Question I haven't seen asked

[Cruising Ham]

I've searched this forum but haven't found anything quite like what I'm going to ask. My wife and I are taking her mother on her first cruise in September. Ship is the Maasdam.

 

We've been on two European cruises on HAL (Rotterdam and Noordam), so the New England/Canada cruise will be "easier" in certain respects. My mother-in-law wants to do this cruise (she picked it among three gift options), but I could see some trepidation last week. She's in her "later" 70s, so it might just be the uncertainty of something radically different, plus she hasn't travelled that much in her lifetime.

 

Here's my question...what's the best way to introduce her to the ship? Is there anything we should show her, introduce her to, guide her toward, etc., until she gets comfortable? My wife and I have already decided this is her mother's trip and we'll adjust to her needs as necessary. But if there's anything we can do to make her more at ease with the ship, we're game. Thanks!

[sail7seas]

You made a wonderful choice, IMO.

 

Maasdam is a 'smaller' ship and easier to get around and to learn where things are.

 

When you first board, IMO, the best idea is to get Mom to her cabin. Most senior folks like the security of knowing what will be their space and the comfort of knowing it is suitable to their needs and they will be able to 'manage'. If she has a carry on, help her put the few things away and it'll start to feel like home.

 

I would then suggest you go to MDR for lunch. It is Mariners (Repeaters Society) Embarkation Lunch and more calm and restful than the hectic Lido which is buffet and can be a little chaotic on Embark Day. DH and I always love the excitement and energy there but we know what to expect.

 

After lunch, go to Deck 8..... that is the main 'public' deck. That is upper level of the Main Dining Room and also where you will find Explorer's Lounge, Pinnacle Grill, Casino, Ocean Bar, the three section lounge called MIX, Ocean Bar, the ship's shops and the upper level of the show lounge. There are scattered restrooms on this deck should one be sought.

 

If she gets familiar with what that deck looks like, it should make it easier for her to acclimate and recognize where she is whenever that is where the elevator opens and that is where you are going.

 

Maasdam is a beautiful ship with a wonderful crew and is one of our two favorites. We have sailed her a great many times and hope for many more cruises on her.

 

Have fun..... you're doing a lovely thing for your Mom and making wonderful memories.

[LindaM]

I've searched this forum but haven't found anything quite like what I'm going to ask. My wife and I are taking her mother on her first cruise in September. Ship is the Maasdam.

 

We've been on two European cruises on HAL (Rotterdam and Noordam), so the New England/Canada cruise will be "easier" in certain respects. My mother-in-law wants to do this cruise (she picked it among three gift options), but I could see some trepidation last week. She's in her "later" 70s, so it might just be the uncertainty of something radically different, plus she hasn't travelled that much in her lifetime.

 

Here's my question...what's the best way to introduce her to the ship? Is there anything we should show her, introduce her to, guide her toward, etc., until she gets comfortable? My wife and I have already decided this is her mother's trip and we'll adjust to her needs as necessary. But if there's anything we can do to make her more at ease with the ship, we're game. Thanks!

 

My mom was in her mid 70's when she took her first and last cruise. She had traveled extensively prior, so that wasn't the issue. She had trouble sleeping in a noisy cabin, which caused a lack of sleep for a week. IMHO, your MIL's trepidation is due to trying something different. She is leaving her comfort zone.

 

We go to Europe once a year. At 61, I have increasing trepidation. I want to go, but I don't. Told DH I would be OK staying at home, but I know I wouldn't be happy if I did. I always have a trip or 2 planned for the future! Hopefully, she will be honest and tell you if she is having second thoughts. Of course, she could be like me and be perfectly fine, once she gets there. I don't think the ship is the problem---it's leaving her comfort zone.

[mamaofami]

Maasdam is a great ship and you made a wonderful choice. I second everything Sail said. I would also show her the Exploration Cafe where there is a library and some wonderful seats for viewing the ocean. It's one of my favorite places on the ship.

 

Also, to help her orient, I would remind her that the entertainment is toward the front(bow) and the food is toward the rear(aft).

 

Once she feels comfortable on the ship, she'll have a great time. We've done that cruise and loved it.

[Cruising Ham]

Thanks Sail7seas for that recommendation. I forgot to mention we're going to the cabin first, but the MDR Embarkation Lunch, if we can get in, is a great idea. If not, she may actually enjoy the hustle/bustle of the Lido. It depends.

 

And thanks so much for the Deck 8 recommendation. That's a great place to start!

[Cruising Ham]

Maasdam is a great ship and you made a wonderful choice. I second everything Sail said. I would also show her the Exploration Cafe where there is a library and some wonderful seats for viewing the ocean. It's one of my favorite places on the ship.

 

Also, to help her orient, I would remind her that the entertainment is toward the front(bow) and the food is toward the rear(aft).

 

OK, true confessions time...someone has to tell my wife and I which way is front and which is back. I'm not kidding. On the Noordam last year we were absolutely confident we were headed the correct direction to "whatever". I can't tell you how many times we ended up on the opposite end of the ship from what we intended. Yes, I know there are signs...we don't need no stinking signs. Or so we thought.

 

Seriously, though, we've explained there's a library and various other venues and a daily schedule where she can pick whatever she wants to do. Or to do absolutely nothing. Her call. Think I'll print off a copy of the deck plans we'll be on, so she can get some idea of what's there. It's not the same as seeing it, of course, but it might help with orientation.

[QueenGlassHalfFull]

We had the same concerns when we took my parents (both in their late 80's) on a cruise several years ago. After dropping off the luggage and having lunch (we did eat in the Lido and my parents enjoyed it), my husband and Dad took off to explore the ship while my sister and I sat with my Mom in the Explorations Café. Eventually my Mom wanted to do more exploring so we started our own tour of the ship. Try to board as early as possible and start enjoying the ship. I hope that you have a wonderful time. Cruising is such a lovely way to get family together to enjoy a good time.

[PatsyAnne]

What does your mother-in-law like to do? If she likes to walk, I'd show her the promenade, and if she likes to work out I'd show her the exercise room. I would definitely show her the Explorations Cafe and the Crow's Nest.

 

I also like the suggestion of lunch at the MDR.

 

She might have concerns about how to find you on the ship, especially if you are in separate staterooms. If so, I would show her how to find and how to call your room. In any case, set times and places where you will meet (i.e. stateroom at 5:00 before dinner). I used to do that with my parents when we were traveling and staying in hotels, and then they didn't worry about their daughter as much.:)

 

Not necessarily first thing, but for later she may enjoy the iPod tour of the ship's art (I think there is one for the Maasdam). Have a beautiful cruise.

[Boytjie]

I wonder if there are any video tours of the Maasdam on YouTube? Viewing that before boarding could make it more familiar when she actually gets on board.

[durangoscots]

I have to echo what LindaM said.... I travel by myself, am in my mid-70's and I always get just a bit uneasy when I just before a trip. I am fine once I am on board and settled. I agree that once she locates her cabin and then knows where some of the key places are she will relax and enjoy. Fortunately the Maasdam is not an overwhelming ship like, say, the QM2. She will find her favorite spots and be ready to head for them quickly enough.

 

Susan

[Cruising Ham]

Try to board as early as possible and start enjoying the ship.

That is absolutely part of the plan. In fact, we got a hotel close to the dock so I'm hoping to be able to say "It'll dock right there" and, even better, "there it is" the next morning. The theory being once she sees the ship, it'll be "real". Thanks for the recommendation!

[sail7seas]

I wonder if there are any video tours of the Maasdam on YouTube? Viewing that before boarding could make it more familiar when she actually gets on board.

 

 

Great idea.........

 

[Cindy]

My mom is 81 and enjoys cruising immensely...she was 74 when she took her first cruise. She's still quite mobile and an enthusiastic traveler, but I think she finds cruises a lot more enjoyable than some land travel can be. We took a Tauck Tour of London and Paris earlier this summer. Mom had a good time, but I think the pace left her exhausted. Cruises work better for her because you don't HAVE to be up and on a bus every morning!

 

My mom always selects a cabin near the mid ship elevators. That makes it easy for her to get around. On our Westerdam cruise next month, my husband and I will make sure she's settled in her cabin before we go to ours, and then we'll come back to get her and go to the dining room for the Mariner's Luncheon. Once we've been on the ship a few hours my mom will be fine. She's navigated much larger ships with no problems!

 

There are a couple days when my husband and I are doing excursions that my mom isn't interested in. She has no problem staying on the ship and plans to either go to the spa, read a book, or find somebody to play cards with. We're all really looking forward to the cruise and I think we'll have a fantastic time!

 

[Cruising Ham]

What does your mother-in-law like to do?

Beats the tar out of me. I've known my wife for 20 years and have no clue what her mother likes to do. Or my wife, either, but I digress. I suspect I'll finally learn what she likes to do on this trip. We've explained Explorations and the Crow's Nest (our favorite place), but it's not "real" for her until she sees it.

 

Good call on working something out on how to find each other!! I hadn't throught about that one.

[Scrapnana]

You might want to show her the way to your muster station a few minutes early. I like to find my way from my cabin to the muster station 15-30 minutes before everyone is running around trying to find it. Then I find a seat close by, people watch and wait for it to start. Makes it much less hectic.

[Cruising Ham]

I wonder if there are any video tours of the Maasdam on YouTube? Viewing that before boarding could make it more familiar when she actually gets on board.

YES THERE ARE!!!! Lots of them. Great idea! It would be an even greater idea if her mother had a computer. Sorry, it's a never ending source of frustration for us. We'll just invite her over for dinner this weekend and do some viewing.

[RuthC]

One of the first things to do is to tour the public areas of the ship, so your MIL can find her way around. At her own pace, she needs to see the Promenade, Upper Promenade, Lido decks, and how to get to the Crow's Nest. One or two stops at the dead end on Promenade will cure that route quickly.

Point out all the public restrooms along the way! :D

When you board, you will be given a small, pocket-size map of the ship. She should make reference to that as you tour, and then keep it with her.

If it fits in your schedule, suggest she take the public tour on the first afternoon. That tour is only to learn her way around, and may be helpful.

[Krazy Kruizers]

One of the big attractions on Deck 8 -- Upper Promenade Deck -- is the Explorations Café where you can buy specialty coffees and teas. And this is where the Library and Internet Café is located.

[jayjaycan]

If this is her first cruise I would take some precautions to prevent or help with motion/seasickness. Make sure everyone in your party knows that medication is freely available at the front desk.

 

After familiarizing her with the ship layout reinforce the terms fore, aft, port and starboard so she understands them. Show her the different carpet colours in the hallways that differentiate the port & starboard side and the odd, even cabin numbering system. This will help her locate her cabin on her own. Jot the info on a "reminder card" that she can carry with her. Make sure you get an extra ship layout card for her.

 

We are experienced cruisers but I still prepare a deck by deck list of where the various venues that we frequent regularly are located and we carry it with us for a few days until we are familiar with the decks layout.

 

Request an extra daily program be provided by the cabin steward so she can have her own.

[ScriptOhio]

I wonder if there are any video tours of the Maasdam on YouTube? Viewing that before boarding could make it more familiar when she actually gets on board.

 

HAL has videos:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/virtual-tours-videos/Main.action?cat=ships&subcat=ma&type=video&id=1

 

There is also a "virtual tour", i.e. click on the various ship locations and scroll 360 degrees:

 

http://cruise-connections.com/VirtualShipTours/HAL-Maasdam.asp

 

This guy has a lot of information/pictures:

 

http://www.shipcafe.net/shipcafe/ma/ma_intro.htm

[jtl513]

We'll just invite her over for dinner this weekend and do some viewing.

Never mind - last poster beat me! :)

[Cruising Ham]

If this is her first cruise I would take some precautions to prevent or help with motion/seasickness.

 

Show her the different carpet colours in the hallways that differentiate the port & starboard side and the odd, even cabin numbering system. This will help her locate her cabin on her own. Jot the info on a "reminder card" that she can carry with her. Make sure you get an extra ship layout card for her.

 

My wife found the motion sickness patches last night (I hadn't thought about it). They're good until 2014, so we're good there. But I didn't realize the carpeting colors were different. And the extra ship layout card.

 

I'm really glad I asked the question. Learning all kinds of things.

[julia]

(1) To help her get oriented, print out an enlarged deck plan of the ship and use a highlighter to show your cabin location, cafe, library, theater and MDR. Give this to her ahead of time so she can relate to where she's going to "live" for the week.

 

(2) Order the glossy brochure from HAL so she can enjoy the photos and learn more about cruising.

 

(4) Let her review the excursions and choose ones that are more to her liking.

 

(5) If perhaps you can locate some "dailies" from your itinerary, print them out and share them with her so she can get a feel for the type of activities offered onboard.

 

(6) Personalize her cabin for her with a favorite photo or two of family (or pet), and a small vase of silk flowers.

[julia]

My wife found the motion sickness patches last night (I hadn't thought about it). They're good until 2014, so we're good there. But I didn't realize the carpeting colors were different. And the extra ship layout card.

 

I'm really glad I asked the question. Learning all kinds of things.

 

 

The patches AREN'T for everyone, and can cause severe drowsiness. Please have some non-drowsy Bonine or Dramamine on hand. It helps to start taking these prior to boarding so that it's already in your system.

[Cruising Ham]

The patches AREN'T for everyone, and can cause severe drowsiness. Please have some non-drowsy Bonine or Dramamine on hand. It helps to start taking these prior to boarding so that it's already in your system.

You know, that's a good point. The patches don't affect my wife or I, but we don't know how her mother will react. We'll be sure to have something else available.