Maasdam Just Back

[Video Cruiser]

We returned to Norfolk this morning from a 10 day cruise from Montreal on the Maasdam. This cruise was about the best we have had out of 13 we have taken over the years.

It was our first with Holland America. We found the Indonesian and Filipino crew members to be exceptional. The cabin stewards and dining rooms stewards and wine stewards quickly learn the names of the passengers. Other crew members whom you walk by as you move about the Maasdam give you a pleasant greeting.

There are "crew shows" buy both the Indonesian and Filipino crew members which were very entertaining and interesting.

The entertainment by the singers and dancers was top notch. They did three different productions and all were outstanding.

We had exceptional weather for all but one day. There was a gale force, driving rainstorm when we visited Halifax. We and the couple traveling with us had decided, before the cruise began, that we would rent a car in Halifax so to be able to visit Peggy's Cove followed by a drive along the coastline. You could barely stand up it was so storm at Peggy's Cove. The passengers who took the bus tours to the Cove sought shelter in the gift shop/restaurant. Only a few braved the howling winds and sideways rain to talk down to the Lighthouse. We were able to manuever our rented car in the parking lot so as to be able to shoot a few pictures and video of the Lighthouse through the windshield.

Other than that one day it was supurb weather for touring ashore. We also rented a car at Sidney and drove along the Cabot Trail on the east side of the island up to Ingonish Beach. One interesting aspect was a ferry ride of about 200 yards at Englishtown, a crossing which saves quite a bit of driving as you head from Sidney to the east portion of the Cabot Trail.

Heading to sea out of Halifax we knew we would be in for a rough several hours. Only about half the passengers went to the dining room on what was one of the two formal nights. One rogue wave hit, sending dishes flying from the serving stands in the dining room and from the serving line in the Lido.

But other than that one day, it was unbelievable weather. Foliage was abundant along the St. Lawrence River, Prince Edward Island, Sidney and Bar Harbor.

Food was as good as we have ever had on a cruise ship.

Age range of passengers almost all upper 50's and on up. There was a joke going around aboard ship that when the evening program listed "70's Night" at the Crow's Nest, it meant the age of those attending not the era of the music!

TV reception aboard was ESPN and CNN so with most baseball playoff games on FOX the last week, or so, they could not be watched. Same for NFL action on the two Sunday afternoons and evenings. Only NFL seen was Monday Night Football.

Anyone with questions respond to this thread and I'll get back to you.

[sail7seas]

Great review. Thank you for posting about "My" :) Maasdam. So happy you had such a great cruise.

 

 

Welcome Back. Thanks for taking care of that pretty ship for me. ;)

 

[Grumpy1]

And welcome to HAL... Glad that you had a wonderful time.

[DFD1]

Thanks for a great review. Reading it makes me want to do that cruise!

We know and like the Maasdam very much, but have only sailed on her out of FLL.

[DFD1]

Duplicate post, please excuse.

[CruisinNana]

Very enjoyable review. Thank you.

[BumperII]

Great review of our beautiful and elegant Maasdam. We sailed on her over Christmas last year, and we will be aboard again at the end of next week. Eleven days and counting.

We have to agree with you that the crew on the Maasdam is the Greatest.

[kakalina]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. It sounds wonderful

[hammybee]

Thank you for making the time to share your trip with us. It sounds like it was overall a fabulous trip.

 

I am curious about your reference to a rogue wave. Did the captain estimate the size?

[Spot]

The Maasdam was our first HAL cruise, I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful time!!