "your Maasadam".:)

[sail7seas]

You arrive at Logan at the perfect time. After you collect your bags and catch a taxi, it is a quick ride to Black Falcon. You should be at the dock a little after 11:00 depending upon how long it takes for your luggage to come down the carousel. They start to allow guests into the terminal for check-in at about that time.

There is no special check-in line for category "AB" but that is no problem. We were very surprised how many check-in windows they were operating. I didn't hear of anyone who waited long for get their papers processed and picture taken for their ID.

There was a tray of sushi at the salad bar every day at lunchtime. I don't eat sushi so have no idea if it was special or good or whatever???? :)



Enjoy!!! I hope you have as good a time as we did.

[serendipity1499]

Sail...Thanks so much for your wonderful review..I know this would be another cruise which we would enjoy..Hope you don't mind, but I'm downloading your review for future reference..Thanks again..:) Betty

[sail7seas]

If you were to recommend a night (or two) to have dinner in the Pinnacle Grill which nights would those be? Was the entertaining Dutch night on the formal night? I don't think that I would want to miss that.

Dutch Night on Maasdam did not include the hats or table streamers but had what we think is a good menu. I really enjoy the Dutch Pea Soup and Dover Sole is back......the real, with the bone taken out at the table (or at least it was at ours), wonderful fish. We and our friends enjoyed our Dutch Night in the dining room but there was nothing entertaining about it except for the good menu. :)

I can't recommend one night vs. another for Pinnacle. You may not wish to go formal night as many think those the best dining room menus. Other than that, any night would be fine for me!!!


Betty.....Thank you for your nice comments. I'm happy you enjoyed postings re: Maasdam. Hope you get to do this cruise someday. It's a great one IMO

[Krazy Kruizers]

When were the Mariner Parties each week?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Sail, after a very busy weekend I am now just getting caught up on your review:) .I really enjoyed it. It really makes me think twice on our summer cruise for next year.We really want to return to the Maasdam for New England but to get a chance to go on the Noordam on a 7 day cruise on the other coast could be rare and we think we need to take this opportunity.

The one thing I may have missed if you mentioned it (I am sorry if you did) but did the Maasdam have the Suite Luncheon on the last day? I know that you often do not go but you would have still received the invitation.

Thanks so much for the very detailed report. I know that you have helped so many.

[sail7seas]

There was a Suite Lunch both weeks (that we didn't attend). My memory is that they were both on the sea day which would have made it Thursday on the cruise from Boston to Montreal and on Monday for the Montreal to Boston Cruise.

There was a nice Suite Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party for the Boston to Montreal Cruise but because of the late departure from Montreal (due to the security issues/British terrorism situation), there was no Welcome Aboard Party. INSTEAD, they did a really nice thing and held a Farewell Cocktail Party on the last night. We thought that was a terrific idea. It was a chance to say goodbyes to some fellow guests we'd met along the way and to Officers/Staff.

The Mariners Party the first week was held at 5:00 P.M. and was casual. Captain Arjen van der Loo did a really nice job at both the parties. We always enjoy them. The Mariners Party for the second week was 7:15 on Wednesday evening....if I remember correctly.

[Robin7]

I thought your observation about the lack of announcements interesting because it made me think of our Zaandam cruise July 28-August 4th, and I don't remember hearing any onboard her either. What a nice change! And how funny that I didn't realize it until just now. Do you think that is fleet-wide?

Robin

[Copper10-8]

I haven't posted yet about our visits to Pinnacle. Fantastic, we thought.

We have been many times to Pinnacles on most of the ships and have, for the most part, had quite positive experiences. We think Pinnacle on Maasdam, under Hellmit's management, to be really good. We dined there twice on each cruise for a total of four times. Every meal was wonderful. Because I didn't want to keep eating beef, I even tried the chicken marsala this time, which I have never had in any Pinnacle before. Loved it.

Service was excellent; some of the best Pinnacle stewards we have yet encountered.

It was also one of the busiest Pinnacles we have seen. Busy every night for both of our cruises.

S7S, welcome back! Am enjoying your reports/review; sounds like you had a great time on Maasdam!

As far as the Pinnacle, we always enjoy our visits there. It looks like the Hungarians are slowly disappearing from the Pinnacle and are being replaced by Indonesian guys. That set-up is the way it used to be with the Marco Polo

[Krazy Kruizers]

We had only a couple of announcements on our Alaskan cruises - nothing about bingo and nothing about activites.

Wonder if this is going to be the new policy??

We never had any annoucements just as we would be leaving a port: i.e. - all passengers are on board and this is where we will be heading.

[sail7seas]

We always enjoyed Captain van der Loo's announcement about everyone being aboard and how he would be leaving the dock, dropping off pilot, course we would be taking etc I like that sort of announcement. We also have the choice on Maasdam to turn off the speaker in our cabin.

[ekerr19]

Sail -

Welcome home!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. I am so pleased that the trip was everything (and more!) you hoped it would be. :)

In comparing to our 7/30/06 10-day on the Noordam, we also noticed the lack of announcements and were pleased. We had one of the best Pinnacle meals ever and truly thought all the food was the best we've had on a HAL ship in a long while... we did have a new hotel manager (new to HAL as well) and we noticed the "renaming" of some of the various positions - hotel manager being one of them... I can't remember off-hand what the new title is, but it will take some getting used to for me, lol.

I will be looking for a Maasdam cruise for 2007, your review reminds me how much we really miss her too.

Thanks again for sharing. :)

[sail7seas]

We noticed the Maitre d' is now Dining Room Manager but Hotel Manager remained the same on Maasdam.

I'm happy to hear how much you enjoyed Noordam, Laura. Have you written a review? I'd love to read some comments from you about your cruise. It was a wonderful itinerary and hearing the food was so good and I know you like the ship........must have been a great time.

[ekerr19]

We noticed the Maitre d' is now Dining Room Manager but Hotel Manager remained the same on Maasdam.

I'm happy to hear how much you enjoyed Noordam, Laura. Have you written a review? I'd love to read some comments from you about your cruise. It was a wonderful itinerary and hearing the food was so good and I know you like the ship........must have been a great time.



I did a brief commentary on what we liked/disliked - jhannah was onboard the week before us and he did an excellent review and it pretty much matched our experience.

It was hot & humid - even being on the water provided no break, but we enjoyed being back onboard that lovely ship. This time, we made sure to have an extra photo memory card and took photos using two different cameras in order to avoid losing our pics.

I really enjoyed our stop at Kusadasi, Turkey and the ruins at Ephesus more than I would have thought possible.

Your review makes me miss the Maasdam though. ;)

[rkacruiser]

Welcome home, sail! I, too, am enjoying reading your comments. I did not realize that the 7 day cruises sail up into the Saguenay Fjord. I thought only the 10 day cruises did that. I plan on trying this itinerary at some point in the future, maybe next year on the Veendam. Thanks, again, for your reports!

Bob

[scrapycruiser]

Sail....thanks so much for your report ! We are sailing on the Maasdam Sept 16. I am thrilled to be going on HAL again. What is not to be missed in Montreal ? Is the Pinnacle Grill open for lunch ? Was there a show or evening event that we shouldn't miss ? We are not in a suite, but have 220 ( aft )....can you get a "hot" breakfast from Room service ? Were there any good movies playing ? Welcome home ! I envy your back to -back sailing. My husband retires in 3 years, hope to do that one day :) !Thanks for your help ! Gina

[sail7seas]

Hi Gina......

Yes, you can have a hot Room Service Breakfast delivered no matter what cabin you are in.

We spent a good part of the day in Old Montreal and viewing Notre Dame....a really beautiful cathedral. We also did a little shopping. :)

My husband saw two movies in the theater which is something he never does. He was just 'in the mood'. He saw Mission Impossible III and the other was RV with Robin Williams....he thought it was very funny. I read on our verandah while he was at the movies. :)

We went to Pinnacle for breakfast a few mornings and really enjoyed it. I think Pinnacle may have been open for lunch on the one sea day we had. I doubt it was open on days we were in port.

I'm sorry to say we didn't go to any of the shows.
I hope you have as great a time on Maasdam as we did. I hope you'll post some comments when you return. I love to 'compare notes'.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Did you get the HAL canvas tote bags each week??

[Krazy Kruizers]

Did you get the HAL canvas tote bags each week??

[olive2]

We're getting ready to go this week! I think our TA set up a dinner for us at the Pinnacle on the first night/you listed Montreal first night as casual.
What's the proper attire for us? Sportcoats for men?? Or do they really
dress "casual". Your review has been wonderful....we're hoping for some good weather, too! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Thanks!

[sail7seas]

Olive....My husband always chooses to wear a sports jacket/blazer when we go to Pinnacle....even if it is a casual night. Technically, a jacket is not required on a casual night.

I hope you have a great cruise and get as lucky as us with the wonderful weather.

KK........Yes. We received HAL tote bags both weeks. As many as we have, I always find all sorts of uses for them.

[RuthC]

Olive, when getting dressed for the Pinnacle, remember there is casual, and then there is casual. It is a nice restaurant, so you might want to think "evening casual" as opposed to "daytime casual".

[Copper10-8]

We're getting ready to go this week! I think our TA set up a dinner for us at the Pinnacle on the first night/you listed Montreal first night as casual.
What's the proper attire for us? Sportcoats for men?? Or do they really
dress "casual". Your review has been wonderful....we're hoping for some good weather, too! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Thanks!

You won't see many males without a sports coat even on casual nights

[Krazy Kruizers]

DH always wears a sports jacket to the Pinnacle on "casual" nights.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The reason I asked about the canvas tote bags --- on our first week we got the canvas bag but on the second week we got a non-canvas dark blue bag that can ge used around the pool or the beach.

[sail7seas]

That's great, KK.

It sounds like the coated vinyl sort of navy fabric one we received on our Millenium New Year Cruise. I like that it is somewhat waterproof.

[CoconutFish]

Thanks so much for this fabulous record of your latest cruise on the Maasdam.

Could you give us an idea of how you liked the renovated Crow's Nest and how it compares to the other S class ships you have been on?

As far as the Statendam goes, I have to admit I wasn't too impressed with the very crowded seating areas on the sides and the bright pink sofas. The colour scheme was perhaps a bit out of kilter with the rest of the ship.

[Travel 4 Ever]

I just returned from the Montreal to Boston cruise. My question for S7S is where were you sitting and when? The captain joined a couple for dinner one evening and we were told they were on a back to back and were frequent cruisers. We were at the 8 PM seating at table 17. Were you right behind us?

Regarding the shows, we attended several. I have to first tell you that my standards for shows are very high. I lived in NYC till I was 21 and still live only 2 1/2 hours away. I grew up on a steady diet of Broadway. I don't say this to be uppity just to give you a prespective. We thoroughly enjoyed the tribute to John Denver. I am not a huge fan of his music, but the performer had a very pleasant voice and his wife (ironically named Anne) were excellent musicians. The Thursday night performer combined comedy and violin playing. Unique and thoroughly enjoyable. We didn't enjoy the broadway style shows at all. We went to one called Gold and vowed not to attend another. However, this particular group was leaving at the end of the cruise after a year onboard. Maybe the next series of performers will be better. Much better.

Feel free to ask about any of the ports. We rented a car in each port so we might have a different viewpoint.

[sail7seas]

I don't particularly care for the new Crows Nest, not on Maasdam nor on Ryndam. I like the old Crows Nest much better.

[sail7seas]

Travel 4 Ever.......Were you the couple with the lady who fell? Or the other couple. You were the table for four, weren't you?

[Travel 4 Ever]

We were the other couple at the table of four
. In our early fifties. I wasn't aware that Maxine fell. I know they weren't at dinner the last night we just thought they might have been tired. They were having some medical difficulties during the entire voyage. Do you know what happen?

[sail7seas]

Hi....Of course, I remember you and your husband. Nice to hear from you.

I ran into them in the shop after dinner and apparently she tripped at the pool. She's okay but was shaken a bit, I guess. They were out and about and I'm quite sure she wasn't badly hurt.

I'm confused though as I was so sure they were right behind us at dinner the last night. Weren't they seated and you came in with them already at the table? Your husband is quite tall? I'm sure I have the right table/couple.

Yes......we were joined by Officers at our table as a VERY special treat. That was a great evening.

[R&CCruisers]

Glad to hear that we aren't the only ones who don't like the new Crow's Nest. My DH and I have been sailing HAL for 12 years and the Crow's Nest has been our favorite place for pre-dinner cocktails. We were on the Ryndam last February and were disappointed in the new arrangement but still spent our pre-dinner cocktail time there. Will be sailing on the Volendam for the first time in February and will most likely be visiting the Crow's Nest there as well.

Thank you for all your good reports--it's been a few years since we have been on the Maasdam but now am anxious to sail that ship again.

[Travel 4 Ever]

We were on the other side of you, the last table in the row. You were facing me. Unfortunately we didn't have an opportunity to meet. My loss. Hope to meet you on another HAL cruise. This was our first expereince with HAL and we were very pleased. Next year it will be Princess however. I preferred their Italy, Greece itinerary.

[ekerr19]

I don't particularly care for the new Crows Nest, not on Maasdam nor on Ryndam. I like the old Crows Nest much better.



Sail -

I was so afraid of this.... we are looking through the new deck plans - we've not been on the Maasdam since the upgrades, and are wondering about the Crow's Nest and the old Casino Bar, which now looks like it's part of the Piano Bar... we loved the length of the old bar in the Crow's Nest....

[Aussie Gal]

Sail -

I was so afraid of this.... we are looking through the new deck plans - we've not been on the Maasdam since the upgrades, and are wondering about the Crow's Nest and the old Casino Bar, which now looks like it's part of the Piano Bar... we loved the length of the old bar in the Crow's Nest....

Does that mean that on all the S ships the Crow's Nest has now been altered. I am particularly interested regarding the Veendam. The Crow's Nest is one of our favourite places on board ship and I hate to think that it has been changed and not for the better. :(

Jennie

[croman02]

After reading your enthusiastic review of your Maasdam b-b Canada /NE cruise I was moved to book the same for next June. We had been considering the one way but the b-b sounded so good we went with that. Thanks for all the excellent detail, 7Seas, it was very helpful!

[Krazy Kruizers]

And the Statendam's Crow's Nest looks exactly the same as the Maasdam's and Ryndam's.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Were there any flambes'?

[kryos]

Thanks for the wonderful review, with all the detailed information, on your b2b cruise.

It's reviews like yours I like to read because they go so far beyond just the basic information.

Appreciate the time you took to compose it.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

I don't particularly care for the new Crows Nest, not on Maasdam nor on Ryndam. I like the old Crows Nest much better.

I guess I'm too much of a HAL newbie to realize there is a difference between the two, so I just loved the Crow's Nest on the Amsterdam ... especially that huge TV on the wall where they had videos playing of extreme sports. I actually knew some of the jumpers in the skydiving segments.

Did you have that on the Maasdam? What differences did you experience between the old and new Crow's Nests?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[sail7seas]

After reading your enthusiastic review of your Maasdam b-b Canada /NE cruise I was moved to book the same for next June. We had been considering the one way but the b-b sounded so good we went with that. Thanks for all the excellent detail, 7Seas, it was very helpful!

I'm so happy my review was helpful to you. I'm so sure you'll love doing the b-to-b.

We are booked for another b-to-b for Maasdam but will be repeating the Boston to Boston Itinerary which they start doing on June 23. The itinerary we did this year (and last) will be early June. We did it June 6 (or maybe it was June 9), 2005 and obviously loved it enough to do again.

You will want to bring a few long sleeve hoodies/jerseys and a light jacket. The weather in northern New England can be a little cool early in June. But, bring a pair or two of shorts, also. You could well have some days of pool weather.

As time gets closer, any questions, please ask away and I'll try to help.

[sail7seas]

We were the other couple at the table of four
. In our early fifties. I wasn't aware that Maxine fell. I know they weren't at dinner the last night we just thought they might have been tired. They were having some medical difficulties during the entire voyage. Do you know what happen?

Oh Yes....... :) Now I recognize you. I thought you were referring to the table immediately behind me as we had spoken a number of times. The lady that fell was at the table behind me.

I faced your table the whole cruise and definitely saw you. You looked like you all were enjoying. What a shame the other people missed last night dinner.

Was Nixon your Steward? He's one of the best we've had and we've been taken care of by some really excellent stewards. We also really loved the cellarmaster, Andrew. He was very generous with his time and gave us great recommendations. He was terrific, wasn't he?

I wish we had known we were both CC'ers and had spoken. What a shame to have been seated beside eachother and not known.

[sail7seas]

Laura....The Casino Bar is the way it was. That hasn't changed, thankfully. Some people like the Crows Nest changes but I preferred the old decorating/layout. It's just a personal taste thing.

[NapTown Jim]

When we sailed the Maasdam this past May our Captain was Henk Draper. I noticed there's been a change. Any idea if he's been transfered to another ship or is he no longer employed by Holland America? I'm asking because I'm about to write a letter to HAL HQ in Seattle asking for a new Honeymoon Certificate because they mispelled my wife's name...and while they're at it ask them to write my surname "DuMond" properly (they typed it up as "Dumond"). If Henk isn't with HAL anymore that might be difficult to do.

[Joanelle]

S7S, I have so enjoyed reading this. Your love for sailing and especially sailing the Maasdam, really shines through - and it's contagious!

We're cruising on her Sept 2nd...I can't find the answer to two tiny questions:
Are there cd players in the cabins? I have a B cabin, verandah deck, and I'd love to bring a few cd's for playing.
Do the verandas connect (if the cabins are not connecting)? Our group has side by side non-connecting cabins, but I wonder if we could still have that little partition opened up between verandas.

thanks so much for taking the time to write!

[sail7seas]

When we sailed the Maasdam this past May our Captain was Henk Draper. I noticed there's been a change. Any idea if he's been transfered to another ship or is he no longer employed by Holland America? I'm asking because I'm about to write a letter to HAL HQ in Seattle asking for a new Honeymoon Certificate because they mispelled my wife's name...and while they're at it ask them to write my surname "DuMond" properly (they typed it up as "Dumond"). If Henk isn't with HAL anymore that might be difficult to do.

:) Captain Henk Draper is still very much with HAL and still Master of the Maasdam. He and Captain Arjen van der Loo alternate aboard. When one is aboard, the other is on vacation. Captain Draper will return in roughly a month.


Sorry for the error on your Honeymoon Certificate. Hopefully you will be able to have it corrected. It wasn't possible to do while you were still aboard? That probably would have been a lot faster.

[sail7seas]

Does that mean that on all the S ships the Crow's Nest has now been altered. I am particularly interested regarding the Veendam. The Crow's Nest is one of our favourite places on board ship and I hate to think that it has been changed and not for the better. :(

Jennie

Jennie......

All of the "S" class ships had their Crows Nests redone at the SOE drydocks. Some people like the changes but we do not. I don't care for the bright pink colors nor the curtains. I guess the curtains are there to provide a 'hint of privacy' but I think them quite unattractive and rather 'tacky' for lack of a better word. Not HAL's normal elegance and good taste IMO

[NapTown Jim]

:) Captain Henk Draper is still very much with HAL and still Master of the Maasdam. He and Captain Arjen van der Loo alternate aboard. When one is aboard, the other is on vacation. Captain Draper will return in roughly a month.


Sorry for the error on your Honeymoon Certificate. Hopefully you will be able to have it corrected. It wasn't possible to do while you were still aboard? That probably would have been a lot faster.





We didn't get the certificate until the last day. We had so much stuff going on in our heads that we just didn't think about going to the front desk to get it fixed. I'm confident that they'll get it streightened out, I've got no worries there. I just have to force myself to sit down, write a letter with the bad certificate, slap a stamp on it and put it in the mailbox.

Thanks for your review. I'm sorta wondering if the Maasdam will do Alaska in 2008. When we were at the VIP party (since we were honeymooners we qualified for the VIP party) I found out that HAL will be shuffeling their ships that year. We're looking at doing Alaska in 2008 and certainly wouldn't mind sailing the Maasdam again. :)

[sail7seas]

S7S, I have so enjoyed reading this. Your love for sailing and especially sailing the Maasdam, really shines through - and it's contagious!

We're cruising on her Sept 2nd...I can't find the answer to two tiny questions:
Are there cd players in the cabins? I have a B cabin, verandah deck, and I'd love to bring a few cd's for playing.
Do the verandas connect (if the cabins are not connecting)? Our group has side by side non-connecting cabins, but I wonder if we could still have that little partition opened up between verandas.

thanks so much for taking the time to write!

I'm happy you've enjoyed my review, Joanelle.

The verandahs on Maasdam do not open. Most of the ships have a door in the partition that opens but Maasdam does not.

I cannot say for sure about CD players but I think not. Someone else will have to say for sure.

There was a DVD player in our cabin but we never used it.


I hope you have a GREAT cruise and will post some comments when you return.

[bookworm0911]

I too am enjoying your review so much. We would love to do b-2-b on that itinarary.

Didn't you say you had a birthday or anniversery while you were on "your" Maasdam? Did you celebrate with cake and singing? I hope so. You deserve it. :D

[ekerr19]

Laura....The Casino Bar is the way it was. That hasn't changed, thankfully. Some people like the Crows Nest changes but I preferred the old decorating/layout. It's just a personal taste thing.



Sail -

Thanks! I'm glad the casino bar is still the same... it was a good place for DH to "hang out" while I was browsing the shops. I got out my old inaugural brochure for the Maasdam and we were looking through it last night. I really did like the long bar in the Crow's Nest and I hope I can find some pictures on webshots of what it looks like now. We also liked the decor though it seemed a bit "tacky" to some I suppose.

We are pretty much decided to go back on the Maasdam for Spring Break 2007. The pricing is hard to beat and the kids would rather cruise on the Maasdam than the Noordam - and we're fine with either.

Is there anything else different on the Maasdam that you can think of since 2004 (our last time onboard)?

[RuthC]

I guess I'm too much of a HAL newbie to realize there is a difference between the two, so I just loved the Crow's Nest on the Amsterdam ... especially that huge TV on the wall where they had videos playing of extreme sports.
In the Crow's Nest? Putting a TV in there sounds like a horrible thing to do to such a lovely room.
Could you be confusing the Crow's Nest with the Casino/Sports Bar? There was a huge TV in there.

[SDHALFAN]

Are there cd players in the cabins? I have a B cabin, verandah deck, and I'd love to bring a few cd's for playing.


Hi Joanelle,

Yes the cabins do have a flatscreen TV with a DVD/CD combination player so bring your CD's and even your DVD's if you wish.

Have a great cruise.

Valerie:)

[Joanelle]

Ooh, that's wonderful news! I kind of figured, if they're going for the DVD, then why not the CD player? Excellent, thanks.

[sail7seas]

The Explorations Cafe is new since you were aboard, Laura, and it is fabulous IMO

Almost everyone loves these Cafes. They've done a great job with them.
It is small, of course, than what you know from Noordam but is very, very nice.

There are also changes to Lido. Instead of the salad bar along the side wall, it has its own dedicated space. Also, new ice cream bar and dessert area.

[senator6]

Sail first what a great review, we did Boston to Montreal in June and enjoyed hearing about your cruise. You sure had much better weather than we did. I sure agree about the crows nest, however we still enjoyed being there each night. We were in a B category there are CD players in the cabins and there are many movies that you can borrow from the Explorations Cafe.

[elmorejj]

I would love to know if they serve you a birthday cake and sing Happy birthday too, as I will be celebrating an important BD on my next cruise...........jean:cool:

[sail7seas]

We were celebrating three birthdays at our table of four. We traveled with another couple and it was her birthday as well as both of ours. We had a cake for all of us......we had a fantastic celebration in all ways. Our friends were there for one week and we stayed on to continue our own celebrating the second week. :)

I am sure you are aware all you need to do is advise them it's your birthday and they will bring you a cake.

Happy Birthday.......and many more. Hope you have a great celebration on your cruise.

[sail7seas]

Sail first what a great review, we did Boston to Montreal in June and enjoyed hearing about your cruise. You sure had much better weather than we did. I sure agree about the crows nest, however we still enjoyed being there each night. We were in a B category there are CD players in the cabins and there are many movies that you can borrow from the Explorations Cafe.


Thanks for clarifying about the CD players. I knew we had a DVD player but we never really looked at nor used it. Good to remember for next time in case we feel like seeing some movies in our cabin.

[aaerobear]

My guess is that those silly curtains in the Crows Nest will soon disappear, at least I hope so.

Ed

[sail7seas]

They've been present on Ryndam since her SOE........she was the FIRST ship in the fleet to get SOE and they not only have not removed Ryndam's curtains but have gone ahead and put them on the other ships. Someone must like them.

Will the person(s) who thinks they are stunning, please stand up. :D

[aaerobear]

and move a little to the left, into the crosshairs.

[elmorejj]

Sail, thanks for the info re the birthday cake. I know you had a wonderful celebration while on your cruise, just as I intend to on mine...........jean:cool:

[sail7seas]

To bring thread forward per request for recent reviews.