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I put a zip tie on mine. Most luggage locks are useless. They either have a universal key or can be cut off. We take blunt point scissors with us to cut the tie off. This way, I don't have to keep up with a tiny key.

Same here except I have a small pair of wire cutters that I use to remove the zip ties. If someone wants into our luggage they can do it even with locks so zip ties are easy and don't have to keep track of keys.

Last fall on our 42 day Atlantic Adventure on the Maasdam the Librarian had a Master's degree in Library Science.

We did this cruise in Fall 2013 - Loved it - weather was great - only 2 days of rain.

Looking at Panama Canal Sunfarer on Oct 27th. can not find any information for tours on any of the ports. Does any one have any idea why not?

Thanks:confused:

The tours usually show up about 5 to 6 months prior to the cruise date.

When was the Maasdam last in dry dock? Does anyone have any information about her current condition?

It came out of dry dock Jan 17, 2014 We did 21 days Jan 17 - Feb 7. The ship is 20 years old. Some of the furniture could be replaced - may have been my now as this happens on a continuous basis. There were several public restrooms that were not working during the entire cruise. But - overall the crew is great and we had a super time. There are several recent threads on the condition if you do a search.

EURODAM:

 

A simple question asking for a simple quick answer: Is smoking permitted in an area of the Crows Nest? The Holland smoking FAQ says smoking permitted on the observation deck.

 

Yes or No please.

Nope

We had it on the Maasdam and Noordam in the Caribbean in Jan/Feb. Works fine - used the drink card during Happy Hour in Crows Nest. When we got on board there was a card with our Pinnacle Grill reservation date and time. On the Maasdam we were given 5:30 on embarkation day. Tried to change the day/time but there were only very limited openings but it worked out fine. On the Noordam we were also given an early time on embarkation day - was able to change it without a problem to a later day. Nice perk:)

I haven't seen this mentioned yet this season...

 

HAL has a new towel policy. No more light blue towels on the gangway to take off ship. You are provided with 1 towel per person by your room steward. If you don't return it - you are charged. Our steward refreshed them each day with clean/dry ones.

I don't know if it is HAL policy or a ship by ship thing. Jan 2013 and Feb 2014 on the Noordam what you describe was the situation. Blue and white towels that you got in your room and returned to your room. However, we were on the Maasdam Oct-Dec 2013 and Jan/Feb 2014 and they still had the same light blue towels that you picked up and returned at the gangway?

Just heard from my SIL who disembarked the Zuiderdam last week.

 

The Pinnacle Grill Manager told them the table side made Caesar Salad would be making a come back on this week's cruise.

 

Hope this is true and will be the case Fleet Wide.

I hope that is the case - on our recent Maasdam and Noordam experiences in the PG the Caesar Salad was a couple of stalks of romain in a baked cheese bowl with a little bit of dressing. Almost impossible to eat without making a mess.

We were on this same cruise plus the previous 10 days and also have only positive things to say. The CD, Mario was excellent and the shows by the ship's singers and dancers were outstanding. Mark Pells was the Hotel Manager which I think has a lot to do with the great experience.

If you send out daily are the clothes back the next day?

 

 

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We are 4 star and were just on the Maasdam for 63 days and the Noordam for 21 days. We normally leave the laundry for our stewards when we go to diner and all but twice it was back the next day - those times it took 2 days. Did not seem to relate to how much was in the bag.

We just got off also but not until 9:30 as our flight was not until 1230. We had to wait in the customs line for 45 minutes - only 2 customs officials and one of them was going on break right after we went through. Other than that cruise was great.

We are at our hotel with bags ready to get on the shuttle to the port - getting on the Maasdam for 21 fun filled days. Then going across the pier for 21 more days on the Noordam. Watch for us during the sailaway - we will up on 12 just aft of the Crows Nest:D:D

we sail on 1/17 straight after the drydock, so will do a review once im back, still waiting for cabin assignment (guarentee)with three days til we fly to miami from london, ship sold out ages ago so not sure why the delay, maybe it will be a nice upgrade fairy surprise:)

Trollydolly - please join us for the CC Roll Call Meet and Greet in the Crows Nest at 10am on Sat the 18th. Our friends got their room assignment today.

We're on for the Maasdam's 17 Jan 2014 departure from Ft. Lauderdale.

Will be happy to share our experiences when we get back.

After sub-zero temperatures for the last week - a Caribbean cruise sounds like a great idea.

RockyH20 - noticed you are new to CC. We are having our Roll Call Meet and Greet in the Crows Nest at 10am on Sat the 18th - please feel free to join us.:)

We have been in the Caribbean and Mexican coast during the SB and our HAL ships were able to get the signal (I think they get an ESPN coverage). Ship puts on a great party. We will be leaving Barbados this year on SB Sunday and looking forward to a great game - just wish our Colts were still in the running (I guess I shouldn't say running as that is how NE beat us):(

If you are on during the Superbowl they will have a big party including lots of food.

If you don't have a reservation it is probably best to arrive by 5:45 - if not, it may be difficult to get a table until about 7 which is when the first seating will be finishing . Also, to get a table for 2 is more difficult but if you are willing to share a table for 6 or 8 it is much easier to get a table.

Enjoy your cruise.

FYI - depending on the cruise they normally change the time at 2am but on sea days we have also had them change the time (turning forward) at 2pm which means you lose an hour of activitiy time that afternoon.

During the planning process I make up an Excel spreadsheet that shows the port, arrival/departure time, and any plans for the day including tour/time/$ required and others going with us (we do mostly private tours). I then tape a copy of the sheet to the mirror for easy reference and can also pencil in any changes as they come up like invitations to special parties. Then we use a highlighter to mark the Explorer each evening to plan the non-tour activities. I use 1 color of highlighter and my DW uses a different color as we often do different activities.

Just relax and enjoy you vacation.

Copper10-8 We are going to be on the Maasdam as it comes out of drydock on Jan 17th for 21 days. If you can, please let us know the names of the officers and CD if you have it available. We are also going to be on the Noordam for most of Feb. Hope to sail with you someday.:D

Is there a warm place? It's ten AM here in NW Florida and it's only 34 degrees F. Low tonight 16 F!:eek:

Chief -- our high here in Indianapolis is -13 today with wind chill at -40 but we will be on the Maasdam in 10 days:D

When we got off the Maasdam in Dec there was only the Noordam and one other small ship in port. There were 2 agents for US passengers and 1 for non-US. We got off at 1030 and it took about 30 minutes in line. The non-US line had virtually no people so there waiting time was less than 5 minutes.

Were all of the suites having the air conditioning issue or just yours?

Thanks for the post - we are getting on for 21 days starting Jan 17th which is right after the dry dock. :D