Sea Days on Trans Pacific Maasdam

Put a deposit on 25 day Auckland to San Diego. Coming to realize that there are 15 Sea Days and recall my Atlantic crossing on the Eurodam last November where the lectures were 30 minute presentations by presenters with few credentials, one in morning and one in PM, the Lincoln Center was closed completely, outside of Trivia, I can't remember any other group activities, Bridge was on your own.

How do I find out on the Massdam, what daily activities will be offered on this even longer (twice) number of Sea Days ?

I found my Sydney to Seattle itinerary (similar idea to what you have booked) different from my trans-At cruises, in that at least until Hawaii, the sea days were interrupted by port days. We didn't have that long string of sea days until we headed north from Hawaii.

We had excellent lecturers on a variety of topics. Most lectures were in the 45-50 minute range. We had one or two in the morning, and another two or one in the afternoon, for a total of up to three a day. Sometimes I felt like I was living in the show lounge!

I have no idea where to find out what is planned on your cruise, or if that kind of information is even published anywhere, but I feel confident that there will be activities planned. I have taken enough trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific cruises to know that, unless you need to be go-go-go every waking hour, there are things to do.

I found my Sydney to Seattle itinerary (similar idea to what you have booked) different from my trans-At cruises, in that at least until Hawaii, the sea days were interrupted by port days. We didn't have that long string of sea days until we headed north from Hawaii.

 

We had excellent lecturers on a variety of topics. Most lectures were in the 45-50 minute range. We had one or two in the morning, and another two or one in the afternoon, for a total of up to three a day. Sometimes I felt like I was living in the show lounge!

 

I have no idea where to find out what is planned on your cruise, or if that kind of information is even published anywhere, but I feel confident that there will be activities planned. I have taken enough trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific cruises to know that, unless you need to be go-go-go every waking hour, there are things to do.

Of the fifteen sea days, 5 are from Bora Bora to Hawaii and 6 from Hawaii to San Diego, so two long stretches. In the last two years on HAL, it seems that the Education has been taken over by HAL Shore Tour people showing run of the mill Travel Promotion presentations.. Gone are the Presenters from say, Oceanography Institution, retired University professors, or published Authors.

(forgive the spelling)

I have to disagree with you about the lack of enrichment speakers. A week ago I disembarked from a back to back cruise, 2 weeks each, that had an enrichment speaker. True, there was only the one speaker, but especially the second two weeks were port intensive.

We did also have the location speaker, discussing what to do in ports if not taking a HAL excursion, but that was over and above the enrichment talks held on sea days.

My last prior cruise was over a year ago, but that, too, had several enrichment speakers---especially on the trans-At portion. IIRC, there were three on that segment.

What a great itinerary! Beautiful ports, and extra time to enjoy some of them, get to learn about the islands' histories and the cultures.

We had enrichment speakers on transpacific and Tales of the South Pacific, usually two per sea day, sometimes 3 when they overlapped being on board. Too much to do on board! Had to miss out on some things just to make sure I had some down time on the vacation! Enjoyed book discussion group about once a week, plus trivia most days, missed out on most of the computer classes and culinary demos to make room for the Polynesian Ambassadors, On Location presentations and even the shore excursion talks which showed the highlights of the ports. And more... Something for every one if they are interested in "doing".

Hope you find things to interest you and you enjoy both the relaxation and the activities on your transpacific cruise. m--

I have to disagree with you about the lack of enrichment speakers. A week ago I disembarked from a back to back cruise, 2 weeks each, that had an enrichment speaker. True, there was only the one speaker, but especially the second two weeks were port intensive.

We did also have the location speaker, discussing what to do in ports if not taking a HAL excursion, but that was over and above the enrichment talks held on sea days.

 

My last prior cruise was over a year ago, but that, too, had several enrichment speakers---especially on the trans-At portion. IIRC, there were three on that segment.

I agree with Ruth. We had fablous enrichment speakers last year on our Hawaii, Tahiti Marquesas cruise and good ones again on our Rotterdam TA (just completed 2 months ago).

I agree with Ruth. We had fablous enrichment speakers last year on our Hawaii, Tahiti Marquesas cruise and good ones again on our Rotterdam TA (just completed 2 months ago).

Thank you, I am encouraged by your comments. My poor experience was on the Eurodam last November from Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale. It was nothing like what you and others described crossing the Pacific.

On our long cruises, we have had great speakers and not so good speakers - the quality really varies, however, most have been on the good side. On the Passage to Far East Asia cruise there were craft classes, watercolor classes, wine tastings, beer tastings, culinary shows, movies, bingo, trivia, dance classes, exercise classes, health related talks, puzzles in the library always in process, a new sudoku and crossword available daily, ship tours, talks by the staff, and I am sure I am missing some things. Also, there is always the gym, magazines and books in the library (I planned part of my next trip using their travel books), the spa. I've not been bored on HAL sea days.

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Others have posted very useful information. I would suggest you also check past reviews of similar cruises on the Maasdam and other HAL ships. While there are never any guarantees (and we know things change all the time) the most recent (early 2017) reviews would be the most current.

We were not happy with the lack of options on the Koningsdam trans-atlantic last November. When they did have a speaker, the showroom was much too small to handle all those who wanted to attend (a problem more specific to the Pinnacle class).

Hope this helps!

I did the transpacific to Australia last fall on the Maasdam. In addition to the Polynesian and aboriginal specialists that they bring on regularly now, there were some speakers. I know that HAL does not pay the speakers, they only give them an available cabin and meals and the lectures only have to be on sea days. Some popular speakers may be able to negotiate something extra. Therefore, a speaker has to be available and want to do the cruise. This is not a problem on popular cruises but I have had friends complain that there were no speakers on a particular cruise.