Keith Rita

We've enjoyed reading about the love of the Maasdam by the many past sailors.

We are so glad we decided to book our second cruise on this ship.

We wrote a review of our first cruise on her 15 years ago on the old Sealetter site. Click the link if interested in reading it. Keep in mine my writing skills are not the best!

http://www.sealetter.com/Mar-01/maasdam.html

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Please add:

Maasdam - April 26, 2016 - Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean - 7 days

We last cruised on this ship 15 years ago! This will be our 10th HAL cruise.

Thank you!:):)

It is nice to hear so many good things about the Maasdam. The changes made seem for the better. The ship had personality when we sailed on her 15 years ago. It sounds like it still does!

We were on the Ryndam B2B in Dec 2011 and they had just put in the 'MIX'. We agree, it was very nice.

We thank you all for responding to my post, or should I say almost all of you!:(

To sail7seas: With over 30 cruises on the Maasdam and your love of the ship we are especially grateful for your comments. Also, so sorry for your loss.

One of the best cruises were ever took was on the Maasdam in Jan of 2001. Kind of spur of the moment since we were heading to Florida anyway we just booked the Maasdam again for April 26, 2016. I remember from a few years ago the ship had a lot of followers so we are asking: Will we be surprised with any changes or is the ship pretty much the same now as it was 15 years ago? Also, any word from HAL if the ship is going to be sold or retired? We sure like the ships of this size and her sisters which we've also cruised. It seems ships are getting larger and these smaller ones are going by the wayside.

9 days!:cool::cool:

Late December as in a New Year cruise! We had to cancel last year so this year it's B2B on the Serenade! Our eleventh New Year cruise.

While on the ship for the first time in Feb we booked a B2B for New Year and the week after.

Our review is in our signature.

We don't agree with Bugsy777 review and opinion of the Serenade based upon our experience on the ship, however we do agree he or she has the right to their opinion and review. It would probably be a very boring world if everyone's likes and dislikes were the same!;);)

If you're coming in the night before your cruise, the Holiday Inn on Loyola (Holiday Inn Superdome) offers a package that includes parking and transportation to the pier. We did this package for our cruise this past February and have reserved it for our March 2015 cruise.

We'll second that. We booked the park and cruise package there 3 times. Our most recent was 2 weeks ago. We have another booked for our B2B New Year cruise on the Serenade.

Don't forget to visit Kino sandals in Key West. Can't remember the street, but just ask, someone will know. Good prices, as it is the factory. They make them right there.

They are at 107 Fitzpatrick Street. Rita bought a pair on our recent cruise.

Enjoy your cruise! We are enjoying tagging along!;);)

We have made it to New Orleans!

Now you need to head to Café du Monde for those Beignets!

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John was pretty high energy and my folks went to one of his shows and reported that his talent was very good as well (They live in Branson, Mo so they seen enough that I will take their word for it). For my part, I did rather a double-take at an all US CD team since the activities director is his wife. I'm used to seeing British and Canadian CDs! (Laugh at myself on that) They did a great job across the board. Exuberant in every activity.

We were on the cruise after yours and Rita dragged me to his afternoon Neil Diamond show on our last full day aboard ship. He was a surprisingly good Neil Diamond impersonator and received a well deserved standing ovation. It was definitely a high energy performance.

Be sure to catch the Aerial Show in the Centrium.

Click to view on YouTube:

She is right behind the CD on the front row. 3rd from the left of the screen, one pant leg up, the other down :)

She looks like she's having too much fun!:D:D

That is awesome, my wife will be excited.

 

Here is a video I shot last year of the Thriller Dance:

 

They did a great job

Now you have to point out your wife in the video!;);)

Just looked through your pics, did they do the Thriller Dance on board? My wife did this last year on the Mariner and she had a blast doing it. I know she would do it again.

Yes they did! Two of our tablemates were in it.

The last photo is of them at our table after their performance.

We were just on the Serenade for the 02/08/2014 cruise with the same itinerary. It was one of our better cruises. We look forward to your blog! We even booked a B2B for New Year 2015 while aboard.:):)

Maybe this is why folks go on nude cruises. They avoid these discussions/arguments concerning suggested attire.;)

We like the tradition of dressing up for the formal nights on cruise ships. We have plenty of other occasions to be casual.

Our first cruise, which was for our delayed honeymoon, was on the Carnival Sensation

in Sept 1997. Our first HAL cruise was our next cruise a year later on the old ms Westerdam.

Our first cruise, which was for our delayed honeymoon, was on the Carnival Sensation

in Sept 1997. Our first HAL cruise was our next cruise a year later on the old ms Westerdam.

Do you have to play bingo, or can you get the 1/2 price drinks and run?:D

We suppose if you are fast enough . . .

:cool: :cool:

We just thought of another--half price drinks at bingo, assuming they still do that.

The Indonesian wait staff and the Filipino bar staff! All the neat little things they can make and the neat tricks and puzzles they show you. Also, they remember your name after the first introduction. The native shows they put on are also very good.

Fresh fruit in your stateroom and of course, Dutch night and the cute little hats! We have one of the ladies hat from each of our HAL cruises hand painted with our names and details of the cruise--from the staff of the Ocean Bar. :) :)