No Maasdam???

[sail7seas]

Yes or one may do round trip Boston with 10/11 night sailings but that is actually more of a wish on my part

 

 

 

 

 

We'd LOVE that.

Whenever Maasdam did the 7 day Boston to Boston which has only been a handful of times, we always booked that cruise. It was fabulous but they haven't done it for several years. Last time we stopped in Portland; time before we stopped in Newportp; once we went to Martha's Vineyard at Cape Cod.

 

GREAT cruises.

I Might even do it on Veendam though I'd far rather it were 'my' Maasdam. :)

 

[sail7seas]

Wait! 3rdGenCunarder, why did you say Veendam is doing Voyage of the Viking this summer? It's supposed to be Maasdam, and I'm supposed to be on her!

 

 

Maasdam is doing VOV summer 2012 but it seems Veendam is doing it summer 2013.

[innlady1]

Which date did you eventually book?

 

We're on the Veendam on May 6. We have to get one cruise on her to Bermuda before HAL pulls it!

[PirateShark]

Oasis' tender from Crown Bay to Charlotte Amalie;)

 

 

:eek:

 

That's enough to make me NEVER travel on the Condo of the Seas!

[mamaofami]

Oasis' tender from Crown Bay to Charlotte Amalie;)

 

 

As one who loves Maasdam, that picture says it all.

[ASIWISH]

So, after all these years, let me get this straight…. size DOES matter???

[fann1sh]

I find it distressing that Maasdam's schedule is still unknown when it's Statendam that's the snakebit S class sister.

 

I sure hope a deal wasn't struck before Statendam's latest round of mechanical/engine problems.

 

(P.S.: shout out to SPPUNK and ASIWISH for my giggles of the day.)

[Spire2000]

:eek:

 

That's enough to make me NEVER travel on the Condo of the Seas!

 

I'm curious... What do you folks have against the big ships? Too impersonal? Too busy? Too expensive?

 

I'm anxious to give one a try just to see what it is like. While I enjoyed my recent trip on the Maasdam, things get a little same-old, same-old after 10 days.

[sail7seas]

Spire, you asked..... ;)

 

Speaking only for myself....

I would stop cruising if the only choice was a 'monster of the seas' type ship.

I don't want to ice skate at sea, climb a rock wall, ride a wave in a swimming pool or share my vacation with 6,000 of my newest dear friends.

 

WAY too loud, big, ugly, busy...... doesn't look or feel anything like a ship. There is no reason for it to leave the dock. May as well just stay tied up in Port Everglades and not move IMO

 

I KNOW for sure there are those who would say the exact opposite as to why they don't like Maasdam or her size/style ship. That is why we are so very fortunate to have choices.

 

I want a comfortable cabin, big veranda, professionally friendly service from cabin and dining stewards, competent and pleasant concierge in Neptune Lounge, at least 'decent' food and menu choices, fair amount of variety, comfortable lounges, friendly bartenders, nice wine list, comfort, style, art, fresh flowers, friendly yet professional Officers/staff/crew and pleasant fellow cruisers. Crew is important to us. We don't go for ultra casual, Hey Man, sort of service.

That's for starters...... :)

 

I don't think we would get that on 'monster of the seas'. IMO

We sailed RCI once and knew that was not the cruise line for us. There certainly are tens of thousands who think that is the cruise line for them. :)

 

I'm thrilled for those who crave a ship such as Oasis that they have it to vacation on.

I'm also thrilled we have other choices.

 

 

[fann1sh]

I'm curious... What do you folks have against the big ships? Too impersonal? Too busy? Too expensive?

 

I'm anxious to give one a try just to see what it is like. While I enjoyed my recent trip on the Maasdam, things get a little same-old, same-old after 10 days.

 

If you're a small ship person, you don't get that "same-old" feeling.

 

Since no HAL ship is considered larger than "medium", we birds of a feather flock here to this board.

 

Nothing wrong with the big ships...for other people. But the day they get me on a ship with more than 3,000 passengers? Probably scattering my ashes off the stern.

 

One "real" thing I have against them? Not yar. Top heavy, and aerodynamic as a brick.

[ASIWISH]

There is no reason for it to leave the dock. May as well just stay tied up in Port Everglades and not move IMO

 

The rumor is that it never does leave Port Everglades…. you walk on through the back gangway, walk the length of the ship, exit on the front gangway.. and blamo, you're in St. Maarten!

 

That's how big that ship is!

[dot73]

So, after all these years, let me get this straight…. size DOES matter???

It's not the size of the mast that rocks the boat, it's the motion of the ocean.:D

[bob brown]

If you're a small ship person, you don't get that "same-old" feeling.

 

Since no HAL ship is considered larger than "medium", we birds of a feather flock here to this board.

 

Nothing wrong with the big ships...for other people. But the day they get me on a ship with more than 3,000 passengers? Probably scattering my ashes off the stern.

 

One "real" thing I have against them? Not yar. Top heavy, and aerodynamic as a brick.

It's all relative. What you are saying is probably how partisans of the likes of HAL's former subsidiary, Windstar, feel about HAL's 'small' ships....:)

[jtl513]

I'm one of the ones who wishes HAL hadn't left Bermuda. Would it be possible for Maasdam to do that run? She hasn't had the modifications that caused the problems "making the cut"?

I doubt you'll see HAL go back to Bermuda until they can open the casino while docked. The run just isn't profitable enough without that 3 nights of revenue. Other cruise lines don't dock there that long.

 

[sppunk]

Which date did you eventually book?

 

It'll be August 26. Haven't worked out searches other than my default "best price" online TA.

[DFD1]

Sail, I've read a lot of things you've written here over the years, but your post #59, above, may be the best you've ever written on this board.

 

You sum up very well the reasons many of us like the smaller ships so well.

 

Thanks

[DFD1]

While I've never been especially concerned about being safe on any cruise ship, the Concordia disaster has brought home to me what I see as the increased risk of sailing on larger ships.

 

I just believe that one's chances of surviving an accident are much greater on a smaller ship than on one carrying 5,000, or more, passengers and crew.

 

That, together with many of the reasons already stated here, is why we avoid the larger ships.

 

IMO

[kazu]

Spire, you asked..... ;)

 

Speaking only for myself....

I would stop cruising if the only choice was a 'monster of the seas' type ship.

I don't want to ice skate at sea, climb a rock wall, ride a wave in a swimming pool or share my vacation with 6,000 of my newest dear friends.

 

WAY too loud, big, ugly, busy...... doesn't look or feel anything like a ship. There is no reason for it to leave the dock. May as well just stay tied up in Port Everglades and not move IMO

 

I KNOW for sure there are those who would say the exact opposite as to why they don't like Maasdam or her size/style ship. That is why we are so very fortunate to have choices.

 

I want a comfortable cabin, big veranda, professionally friendly service from cabin and dining stewards, competent and pleasant concierge in Neptune Lounge, at least 'decent' food and menu choices, fair amount of variety, comfortable lounges, friendly bartenders, nice wine list, comfort, style, art, fresh flowers, friendly yet professional Officers/staff/crew and pleasant fellow cruisers. Crew is important to us. We don't go for ultra casual, Hey Man, sort of service.

That's for starters...... :)

 

I don't think we would get that on 'monster of the seas'. IMO

We sailed RCI once and knew that was not the cruise line for us. There certainly are tens of thousands who think that is the cruise line for them. :)

 

I'm thrilled for those who crave a ship such as Oasis that they have it to vacation on.

I'm also thrilled we have other choices.

 

 

 

well said Sail - I like to be on ships that are ships, not floating hotels:D:D

 

Each to their own. Spire 2000 - the larger ships are actually cheaper IMO but the rooms do not compare nor the balconies IMO;)

['The Bear']

Sail ----- Well said !! That succintly reflects my perspective as well !

[3rdGenCunarder]

Wait! 3rdGenCunarder, why did you say Veendam is doing Voyage of the Viking this summer? It's supposed to be Maasdam, and I'm supposed to be on her!

 

No, not this summer. 2013. It surprised me because I thought Maasdam owned that itinerary.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Spire, you asked..... ;)

 

Speaking only for myself....

I would stop cruising if the only choice was a 'monster of the seas' type ship.

I don't want to ice skate at sea, climb a rock wall, ride a wave in a swimming pool or share my vacation with 6,000 of my newest dear friends.

 

WAY too loud, big, ugly, busy...... doesn't look or feel anything like a ship. There is no reason for it to leave the dock. May as well just stay tied up in Port Everglades and not move IMO

 

I KNOW for sure there are those who would say the exact opposite as to why they don't like Maasdam or her size/style ship. That is why we are so very fortunate to have choices.

 

I want a comfortable cabin, big veranda, professionally friendly service from cabin and dining stewards, competent and pleasant concierge in Neptune Lounge, at least 'decent' food and menu choices, fair amount of variety, comfortable lounges, friendly bartenders, nice wine list, comfort, style, art, fresh flowers, friendly yet professional Officers/staff/crew and pleasant fellow cruisers. Crew is important to us. We don't go for ultra casual, Hey Man, sort of service.

That's for starters...... :)

 

I don't think we would get that on 'monster of the seas'. IMO

We sailed RCI once and knew that was not the cruise line for us. There certainly are tens of thousands who think that is the cruise line for them. :)

 

I'm thrilled for those who crave a ship such as Oasis that they have it to vacation on.

I'm also thrilled we have other choices.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, what she said! :D

 

If you're a small ship person, you don't get that "same-old" feeling.

 

Since no HAL ship is considered larger than "medium", we birds of a feather flock here to this board.

 

Nothing wrong with the big ships...for other people. But the day they get me on a ship with more than 3,000 passengers? Probably scattering my ashes off the stern.

 

One "real" thing I have against them? Not yar. Top heavy, and aerodynamic as a brick.

 

And what she said, too! :D

[Tampa Girl]

I hope she is not slated for sale to another cruiseline. I love the Maasdam and will be on her again in 11 days!:D I just got back from a week of Cruising on a Carnival ship....what was I thinking! Never again!!:eek:

 

 

Which Carnival ship and why? We are thinking of the Legend, only because it is out of Tampa and we supposedly have a free ride (excepting port fees and taxes, of course.

[sail7seas]

Thanks ..... :) :o

 

[mamaofami]

Spire, you asked..... ;)

 

Speaking only for myself....

I would stop cruising if the only choice was a 'monster of the seas' type ship.

I don't want to ice skate at sea, climb a rock wall, ride a wave in a swimming pool or share my vacation with 6,000 of my newest dear friends.

 

WAY too loud, big, ugly, busy...... doesn't look or feel anything like a ship. There is no reason for it to leave the dock. May as well just stay tied up in Port Everglades and not move IMO

 

I KNOW for sure there are those who would say the exact opposite as to why they don't like Maasdam or her size/style ship. That is why we are so very fortunate to have choices.

 

I want a comfortable cabin, big veranda, professionally friendly service from cabin and dining stewards, competent and pleasant concierge in Neptune Lounge, at least 'decent' food and menu choices, fair amount of variety, comfortable lounges, friendly bartenders, nice wine list, comfort, style, art, fresh flowers, friendly yet professional Officers/staff/crew and pleasant fellow cruisers. Crew is important to us. We don't go for ultra casual, Hey Man, sort of service.

That's for starters...... :)

 

I don't think we would get that on 'monster of the seas'. IMO

We sailed RCI once and knew that was not the cruise line for us. There certainly are tens of thousands who think that is the cruise line for them. :)

 

I'm thrilled for those who crave a ship such as Oasis that they have it to vacation on.

I'm also thrilled we have other choices.

 

 

 

Totally agree.

[IslandThyme]

Whew! I'm really looking forward to my first Maasdam cruise, having very much enjoyed Ryndam.