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

[JimAOk1945]

Thanks so much for your review. We will be aboard the Maasdam next year for our first HAL cruise. It's reviews like yours that help to fuel our excitement! :D

[SeaWatch]

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

 

I love that Hal offers activities related to their ports of call like the PEI potato bake. We're there others on this trip? We board Saturday 😎

[106f]

Maasdam New England 2012 was the last time we experienced truly personal service in the MDR. The waiter knew everything on the menu and made excellent reccomendations. We had as you wish dining but were seated at the same table every night. Eurodam seemed rushed and impersonal. Zuiderdam Mediterranean coming up in September. Hoping for Maasdam style service!

[coka]

I love that Hal offers activities related to their ports of call like the PEI potato bake. We're there others on this trip? We board Saturday 😎

 

Yes, they had a poutine station one afternoon...they had a bagpiper on board for sailaways...they had a Canadian whiskey tasting...ice hockey casino night...fun drinks of the day (the rock lobster, Bloody Caesar, apple Le Canadian, crazy Canuck, Montreal gin sour, to name a few), culinary classes...one which showed how prepare québécois poutine and maple glazed salmon...it was fun to see how HAL creates and advertises their daily program...I thought it in good taste! They still have the bingo, the art auctions, and such...but it was nice to see digital workshops and other things to learn about!

 

Have a great cruise!

 

coka

[SeaWatch]

Awesome! Thanks

[JimnKaren]

Our first cruise on Maasdam was in 2013, 42-day Atlantic Explorer. Great staff and wonderful cruisers. We have also been on Ryndam and Statendam, all the perfect size for us. It is too bad the Ryndam and Statendam are leaving HAL service.

 

Next up for us is Oosterdam in October.

 

Jim

[Laurino]

I was also on this cruise. It was interesting to read your take on it.

Thank you /Henrik

[dibati2]

7 more sleeps.....

[mysticsailor]

We sail on her this fall on a lengthy voyage and it would be useful to know if magnetic hooks work on Maasdam stateroom walls. Thanks!

[Keith1010]

Very nice review.

 

Keith

[OlsSalt]

Thanks for the loving review. She was our first HAL ship in 2009 and now HAL five stars later, we never looked back on what good choices HAL offers. Amazing what life they are still getting out of these grand old "right-sized" ladies.

[gagenie]

Thank you for you review!! We leave on Aug 29 from Boston to Montreal :) can't wait!