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Topic: ms Maasdam

Alison
Just Boarded
Member # 1466

posted 07-29-2000 03:10 PM

Will be cruising the Eastern Caribbean route in May, 2001 on ms Maasdam. Anyone else take this cruise on this ship? How was the food? The service? The ship? The cabins? (We booked a suite). Our 24 year old daughtr will also be going. Will she be bored? Any info greatly appreciated.

Posts: 7 | From: Defiance, Ohio USA | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 07-29-2000 04:00 PM

We had a suite on the Ryndam, her sister ship, which size suite do you have a mini or full suite. We had the full suite which was fabulous. The food on Holland America is great. My only complaint about HAL is that the passengers are definitely more senior than on most of the other cruise lines.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 07-30-2000 08:26 AM

If your daughter would enjoy this cruise depends on her expectations. This is not a party cruise line. If she likes relaxing by the pool, good food, and has interest in visiting the ports,I believe she will like it. There is also a movie theater that current movies are shown and change daily. The Crows Nest has a band, disc jockey and karyoke. I think she would enjoy this. There may not be many people her age, but that should not stop her from haveing a good time.
The food and service is wonderfull. I have had a suite (not mini suite) both cruises and it was great. Lots of extras, champagne on arrival, dinner with the captain and crew, and a cocktail party for suite only.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Alison
Just Boarded
Member # 1466

posted 07-30-2000 02:03 PM

Diana and Gizmo - Thanks for the responses. We booked a regular suite - not a mini. It's a splurge, but we really enjoy the additional space and the veranda. Our last (and first) cruise was on Carnival - Imagination - we enjoyed it very much. Our daughter met one of the young engineers on the ship and spent several evenings with him. He even ate dinner with us twice, which caused a flurry of excitement with our waiters. I have now heard that associations with crew members are verboten. Our daughter is the type who can party or not - lying around, soaking up the sun is fine with her also. I expect to dress up for evening meals on Maasdam - however, what is the general attire for the daytime? Can you wander around in a swimsuit and cover-up? Our daughter will be 25 t the time of the cruise and my husband and I will be late 40's. Will there be couples there our age? Thanks so much for the info - from anyone!

Posts: 7 | From: Defiance, Ohio USA | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 07-30-2000 04:17 PM

I've been on the Statendam, Ryndam and Veendam and yes you can wander around the ship in a bathing suit with a cover up, during the day . They ask that shoes be worn if you are in the Lido. This is also safer if you are walking on deck. Lido deck could be wet and Nav deck gets hot from the sun.
Dress during the day is very casual - bathing suit with cover up, shorts,
t-shirts, etc.
I have never heard that association with the officers is verboten on HAL ships. I am sure your daughter will meet one of them and no doubt will have a good time. To me they seem very young and sometimes quite shy.
Have a great cruise

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 07-30-2000 05:31 PM

I have spotted quite a few of the HAL officers hanging around the Crows Nest socializing. I do not think it is taboo on HAL. Yes, there will be people your age and you are going to love the suite. Have breakfast on the verandah which has a large table with 4 chairs and 2 lounge chairs. Laundry is free so take advantage of this and do not over pack. You also get priority boarding if you plan to arrive early.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Sailing
First Class Passenger
Member # 1283

posted 07-30-2000 10:21 PM

Because of all the amenities and courtesies HAL extends to full suite passengers, it truly is an experience, no matter your destination. My husband and I sailed from London to Boston last summer and even though we have been in a suite on the QE 2 and on several Celebrity ships, we feel that our experience on the Maasdam in a suite was the very best. In addition to all the "goodies" listed by Gizmo and others, suite passengers are entitled to have their full breakfast in a private room, the King's or the Queen's Suite, which are just to the side of the main dining room. Also, ladies are given coursages on formal nights; an invitation is extended to visit the bridge; several cocktail parties are arranged, through which we met some people who will probably be friends for years to come. True, the average age of the passenger aboard is quite high; my husband and I were among the younger set. However, the bars were always hopping at night, and there was no shortage of young officers "hanging around," no doubt hoping to meet some lovely young lady!

Posts: 13 | From: Boston, MA, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Alison
Just Boarded
Member # 1466

posted 07-31-2000 09:01 PM

Gizmo and Sailing and/or Anyone Else - Are these amenities only for suite passengers? What about mini-suites? Our daughter has one reserved for herself and a friend. Also, what can you tell me about the in-room bar? It says "complimentary" in the brochure, which to me means free, but I read in other reviews that one must pay for what one takes.Also, in reading other reviews, I'm getting confused about the dress codes on HAL. Does one get spiffed up every night for dinner? I know my husband doesn't have to wear a tux, and I don't hasve to wear a gown, but what should I expect to bring? Wedding-type dress clothes? Dressy office attire? My hula outfit and pearls? My paint-spattered Led Zeppelin t-shirt? (those outfits would clear the dining room in a heartbeat...

) I'm going from Carnival (a kick-back, party-hearty and drink 'till you drop cruise) to HAL, which sounds much more refined and reserved. If I happen to drink too much and make an ass of myself, I at least want to be dressed properly. (Don't panic, prospective co-cruisers, it won't happen - besides, I only need two drinks before my lips become numb...) Thanks!

Posts: 7 | From: Defiance, Ohio USA | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 07-31-2000 10:27 PM

I will try to answer some of your questions. The "goodies" do not apply to Mini suites only to "the suites". She could bring her laundry up to you as that is free, they would never know. Invitations to specials lunches and dinners, cocktail parties etc which are by invitation are for "the suite" passengers only, so are other invites ie the bridge. HAL is the same as other cruise lines for dress at dinner ie. Formal night, Tux or business suit and long or cocktail length dress for ladies, Semi Formal (Informal) Pants, Jacket & tie and nice dress or pant suit for ladies, Casual, pants and open necked shirt for men and skirt or pants and top for ladies. I can't remember about the bar in the room but I believe we had to pay but don't honestly remember. Hope this helps.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-01-2000 12:29 AM

In my opinion the Maasdam is HAL's finest
ship after the Rotterdam VI......relax and
enjoy!! Your daughter will have a good time
too.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 08-01-2000 07:14 AM

Alison,
Your wedding type attire will be ok for formal. Tux or suit for guys.
Dressy office attire will work ok for semi formal and casual.
I wear my office clothes (slack outfits) every night except formal.
My husband wears a blazer with dockers on semi formal, and a knit shirt with dockers on casual.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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