MAASDAM looks Beautiful - She is All Spiffed Up

[sail7seas]

We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Maasdam during her call to Boston and we were so excited to see she looks GREAT.

 

I fully expected to say thumbs down about MIX but was really surprised to find I like it. The colors are varied and mixed but modern and the space is open and it 'works for me'. After all the negative comments I heard about MIX, I have to disagree. I saw for myself and think it very much better than has been expressed here by some negative posts. We sat at the 'beer and ale' area to have a drink and were comfortable and happy and know we will return. DH was happy they still have a TV in this area so he can 'check scores' when he passes by. The game tables were being used and enjoyed and it felt comfortable to us. I grant it was dayllight and we haven't seen it with the bright shop lights which may change the atmosphere. We'll see. Remember.... there is NO ONE who is more of a Maasdam loyalist and few would be as pained as me to have horrid things done to 'my' Maasdam.

 

I will admit I think the Showroom At Sea changes do not thrill me and I hate they covered up those gorgeous Delft tiles in the formerly called Rembrant Lounge. Why someone thinks it is more attractive is pleasing to have a plain, solid molding placed over the rows of Delft above the stage defies any logic I can muster but it is what it is. The wonderful Delft cocktail tables are replaced with plain but that is the story. No sign of any Delft remains in the Rembrant, now Showroom at Sea. IF they provide great shows and the entertainment is enjoyable to guests that is what's most important. Now they have a new Showroom At Sea..... let's see what they provide for entertainment. :)

 

The removed escalator is not missed at all and the atrium is open and spacious and a wonderful spot for a private cocktail party for a small group. It feels open and airy and sets off the lovely centerpiece. The added inside cabins aren't particularly noticed, at least not by me.

 

I like the new carpeting, the Casino looks terrific. Much better layed out now with a door wall and door where it used to be open between casino and casino bar should limit smoke drift. The casino entry/exit areas that are nowopen are where the canon used to be (canon now at HMC) and at the far end where one can enter or exit Casino near Explorations Cafe.

 

The outside of the ship is fresh and hull is HAL blue, dressing flags were out and ship looked gorgeous to my eyes.

 

CANNOT wait to board her for real very soon and have our annual Canada/New England cruise.

 

Maasdam is still our much loved Maasdam. :)

[kazu]

Thanks so much Sail for filling us in. I know you are a Maasdam fan, so if you like it, my worries are erased for our cruise in March :D

 

did you have a chance to see any rooms to see if the soft goods have now been done?

[Gsel]

Having just left the Maasdam I agree. There are still some things to be done, but what they have done is done well. Some of the suites still have the old granite on the dressing tables (our's did) but the bath looked great. The new tile is very nice, makes the old tub look OLD. She is a very HAPPY ship with a wonderful crew. Captain Draper runs a great crew and they really seem to love him. Will write more later, AA's flight home was awful! Will try to answer any questions.

[kazu]

Having just left the Maasdam I agree. There are still some things to be done, but what they have done is done well. Some of the suites still have the old granite on the dressing tables (our's did) but the bath looked great. The new tile is very nice, makes the old tub look OLD. She is a very HAPPY ship with a wonderful crew. Captain Draper runs a great crew and they really seem to love him. Will write more later, AA's flight home was awful! Will try to answer any questions.

 

Welcome home. Try not to suffer from too much cruise withdrawal;)

[RuthC]

Knowing how much you love the Maasdam, Sail, I am glad you like her redo. I, too, am sorry the beautiful tiles in the showroom are covered, but I guess they don't go with the new "theme". If the change to the shows on the Veendam is any indication, then the shows on the Maasdam will be exceedingly improved over the old style. That's a big plus.

Just a few short weeks and you can settle in on "your" Maasdam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I also thought that we would not like the MIX when we got on the Ryndam -- but we found that we did like it and spent a lot of time there.

Same thing about the Ryndam's Showroom at Sea -- we did not care for it.

[cruisinjudy]

I can't wait until we finally see Maasdam in August. Thanks, Sail.

[BumperII]

did you have a chance to see any rooms to see if the soft goods have now been done?

 

We sailed the relocation out of drydock from FLL to Montreal. All of our cabin soft goods were brand new, carpets, mattresses, sheets, spreads, pillows and towels. The only soft good that wasn't new was the blanket they keep in the drawer.:D

[kazu]

We sailed the relocation out of drydock from FLL to Montreal. All of our cabin soft goods were brand new, carpets, mattresses, sheets, spreads, pillows and towels. The only soft good that wasn't new was the blanket they keep in the drawer.:D

 

thanks:D

[sail7seas]

I was so appreciative we visited in advance of our upcoming cruises as I was getting a sinking feeling that 'my' :) Maasdam wouldn't be as special to us anymore but she is. She still has that magic that draws us to her..... that magic is the people. The brief visit we had, we got to see crew we've known on prior cruises and that was wonderful. But in addition to the people, there is something about Maasdam that makes her alive for us. We 'feel' Maasdam; we feel a rhythmn, a safety, we just feel when we're on Maasdam. There are a few folks who have deep attachments to a ship and probably can express better than me what some ships mean to some people. Whatever that is, Maasdam does it for us and did from the day we first stepped aboard her for her Inaugural Party fresh out of Fincantieri as brand new ship.

 

While I always say (and feel) what is the most special about HAL is the people, all that is special about Maasdam is still there. She's still the very beautiful Maasdam, all spiffed up!!! Even her Bell was sparkling in the sun. As we approached from the parking lot, we saw the dressing flags and her bell all shiny and pretty as she was docked starboard to the dock. And we saw her freshly painted and looking wonderful.

 

If HAL ever changes her blue and white livery, it would be a sad, sad day IMO

 

[SF49erfan]

Agreed - the Maasdam is a special ship. Since Christmas, we have spent 44 days on this wonderful ship, the last being te repositioning cruise in April. Our cabin looked great. Loved The Mix. Was sad to see the tiles in the showroom gone, but the entertainment was outstanding.

If the Maasdam went to Alaska, we might never sail another ship!:D

[3rdGenCunarder]

I was so appreciative we visited in advance of our upcoming cruises as I was getting a sinking feeling that 'my' :) Maasdam wouldn't be as special to us anymore but she is. She still has that magic that draws us to her..... that magic is the people. The brief visit we had, we got to see crew we've known on prior cruises and that was wonderful. But in addition to the people, there is something about Maasdam that makes her alive for us. We 'feel' Maasdam; we feel a rhythmn, a safety, we just feel when we're on Maasdam. There are a few folks who have deep attachments to a ship and probably can express better than me what some ships mean to some people. Whatever that is, Maasdam does it for us and did from the day we first stepped aboard her for her Inaugural Party fresh out of Fincantieri as brand new ship.

 

While I always say (and feel) what is the most special about HAL is the people, all that is special about Maasdam is still there. She's still the very beautiful Maasdam, all spiffed up!!! Even her Bell was sparkling in the sun. As we approached from the parking lot, we saw the dressing flags and her bell all shiny and pretty as she was docked starboard to the dock. And we saw her freshly painted and looking wonderful.

 

If HAL ever changes her blue and white livery, it would be a sad, sad day IMO

 

 

I think you said it beautifully. I tell people it's like love. You can't explain it, but you know it when you feel it.

 

I'm glad you like the changes in "your" ship. I'm looking forward to our cruise on Maasdam this fall. Ruth is right about the Veendam shows. Definitely a cut above the usual cruise entertainment. I'm hoping Maasdam's shows will be similar. (But I am sorry I won't get to see the pretty tiles!)

[GmaPajama]

I'm so glad to know you think the Maasdam is still very special, Sail. More than the steel and the decor, it's the feeling that needed to be retained - and it sounds like they have managed just that. I do agree it's sad for HAL to have hidden those gorgeous tiles in the showroom though, and wonder if they could have possibly known how many of us loved them.

 

We don't currently have a Maasdam cruise booked, and may just have to do something about that.

[innlady1]

Glad you had a chance to go on-board the Maasdam, Judy. I would love to have seen her while she's doing the Boston/Canada run, but we're here on the island the entire time. :(

I agree on the tiles...it seems they could have worked those into the "Showroom at Sea" decor. Sometimes I wonder :rolleyes:

[Himself]

Thanks for the positive comments

[mamaofami]

Sail, thanks so much for all your comments. I'm so happy the Maasdam is looking so good to you. I too am sad that someone had the idea that what was pretty perfect in the showroom had to be redone and those beautiful tiles covered over.

 

Just 12 more days and I'll be able to see for myself.

[sapper1]

Thanks so much Sail for filling us in. I know you are a Maasdam fan, so if you like it, my worries are erased for our cruise in March :D

 

did you have a chance to see any rooms to see if the soft goods have now been done?

Kazu, the Maasdam will be in SJ on October 23. You can do a drive-by. Better yet, get onto your agent and see if there is a possibility that they will be doing a tour. We did a tour of the Eruodam here in SJ several months before we actually sailed on her and it really whets the appetite.

[kazu]

Kazu, the Maasdam will be in SJ on October 23. You can do a drive-by. Better yet, get onto your agent and see if there is a possibility that they will be doing a tour. We did a tour of the Eruodam here in SJ several months before we actually sailed on her and it really whets the appetite.

 

Thanks Sapper - I didn't realize she would be here. I will definitely have to go take a look. I'm afraid I don't have your clout though to get on. :eek: I probably would have to be somebody's guest.;)

[sapper1]

Thanks Sapper - I didn't realize she would be here. I will definitely have to go take a look. I'm afraid I don't have your clout though to get on. :eek: I probably would have to be somebody's guest.;)

http://www.cruisesaintjohn.com/media/cruiseschedule.asp

 

Here is a link to the schedule. We always do a drive-by when a ship is in port--sort of a tradition. Sometimes we go down to watch them leave.

 

You don't need clout to get aboard---just an agent who is doing tours. Tell your agent that if there is no Maasdam tour that you would like to take whatever tour she/he is offering. They are always interesting and there is always people you would know in the group---plus there is a lunch included---how great is that?

[kazu]

http://www.cruisesaintjohn.com/media/cruiseschedule.asp

 

Here is a link to the schedule. We always do a drive-by when a ship is in port--sort of a tradition. Sometimes we go down to watch them leave.

 

You don't need clout to get aboard---just an agent who is doing tours. Tell your agent that if there is no Maasdam tour that you would like to take whatever tour she/he is offering. They are always interesting and there is always people you would know in the group---plus there is a lunch included---how great is that?

 

thanks Sapper1 - you are always so helpful:)

[bet410]

Thanks so much for the info on the Maasdam, Sail. I'll be doing my first cruise on her this summer & can't wait.

 

Not to sound stupid, but what do you mean by MIX? I checked the frequently used abbreviations, but I couldn't find it.

[RuthC]

Not to sound stupid, but what do you mean by MIX? I checked the frequently used abbreviations, but I couldn't find it.

That's 'cause it's used as a whole word here. The Mix is an area where the former Casino Bar, Piano Bar, and surrounding areas have been opened up and "mixed" together. There's a guitar player and a piano player at different times. There's a couple of bars, and lots of sitting areas.

[bet410]

That's 'cause it's used as a whole word here. The Mix is an area where the former Casino Bar, Piano Bar, and surrounding areas have been opened up and "mixed" together. There's a guitar player and a piano player at different times. There's a couple of bars, and lots of sitting areas.

 

Thanks for the explanation. :)

[Harry1954]

Thanks for the update on the makeover S7S ... we have been a bit apprehensive about this as we have two upcoming cruises again on Maasdam next year and I was hoping not to be disappointed ... and we may slip one in this Fall, my schedule/HAL's permitting.

harry

[sail7seas]

Hi Harry,

We booked our Canada/New England b-to-b for 2012 and though it was about 14 months ahead at booking, we could not get 'our' cabin the first week. I was thinking You 'got it first'. :)

 

Happily we'll be in ours for this years Boston to Montreal to Boston.