My New Favorite Ship: MS Maasdam 06/27/15 Journey

[coka]

Overview:

The Maasdam is probably my new favorite ship! Who knew all this time she was right in my back yard and I only had to travel 70 miles to get to her? She was clean, staffed with awesome employees, had a great program, and seven ports of call: Montreal, Quebec City, Charlottetown PEI, Sidney, Nova Scotia, Halifax Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor Maine, and Boston. She also had a wonderful group passengers sailing that week and we enjoyed meeting new people. I got a kick out of the southerners onboard who were escaping their summer heat. Booking an ocean view guarantee last minute meant we would be out and about more than if we booked a verandah,, lanai, or suite. This vacation was awesome because I always wanted to see PEI and Nova Scotia but I never wanted to research where to stay, driving routes, and rest areas. I let HAL do all the work for me instead! Overall, this was the best value for my vacation dollar and I would travel the same itinerary next year.

 

Embarkation Day: Montreal is my favorite international city and it is always exciting crossing the Champlain Bridge to get there. Directions to the port is very easy and embarkation morning had very little traffic. We arrived at 10:30 and we waited until around 11:30 to begin boarding process. Had I known the ship was leaving at 6 pm instead of 4pm, I totally would have left ship and gone shopping or to see if my hair stylist or colorist could fit me in that day! Sailing the St Lawrence seaway meant we had to go with the tide levels in order to make it under bridges. Embarkation was very easy, very relaxing, and very peaceful. If you decide to venture out...Old Montreal is right there. You can walk the waterfront, visit Notre Dame cathedral, shop in unique boutiques, or do a horse drawn carriage ride. Once in the terminal, you can leave it by walking outside and head towards the end of empty parking lot...go down stairwell...and re-enter the same way with your identification and key card. That is what the security guy told me even though I decided not to leave ship. Another idea idea is to do all that before you board. The parking lot for cars is right there next to the terminal.

 

The Ship: I love how HAL sets up their ship layouts. I want to hug whoever invented the crow's nest concept. I swear those chairs are probably more comfortable than the Captain's and HAL has the best interior places to view the sea. I also think they have awesome exterior viewing areas to the sea as well. On the Maasdam, you can go on the bow during most times except inclement weather. I found the invitation sign when I was walking the promenade deck forward. When you go, you think you are not supposed to be there...but you can.

 

Looking up from the bow are other secret viewing spots...One is a forward balcony in front of ship right off the fitness center and another is continuing up the stairwell when going to the bow. The best secret viewing spot aft is at the stern on deck 9. From the deck 10 aft pool area, there are two sets of stairwells at the stern that nobody ever uses. Once there you will see reclining chairs on a private deck only for those who discover it. On this trip, the secret spots were not necessary because the ship never ever felt crowded and you had views from everywhere. If you smoke, the smokers hang out on the back of ship...there is a little bar there and there is great seating out of the wind. Directly above this spot...was our favorite spot of all...the stern deck 11 right off the lido buffet. It was perfect.

 

Some things are smaller onboard such as the casino, the showroom, the spa, and dining rooms but I find it adds to the charm and ambiance of cruising. I was impressed with the very large library, the culinary room/movie theater room, the variety of bar themes, the fitness center, and explorations cafe. Believe it or not...the Maasdam offers all the same things as the bigger ships minus all the people...I LOVED it! Oh...she has two pools...one that is heated and has a rooftop that can closed during inclement weather (every ship should have one) and another very cold pool at the stern that only extreme northerners use. I did not book a spa pass but I met a couple who did and they said they were pretty much the only ones in there. I asked and they sell 25 each week. Not sure about day passes, but twenty five was the number told to me. A secret is that a sauna exists in the bathroom off the fitness center that is free to use. The spa pass was 120 or so for one person and 199 for two. The spa faced forward starboard side, had five heated loungers, one hot tub, the showers, a steam room, sauna room, and another little room with five comfy loungers. I chose not to purchase for this vacation.

 

We stayed in stateroom 788 and everything was fantastic. Our two stateroom stewards were wonderful and I LOVE the bathrobes and Elemis Lotion that all cabins on HAL get! I did not miss having a refrigerator or a coffee maker. We rearranged some of the furniture to make our cabin even bigger...not that we needed to...but because We wanted to. The tub in the bathroom is high for Mr. Coka but he managed fine. We had his linen suit cleaned and pressed for formal night and we did consider using the laundry room onboard. There is more than enough closet space, living space, and shelving. I liked not knowing how to use the antiquated phone...it got us out and about more! We used our cell phones to know the time or we put on the ship channel on television that also showed it. We enjoyed looking out our window which was really on deck four even though the stateroom number began with 7. The higher up the decks, the lower the first stateroom number. Out of 57 cruises, I think this was my third ocean view cabin and I thought I would miss a balcony...but I did not on this trip as I really the viewing from the crows nest forward and decks 10 and 11 aft.

 

Quebec City...What a romantic port of call! We walked the streets along the river and rode the tram/escalator thing up to the boardwalk. I can not remember what they call it but it cost a few dollars to take it each way. We took in the scenery from the boardwalk and listened to street performers play instruments or sing. We used the bathroom in the chateau Frontenac lobby (they are not marked...I remembered this from 20 years ago)... Once inside lobby take left to the end underneath the giant staircase. Take right hallway for ladies and take left for men. Afterwards, we walked around the city streets and I was most interested in what the govt. buildings planted for their landscapes. I found a little old shop with a little old man who sewing/hand weaving fur scarves. I bought one not only because it was absolutely beautiful...but that it would keep my sister warm when she moves back from Florida. A souvenir was a snowy white owl for my white christmas collection I have started. Not a real one but a fake one.

 

St. Lawrence Seaway Day was spent watching the water and the shoreline. Although this was a foggy/rainy day...I was still fascinated by the silhouetted landscapes and with river cruising in general on the Maasdam. We took part in a culinary class onboard and in a whiskey tasting which was quite informational and quite fun. The culinary arts director was interactive, engaging, and all over the ship at activities and events. I did not attend all the shows onboard because the sun did not go down until around 9:30-10:00! I swear it stayed light until around 10:30 and I mostly stayed outside watching the landscapes/water or I went to bed early as each next day was a port day. I did make it to one towards the end of the week and the showroom seating is very comfortable....the seats and aisles are wide and the room is very well thought out. On bigger ships the showrooms have smaller seating spaces because they need more room to fit people...if you look at a picture of the Maasdam showroom, you will see what I mean.

 

Charlottetown PEI: I walked around the town in the morning which reminded me of walking around the town where I live minus the mountains. My souvenir gift was hand cream made from PEI seaweed or some secret ingredient like that. I also found a bank and switched over American money to Canadian money. The price was good and I do not mind having leftover because I live close to Montreal. Although there is a daily service/hotel charge of 11.50 per day (really...that is all HAL?) we always tip our stewards extra as well as some servers. We gave each a combination of american and canadian dollars. Afterwards, we went on an afternoon tour through the ship which took us on a scenic route to some lighthouses and then ended at a winery with a tasting. We bought some wine because we heard we could take it back with no corkage fee because we booked through the ship...and because it was different and delicious. Now that I know what I know...I would have booked a morning tour and then an afternoon tour. The day long tours did not interest me because they included lobster lunches or something locally yummy yet I was more interested in touring the landscapes than dining.

 

Sidney Nova Scotia: We walked around town which was not really a lot to see. Even so, I liked to see what stores would have been open if not Canada Day! I went to church bazaar and bought some hand made winter headbands from a little old lady who was happy to make the sale. Afterwards, we did the walking route along the boardwalk and along the neighborhood. I enjoyed seeing the styles of homes and how they landscaped their yards. This trip was the second week of my vacation and I had spent the first week landscaping a section of my yard with plants, river rocks, and I concluded I planted the right ones to last long cold winter months and I got some new ideas. We should have booked a tour to the cabot trail or to cape breton island but we used this as our lazy day...and I already knew by then I am definitely doing this itinerary again so there was no rush to pack it all in at once and do everything.

 

Halifax Nova Scotia: We booked Peggy's Cove and the Cemetery that held some Titanic victims through the ship. For tours we preferred to use the ship on this particular journey and neither disappointed. I thought they were well run, informative, and engaging. Since we were in Canada, I knew the tour buses would be buses with air conditioning and with a bathroom in the back. The older I get the more interested I am in such things! Although Peggy's cove was foggy, it was still fascinating to see. There were a lot of people but there is plenty of room for all to spread out and take fascinating photos. The little shops around the area were cute. My souvenir gift was a variety of fisherman's soaps scented with lavender, apple, spices, and such. I was going to keep them but gave them to my house sitter. We spent more time at the cemetery and traveling than we did at the cove (we had forty minutes at cove) and some passengers wished it was the other way around. For the most part I am an "okay-I-have-seen-it-now -let's-go" type of person and if something really captures my attention I will go back on my own time.

 

Bar Harbor Maine: We had to go through U.S. customs while onboard...this did not take a lot of time in the morning. They schedule you by deck. Ours was for 8:45 to 9:00 and they were calling our deck by 8:10. The ship is anchored at this port and only those with scheduled tours got to go first (and probably those in suites...just guessing). Others had to go to showroom and get a numbered ticket and wait for their debarkation number to be called. No thank you for us....we just waited for general debarkation where tickets were not needed and that was around 11:00 or so for us. The Maasdam uses their life boats for the tenders. Since we can get to Bar Harbor easily five hours or so by car, we just walked around town and took some pictures. Had we wanted to take a bus up to Cadillac mountain in Acadia park, we were to find the bus line near the police station and take that up for five dollars. This was much less than the ship sponsored tour. We did not do either and just walked around town. Although crowded, the town, harbor, and sights sure were pretty. Overall, I am either spoiled or ignorant...I always thought I was missing out on something by never seeing Acadia...but when I saw from the harbor where the top of the mountain was to see amazing views...it made me appreciate so much more where I live and the beauty that surrounds me every day.

 

A third in a lifetime event for me happened while onboard the Maasdam one evening: a sun setting and a full moon rising at the same time in opposite directions viewed from the aft outside decks over the water. A cosmic event that does not happen often...when it does...and you are on water viewing it...gosh it surely is something special, spiritual, and serene.

 

Debarkation/Boston: We put our luggage out the night prior yet had the option to carry off ourselves. We are used to ships with 2500-4200 plus passengers getting off so for us any selection was going to be easy with a count of 1300 or less debarking. Thank you HaL for letting us wait in our cabins. Thank you Boston customs and immigration for just collecting our cards at the end of the escalator prior to getting our luggage. Collecting luggage was easy to find. Contrary to what was published in the daily ship newspaper, it was very easy to get a cab. That was our only choice because we rented a car to get back home. Since it was July 4th and my family was having a party, I was not going to ask anyone for a ride. We did have reservation at the seaport hotel near the ship and had planned to watch the Boston fireworks a mile or so away on the Charles River...but went with our Plan B which was to just head home.

 

If you have to rent a car...I do not recommend using any from the airport...for some reason their prices were all 100 dollars or more (not sure why). Very close to the ship on Atlantic Avenue (a nine dollar cab ride minus tip) is an Avis/Budget location. It is the one closest to the aquarium. We left the Maasdam at 9:30, left the budget garage at 10:15, and we were home four hours later, just in time for family party. I am glad it was not at my house this year. We met some passengers who took a greyhound bus back to our state and they said it was more economical for them than a car rental. Prior to leaving for the trip I did look into planes, trains, buses, car rentals, and were there any family members leaving the Boston area that day heading to family Fourth of July party...! Overall...there were plenty of easy options to get home so do not let different embarkation/debarkation ports sway you from not booking such a cruise. Either that or stay for another week as many passengers onboard were doing.

 

One important subject for many who are interested: In Canada's ports of call (for sure in Quebec City, Charlottetown, Sidney, and Halifax), there is free internet inside the port terminals. No need to find a Starbucks or to find out where the crew goes...basically it is all right there and the terminals all had comfy seating.

 

I am not sure what HAL ship will do this itinerary next year but count me in on one of the weeks or on a back to back journey! I can not go in the fall but I can just imagine the beauty even more so during foliage season! If you have any questions I will do my best to answer them!

 

Coka

[Crazy For Cats]

Thanks for your review. I'm glad that you enjoyed the ship. We sailed on the Maasdam for two weeks last year and are planning another two weeks next year. I agree she is a fine ship and the crew is great.

[littleboy]

thanks for the great review I will be boarding her next sat and am very excited. do you happen to have the daily papers that you could post I would love to see them.

[Fouremco]

Thanks for a super review! We do the reverse in September, our first cruise on the Maasdam, so your comments on the ship were most appreciated.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

Sounds like you had a wonderful cruise.

[nycruiser80]

Great review! I was on your sailing and feel the same way you did. I have sailed on so many large ships it was refreshing to return to a smaller ship. The Maasdam is a human scaled ship that offers almost everything the big ships have.

 

As you said the crew was amazing - best service I have had in all of my years cruising. I was impressed to see the Cruise Director and heads of departments on the gangway at disembarkation in Boston. Thought it was a classy send off!

 

Thanks for the review, can't believe two weeks ago we were boarding her!

Edited July 11, 2015 by nycruiser80

[kazu]

Thanks for a great review!

 

We like the Maasdam and am happy to hear that you do too :)

 

It sounds like you had a marvellous time which wonderful to hear :)

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[POA1]

Thanks for the report. Glad you had a great trip!

[casamariposa]

The Rotterdam will be doing the cruise next year as the Maasdam will be repositioned to the West Coast. The Maasdam is a very special ship and I may join her on her Alaska and/or transpacific sailings.

[navybankerteacher]

Maasdam became my favorite when I first sailed her in 2002, and I grew fonder on later sailings. Sorry to hear she is going to the west coast - I was hoping for a Canada or Bermuda sailing on her in 2016. Her layout and size are ideal.

[sail7seas]

What a wonderful review and thus enthusiasm for a ship I love dearly.

 

My late DH and I sailed Maasdam over 30 cruises and did your itinerary b-to-b summer after summer, Boston to Montreal to Boston. So happy she is still as wonderful as we always experienced on the beautiful Maasdam. :)

 

You definitely put a smile on my face reading all about your great cruise. :)

[kftw]

Thank you for your review. We'll be on the Maasdam August 2016/Alaska & now counting the days.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Maasdam along with the other S class ships have made a lot of us happy over the years. They helped keep Holland America alive and healthy into the 21st century.

I was pleased to read the Maasdam and the Veendam are still on the schedule for 2017.

[Cruise_More_Often]

Coka, thank you for doing this review. I have followed your NCL reviews for years and really appreciate all you've done to educate and entertain your fellow cruisers. I'm looking forward to our cruise on the Maasdam, same direction, next month, so the timing of your review was perfect.

[coka]

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the comments. I do have the daily programs but I am"at sea" right now so to speak on my own vessel, "coka's Gem." I will see if I can scan and post when I get back to work next week. I don't have any of that stuff at home...hence why I can cruise often, lol.

 

I also want to mention the Irish stylist onboard in the salon gave me one of the best short haircuts ever. My last hair cut was in February on the Breakaway and it seriously needed a cut. I prefer the ship stylists (or when in Montreal) because they are European trained. I got it cut the lat night onboard and it is perfect for summer...and it will last me until I cruise again!

 

The casino staff were very nice and we played the penny slots. I read a review where one suggested the gold machine...and I played that. I ended the week 70 dollars ahead...until I got a phone call the last night that I still had 54 dollars in my account. Mr. Coka had 26 left in his account so we got dressed and went and collected. I seriously thought this was a mistake...but they insisted we had the money coming to us so I did not argue....:p.

 

Something to note...the machines no longer take cash nor do they give out cash. At first I thought it strange and thought it brilliant to get me to play more. You put your card in the slot and then you put in an ID and a password. It keeps track of what you have and at any time you can add more money to the machine from your onboard account (that is the brilliant part). My advice is to play sober and to not go to the casino after happy hour. I did appreciate the employees who came over to us....because whenever they did...we won!

 

Mr. Coka is here too and he wanted me to make sure to tell you this trip was was the smoothest sailing ever. Some passengers complained of a hearing banging at night. I wanted to tell them it was our 30th anniversary and it was NOT us. Actually, we never heard anything.

 

So...we missed the Boston fireworks and our family gathering fireworks...but the marina we are staying at tonight is having them...so I will check back in the morning...or after the fireworks to see if there are more questions.

 

A special note to sail7seas...He IS still with you and I hope you find the signs...

 

A special note to cruise more often...I wish the best time for you on your trip! One of the most noticeable things about this trip in comparison to Norwegian was the quiet...the peace...the serenity....I now want to do more river cruises!

 

 

coka:D

Edited July 11, 2015 by coka

[sail7seas]

 

A special note to sail7seas...He IS still with you and I hope you find the signs...

<snip>

 

coka:D

 

What a nice comment. My thanks.

I went to dinner tonight with a girlfriend at a restaurant my DH particularly enjoyed. When we came out, the setting sun was a huge orange ball and we both stood and stared at it. I like to think it was DH nodding his approval my friend and I had dinner at that restaurant together. P:)

 

[shelnj18]

Did this cruise last year and loved it. Glad you had a good time!

[erewhon]

Thank you for your interesting review, how can we not book a cruise on Maasdam while she is with us "down-under".:D

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[dibati2]

Thank you Coka

 

A very helpful review as we prepare to take the same adventure on July 25

[jimswims]

Hi Coka and Mr. Coka!

 

Looks like you had a great cruise! You know that you always have a place to stay when you come to Boston. I would have even picked you up at Black Falcon and driven you home! Seriously, it would have been my pleasure.

 

Hope to see you both soon. Enjoy Coka's Gem.

[OBX-Cruisers]

Happy to hear that the old girl is still captivating people. Maasdam was our very first experience with cruising in 2006 when we retired and wife finally succeeded after many, many years of trying to convince me to go on a cruise.

Well the Maasdam cured me forever and we went on her for a total of 39 days in 3 cruises and then on many other ships as we will now be going on our 26th cruise since she cured my cruisaphobia...............

Our next will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam for 20 days and our first trip to Italy and Spain and then on our first TA.

Cruise while you can and cruise happy and safe

[coka]

Yes, I love her! The more I know about HAL, the more I like!

 

Jimswims, I would have called you and asked for a ride any other day than the Fourth of July!

 

I forgot to mention the little restaurant off to the side of lido pool area. Oh my goodness....they had the best hamburger and the most delicious French fries ever eaten! We came back on board for the PEI potato bake but oh my....who knew French fries would have me saying no problem at all to wait for the burger to be cooked along with them. I think the name was called "dive in" and they gave passengers a buzzer to ring/vibrate when order was ready. A few passengers were mad about waiting 10 or 20 minutes....but I wondered where on earth were they going that they needed to rush away to?

 

Like the Veendam, I also loved the umbrella section right off the bar area in the lido pool area.

 

coka

[Cruise_More_Often]

Coka, I so agree with you about the Dive In. I don't care how long it takes (and it isn't long at all). We stop for the great burgers and fries at least twice per cruise. HAL has a winner in the Dive In!

Edited July 15, 2015 by Cruise_More_Often