Canada/New England Cruise- Holland America- Whats it like?

My wife and I are looking at going on a New England/Canada cruise next summer, we have been on two cruises, both in the Caribbean. The ship were looking at taking is one from Holland America and is older and only 55,000 tons. Anyone taken this cruise? Is it a nice ship? One thing we are worried about is the size, being so small do you feel lots of movement? Our first cruise was on a bigger 110,000ton vessel and we felt almost no movement, we just got back from one this summer that was 77,000 tons and my wife said no more smaller vessels as it had too much movement for her. Is that part of the ocean any calmer than the gulf? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Also were trying to get the in laws on their first cruise, so it needs to be a good one!

We did the Holland America Massdam from Montreal Ca. to Boston in 7 days 6 years ago. That ship holds around 1200 passengers and is really nice. The crowd is a little older and few children. The stops are outstanding. We are doing a 10 day cruise next month starting in Montreal going to NYC. Good Luck with your choice.

I have not done that particular trip on the Maasdam, but have done Canada/New England on the Eurodam (2009) and it was so spectacular we are booked again for this September. As for the size of the ship, I have been on the Ryndam (sister to Maasdam) and sure there was movement, but you will feel it on most ships regardless of size. The Eurodam and Maasdam can be seen nose to nose in my signature to give you an idea of the size difference, the Eurodam rocks pretty good also.

MSC are cruising the Canada/New England route and we are booked on a cruise this October - not sure when your summer is but I think we are in Autumn then ?? I have been on MSC for two cruises and not felt a ripple on these ships, but we were sailing in the MED - I am told that we might get rougher seas this time - I'm not a good traveller but love cruising with MSC - they are Italian have lots of style but are not always suited to the American way of sailing - they are a bit more formal I think for example they only have formal dinner and not buffet at dinner time - sorry I cant be much help on that because I havent sailed with anyone else. MSC also have good deals if you book early. Good luck with your search - I hope both you and your inlaws have a great time.

Sea calm depends in part on the time of the year. So are you planning to go in the late summer/early fall (hurricane season) or in the spring? The ship's route does not stay close to the land so that it can go out far enough for the casino to open, so most of the nights will be out in the Atlantic.

Probably the location of your cabin will have a great deal to do with how much you feel the motion. The HAL board here has lots of information on the cabins.

HAL uses the Maasdam for this route because it's small enough to make it under the bridge and all the way up to Montreal, unless the water is too high. Then HAL buses passangers to or from Quebec City.

Ask about the Maasdam condition at the HAL board; it hasn't been all that long since it was in dry dock and as far as I can tell, it's in good shape.

As you can see, we're giving this trip a try ourselves in June, 2012. I've been watching the prices on this one for a few years and I don't think it often, if ever, goes on sale. It's Very Popular. Take a look at the prices for the few openings left for 2011....makes 2012 look good!

Happy sailing....

I am taking this cruise next May. I have been on several HAL ships from the Neiuw Amsterdam to the smaller ones but never on the Maasdam. I have never heard a bad word about her and her staff so look forward to sailing on her. My husband is not one for excessive motion on a ship and we went to Alaska for 7 days and the Pacific coastal for 4 days where we felt a lot of motion but he survivied. We always try to stay on the lower decks in the middle of the ship. We just got back from a Europe crusis on the NA with a balcony (our first time) It was so smooth sometimes I didn't know we were on a ship.

We've switched to your May 26 cruise (to avoid the Montreal Grand Prix crowds).

I am so ready! :)