Maasdam

[DieHard]

Just back from 3/26 to 4/10 sailing and the ship is still in great shape and the crew is outstanding.
Few Observations:
1. Yes, there are trays in the Lido.
2. The ship supplies free washing powder at the laundry.
3. The shows are great.
4. The chair hogs are still out in force. Chairs will remain empty for hours
with a book or other items on them for saving them while people go
ashore or back to their cabins to finish sleeping.
5. On formal nights if men go to the main dinning room without a coat on
they will not be allowed to enter until they put one on. The ship will
give them one to wear that they have on hand.
6. You have to wear a mask or walk fast down some of the hallways as
they reek of cigarette and cigar smoke. The smoke has no where to
go except thru the cracks in the doorways The cabin stewards hated
to go into a couple of cabins on my deck because of the stink as if the
people cared about anyone's health.
7. Five people missed the ship at one port. The ship waited a half hour
for them then set sail. So, if you are a half hour or more late returning
to the ship be ready to find a way to get to the next stop or be a darn
good swimmer.

[skippyy]

Just back from 3/26 to 4/10 sailing and the ship is still in great shape and the crew is outstanding.
Few Observations:
1. Yes, there are trays in the Lido.
2. The ship supplies free washing powder at the laundry.
3. The shows are great.
4. The chair hogs are still out in force. Chairs will remain empty for hours
with a book or other items on them for saving them while people go
ashore or back to their cabins to finish sleeping.
5. On formal nights if men go to the main dinning room without a coat on
they will not be allowed to enter until they put one on. The ship will
give them one to wear that they have on hand.
6. You have to wear a mask or walk fast down some of the hallways as
they reek of cigarette and cigar smoke. The smoke has no where to
go except thru the cracks in the doorways The cabin stewards hated
to go into a couple of cabins on my deck because of the stink as if the
people cared about anyone's health.
7. Five people missed the ship at one port. The ship waited a half hour
for them then set sail. So, if you are a half hour or more late returning
to the ship be ready to find a way to get to the next stop or be a darn
good swimmer.
Thanks for your observations, Diehard.. can I ask a few more questions ?
Sailing Maasdam 23 May, Montreal to Boston..Main dining still good as ever? What cabins were you in ? Were you offered any up-sells and/or
upgrades prior to sailing ? How soon before sailing ? Use TA or HAL direct ?
Any must-see or must-do onboard activities ? Impression of current
Captain and Staff ? Realize I'm asking alot, but there are very few Maasdam posts around:eek: Any information you provide will be appreciated:)

[GeriatricNurse]

Just back from 3/26 to 4/10 sailing and the ship is still in great shape and the crew is outstanding.
Few Observations:
1. Yes, there are trays in the Lido.
2. The ship supplies free washing powder at the laundry.
3. The shows are great.
4. The chair hogs are still out in force. Chairs will remain empty for hours
with a book or other items on them for saving them while people go
ashore or back to their cabins to finish sleeping.
5. On formal nights if men go to the main dinning room without a coat on
they will not be allowed to enter until they put one on. The ship will
give them one to wear that they have on hand.
6. You have to wear a mask or walk fast down some of the hallways as
they reek of cigarette and cigar smoke. The smoke has no where to
go except thru the cracks in the doorways The cabin stewards hated
to go into a couple of cabins on my deck because of the stink as if the
people cared about anyone's health.
7. Five people missed the ship at one port. The ship waited a half hour
for them then set sail. So, if you are a half hour or more late returning
to the ship be ready to find a way to get to the next stop or be a darn
good swimmer.



Have no fear! Effective May 1st., 2009, trays will be eliminated fleet-wide in the Lido!

[skippyy]

Have no fear! Effective May 1st., 2009, trays will be eliminated fleet-wide in the Lido!
Diehard, Please hide several trays..ugh..too late, you're home..guess
I could take my own:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for your observations.

Sorry that some people missed the ship -- guess they will not do that in the future -- they learned their lesson.

[aliaschief]

Thanks for your report. The May 8 repositioning cruise now dubbed "Repos" is getting antsy and any news helps soothes!

Over 42 now signed up for the Meet & Greet!

-Pre cruise no host cocktail party

-A crawl

-special commemorative name tags

This is a very active group and we are having a blast.

Did you have a M&G? If you did can you tell how it was catered and what was offered?

Also what were the show times?

Thanks

[LMHSRN]

Have no fear! Effective May 1st., 2009, trays will be eliminated fleet-wide in the Lido!

And....you know this how?

[basiaZ03]

Then how will a person who uses a cane or walker carry their food???

[aliaschief]

Oh No! Please, let's not go there! Let's just keep this as an update on the Maasdam.

[RuthC]

Then how will a person who uses a cane or walker carry their food???
With great difficulty (the voice of experience).

[DieHard]

Thanks for your observations, Diehard.. can I ask a few more questions ?
Sailing Maasdam 23 May, Montreal to Boston..Main dining still good as ever? What cabins were you in ? Were you offered any up-sells and/or
upgrades prior to sailing ? How soon before sailing ? Use TA or HAL direct ?
Any must-see or must-do onboard activities ? Impression of current
Captain and Staff ? Realize I'm asking alot, but there are very few Maasdam posts around:eek: Any information you provide will be appreciated:)

1. Yes, the dining room is still good. We had open seating and ate when we felt like it. The Lido has the same food if you don't feel like dressing up.
2. We had MM Guaranteed and received 519. We got it assigned about 10 days before sailing. We took a small ice chest and the steward kepted it filled all the time.
3. We went thru our discount store to book the cruise. We got $200 gift
card, $100 on board credit and a coupon book. The price for the cruise is
about the same who ever you book with.
4. The only upgrade we received was from MM to M. We got tired of waiting for a cabin assignment and tried to purchase a higher catagory but HAL wouldn't talk to our TA.
5. Only saw the Captain once. On our other cruises we saw the Captain quite a few times walking around checking the ship out. The Cruise Director Susan did a brilliant job.
6. Save you t-shirt money for the second sea day. They put shirts on sale at 4 for $20. Take a baseball bat, pepper spray or something else to
protect yourself. I had one of the whales pin me against the talble and had to fight her off. One time I had a shirt in my hand looking for the size, someone grabed it out of my hand and never saw it again.
7. Take coins with you to the laundry as there is not a bill changer.
8. Don't miss going to dinner on the final night as you will be sorry if you don't.
9. As I said the entertainment was great with one exception. The girl singer with the band by the pool was so far off key it was awful.

Have a great trip as I know you will.

[Kenato]

On formal nights, what was the breakdown between men in Tuxes and men in regular suits please?

[DieHard]

On formal nights, what was the breakdown between men in Tuxes and men in regular suits please?

It seemed to be 1/2 and 1/2 on those that derssed up. There were also quite a few that dressed in resort-casual and ate at the Lido. On the 4th
formal night my wife and I felt lazy went to the Lido (which was crowded).

[GeriatricNurse]

It seemed to be 1/2 and 1/2 on those that derssed up. There were also quite a few that dressed in resort-casual and ate at the Lido. On the 4th
formal night my wife and I felt lazy went to the Lido (which was crowded).



Believe it or not, there was one man on our recent HAL 14-Day Southern Caribbean cruise onboard the Maasdam who wore a tuxedo to the Lido for dinner on three out of the four nights that we also dined there on formal nights! On the fourth formal night, he must have given up and wore resort dress casual!

[skippyy]

1. Yes, the dining room is still good. We had open seating and ate when we felt like it. The Lido has the same food if you don't feel like dressing up.
2. We had MM Guaranteed and received 519. We got it assigned about 10 days before sailing. We took a small ice chest and the steward kepted it filled all the time.
3. We went thru our discount store to book the cruise. We got $200 gift
card, $100 on board credit and a coupon book. The price for the cruise is
about the same who ever you book with.
4. The only upgrade we received was from MM to M. We got tired of waiting for a cabin assignment and tried to purchase a higher catagory but HAL wouldn't talk to our TA.
5. Only saw the Captain once. On our other cruises we saw the Captain quite a few times walking around checking the ship out. The Cruise Director Susan did a brilliant job.
6. Save you t-shirt money for the second sea day. They put shirts on sale at 4 for $20. Take a baseball bat, pepper spray or something else to
protect yourself. I had one of the whales pin me against the talble and had to fight her off. One time I had a shirt in my hand looking for the size, someone grabed it out of my hand and never saw it again.
7. Take coins with you to the laundry as there is not a bill changer.
8. Don't miss going to dinner on the final night as you will be sorry if you don't.
9. As I said the entertainment was great with one exception. The girl singer with the band by the pool was so far off key it was awful.

Have a great trip as I know you will.
Great info Diehard...will take my whale repellant...most grateful

[Susie51]

Do you know if Maasdam will do the Canada/New England itinerary from Boston to Montreal in 2010? Thank you for your observations.

[acry-artist]

We have just come off the Maasdam and there were many people with physical difficulties going through the line at the Lido. HOW? The great Lido staff stewards would see the problem and offer to carry their tray or go through the line with them. The attitude of HAL crew members is what brings us back to HAL. Don't worry, people will help you. Hope you have a good cruise.

[Harry1954]

Thanks for the great report on Maasdam. This is what we expect on HAL ships and it is always gratifying to see it continuing to be a service oriented cruise line.

Regarding tray expunging - DW and I have decided that sans the trays, we will just eat Italian style (ah .. my background is showing) - one course at a time thru secundo piatto and then finishing off with a spot of grappa. Granted the table will be occupied far longer than normal, but that is what they seem to be encouraging. I supose those who won't be able to be seated will head to the main dining room for more serene fare.

harry

[Kelowna NCL]

I like to travel light so usually do not take a suit with me.....have had no problems before with just slacks, nice (dressy shirt, long sleeve)...matching tie.....so they will make me wear a jacket???? had no probs on the Ryndam....is this one more stuffy????....we are going in Nov so should be nice and hot.....who need a suit and jacket...Ken

[DieHard]

I like to travel light so usually do not take a suit with me.....have had no problems before with just slacks, nice (dressy shirt, long sleeve)...matching tie.....so they will make me wear a jacket???? had no probs on the Ryndam....is this one more stuffy????....we are going in Nov so should be nice and hot.....who need a suit and jacket...Ken
No Ken, jackets were required only on Formal Night and might depend on who is at the door. Two men in front of me were loaned jackets to wear which the ship had a supply of in a closet.

[RuthC]

.....so they will make me wear a jacket???? had no probs on the Ryndam....is this one more stuffy????....
Funny, I never realized that being nicely dressed with a shirt, tie, and jacket constituted "stuffy". :rolleyes:
I always thought "stuffy" had something to do with attitude, not clothing.

[Kelowna NCL]

Thanks about the info....might take my suit just in case....prob will have extra room as a hot cruise....shorts and t shirts most days....Ken

[Kelowna NCL]

Funny, I never realized that being nicely dressed with a shirt, tie, and jacket constituted "stuffy". :rolleyes:
I always thought "stuffy" had something to do with attitude, not clothing.

I guess that is more of a Canadian expression...eh!

sorry if I made a mistake...