Alan's Maasdam Cruise Report

East Caribbean July 28-Aug 3 2002

Welcome to my Web site!

Back in the summer of 1999 Mary finally convinced me to try an ocean cruise. I was positive that I would not like it. I do not drink much or gamble. Not much into the nightlife routine. So what would I do on a cruise ship? I am very active and love the outdoors. I like to exercise, SCUBA, and enjoy the beaches of South Florida. I booked us on the Carnival Ecstasy for a four night cruise. Figured I could suffer for four days to please Mary (what a nice guy). Within hours on board I was hooked!!!! The summer of 2000 saw us take the Carnival Sensation out of Tampa for seven days. We had a great time. This summer (2002) we took the HAL Maasdam for our thirtieth wedding anniversary and had a truly wonderful time!
Reading the cruise reports and the posts at rec.travel.cruises on the newsgroups was a huge help for me. The link takes you to the Google newsgroups search engine.  USE THIS VALUABLE RESOURCE!  This report is my small way of repaying all those that took the time to help out us newbies. Thanks!
 

This was cruise #3 for us. Having had the previous two on Carnival we decided to try something different. The space shuttle was booked solid so we decided to try another cruise.  Our cruises on Carnival were great but I had read many good things about Holland America. Since this cruise would be spending a whole day in San Juan, Puerto Rico this was the one we booked. I really wanted to see El Morro and San Christobal, the old forts guarding Old San Juan. A number of cruise lines arrive in San Juan at 5 PM and leave at midnight. Others arrive at 7 AM and leave at 2 PM. One arrived at 10 AM and left at 9 AM the same day.  But the Maasdam's 8 AM arrival and midnight departure was perfect. Most of this trip report was written during the cruise.

About us: Mary and I have been married for thirty years. We have two children, Natalie 27 and Alan C 20. Mary is a district manager for a major hair care company. I own my own small business specializing in technical training at regionally accredited universities. We exercise regularly and love the outdoors. We consider ourselves fun loving, and do not take life too seriously. It would take something major for us to complain. Mary enjoys wine with dinner and an occasional mixed drink.

Departure

After an exhausting trip from our home in West Broward to Port Everglades (about 15 minutes) we prepared to board. Unlike our experiences with Carnival in which long lines were the norm we were on board in a matter of minutes. A sign at check in said no upgrades as the ship was full. A ship steward showed us to our outside cabin D-612. The cabin was nice and included a bathtub.

1. Although I prefer an outside cabin I am not interested in a balcony. For us the room is for changing clothes and sleeping. We enjoy the ship as much as possible. Others love the balconies. Matter of preference.

2. Booked a cabin in the middle of the ship. In case of rough seas the motion in the center is less than the fore or aft of the ship or so I heard. Unfortunately, the middle of the ship also makes for a perfect runway for out of control running children. This cruise had a number of them. Not easy to take a nap with all the running going on if you are a light sleeper like me. After 11 PM it was quiet.

3. Holland America as a cruise line for the over 60 age group. Maybe during the off season but this cruise was full of young people and children. Most were well behaved. Outside of the running in the halls we really had no problems. Missed the adults only sunning area of the Carnival ships thought!

Impressions of the Maasdam

Arief Our Dinner Waiter

Smaller than the Sensation/Ecstasy we were used to. As we got used to the size we realized that we had plenty of space to relax in. In fact, I found it much easier to find a secluded place to write as opposed to the Carnival ships. I really liked this ship. Very well laid out with flowers and antiques to look at. The Rotterdam Dining Room with two levels was spacious enough. One of the first things I did once on board was to confirm our dining arrangements as recommended by others. We were seated properly.  Never had a problem finding a place to sit at breakfast in the Lido Restaurant. Always found a table by the ocean view. There were always plenty of seats in the two level Rembrandt Lounge. Even finding a place by the pool was fairly easy even with the chair reservers in full force. The movie theater seemed large enough. The screen looked a little small though. We never used the theater but quite a few other passengers did. Found the gym to be pretty good. Did a couple of workouts during the week. Wimpy workouts yes, but twice nonetheless.  Men's area had a sauna and steam room. No whirlpools like the Carnival ships. Did miss them as the ones by the pools were usually pretty busy.

1. Maasdam has an Internet Cafe on the Promenade Deck. Saw a few people using it. Since this was a vacation and I am in the IT business I decided to pass. I spend enough time on the Internet at home. Time charges were: .75 per minute or 100 minutes for $55 or 250 minutes for $100. One time activation fee of $3.95 (US Dollars).

2. Small casino that was fairly busy at times. Not a gambler so cannot make any comments on it.

3. Rembrandt Lounge shows were pretty good. The Maasdam cast worked very hard and it showed. Music was canned but the singing was live. Missed the Carnival live band here. Cruise Director John Challenger was pleasant and helpful.

4. Mary said the mixed drinks were good.

5. We both thought the food was very good. We had breakfast and lunch in the Lido Restaurant. This was cafeteria style with plenty to choose from.  We had dinner every night in the Rotterdam Dining Room. Plenty of fish, steaks and lamb on the menu. Lobster tails on the final formal night. Service was generally good but there were times we needed to wait longer than usual.  Never ordered room service so cannot comment on it.

6. Formal and informal nights were liberal in enforcement, especially on the informal night.

7. Communication problems. The crew is Pilipino/Indonesian. As pointed out by others talking with the crew can sometimes be confusing due to language difficulties. However, the crew are willing to help and a little patience goes a long way. We were very pleased with the service we received.

8. Cabin was spacious enough but air conditioning was on the weak side. Cabin tended to be warm.

9. If you want to do shore excursions book ASAP. A number of them, like the Dolphin Encounter in Nassau and Flats Fishing at Half Moon Cay sold out quickly.

10. We traveled 2049 nautical miles.

11. If you like a lot of nightlife, a lot of people, r-rated comics after 12, bigger gambling casinos then HAL is most likely not for you. Carnival is strong in this area. Do your research before going on any cruise.

12. Plenty of information on the Maasdam including deck plans and shore excursions at Holland America's website

Conclusions

This was the best cruise vacation we have taken so far. The food was very good, the service superior, and the ship was beautiful. Not too big yet not too small. We loved the relaxing atmosphere that the Maasdam provided. Thanks to the crew of the Maasdam for a wonderful thirtieth wedding anniversary!

Photos

Unless otherwise indicated the photos shown on this website,  Webshots, and ImageStation  were taken with a Minolta DiMage S404 digital camera.  This camera is capable of 4 megapixels pictures with a 4x optical zoom. Many of the photos were taken at a lesser setting so I could take more. Some were taken at the highest  setting so I could take less. Does this make any sense?  Anyway, found the 4x zoom to be very useful. I used three sets of rechargeable AA batteries and  128, 64, and 32 Mb compact flash cards. I strictly went the point and shoot route, allowing the camera to use its auto settings. Photos were downloaded into my notebook when returning to ship. None of the pictures have been retouched in any way. I have no idea how to  mess them up yet. Each of the following links has its own direct link to Webshots and ImageStation. I believe the image quality is better at ImageStation but they require you to be a member. It is free to join but a annoyance for some. There are pictures from our 2000 Sensation Cruise at Webshots. The Sensation pictures were taken with a Kodak DC 210+.

Click on a port below for more info:

Brief 2000 Carnival Sensation report here

Last updated 2/21/2006

Important note: This is not a commercial site. I do not recommend any travel agents or even mention who we used. However, if HAL would like to give me a free cruise I would gladly accept. Heck, if any cruise line wants to give me a free cruise I'll gladly accept. One ticket would be enough.  Don't even need to take the wife along!! Just kidding Honey. Would miss the shopping....

Please e-mail comments or free cruises

NEW!! Photos of our April 21-25 2005 Carnival Imagination family\friends cruise at community.webshots.com/user/avfmct