Sad to report that this particular Christmas/New Year cruise did not live up to it's promise IMHO!!

Apart from a few Christmas trees and decorations and carols on Christmas Eve,it could have been a regular Caribbean cruise.
There was no ambience and certainly no Christmas spirit anywhere on the ship.
Thankfully,they pulled out all the stops for New Year's and for that I give them full marks!

Yes,Sympatico,Santa Claus arrived on Christmas morning for the kids which I thought was quite charmingly done.

Thank heavens the MAASDAM is now in dry dock getting re-furbished(I would hope). I could not believe I was on this same ship only 7 months ago(May) because it has become very shabby in that short space of time.For example,the sink in my bathroom had a huge crack in it and the walls were filthy.The floor wasn't cleaned while I was there and there was a nasty black stain in the toilet bowl(the mind boggles as to where it came from!)
The carpets in the cabins and in the public rooms were showing their age,too.(dirty)
The bedside tables in my cabin were tatty and parts of the table tops were peeling.

The entertainment was not up to scratch.Oh,the regular cast worked as hard as usual in their big productions but the so-called "Headliners" left much to be desired. I might add that there were lots of mutterings amongst the passengers about the shows and their poor quality.

The food was very good and up to and sometimes beyond its usual high standards.

Thank heavens my table companions and I all hit it off right from day one and we all became good friends.Being a solo traveller,this is very important to me.They were all of the same concensus regarding the ship's failings and we all felt that the entire cruise was over-priced for what we received.When one pays double the price, one expects something more than one party close to the end of the cruise(New Year's).
To be truthful,I was so disappointed,that I have already cancelled my upcoming cruise on the MAASDAM in April(sorry,Joe) and have now booked on the final segment of the World Cruise on the ROTTERDAM instead!

BTW there were quite a few teenagers as well as small children on board.Most of them behaved themselves fairly well.

I forgot to mention that when I was trying to put my case under the bed,I found an empty champagne bottle....I wouldn't have minded if the blessed bottle had been full(ha ha!) And then later on I found a drawer full of dirty underwear...which says a great deal about the cabin steward's efficiency!!!!!

On the bright side of the cruise,I was pleasantly surprised by Tonya,the Hostess.She was SO pleased to see me,having sailed with her many times before,that she sent me a Welcome Back bottle of wine.I was quite touched by her gesture.

I could go on and on with negative comments but I think you will all have gotten my drift regarding this cruise.

It would be interesting to hear if any other posters were on board just to see how they rated the ship/cruise.

And on top of all that,guys,even after all my careful disinfecting in my cabin,5 days into the cruise I came down with a lousy cold!!!

All that aside....HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by Green:
All this is not good news!

Wonder what we'll find on the Statendam Hawaii cruise Feb. 16 - she's a lot older than the Maasdam.

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LizB.....I knew that you had been watching the ROTTERDAM going through the Panama Canal 'cos Sympatico told me.Unfortunately,I couldn't join you guys watching the ship due to my not only being sick(not with a cold)with a serious sinus infection but also I was laid up with a thrown-out lower back!
Today is the first time I have managed to sit at the computer since my last post.
Anyway,I shall be thinking of you on the 18th when you start your World Voyage.Have a wonderful cruise,a safe one and don't eat too much of that delectable cuisine(ha ha!)
And yes,I will be embarking in Venice as you will be disembarking!!

I had written to Mr.Lanterman at HAL with a formal complaint,back in January.Today,I received a long letter of apology with assurances that all the problems I encountered would be rectified(words to that effect).

Reading between the lines,it would appear that they were more than mortified that such things had happened to me.

I was thanked profusely for bringing everything to their attention as it is the only way they can make sure that the quality of service etc remains at their excellent level.

Fianlly,I now have a $200.00 Shipboard Credit for any ship,valid until Feb.2003.Being as I wasn't looking for anything from them,I was pleasantly surprised!

The reason I am posting this is so that you all know that when you write to HAL,they DO listen and act upon your bouquets and brickbats!!

Roll on April and my joining the World Cruise in Venice !!

Terri