Maasdam Drydock 2011

[kelleherdl]

HAL has a new Signature of Excellence video up on the wedsite describing the changes to her 'mid-size ships.' I know long-time HAL guests have commented on the changes so far, and I guess most have not been complimentary. But I found that some of the changes (maybe not the Retreat) do look like nice improvements/additions. The video states that Maasdam will start this morphing in 2011. There is a drydock scheduled for April 2011. Does anyone know what might be included in that first phase. I have booked a NB Boston to Montreal on June 11 and was just wondering what might be changed by then.

 

Dennis

[RuthC]

My understanding is that the interior changes---Showroom At Sea, The Mix, redo of the cabins, will be done during this drydock. The more extensive renovations, such as the lanai cabins, and The Retreat, will be left for a later drydock (if ever???).

[Copper10-8]

Maasdam is scheduled to enter dry-dock in Freeport, the Bahamas from 4-24 April 2011 for the first phase of her SOE part 2 enhancements:

In that dry-dock she will receive:

- Mix, a new bar concept with three separate bars; Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales, computer games as well as a dude (or dudette) playing the piano. (taking the place of the current piano and casino bar)

- Showroom at Sea, a new jazz nightclub-tyle show lounge. (taking the place of the current main show lounge)

- The addition of Canaletto, a complimentary casual Italian restaurant for dining located in the forward part of the ship's Lido restaurant.

- The addition of Merabella luxury goods boutique.

- The refurbishment of the Ocean Bar.

 

- The upgrading of all staterooms including carpeting, soft goods, bathroom enhancements, etc.

- The addition of a canopy and windscreens to create additional covered seating for the Lido Restaurant.

Her first Cruise after that 2011 dry-dock will be a 13-day Canada/New England from Fort Lauderdale, Fl to New York, NY on 24 April 2011

Maasdam is scheduled for the second phase of SOE part 2 in another dry-dock at Freeport in the fall of 2013. During that dry-dock she is scheduled to receive:

- The resort-styled aft pool concept called The Retreat, where guests can enjoy a new pool bar, upscale pizzeria called Slice and the addition of a large LED screen for evening movies.

- The aft end of ship lengthened to accommodate the addition of 32 verandah staterooms, and a varying number of inside staterooms.

- The creation of Lanai category staterooms on Deck 6 with dedicated teak lounge chairs.

- The addition of verandahs to 12 staterooms on Deck 9 forward.

- The creation of 15 new Spa Staterooms forward

[kelleherdl]

Wow...

 

To say the least that will do it.

 

Thanks Copper

 

Dennis

[RedmondCruiser]

Why are they using Freeport ? Freeport has not completed any assigned work on time and only seems to leave a multitude of mistakes in their wake. We have been on two post drydock cruises, both in US shipyards and both left no unfinished work or visible problems.

[

[Copper10-8]

HAL has been using the Grand Bahama shipyard in Freeport for many years for North American east coast dry-docks. Of course, Carnival Cruises Inc. owns a majority share of that yard;) and HAL, as we all know, has been owned by that same Carnival Corporation group since 1989. Coincidence?:cool:

It wasn't until the last three ships (Veendam, Rotterdam and Prinsendam) exitted Freeport that some of these infamous "issues" materialized. However, in the case of the Retreat wading pool on Veendam and Rotterdam, that (overflowing/leakage) might just involve a design instead of a quality control problem. As far as Prinsendam, not finishing those aft cabins before setting off on her circumnavigation of South America cruise, that seems to have been planned by HAL and the yard all along.

[djhsolara]

Not that I know too much about it, but how do they do a cruise from FLL to NYC without being in violation of the Jones Act? I thought that a non-US vessel had to go to a port outside of North America in order to transport passengers from one US port to another.

 

Like I said, I know that I don't know too much about it, but just wondered how that works.

[Copper10-8]

Not that I know too much about it, but how do they do a cruise from FLL to NYC without being in violation of the Jones Act? I thought that a non-US vessel had to go to a port outside of North America in order to transport passengers from one US port to another.

 

Like I said, I know that I don't know too much about it, but just wondered how that works.

 

She'll be calling at Canadian ports on that cruise - that in itself satisfies the ancient Passenger Service Act (Doesn't have to be outside North America - The Jones Act is anoter one!;))

[Modern_Viking]

Not that I know too much about it, but how do they do a cruise from FLL to NYC without being in violation of the Jones Act? I thought that a non-US vessel had to go to a port outside of North America in order to transport passengers from one US port to another.

 

Looking at the HAL web site today, the April 24, 2011 cruise on the Maasdam appears to be from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal, Canada (and not NYC). Since it is a one way trip from the US to a foreign country, it is legal, but you already knew that part.

 

In order to sail from Ft. Lauderdale to NYC, I think the Maasdam would have to stop at a distant foreign port in (such as South America, say Columbia, or even Aruba might pass muster, or Europe) during the trip. I think I have seen Celebrity do a reposition between New Jersey and Florida by adding a stop in Cartegena or Aruba.

[RuthC]

In order to sail from Ft. Lauderdale to NYC, I think the Maasdam would have to stop at a distant foreign port in (such as South America, say Columbia, or even Aruba might pass muster, or Europe) during the trip. I think I have seen Celebrity do a reposition between New Jersey and Florida by adding a stop in Cartegena or Aruba.

That's correct. A cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to NYC with the foreign stop in Canada would not pass muster, as Canada is a near foreign port. When the cruise begins and ends in two different US ports, the foreign port must be distant.

[earl_m]

The aft end of ship lengthened to accommodate the addition of 32 verandah staterooms, and a varying number of inside staterooms

What does that mean `` LENGTHENED THE AFT OF THE SHIP

[Copper10-8]

The aft end of ship lengthened to accommodate the addition of 32 verandah staterooms, and a varying number of inside staterooms

 

 

What does that mean `` LENGTHENED THE AFT OF THE SHIP

 

They're talking about the big 'bump' added to the aft of Veendam and the slighly smaller 'bump' added to the aft of Rotterdam

 

 

[descof]

Looks like the Maasdam returns to Ft. Lauderdale from the Caribbean on April 8, 2011 with its next sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal on April 24, 2011. This would imply something just over 2 weeks for refurbishment. That doesn't sound like much time for everything that has been mentioned. But is that about the normal time for these things and they simply rush the rennovations in order to get the ship back into duty as quickly as possible?

[Copper10-8]

Looks like the Maasdam returns to Ft. Lauderdale from the Caribbean on April 8, 2011 with its next sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal on April 24, 2011. This would imply something just over 2 weeks for refurbishment. That doesn't sound like much time for everything that has been mentioned. But is that about the normal time for these things and they simply rush the rennovations in order to get the ship back into duty as quickly as possible?

 

Things have changed since this thread was started! In her 2011 dry-dock in Freeport Maasdam is scheduled for the following work:

 

- The upgrading of all of her existing staterooms with new decor, modern wall sconces, carpeting, drapes, pillows and bed runners, resurfaced desks and vanities, and new vanities and cabinetry in the bathrooms.

 

- The upgrading of her Ocean Bar.

- “Mix”, a multi-themed new bar concept featuring three separate areas where either Champagne, Martinis and/or Spirits & Ales for microbrews, single malts and sports updates are served. In order to accomplish this, Maasdam’s original Piano and Casino Bars will be gutted A number of Microsoft Surface tables will be found inside on which electronic games can be played. In addition, the entertainment area on Upper Promenade deck will be opened up (walls will literally be knocked down) to create a better flow between shops, bars and the casino.

- “Showroom at Sea,” Maasdam’s Rembrandt main show lounge will be transformed into the Showroom at Sea with the ambiance of a nightclub and where a new slate of shows will be performed at night.

 

- The conversion of sixteen staterooms (fourteen outside and two inside) on Verandah Deck, two decks below the nearby Greenhouse Spa, Known as “Spa staterooms”

Maasdam’s first Cruise after that dry-dock period will be a 13-day Canada/New England from Fort Lauderdale, Fl to New York, NY on 24 April 2011.

Maasdam is scheduled for the second phase of SOE Part 2 in yet another visit to the Freeport dry-dock in the fall of 2013. During that refit she is scheduled to receive:

 

- The addition/creation of thirty-eight new Lanai staterooms on Deck 6/Lower Promenade whose large sliding glass doors (with one-way-mirror coating to ensure privacy) will provide direct access to the walk-around teak promenade. Each Lanai room will offer its passengers two reserved teak lounge chairs just outside the cabin.

- “Slice”, an upscale pizzeria, serving signature pizzas, whole pies and slices to order. Tables and padded chairs under a sunscreen will provide a place to dine al fresco. In order to provide live music, a stage will be added near the pool, while for additional entertainment, a large LED screen and sound system will be integrated into the ship's superstructure, providing both movies and video.

Other people here have reported that the Retreat Pool has been put on hold or even completely cancelled

 

As far as time, two of Maasdam's sisters, Statendam + Ryndam had similar dry-dock periods and enhancements earlier this year of roughly between 15 and 19 days

 

 

 

 

[DutchByAssociation]

Not 100% correct Copper.

 

Would recommend you look at the deck plans on the HAL Website and under the ship select "ms Maasdam" not "ms Maasdam until 4/8/11"

 

There's a little more to the dry dock :cool:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Looks like the Maasdam returns to Ft. Lauderdale from the Caribbean on April 8, 2011 with its next sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal on April 24, 2011. This would imply something just over 2 weeks for refurbishment. That doesn't sound like much time for everything that has been mentioned. But is that about the normal time for these things and they simply rush the rennovations in order to get the ship back into duty as quickly as possible?

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You will find that the Maasdam will not be having all the above mentioned renovations done to her. From what I have been told she will not be getting all those additional cabins, no retreat area -- no "slice".

I also heard that she will not be getting the Lanai cabins -- but I am not certain about that.

[Cruzman]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You will find that the Maasdam will not be having all the above mentioned renovations done to her. From what I have been told she will not be getting all those additional cabins, no retreat area -- no "slice".

I also heard that she will not be getting the Lanai cabins -- but I am not certain about that.

 

I'll bet that Sail7Deas knows what is in store for the Maasdam, and precisely when! Where you at Sail?

[3rdGenCunarder]

Not 100% correct Copper.

 

Would recommend you look at the deck plans on the HAL Website and under the ship select "ms Maasdam" not "ms Maasdam until 4/8/11"

 

There's a little more to the dry dock :cool:

 

Ahhh, found it. I see that she is getting lanai cabins, but they seem to be all together, less scattered than on Veendam. Is this set of plans newly posted? I tried to do a "fake booking" to see what they're charging, and the lanais don't exist in the booking process. The highest ocean view is "C" and there is no mention of a "CA" level. I tried requesting specific cabin numbers and it told me that there is no such cabin in that level ©, and to enter a C level number.

 

If bookings have been made in these converted cabins, do people get an instant upgrade? Or will they be moved to other ocean views so that HAL can sell the lanais for more money?

[G&G]

Just completed the Voyage of the Vikings cruise on the Maasdam. I far as I am concern it should be left alone except for the usual carpet/furniture replacement. The new Lanai Cabins will take away 80% of the outside deck chairs on the Lower Promenade.

 

The only thing I did see that needs to be updated is the line of sight at the balcony level (Deck 8) at the Showroom. If you do not sit in the 1st two rows you can not see the stage or performers.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Okay -- so she will be getting the Lanai Cabins - need to update my information.

 

Thanks.

[Teensy]

None of the other changes matter if your room is uncomfortable.

[IRL_Joanie]

Maasdam is also getting new Spa Suites and Staterooms available in category: BQ, CQ, IQ, All Spa Staterooms/Suites will be located on Deck 9 - Verandah Deck.

 

She will also be getting one new Handicapped Stateroom, CA 367 a Lanai Stateroom on Deck 6 - Lower Promenade Deck.

 

Joanie

[descof]

Thanks everyone for reopening this thread and answering my original question. We are so excited now that we have just booked the Maasdam sailing out of Montreal on May 7, 2011 for our 30 wedding anniversary, as we prefer HAL over other companies in its class, having cruised with them before to Alaska.

 

It's still a long way away, so I think we will hold off logging on to the roll call until sometime after the 1st of the year.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Maasdam is also getting new Spa Suites and Staterooms available in category: BQ, CQ, IQ, All Spa Staterooms/Suites will be located on Deck 9 - Verandah Deck.

 

She will also be getting one new Handicapped Stateroom, CA 367 a Lanai Stateroom on Deck 6 - Lower Promenade Deck.

 

Joanie

 

Yes, I saw the spa rooms on the deck plans. And when you do a booking, they now have the correct size for the inside spa cabins (130 sq ft). They updated the info on the Veendam, too.

[IRL_Joanie]

Yes, I saw the spa rooms on the deck plans. And when you do a booking, they now have the correct size for the inside spa cabins (130 sq ft). They updated the info on the Veendam, too.

 

Yes, I saw the updates today when I updated the Maasdam pages today. They did not have it updated last week, so when I was doing the decks today I was thrown when I sawa CA in HC...

 

I will get to the Veendam's new deck plans by Thursday at the latest.

 

Oh well, keeps me busy:)

 

Joanie