Is Maasdam really THAT bad???

[cheric]

Count me in as one of those who loved the Maasdam out of Norfolk last February 28th. We're going again on 3/3 and can't wait. We're already counting the days and booking shore excursions! Yes, we missed Half Moon Cay because of weather, but it gave us an extra day on the wonderful Maasdam! No complaints here.

[tkwbear]

Has the Maadam had these upgrades? We sailed her in 2003, and she was a little rough, but it was a great cruise.

 

Zaandam definitely was improved by the upgrades, though I thought it was odd that the bedspread disappeared

[sail7seas]

Has the Maadam had these upgrades? We sailed her in 2003, and she was a little rough, but it was a great cruise.

 

Zaandam definitely was improved by the upgrades, though I thought it was odd that the bedspread disappeared

 

Maasdam gets her SOE upgrades Spring, 2006....I think in April.

[tkwbear]

It looks like the cabins are done. Go to http://www.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/SOE_update.pdf and click schedule.

[sail7seas]

She has to go into drydock to get the Explorations Cafe, Culinary Arts Center, The Lofts and Oasis for teens, the new Greenhouse Spa and Salon etc

 

[serendipity1499]

We were on the Maasdam in 2003 & had a great 7 day cruise..Only problem- The cruise was TOO SHORT.. Couldn't have cared less if there were engine problems...Would have been delighted if we were stranded at sea for a few extra days on board!..The longer the better for me.. After reading the negative review above, have a few comments..

 

Dust Bunnies: to quote another poster, they make me feel right at home! Bad service::confused: Never!

Plumbing Problems:;) So What! Our water Heater went Kaput yesterday to the tune of $566 & the commode went Kaput last month! :rolleyes:

 

Some people just love to complain about every little thing ..Life is too short for that..

 

Cleanliness: On HAL? You kidding? If the OP found dust in the corner, you can be sure it was clean dust and changed three times each day.

 

Bad service: Can't imagine it. Unless you are very picky, and I had a tablemate like that. Couldn't wait to throw her overboard. My sentence comes up for review in five years and, believe me, it was worth it.

 

Both DH & I are LOL..:D .Very funny..May we quote you? They are wonderful "one liners" to send into Readers Digest..Will be glad to split the $$$ with you (after you're paroled, of course), when they publish them..

 

Happy Planning & Cruising everyone!:)

 

p.s. Tom, believe you are a writer? Have you ever tried your hand at "comedy writing" ?

[tomc]

serendipity --

Tom, believe you are a writer? Have you ever tried your hand at "comedy writing"?

I'm a news broadcaster and, in the past, a general radio personality. I've been a writer for many years and, yes, a comedy writer for myself and others. I had three brief stand-ups last week for which I wrote and delivered my stuff to agency groups as a warm-up for a lengthy work session. I love writing comedy, but prefer "straight" radio (newsradio).

[KAYEF]

Cleanliness: On HAL? You kidding? If the OP found dust in the corner, you can be sure it was clean dust and changed three times each day.

 

We can't wait to get back to HAL...............FOR the cleanliness. On NCL just finding a public restroom is next to impossible, then, there is often only one stall and it's dirty............really dirty.

Oh, how I look forward to those soft washcloths for hand-drying in the public restrooms

and the bathrobes

and the herbal teas

and the Lido Buffet

and the service

and the decent sized cabins and bathrooms

and on and on and on.

 

November 26, Veendam, here we come!

[caribbean girl]

We also were on the Maasdam in Feb. of this year for an 11 day cruise. The ship is perhaps smaller and a bit older than some, but we had a wonderful time nonetheless. The crew is wonderful, the food was terrific as was the service. And the ship had some of the best photographers ever!! I think you will have a wonderful time...go with the flow and enjoy your trip!!:)

[emerald city]

I was on the Maasdam for 17 days this summer. I found the ship clean and had no problems. The food was excellent. This was my 6th Holland America cruise. The ship is older but well kept.:)

[sgrissom]

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. We're very excited.

[mimosa]

My sister and I just did the Canada/New England cruise on the Maasdam, Sept. 3-10. We loved every minute of it although it was the most port intensive of all my curises. The Maasdam impressed me from the moment I set foot on it. It's calm atmosphere was wonderful. The music in the dining room and on the Lido deck is very soothing. Quiet places can be found, the library, the card room, almost anywhere you wish to go on the ship can be a quiet place. Even the casino is low key. The background noise is subtle and noninterfering with conversation over the entire ship. The food was wonderful, the service excellent, the ship looked very clean to me. Have no fear of this ship...I loved it.

 

There is one negative thing to say about the plumbing. We had no difficulty on our cruise but evidently there is a vaccum problem in the system. There were flyers left in our room about being careful of what was put in the toilet. My sister has been on this ship before and said that someone put a whole apple down the toilet. Blocked up the lines until it was repaired.

[Dog Mommie]

Hi to All "Live from the Maasdam!"!

 

Grissom, not to worry...we are in Sydney today...great 'net access here!

 

The Maasdam is clean, in good working order and I'm soooo thankful for the absolutely WONDERFUL service!!!

 

 

 

We also cruise on X, and I personally think their food quality a bit better, but service is either nonexistant or "snotty" as compared to HAL.

 

We're keeping Shy busy (he says Hi!) and the piano bar warmed up for you, Sail!

 

Will post again, if time permits!

[RuthC]

We're keeping Shy busy (he says Hi!) and the piano bar warmed up for you, Sail!

 

Will post again, if time permits!

Would you please post who is playing in the Piano Bar these days? The man who was playing during my cruise disembarked when I did in August, and I'd love to know who replaced him. And comments on the atmosphere he creates would be sooooo appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[WeLoveCruising]

Ruth,

Was Bill Forrest the piano player on your cruise? I really enjoyed him when I did the Canada/New England in June, and recall he said he was doing the Trans Atlantic and then leaving.

 

I believe the piano player on board now is Randall Powell. His website is http://www.randallpowell.com. His schedule online shows the same itinerary as the Maasdam.

 

Joanne

[crazy4cruisn]

What did you do in Charlottetown and Prince Edward and Halifax? Any tips on things to do or not do? We will be on this cruise Oct 15. How is the weather?

Thanks,

Nancy

[sail7seas]

Bill Forest was in the Piano Bar when we were on Maasdam for our June back-to-back cruises. I think we were aboard June 5 and June 12 but I don't clearly remember the dates now.

 

[jjdc]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments posted here on the Maasdam. I'm booked on the 26 November South Caribbean cruise on her out of Norfolk. After reading the posts here, I'm looking forward to this cruise even more than before!

[cheric]

I am so glad you decided to try the Maasdam. We did the same itinerary out of Norfolk last February and we loved it. We are booked again for March. I don't think you will regret your decision! Happy sailing.

[RuthC]

Ruth,

Was Bill Forrest the piano player on your cruise?

Yes, and he told us every night how many more nights he had to play there before he could get off. It kind of put a damper on the evening.

Thanks for the info on who's playing now.

[krewezer2]

Hi!

I was wondering if anyone just sailed the summer 18 or 35 day Transatlantic? I'm going July 06. I'm interested in any tips you can pass on, excursions not to be missed, activities on board,etc. I've sailed the Maasdam in Alaska. I love the coziness, and friendliness....I had a Verandah to enjoy the whales and wildlife.....in July I'll be in a K cabin---saving my $ for all those excursions!

Please share your experiences.

[RuthC]

Well, krewezer2, it's your lucky day!

 

First, I see you just registered, and this was your first post. Welcome to a fine bunch of experienced cruisers. Pull up a keyboard, read through a lot of threads, and get to know us. You'll soon find that our collective barks are worse than our bites (usually).

Second, I just got off this year's 35-day Maasdam trans-Atlantic. It was the third year in a row I've done that cruise; I did the west-bound in '01, too. Your cruise is the exact itinerary that I took this year.

I did a daily journal this year called The Happy Wanderer (reprise). Last year's journal was The Happy Wanderer (take two) Are you seeing a theme here?

Might I (not so) humbly suggest you read my journal? You can get to it most easily by clicking on my name in this reply. There will be three choices: click on the first, which is my profile. Then find the choice: find all threads started by RuthC. You'll then be able to access this year's (and last, too, if you're so inclined) thread.

Then, if you want to come back with more specific questions---or tell a bit about your likes/dislikes/interests---I might be able to give you some hints on what to do/stay away from.

Also, there is a thread for your cruise on the HAL Roll-Call board. Look for it!

[bruceh4]

I was going to suggest that you search for the diary of RuthC, but I see she beat me to it. It is quite interesting especially the picture of her with the horns!!!! I to will be on that cruise next year along with 6 other couples from my developement.:)

[RuthC]

All right, Bruce. Why does everyone love that darned picture of me with the horns? Huh? :confused:

I look so much better in formal wear. Honestly, I do. :rolleyes:

ps: thanks for the plug.

[bruceh4]

All right, Bruce. Why does everyone love that darned picture of me with the horns? Huh? :confused:

I look so much better in formal wear. Honestly, I do. :rolleyes:

 

ps: thanks for the plug.

Thats because Dolly Smith told me it fits your personality!!!!!!!:D