CruisinNana
August 31st, 2004, 04:17 PM
Hi Y'all!!!!
We just returned from the Maasdam, and all my worries about the "old girl" were absolutely unfounded. The Maasdam continues to be a wonderful ship and is well maintained, and the new bedding just makes it even more glorious.
The staff could not have been any nicer. They learned our names immediately and never forgot them. What a nice touch! Wish I could do as well in that department!
Our cabin, 003, was almost perfect. It looked as if someone had used brillo on one of the mirrors in the dressing room, but it in no way spoiled anything. Everything else was perfect. The cabin steward, Buddie, was excellent and so very nice and attentive. I saw him often, and he was always quite pleasant and willing to please.
We were on the Canada/New England cruise from Montreal to Boston, and we ate huge lobster lunches every afternoon in port around 2:00 pm after we had toured all morning. While the lobster lunches were fabulous, we were not even the least bit hungry for dinner at 8:00 pm and we never ordered hors doeuvres or tea in the cabin in the afternoon (which is the opposite of what we do on a Caribbean cruise!) We did go to the Neptune some afternoons for the delicious latte and a few light snacks. We ordered lightly in the dining room, and I would say the food was a little below par, but that really isn't fair judgment since we weren't that hungry in the first place!
We ate at the Pinnacle and the food was delicious! The young lady who waited on us was not so great. She seemed to complain a bit because they were short 2 people, and when I asked for some butter for the bread instead of the olive oil, she let me know that she had to go downstairs to get the food and the butter and she would see what she could do. Needless to say, the butter never came (I didn't need the calories anyway!!!), and that left me thinking this gal needed a rest! There isn't much that can ruin a cruise for me, and that certainly didn't, but so many wanted to know about the staff in the Pinnacle, and thought I should share that. The staff in the regular dining room was excellent!!!!
At each port, we hired a driver to show us the highlights of each port, and that was a great way to see everything. The only port we didn't do that was in Sydney. I wish the cruise line would skip that port because there was not much to it. I would have loved another sea day or to spend 2 days in Halifax. I think the comments I heard from others was the same.
I'm afraid we didn't go to any shows because we became casino rats. The 4 of us love to play cards, and only one of us came home with winnings, but that was OK because we thoroughly enjoyed the casino. The staff was very nice, and every single dealer was nice and pulling for the player. There was also very little smoke in the casino.... a first for a casino visit I've ever had!
I met HAZE from the boards, and loved meeting her and her husband. They are still on the Maasdam, those lucky ducks, as they were doing a back to back. The weather the week we were on was fabulous, but I'm afraid HAZE is not experiencing the same on her return trip to Montreal. HAZE had met LISA63 from the boards and introduced her to me. It really was fun putting a face with a name.
The people I was with had only been on the Oosterdam and never been on an S class ship. They LOVED the size of the Maasdam and the ease of getting around. I had forgotten how easy it was, as well.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip on a wonderful ship. For those of you worried about the Maasdam, as was I, put those worries aside. She is a beautiful ship with a wonderful crew. Thanks to all of you who answered so many questions for me before the trip. I hope I can be helpful as well.
Dee :D :D :D
We just returned from the Maasdam, and all my worries about the "old girl" were absolutely unfounded. The Maasdam continues to be a wonderful ship and is well maintained, and the new bedding just makes it even more glorious.
The staff could not have been any nicer. They learned our names immediately and never forgot them. What a nice touch! Wish I could do as well in that department!
Our cabin, 003, was almost perfect. It looked as if someone had used brillo on one of the mirrors in the dressing room, but it in no way spoiled anything. Everything else was perfect. The cabin steward, Buddie, was excellent and so very nice and attentive. I saw him often, and he was always quite pleasant and willing to please.
We were on the Canada/New England cruise from Montreal to Boston, and we ate huge lobster lunches every afternoon in port around 2:00 pm after we had toured all morning. While the lobster lunches were fabulous, we were not even the least bit hungry for dinner at 8:00 pm and we never ordered hors doeuvres or tea in the cabin in the afternoon (which is the opposite of what we do on a Caribbean cruise!) We did go to the Neptune some afternoons for the delicious latte and a few light snacks. We ordered lightly in the dining room, and I would say the food was a little below par, but that really isn't fair judgment since we weren't that hungry in the first place!
We ate at the Pinnacle and the food was delicious! The young lady who waited on us was not so great. She seemed to complain a bit because they were short 2 people, and when I asked for some butter for the bread instead of the olive oil, she let me know that she had to go downstairs to get the food and the butter and she would see what she could do. Needless to say, the butter never came (I didn't need the calories anyway!!!), and that left me thinking this gal needed a rest! There isn't much that can ruin a cruise for me, and that certainly didn't, but so many wanted to know about the staff in the Pinnacle, and thought I should share that. The staff in the regular dining room was excellent!!!!
At each port, we hired a driver to show us the highlights of each port, and that was a great way to see everything. The only port we didn't do that was in Sydney. I wish the cruise line would skip that port because there was not much to it. I would have loved another sea day or to spend 2 days in Halifax. I think the comments I heard from others was the same.
I'm afraid we didn't go to any shows because we became casino rats. The 4 of us love to play cards, and only one of us came home with winnings, but that was OK because we thoroughly enjoyed the casino. The staff was very nice, and every single dealer was nice and pulling for the player. There was also very little smoke in the casino.... a first for a casino visit I've ever had!
I met HAZE from the boards, and loved meeting her and her husband. They are still on the Maasdam, those lucky ducks, as they were doing a back to back. The weather the week we were on was fabulous, but I'm afraid HAZE is not experiencing the same on her return trip to Montreal. HAZE had met LISA63 from the boards and introduced her to me. It really was fun putting a face with a name.
The people I was with had only been on the Oosterdam and never been on an S class ship. They LOVED the size of the Maasdam and the ease of getting around. I had forgotten how easy it was, as well.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip on a wonderful ship. For those of you worried about the Maasdam, as was I, put those worries aside. She is a beautiful ship with a wonderful crew. Thanks to all of you who answered so many questions for me before the trip. I hope I can be helpful as well.
Dee :D :D :D