Maasdam, 11/19 Sailaway

[sk8teacher]

Good Morning Everyone! This is actually the first day at sea, but was too busy yesterday to post. Here is our initial thoughts for the embarkation day, and will try and post an update daily for you.

 

Sunday, November 19, 2006

 

Onboard the MS Maasdam docked in Norfolk Virginia.

 

After driving down from home and spending the night with our son in Williamsburg, we arrived at the dock in Norfolk around 11:30am. We pulled up to the drop-off location, unloaded our baggage directly onto a porter’s cart, and walked up the ramp towards the Nauticus Museum. The line to embark strung around the left side, and seemed to move fairly well.

 

Our documents were verified at the bottom of the ramp, we then walked over to the check in “hut”. Checked in, went through security and was aboard and sitting in the Lido shortly after 12:00. I really don’t think that was bad at all.

 

We ate a couple of tacos from the taco bar, and decided to wander about the ship for a while. Our initial impressions of the Maasdam are that she is a fine ship. I found her very clean. The staff was working on setting up Christmas trees in the Atrium and in other places around the ship. While wandering, we went up to the Spa to check out the Thermal Suite. Even though the “tours” weren’t due to start until around 2pm, we convinced them to let us see the Suite then, and we immediately signed us both up for the cruise. The total cost for two people was $250.

 

We were able to get into our room (OV 310 on the Lower Promenade) around 1pm. No luggage yet but that wasn’t really a big deal. To our surprise, there were some gifts waiting for us. Our TA provided us with a free Pinnacle Grill certificate, three bottles of wine, and two soda cards. Very impressive and not something that we would have expected, especially given the great deal we got on the cruise.

 

The Explorer Café is to die for. It’s very large, and with literally 100s of books available. Near the windows are lounge type chairs with footstools, and next to them are headsets with music that you can lay back, look out though the windows and simply relax and enjoy the view. I signed up for 100 minutes of service ($55 + a one time fee of $3.95), and got 10 free minutes for signing up the first day, 10 free minutes for spending over $100 at the Spa, 10 free minutes for booking shore excursions ahead, and 10 minutes for being a Mariner. So I got a total of 140 minutes which should carry through the entire cruise.

 

The first nights dinner was typical of HAL, of excellent quality, and top notch service. We had the 5:45 upper level seating, at a table for eight. After meeting our table mates, I think they will be a lot of fun throughout the cruise.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day, and we plan on having room service deliver a bagel, toast, coffee and tea, after which we will go for a two mile walk around the Lower Promenade deck. After that, we will go up to the Thermal Suite to relax a bit before attending a few functions tomorrow. Our cruise Meet and Great is tomorrow from 2-3pm in the Piano Bar. We are looking forward to meeting our fellow CCers.

 

Will try and check in this evening as well.

 

Cheers!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the report.

 

Sounds as though your cruise is off to a good start.

[shappkb]

Sk8teacher,

Thanks for the early review. We must have passed you on the gangway. We disembarked at 1030 on Sunday. If you run into any of the girls from Romania in the casino (especially Kathy, Alexandra, Nichol or Veronica) Please tell them Kathy and Bob says hi.

Get to know them they will make your cruise. You can ask Alex and Katie how is blue eyes doing. They will know what you are talking about.

Have a great cruise. I especially recommend the Whale watching in Dominica.

If you would like any other suggestions I will keep and eye on this thread.

[shappkb]

Sk8teacher,

Thanks for the early review. We must have passed you on the gangway. We disembarked at 1030 on Sunday. If you run into any of the girls from Romania in the casino (especially Kathy, Alexandra, Nichol or Veronica) Please tell them Kathy and Bob says hi.

Get to know them they will make your cruise. You can ask Alex and Katie how is blue eyes doing. They will know what you are talking about.

Have a great cruise. I especially recommend the Whale watching in Dominica.

If you would like any other suggestions I will keep and eye on this thread.

[Amber14]

Hope you enjoyed your first sea day. I can't wait to read how you liked the thermal suite. I've never been but hope to on the Maasdam in April.

Enjoy your Pinnacle dinner and wine - you've got a great TA!

 

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us! :D

[shappkb]

Sk8teacher,

Just wondering if you have been to the casino to meet the girls from Romania?

They are really a great bunch of girls to get to know.