We Are NEVER Leaving Maasdam........ Ever!!!

[sail7seas]

We are so loving being aboard 'our' Maasdam that we've decided to stay and stay and stay as long as the cash olds out. :D

Her crew is so amazing it's hard to describe how they work so hard to give us such a good time and are always cheerful and friendly and trying so vrey hard to please everyone. It is obvious to us there are fewer of them but they work harder and harder.

We celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary aboard and the celebration was out of this world wonderful.

Last weeks weather was great and so far, we're lucky this week as well.

We are in charlottetown and the morning clouds and rain have moved off and we are about to exit onto the new pier and take a nice walk about.

The entertainment aboard seems to be the biggest issue. Guests are not happy with the shows, the entertainment and apparently the changes in this department are not pleasing evreyone. Creative attempts are being made to try to make it more to guests' liking.

We have a new Captain aboard and he's great. He was Chief Officer on Prinsendam and more recently in Venice as the team working to bring out Eurodam. Andre von Schoonhaven (I sooo hope I spelled it correctly :o) and he and Hotel Manager Firmin van Walle extraordinaire are great together. Firmin has always taken such good care of Maasdam and certainly continues to notice and tend to and handle whatever it is, wherever it is, that needs attention. He's absolutely one of the very, very best.

Maasdam 's crew continues to be what makes her so wonderful.

DH and yearning to go ashore so we are off.

More later.

Hope all and everyone is well!

[GmaPajama]

I'm so glad you checked in, Sail. For some reason the title of your thread didn't surprise me at all. :) Thanks for the information on Maasdam's new captain ... that stuff always interests me. Glad your weather has been nice - that always adds to the pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[arzz]

Delighted to hear that you are no longer land locked and back at sea on "your Maasdam" -- continue to have a wonderful cruise.

[jtl513]

Just one question, Sail: are you posting from your new laptop? If yes, how's it working for you? :) Enjoy your remaining days aboard! :)

[martinimadam]

Sail - you are having great luck with the weather! After all those days with pop up T-storms (I think we had something like 16 out of 19 days:eek: ) last week and this have been almost picture perfect! I know you're having a lovely time. If you get a chance, tell us about the new pier in Charlottetown. This can wait til you get back, if you ever do, ;) but I'll be heading to Montreal for the 10/4 sailing of the Maasdam, and would love to know!

[May4]

You've made being aboard ship sound entirely wonderful. I am a huge fan of the Maasdam as well.

This Florida resident can't wait for this ship, and the others, to get themselves back down here for the winter season.:p

Congratulations upon 39 years of marriage to you and Mr. sail7seas.

[WeLoveCruising]

Hi Sail,
So glad you are having a great time! You're making me even more excited for our cruise on the Maasdam in a few weeks.

Cant wait to hear more about it. My DH and I are looking forward to seeing you and yours next week :)

[mamaofami]

Sail, so glad to hear you're having a wonderful cruise, but I didn't expect anything less. Enjoy the remaining time on board.:D Happy Anniversary:)

[tomc]

Tell the Capt and HM to keep it in good shape for me and the othrs on Saturday's cruise, ok? Happy all is well.

[grannynurse]

Hi Sail,
I was so glad to see your post, SOOOO, are you getting off (kicking and screaming in a classy way, I would assume...ooops there's that word again), or NOT?
I'd like to be in Maasdam heaven too,
Have a great "rest of the cruise"
GN

[alsas]

what wonderful news that Andre is now Captain of the Masdam. We met him on the Princendam World cruise a few years ago,and then on the Statendam. A well deserved promotion. Hopefully one day we will sail with him at the helm. Have a wonderful trip. Alsas

[Bill S]

I am pleased to hear that you and DH are having another wonderful cruise (or two) on "your" Maasdam, Sail! I hope the good weather willl continue. Oh, Happy Anniversary, too! :)

[PathfinderEss]

Sails, so glad your back home on your Maasdam. You know we're all very jealous that your out cruising and we are land locked at home. Happy Anniversary and have a fabulous time on the rest of your cruise. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Sail, I am so thrilled you and DH are having such a wonderful time. I missed your post this morning because I had to leave early to go downtown for Jury Duty:o I just got back but may have to re report Thursday:eek:

Happy Anniversary to the two of you:)

I got bets as much as you do not want to leave the Maasdam the crew do not want you to leave either:D

[hammybee]

Good to hear from you, onboard your Maasdam.

I am targeting your Maasdam for my next HAL cruise, based only on your own experiences, over time. Since you will still be on her, I guess I'll see you onboard. :)

[Himself]

I was on that ship once in 1998 to Alaska and I did not care for it. I am glad it was such a good experience for you. Perhaps I will one day try it again.

[Jade13]

We celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary aboard and the celebration was out of this world wonderful.


Hope all and everyone is well!

Sail, Congratulations!

We hope to cruise on Maasdam at some point. We love Veendam and I understand they are sister ships.

[Copper10-8]

Good to hear from you S7S! Keep having a great time! Also great news about Andre van Schoonhoven. We just had him as Chief Officer on Eurodam's prelude and r/t Copenhagen and rumor had it he was next line to get a ship. Congrats to him on his promotion!

[RuthC]

Congratulations to you and DH on 39 years of marriage. May there be many more. And spend them on your Maasdam! :D

So good to hear from you, and to learn you're having a good time. Weather's been so nice here---but it must be even better when you're at sea.

Looking forward to all the juicy details about the entertainment difficulties. There's time for that when you get home. Oh, yeah. You said you're not coming home.
Hummmm. ;)

[jhannah]

Thanks for the check-in, Ma'am. Glad you're having a good time.

So you're not leaving EVER? Are you the next Mama Lou or Dolly? :D

Keep on havin' a great time.

[babyher]

Gald you are having such a great time.

Happy Anniversary and enjoy the rest of your cruise :)

[RuthC]

Are you the next Mama Lou or Dolly? :D

Not Dolly. When the cruise is over, she does pack up and leave. ;)

[SakeDad]

Happy Anniversary and make sure you send postcards and check in here occasionally....we'll miss you;)
But seriously, I would love to hear more details about the entertainment department snafus!:eek: :rolleyes: :p I'm sure you're making the most of it all though!

[fuzzywuzzy]

Good to hear from you, onboard your Maasdam.

I am targeting your Maasdam for my next HAL cruise, based only on your own experiences, over time. Since you will still be on her, I guess I'll see you onboard. :)

Sail: We love your Maasdam also. Hey, wait a minute, I thought she was ours!! Oh well. I guess we have to share her. Yes, we love the ship and her crew also. In fact, my DH and I just booked our next cruise onboard the Maasdam for this January - a 14 day cruise to the southern Caribbean. Take good care of the ship for us.

[cp556]

Happy Anniversary, Sail, and thanks for checking in. So glad you're having a wonderful time ...

Looking forward to the detailed report when you return home .... after the money runs out, that is....:D

[Bramcruiser]

You can stay on board as long as you like as long as you leave room for us on our sailing next year.:D

David

[airlink diva]

I'm glad that you are having a wonderful time on the Maasdam! I can't wait until October to board her again myself.
On that note,I'm sorry, but you have to share her with others :p :p :p !! You can't hog her to yourself!!
I'm kidding, just enjoy her for now, because in 57 days, she's mine :D !!!!
Happy sailing!!!!!
Second time around and my 40th birthday cruise on the
MAASDAM!!
10/24/08-11/07/08

[Charliesmom]

Hi Sail,

I envy you the relaxation one gets on your Maasdam.

Tell me - you have cruised that route so many times. - Do you still go on excursions? Or is it the experience on the ship that keeps you going again and again?

Happy anniversary!!! Isn't it great to have a life partner of so many years?

Warmest regards,

Roberta

[sail7seas]

Hi Hello,

Today we are in Sydney and is common, it is raining here. Out of our many visits, I think it only twice we've been here with sunshine.

YES.... I will reluctantly share the beautiful Maasdam and will disembark when forced to by teams of security and sailors!

It's hard to believe we have only a few days left aboard but know we return in December.

Both weeks, we had the Traditional Mariners Party as there were too many Mariners to be able to run the required two luncheons. Not all could be accommodated in one but seeing as we only have one sea day, it wasn't possible.

DH and I received our Gold Medals this week and it was exciting to receive it on 'our' Maasdam. If I had not had the heart surgery in February, we would still have gotten it on Maasdam as Eurodam was only 13 day cruise but Maasdam 14. We are at exactly 500 days end of this cruise.

The crew is so incredible and taking such good care of everyone. Seems they know in advance whatever it is we could want or need. Then again, seeing how long they've 'been doing this' I guess they really do know.

An experiment on Maasdam this week seems to be working well if our casual observation is correct.

Traditional Dining Times have been brought earlier by 30 minutes. The 8 P.M. seating is now 7:30v P.M. In this port intensive itinerary, the thirty minutes earlier makes it more appealing for more people to attend the shows. They don't want to go to bed too late as many have early morning excursions. The shows seem to be drawing more people this week than last.

Neptune Lounge is fantastic and Abbigal does a great job as Concierge. Pinnacle is as good as any we have ever enjoyed (and that is many). Dining Room Staff great. We love our stewards and Wine stewards. Agus is Supervisor for our section and it's great seeing him again.

Gildus has left Maasdam and I think Volendam will be his next ship...... Dining Room Manager. Sander has replaced him and is terrific. Very efficient, friendly and we enjoy him.

Sorry for a million typos. We didn't bring our laptop so I can't write in word first so I don't use the minutes proof reading.

We are off now and I'll check in later.

Bye for now.

[jhannah]

Congrats on your 500 days. That's amazing, especially since most of them have been on "your" Maasdam. Enjoy the rest of your journey.

[babyher]

Congrats on your 500 days .....may you have 5000 more :)


ENJOY:)

[norcal2]

Awe how wonderful this is to read! Happy Anniversary S7S. You just enjoy every single minute of it for us. :rolleyes:

[localady]

Happy Anniversary and Congrats on 500 days onboard!!:D :D
Enjoy the rest of your cruise.
Calm seas and sunny skies!!:D

[arzz]

Sail -- have you yet ferreted out the info re: Maasdam's upcoming dry dock? When and what will be done? Will she be left as we love her? Or will she get those extra cabins and move the aft poor?

[grannynurse]

CONGRATULATIONS!! on your 500 days aboard HAL ships

and

"HAPPY BURSERY LUBBLY COUPLE!"

fondly,
GN

[RuthC]

Congratulations on reaching the 500 days milestone! Wow! Two celebrations on this cruise.
Traditional Dining Times have been brought earlier by 30 minutes. The 8 P.M. seating is now 7:30v P.M.
That's interesting. What time are the shows? They can't be at the "new and improved" :rolleyes: early times, as the 7:00 show wouldn't end in time for 7:30 dinner. Did HAL move it back to 6:30? :eek: Or leave it at 9:30-ish? :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Congratulations on getting your 500 day award -- sail7seas.

[Grumpy1]

Congratulations on your 500 day award Sail. And congratulations on being back aboard your beloved Maasdam. Oh yeah, congrasts on that 39 year thingy too.:D We're so glad that you have your sea legs under you once again.

I've sailed with Captain Andre when he was first officeron Prinsendam and also on Eurodam. I've been pretty sure that he would be elevated to captain and so glad to see that it has happened. He's a very capable man and always pleasant to converse with. Be sure to tell him he's not allowed to use his majic markers to touch up any of Captain Card's paintings...:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Congratulations
to
Mr and Mrs Sail7Seas
On Reaching the Milestone
500 DAY Gold Medallion

[GmaPajama]

WOW - so many things to celebrate on your Maasdam! CONGRATULATIONS, many times over! We're all tickled for you to be able to celebrate these milestones on your favorite ship!

[PathfinderEss]

DH and I received our Gold Medals this week and it was exciting to receive it on 'our' Maasdam. If I had not had the heart surgery in February, we would still have gotten it on Maasdam as Eurodam was only 13 day cruise but Maasdam 14. We are at exactly 500 days end of this cruise.

The crew is so incredible and taking such good care of everyone. Seems they know in advance whatever it is we could want or need. Then again, seeing how long they've 'been doing this' I guess they really do know.

Neptune Lounge is fantastic and Abbigal does a great job as Concierge. Pinnacle is as good as any we have ever enjoyed (and that is many). Dining Room Staff great. We love our stewards and Wine stewards. Agus is Supervisor for our section and it's great seeing him again.


Wow, congratulations on you gold metal, 500 days and your 39 anniversary all on your cruise, thats terrific. I think we had Abbigal on the Maasdam when were on board, if not there, on one of those other dam ship. She is superb. So glad your having a great cruise.......

[dvdfreakmc]

Congrats J & DH on your 500 days!!!! Thanks for the drink -- we had a great time meeting you both. So I guess we hit Sidney on the one sunny day, as it was glorious weather all last week.

Say hi to Gander and Captain Andre from us, as well as Kelly in the Signature Shops.

[innlady1]

Congratulations, Sail (and DH, of course!) on your 39th anniversary...how special to celebrate aboard your favorite Maasdam! Congratulations, too, on 500 days on HAL! So glad that you checked in here...I've been thinking of you on the Maasdam. :)

[rebeljohn]

Congratulatiopns on your anniversary! Nice way to spent it.................on the 'beautiful and elegant' Maasdam.................