Just HOME from Boston/MAASDAM

[FlorenceItaly]

Boston - One day pre-cruise, and one day post-cruise - What a wonderful,
beautiful city. I absolutely loved it, and hope to return sometime. Pre-cruise was at the Hyatt through Priceline, and post-cruise at The Omni Parker House through Orbitz.

This was my first HAL cruise(previously cruised Carnival and RCI). I really enjoyed HAL. Service was good, honestly, and some won't like this, but didn't see a real difference in service from the other two cruiselines. It was good, NO COMPLAINTS, but not exceptional.

IMO, the dining room food was excellent. I ate several breakfasts, lunches, and all but one dinner in the dining room. Really enjoyed the desserts too.
I had wonderful tablemates, and some I spent time with aside from dinner(this was my first solo cruise).

I really enjoyed some of the extras on this line....the Java Cafe, the movie theatre(viewed one movie). Also, enjoyed the appetizers in the lounges before dinner, and the chocolate in the Explorer lounge. Also, the library was wonderful.

I have absolutely NO complaints, and really enjoyed the cruise, and this cruise line, and look forward to sailing it again. This was a wonderful itinerary.

Feel free to ask questions....more later, literally just got in :).

Marc - you and your wife will LOVE the Maasdam, and really enjoy HAL. Look forward to this cruise with wonderful anticipation because you are going to have a wonderful time.

Marie

[sail7seas]

Welcome Back, Marie. So happy to hear you enjoyed your cruise so much.l


Isn't Maasdam a beautiful ship? We think her very elegant.

Happy to hear the dining room was good. We were wondering (after some of the things we have read) if it was not up to what it should be. Happy to hear your opinion was so positive.

We are looking forward to our cruise....our countdown is getting very short.

[clopaw]

Welcome home! We are on this cruise in three weeks, and I have been waiting anxiously to here what you did in each port.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) Marie

Welcome home.

So glad that you enjoyed your cruise of the Maasdam. We have been on her several times.

Do you know: Has the air-conditioning been repaired in the piano bar?

Do you know: Are 8 elevators working?

We posted those questions on another thread and so far there hasn't been a response.

Thank you.

:)

[FlorenceItaly]

KK - I spent some time in the Piano Bar, and in my opinion the A/C was not working. Also, the pianist had a fan beside her, so I think that was some indication too :).

To my knowledge, all elevators were working. Also, there was never a wait for the elevators.

This is a beautiful ship, and you will have a wonderful time.

[FlorenceItaly]

S7S - I can certainly understand why the Maasdam is among your favorites. It is a beautiful ship, and very easy to navigate.

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

** Well, I guess I could have put this all in one post, instead of 3 different ones, but I am tired, and not thinking clearly, LOL**

Clopaw - Most of my excursions were with HAL because I was cruising solo and felt more comfortable doing it this way, BUT, at every port there were operators also offering tours.

Martha's Vineyard - The ship DID offer one afterall, even though the website did not show it. I took the ship sponsored one and really enjoyed it. My tour guide was Leslie and she was delightful. She has lived on the island 50 years, and knew so much. Also, we visited another place beside MV but the name escapes me, will look tomorrow.

Portland, Maine - I took the Duck Tour(from ship) and the Kennebunkport Sightseeing. I don't recommend the Duck Tour, it was okay, but not worth $39 IMO. I would recommend taking a trolley tour from one of the local companies. I think it is only about $14 or so. It rained that day in Portland so my umbrella really came in handy.

St John, New Brunswick - took a tour from an independent operator at the port...a bus tour, we visited several sites, and I really enjoyed it.

Halifax - Went to Peggy's Cove(from ship). The drive is one hour each way, with windy roads, so if you are prone to motion sickness, take meds. This is information I wish I would have known. It's a must see.

Bar Harbor, Maine - Best of Both World's(from ship). Really enjoyed this tour. One of the stops is Acadia National Park, and this is a MUST SEE. I hope to sometime take a land vacation here and spend more time. I also did some shopping in town, after the tour. I really liked this port.

Feel free to ask questions, as I realize I was not very specific.

Marie

[Orcrone]

Marie,

Was just thinking about you today. Went to visit my son and DIL and we all went for a walk around the neighborhood. One of the cars had a license plate that read EXLTHIM.

Thanks for posting your thoughts. I'm really glad you had a great time and enjoyed the ship. Makes me even more anxious. This week people on the boards started discussing sailaway. I had asked my brother and his partner to join us a while back, but it didn't seem likely. But I spoke with him yesterday and I seemed to get him interested. Gave him details and he asked for the web address of my TA.

Welcome home, time to look forward to the next cruise.:D A friend at work just got back from his first cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and had the time of his life.

Marc

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Welcome Back Marie, I am so glad you had a great time and that you had great table mates. It sounds like the "solo cruising" worked out well.
Now the unpacking and getting back to every day routine.

Once you get settled you can then play on the new boards.:D

[localady]

Hi Marie!
Glad you are back safe and sound and that the weather was good:) Tomorrow you will wake up and wonder where your room service breakfast is???? :eek: Welcome home and back to the real world;)

[Lisa63]

Welcome home, Marie! And thank you for your kind words about our city.

What tour did HAL offer at the Vineyard? Was it the bus tour of the island that gave you an hour at your leisure in Edgartown?

[F5Loar]

Your review made me so homesick for the Maasdam. You seemed to enjoy and feel the same way we did and did many of the same excursions. I only wish they had offered the MV tour our week. Sounds like you did the Pinnacle one night. Did you? How was that? I saw movies almost every night and the shows. Lots to do or just sit in the wonderful library. We did the Hyatt too and thought it was just fine. Did you have a big cushy fluffy bed?
And did you get that Lobster in Boston? We will do this cruise again but probalby a different ship the next time.

[Orcrone]

And did you get that Lobster in Boston? We will do this cruise again but probalby a different ship the next time.Sorry, but there is no such thing as lobster in Boston. It's lobstah. And by the way you can get some excellent chowdah there.

Also, why would you prefer a bigger ship next time? Just curious as I'm sailing the Maasdam in 4 months.

[FlorenceItaly]

Hello All- My auto reply is not working, anyone else???

Lisa63 - Yes, that is the one we did, went to Edgartown. What a wonderful tour that was, and Leslie was a delight. I think many of the tour guides were locals.

I did not dine at the Pinnacle, because I didn't want to dine solo. Also, my tablemates were enjoyable, and the food in the dining room was very good. If I had not been cruising solo, I would have dined there FOR SURE. I did not find anyone who wanted to join me.

Yes, I did partake of the local cuisine while in port...that's part of the ambiance :). Even while in Boston, I dined at an outside cafe. It was a bit drizzly, and the server tried to talk me out of it, but I told him I wanted to experience Boston!

Marc - I do hope your brother and partner decide to join you. I observed many partners traveling together, and feel sure they would enjoy this ship.
The "nightlife" is not your typical Carnival or RCI, but there is plenty to do.
I did miss kareoke though, LOL. I enjoyed HAL so much that I wish my dh and I were traveling HAL in October, but for various reasons we must stay with our original plans.

Also, about solo traveling - HAL offers many opportunities for the singles to meet.

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

I keep forgetting to mention what I did as far as tipping. I left my auto tips in place, and tipped additionally the wine steward and yum-yum man. The yum-yum man and I established a relationship. He was very kind to me since I was traveling solo. There was another person who was also very kind to me, but I did not see him later on the trip, otherwise I would have tipped him.

Marie

[reggielew]

Hi!

I'm glad you had a great trip. We are planning to be on the Maasdam the week of July 24th. Can you please tell me which night is Dutch night? We would like to eat in the Pinnacle on that night. Thanks.

Reggie

[LoveLifeAtSea]

Welcome Home Marie!

I enjoyed reading your review(s) and am glad your first HAL experience was a wonderful one.

I will be sailing the Maasdam in a few weeks and am very much looking forward to it. It will be my first cruise on her and on this itinerary. I, too, am traveling solo and will be staying at the Hyatt pre-cruise. However, I am very fortunate to be joining a wonderful couple onboard that I met last year on the Zuiderdam who I became very good friends with and am anxious to see again. :)

I'm a southern lady who normally cruise the tropics, so it's interesting to me that in July I have to consider packing clothes in the event of cool days or nights. Can you share with me what the temperature was like during your week onboard? As much as I always try to cut back on my packing, it just never happens. I hate to be unprepared or wish I had brought xxx with me.

I remember reading your posts prior to your cruise and knew you were excited to go. I am truly glad that you weren't disappointed. :) Your review has increased my anxiety another notch. Thank you. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[sail7seas]

Now Orcrone........

Must I mention one should never generalize? :D

DH and I have lived in Boston all of our lives and have learned to speak English in a form understandable by all who speak the language.

We always eat lobstER, we parRk our caR and most people have no clue from where we hail when we first meet. But so many always feel it necessary to make a dig about "parking our car in Harvard Yard" when just moments previously they needed to ask where we were from. If it were necessary to tease about our speech, why didn't they know we were from Boston to begin with if our accent were so exagerrated? Guess that question answers itself. I find it insulting, franklyl.


(Now for those who are thinking I am ripping into Marc.....please figure out that I have a smile on my face and am teasing with him.....But truly iIdo get sick and tired of those from such states as the folks sound like they are speaking with marbles in their mouths and drawling their sentences to thinking no one from Boston has proper diction!!)

[Orcrone]

s7s,

Glad I didn't send my post directly to you.:D It was just poking a little general fun at Mass accents.

I understand what you say about comments from people speaking with you. I grew up in NYC and lived 10 years in Massachusetts. So I've picked up a little of that accent. However, I now live in the south but there is nothing southern about my accent. But I've had people speak to me with my Brooklyn/Massachusetts accent, and make fun of my southern accent.

[Orcrone]

Marie,

Before leaving you were wondering about upgrades at the pier. Were there any available?

[FlorenceItaly]

Reggie - I believe Dutch Night is Wednesday evening. It is the one night I just happened to not dine in the dining room, but in looking at my papers, have figured out I think it was Wednesday. Can anyone else confirm that has been on this itinerary?


LovelifeatSea - You are going to love the Maasdam and this cruise. My Cruise Log indicates that our highest temp was in Boston when we sailed out at 79 degrees. Other temps ranged from high 50's - mid 60's, but I think in July you may have more 60-70's. Bring a windbreaker and umbrella and you will be fine. I mainly wore capri's and was fine.
I know you are traveling with another couple, but consider going to the singles meet and greets. I went, even though married, was interested in meeting other solo travelers. Oh, and about the Hyatt...you will love the heavenly beds!!!!!!!

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

Marc - I heard from someone else no upgrades were available....I did not inquire on my own, as I decided I was quite happy where I was.
Btw, my cabin attendant was just okay. As I mentioned previously, the service was as good as Carnival or RCI, not exceptional as HAL was once known for, or so I hear.

Marie

[F5Loar]

Weds is Dutch night on that one but they didn't mention it in the newsletter.
We knew by the menu and the hats! I dined Pinnacle solo since my wife just can't eat that much at one seating. I ate early at 6PM with the family sampling a few things I could not go without saving room for my 9PM at the Pinnacle. Eating solo I am able to savor the meal and feel like I am a food critic as I slowly chew each bite. You get that individual service too!
I don't neccesarrily need a bigger ship next time, just a different ship. We have a goal in our cruise experience to never sail the same ship twice since there are so many to choose from. It adds to the excitement when you first board a totally new ship to us. Size is not important as where it leaves from
(we have to drive to the ports) and the price. The ship line name does not bother us as we find things we like about all of them. The only expection we made was to Disney who only has 2 ships in the fleet. We've done Diseny 4 times and had to go again on the same ship.

[clopaw]

Marie, thanks for the info on shore excursions. I was especially glad to hear you enjoyed the one in Bar Harbor. We selected that one also, and I have been dithering about sticking with it or trying to find something on our own.

Did you happen to notice the taxi situation at the pier? We opted not to use the HAL transfers because the price we were quoted by our TA was high. I know we can get to the pier fine, but I'm concerned about getting a cab back to the airport when the cruise is over.

[FlorenceItaly]

I had absolutely no problem getting a cab from the pier at the end of the cruise. Embarkation and disembarkation was a breeze, unlike Florida ports, LOL. Also, we went through customs Friday evening, so we did not have to do it Saturday morning. It only took a few minutes on Friday evening.

Marie

[sail7seas]

Marie:


Did you go through Customs on Friday evening? Or was it IMMIGRATION?

Customs requires you to have everything you are bringing off the ship with you and your declaration of what you have purchased while out of the country. You brought packed luggage with you on Friday night?

Immigration is an inspection of your person. To have your documentation checked; your passport or birthcertificate etc

Surely it's Immigration they do Friday night? (about what time?)

[goldrush]

i might be wrong, but i thought dutch night was tuesday - cause we ate at the pinnacle on wednesday out anniversary- and i'm glad they had english subtitles to the dutch menu :)

[jayjo]

Dutch night was Wednesday night .
We did immigrati on on Thursday night when we left Canada. Took all of about 15 sec.

[FlorenceItaly]

S7S - Yes, it was immigration. On our sailing you could go anytime between 5:30 and 9:00 pm. Customs took place on Saturday morning as we are leaving.

You know, I thought it was Friday night we did it, but maybe it was Thursday evening as jayjo posted...oh dear..you would think I would know since it hasn't been that long, LOL. At any rate, it's quick and easy whenever it is, LOL.

Marie

[joeinwpb]

Yes Marie the Maasdam is a nice ship. I felt the dining room was the best in many ways, of any ship I've been on. Love the windows all along the sides.

The northeast coast had to be a big change after Oklahoma. Hearing you describe it almost made me homesick for New England. Never thought that would happen.

You have the best schedule of cruises I guess of everybody. Just fabulous. Will this be your first cruise on the Mariner? Love to hear your review on it, when you get back from that one.

Take care :cool:

[FlorenceItaly]

Hi Joe--yes, the dining room was fabulous wasn't it? And, our table had a nice view. Yes, I loved the northeast coast. One of the women at our table who has been on numerous HAL cruises commented that this was the best food ever. None of us had one bad meal. I weigh in tomorrow, and I think I gained 5-7 pounds!

This will be my first time on the Mariner. I am expecting it to be a fabulous cruise, especially since I am cruising with my sis and almost 200 party hounds. I think I will need a vacation after this vacation, LOL.

Nice to hear from you. Are you hanging out at the RCI board lately?

Marie

[joeinwpb]

My cruise line of choice is RCI. But I feel my family is here at HAL. They've helped me on so many things, about cruising, and the group I sailed with, on the Maasdam was fabulous.

The next ship you're sailing on is truly a floating resort. I'll be sailing next year on her. Looks like the rest of this year I'll be doing a resort, or two, here in Florida. Maybe a trip to New England.

About the cruise I have scheduled: We'll be setting sail under a full moon, and a waning gibbous. I'm hoping to be able to get a window table, on the port side. For early dinning, and I have a balcony all set for the starboard side. I'm hoping to see some real nice moon rises. As the moon rise will be in the port side of the ship (dining time) for the first part of the trip, and on the way back it willl be later, and on the starboard side.

I addition the orionids will be arriving I'm hoping they make a good appearance. Those are the remnants from Haley's comet you know. The heaviest reign down around Oct 21st, and 22nd, but I don't know what hour yet.

Happy cruising my friend! :)

[Charliesmom]

I have always been afraid that I would not have a good time if I took a trip by myself. I am not a particularly dependent person, but I like to share my experiences. Did you find this possible when you went alone? Would you go on a trip again by yourself?

Roberta

[joeinwpb]

Roberta
This is is one of the best questions I've heard raised, on the boards. I'm the same way. I don't know how other people can do it. I'm sure in Marie's case, she must have been able to share her experience with others on the cruise. :)

She definitely is a sharing type person and must have made a lot of friends right there aboard the ship.

[FlorenceItaly]

Joe - Thank you for the kind words.

Yes, I would definitely travel solo again. I was fortunate to meet some people on board, one whom I met through this board before I left(Hi Becky and David), and also there was another solo traveler at my table. She and I hung out at one port, and she is a delightful woman and I enjoyed her company, BUT, it did reaffirm for me that there are many advantages of solo cruising...going at your own pace, where you want, etc. At all the ports, I took tours, so I was among other people. Holland America offered single meet and greets throughout the week, and I did go to one. I would recommend this when traveling solo. It is a meeting for solo travelers and singles, as I am happily married(21 years).

Also, I really enjoyed my time in Boston pre/post cruise. Also, this particular itinerary was very port intensive(5 ports), so I did not have time to become lonely :).

Feel free to ask further questions, as I realize this is a very curious topic. While cruising I was very free to share that I was solo cruising, in hopes of encouraging others to do the same if an opportunity arises. Each day is a gift from God, and I believe we should live life to the fullest. I am also very blessed to have a husband that does not mind me going off on my own, and encourages my travels. We have a very close relationship.

Marie

[sdf89]

I keep forgetting to mention what I did as far as tipping. I left my auto tips in place, and tipped additionally the wine steward and yum-yum man. The yum-yum man and I established a relationship. He was very kind to me since I was traveling solo. There was another person who was also very kind to me, but I did not see him later on the trip, otherwise I would have tipped him.

Marie

Marie: have always enjoyed your posts.
Were you able to get any assurance that your additional tip to those employees is not obligated to go into a common pot?

[FlorenceItaly]

sdf89 - I did not ask the employees where the additional funds went. It is still something I am curious about, but chose not to pursue.

Do you cruise soon?

Marie

[Otherbirdog]

Hi Marie,
So glad to read that you enjoyed the Maasdam! I think she is special! Perhaps I checked you in at Black Falcon? I do recall many solo travelers on that sailing.
Bird ;)

[FlorenceItaly]

Bird - I heard there were many solo travelers, but I didn't meet too many.
I had a grand time. When I first arrived at the pier(downstairs) the woman directing me said "how many in your party" I said "1" and then she started pitying me and I said "I am perfectly happy to be a party of one"...it's amazing how many personnel reacted that way or would say "just one"....I am SURE you are not one of them that comments like that :).

I am already looking at the sailings for next year (June/Jul 2005) but don't tell my husband ;). Oh, he doesn't really care, but I DO already have 5 cruises booked through 2005, but ALL those are with family/friends. I would love to do one solo a year.

Are you new to the board????

Marie

[jayjo]

They indicated to us in a talk given by the cruise director that the wine steward and yum-yum men were able to keep any tips given as long as you left the auto tip in place. In fact they indicated that as long as you left the auto tip in place the tipped person was able to keep the extra. The bar staff could accept direct tips too! Make sure you make it up to the crows nest. Jerry is awesome!

[Otherbirdog]

Marie,

I'm upstairs at checkin...and I would have expressed enthusiasm for solo travel. :D

I've been reading Cruise Critic since 1995 or earlier. The board has certainly changed over the years. I'm not a frequent poster. I prefer to be a gatherer of information.

Bird:)