Need help - Maasdam or Noordam?

[drbillmc]

We are recently retired and have sailed with Celebrity, Norwegian and Royal to Alaska, Hawaaii and the Caribbean. We are looking at the 10 day cruise on the Noordam on October 18th from Fort Lauderdale to the eastern Caribbean or the 14 day cruise on the Maasdam on October 24th from Fort Lauderdale to the eastern Caribbean.

On the one hand, the Noordam is a new ship with a lot of extras, especially with a show room with good site line. On the other hand, the Maasdam has a great 14 day itinerary. However, I am concerned about the poor site line in the Maasdam showroom and the problems mentioned in the boards (air conditioning problems, etc.)

Also, I am confused about the showtimes with the switchover to the As You Wish dining. Does this mean that the shows will now be before dinner instead of after dinner. I like the old way - eat dinner late (8:00 or 8:30) and go to the late show (10:00 or 10:30).

I have read some great reviews of the Maasdam but also some mixed ones. Also, I have read about the age of the Holland passengers. We are in our early 60's but very active. We have been with much older couples on previous trips and enjoyed their company very much. We don't expect this to be a real problem. Are we right?

Looking for advice, recommendations, etc. I have been amazed at the valuable advice I have received on these boards. Thanks again. Bill

[Krazy Kruizers]

Although we have sailed many times on the Maasdam and never had any air conditioning problems, I would probably choose the Noordam even though we have yet to sail on her -- newer ship.

We were just on the Ryndam where the new dining venue is in place. The shows are 6:30 and 8:30. Therefore if you eat at 8 or later, your show time will be 6:30.

[arzz]

We have been on the Westerdam and the Zuiderdam as well as many of the R and S Class HAL ships. My preference would be for the Maasdam as she is a beautiful ship with an incredible art collection. It should be said, however, that we prefer the smaller ships and are not wowed by new glitz and glamor as long as the ship is well maintained. We were on the Maasdam a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time. We are younger than you folks and we have never been bothered by the average age on board -- we find the HAL folks regardless of their physical age to be vibrant, fascinating people with much to share. However, we are not particularly interested in night life other than possibly going to the shows or sitting and listening to the strings in the Explorer's lounge. We, too, prefer to attend the shows after dinner. I do hope that the early shows do not become fleet wide as it is nice to have something to do between dinner and bed.

I am sure that there are people out there who have been on the Maasdam more recently than I and can address some of your concerns.

[Spinner2]

We've sailed on both and I'd pick the Maasdam probably. But if you want a verandah, it's a better deal to go with the Noordam--there are more of them and the price is better, I think.

We liked the Noordam but I just like the smaller, older ships and we've been fortunate in never having air conditioning or plumbing problems on any of our HAL cruises; that would probably change my opinion, had that happened. Age of the ship doesn't always correlate with how everything works; for example, on our last Maasdam trip the internet connection was actually faster than it had been on our Noordam trip six months earlier.

It may change with the new dining system, as that may change the show times, but as late diners, if we go to the show we go to the late one and we've been able to walk in just a few minutes before show time pretty consistently and get a seat toward the front on both ships; no obstructed view at all. So for us, that's not been an issue. I understand the first show is much more crowded though, or it has been when the times were 8:30 and 10:15-ish.

There's so much to consider. The itinerary, the departure port, etc. would sway our choice more than the actual ship, most of the time. We've never had a "bad" HAL cruise so it's a hard choice.

[mamaofami]

I've never sailed the Maasdam, but love the Noordam and will be taking my second cruise on her soon. She's not a glizty ship because she's new; in fact, she's rather elegant. THe sight lines in the show lounge were very good and there were very few seats with problems. I know you won't go wrong with the Noordam.

[RuthC]

I'd pick the Maasdam. I prefer the smaller, more intimate ships to the larger ones, but also think there's nothing so old about the "older" ships.

The Maasdam is beautiful (as is the Noordam). The cabins in the equivalent class are larger on the Maasdam. It's a much shorter walk from where you are to where you're going---it's easy to dash back to the cabin to retrieve something you forgot, or to freshen up after dinner.
The cruise is longer! :D

Whatever you choose---have fun!

[Dolphins]

A key factor would be if you desire a balcony cabin. On the Noordam, there are more balcony cabins, many at lower prices. On the Maasdam, the only balcony cabins are suites and relatively expensive.

[RuthC]

On the Maasdam, the only balcony cabins are suites and relatively expensive.
There's two sizes, and they come in a few price ranges, though. Besides the penthouse, there's the very expensive suites. But don't forget the mini-suites; depending on location they can be found in a few categories, but the cabins (and verandas) are the same size.

[WeLoveCruising]

Drbillmc,

We've sailed on both and I dont think you could go wrong with either ship. The Maasdam is more intimate and traditional, the Noordam is larger and newer. Both are elegant and beautiful to me, with great service.

I've sailed on the Maasdam at least a dozen times and never had A/C problems, but I know some have.

As far as age goes, we're in our mid 40's and although on longer voyages we're some of the youngest, we have never felt out of place and have always had a great time.

But now, most importantly - I see you live in Clifton Park, NY, which is also where we live. I also see you're a teacher, and wondering if you taught at Shen? (That's where our children went). Why dont you drop me an email to WLCHAL (at) aol.com?

Joanne

[hammybee]

I too prefer the Maasdam and this particular intinerary over the Noordam.
Then again, I prefer mature ships.

The cost is the about the same on a per day basis. The big difference is if you want a balcony. As Dolphin said, there are more balconies and suites on the Noordam and therefore it will be less costly than the Massdam.

[drbillmc]

Thank you very much for the responses. I think we are leaning toward the Maasdam because of the itinerary. Also, you have reassured me of the quality of the Maasdam.

I still have concerns about the your way seating and the showtimes. It looks like they waitlist a lot of dinner requests. We usually take the late seating and like the late (!0:00 +) shows. It also looks like the shows for the late seating are at 6:30. Have you had problems?

Thanks again for great ideas. Bill

[Lurker1]

A key factor would be if you desire a balcony cabin. On the Noordam, there are more balcony cabins, many at lower prices. On the Maasdam, the only balcony cabins are suites and relatively expensive.

I agree, DW and I have been on the Maasdam (beautiful ship), the Statendam and the Oosterdam--(the latter a Vista class ship). If a balcony is important to you, you can get one cheaper on a Vista class ship, although without any suite amenities. Otherwise, look to the itinerary, time of sail and price. On our last curise we went from Boston to Montreal on the Maasdam in May, and only had an outside cabin. For that voayage at that time of year, we thought a balcony wouldn't be wroth the price. Perhaps a mini-suite would be worth the price, be we chose not to find out.

[JD in MD]

Hey Bill,

Do we know you? I think you were on Celebrity's Alaskan land tour and cruise with us in 2003. The ship had a hole and we all got stranded in Seward and had a ball. We had a little reunion at our house in Md. several months later with you and your wife Cathy and Cat and Dave from the same cruise.

If it is you, congratulations on your retirement. Please let me know if I have the right person. Cat and Dave saw your listing first so they are also interested in getting back in touch. Hope it is you.

Joni

[atxlady]

We have sailed on both and I dont think you could go wrong with either. It would just depend on what ports and what you want to do. The Noordam, is the larger and the age is the only difference. The service was WONDERFUL on both.
I first sailed on the Masdam in my late 30's and I never felt bored. It was a wonderful first cruise expericence.
We sailed on the Noordam on her inaugural sailing out on New York in 2006, and that was so special.
Again you can't/won't go wrong with either.
Have fun and enjoy yourself.

[aliaschief]

We picked the MS Noordam and will be sailing on the Oct. 18, 08 cruise. We enjoy both classes of ships. This cruise on the Noordam already has a strong showing of Cruise Critic members on the Roll Call. Either way I'm sure that you will enjoy your cruise.

We are planning on sailing on the MS Masdam or MS Eurodam on the relocation cruise from Canada to Florida October 09. According to blogs I have read the MS Masdam is scheduled for dry dock in Feb 09 so she should be all spruced up by than. There is a great live review going on right now from Copper on the Masdam's 10 day Southern Carribian Cruise that is taking place right now. Check out the main board.

[dogo88]

We have been on both ships. We had a great time on both ships and would enjoy another trip on either. But with that out of the way, if we had to choose one over the other, we would pick the Noordam. There is way more ship on the Noordam, more balcony cabins, larger and better seating theater, etc.

So if you decide to go on the Oct Noordam trip, shoot over to the "Roll Call" boards. We got a real nice group attending.

Dan & Gail

[EastCoast]

We have sailed on both and I dont think you could go wrong with either. It would just depend on what ports and what you want to do. The Noordam, is the larger and the age is the only difference. The service was WONDERFUL on both.
I first sailed on the Masdam in my late 30's and I never felt bored. It was a wonderful first cruise expericence.
We sailed on the Noordam on her inaugural sailing out on New York in 2006, and that was so special.
Again you can't/won't go wrong with either.
Have fun and enjoy yourself.

I have to agree with ATXLADY-having sailed on both Maasdam 94/01 and Noordam 06/07-they are both wonderful, having a very loyal following.