The Maasdam, then and now

[Keith Rita]

We took our third HAL cruise on the Maasdam Feb 2001 and was just wondering what changes (if any) have been made to her since that cruise. The cruise was for our fourth wedding anniversary and it was one of our more memorable cruises. I just reviewed the review we made for the old Sealetter site and the photos of us in the Rockin' Rolldies 50s Night program. We wonder if they still do that?
We are looking to book our annual New Year cruise and this ship is one of our choices. We remember from years past on this site of some Maasdam loyalists. Are you still around and what can you tell us? Any info would be greatly appreciated.:):)

[sail7seas]

Since you last sailed Maasdam, there have been some wonderful changes (and a few I'm less crazy about :) )

In the area outside the upper level of the dining room that used to be King's Room and Maitre D's office, there is now an alternative restaurant called Pinnacle Grill. It is wonderful! There is a $20 pp charge for dinner and it is worth it. Outstanding (huge) steaks amoung many other wonderful offerings. Menus are available with a bit of research on this site. Opposite, on port side, they took the area that used to be card room and another meeting room, they built Exploration Cafe. It has a fabulous coffee bar and internet center as well as library and comfy loungers to listen to music via headphones. Lots of glass to watch the seas and scenenry. GREAT space IMO

HAL got all new beds that most of us think are heavenly. All part of what they called Signature of Excellence Upgrades.

Crew on Maasdam is one of the best at sea IMO We just returned from 2 weeks about and have 3 weeks booked for this summer. We can never get enough of Maasdam.

There are other changes I'll leave for someone else to describe. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

The gym was made smaller inorder to add on a Thermol Pool and spa area -- both of which extend out further than before -- thus when you are sitting in the Crow's Nest you can no longer look down at the bow of the ship.

This new thermol area has 5 heating chairs and a small whirlpool which is referred to as the thermol pool.

They have also added on the aft - high up the Loft and Club HAL for the children.

[sail7seas]

We have found the gym to be well sufficient for the demand and one wonderrful change to it is they added individual tv's to every treadmill. I love that!

[FunForUs]

You might want to check out this thread on the Maasdam.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=887139

Shirley

[Copper10-8]

Some more changes:

Flat screen TV's in every cabin:)

No more Java Cafe with free coffee (got the Explorations Cafe in it's place) - They also added a Culinary Arts Center inside the Wajang (Movie) Theater and an Art Gallery on Deck 7 in between the Atrium and the Wajang. Oh yeah, they now have Art Auctions:rolleyes:, usually in the Ocean Bar

Enjoy Maasdam, if you happen to choose her! She's still a great ship :)

[Keith Rita]

sail7seas, Krazy Kruizers, FunForUs, and Copper 10-8, thanks for the responses.
It sounds like the Maasdam has become a smaller clone of most of the present day cruise ships with the addition of the alternate restaurants, etc. The new bedding sounds real good. Our last HAL cruise was on the Zaandam for New Year 2005, and after being used for a Super Bowl hotel in Jacksonville, was heading to dry-dock for these features.
The air conditioner issues doesn't sound promising, however the cruise is almost a year away so if a fix is necessary they have plenty of time.

[cruisinjudy]

No more Rockin' Rolldies show. I miss that!

[Keith Rita]

No more Rockin' Rolldies show. I miss that!

That is too bad--we had fun participating and watching.

[mamadot]

We were on the Maasdam last spring and it was great as usual. Enjoy!