Canada New England Maasdam 2015

[orgutierrez]

Hello there!

I am considering a cruise on the ms Maasdam for next summer. The itinerary is the following:

Embarkation port: Boston, MA, USA.

Ports of Call:

Bar Harbor, ME, USA.

Halifax, Canada.

Sydney, Canada.

Charlottetown, Canada.

Quebec City, Canada.

Disembarkation port: Montreal, Canada.

 

I have cruised before with HAL but never in one of their smaller ships, how do they compare to the Eurodam or the Noordam?

Do you find the itinerary interesting? Which are the best ports of the itinerary? Is the ship in good shape bearing in mind its age?

Any recommendations and opinions are welcome!

Thank you.

[kqcallahan]

Did this the past summer. Actually we stayed on and did the return as well. I loved it, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[orgutierrez]

Did this the past summer. Actually we stayed on and did the return as well. I loved it, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Does the return cruise offer different ports or it is the same exact itinerary?

[trident one]

Return cruise offers same identical ports. We are doing this cruise in August of 2015 on the Maasdam for that reason.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is a very good itinerary. We have done that itinerary a couple of times -- very port intensive. We have also done other versions of that itinerary which we also enjoyed.

One thing you may be interested in -- lobster -- either whole or lobster rolls -- in the various ports.

Bar Harbor -- this is a tender port -- we have done the Acadia and Cadillac Mountain tours -- once from the ship and one by Oli's Trolley. We found the lobster rolls in this port to be the best -- less filler and more lobster.

Halifax -- we have Peggy's Cove with lobster dinner (really lunch). We have also done the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus -- lots of places to get off and view like the Citadel. You can also walk along the boardwalk and visit the Maritime Museum -- several restaurants.

Sydney -- we did an all day tour one time which included the Baddeck and Alexander Bell's museum -- stopped at a hotel for lunch. Another time we did the Fortress of Louisbourg. There is not really much to see in this town. We enjoyed our fisherman's chowder here but not the lobster rolls -- Governor's Pub and Eatery.

Charlottetown -- do not do the Hop-On-Hop-Off trolley here -- you can walk the entire town on your own. We have done Anne of Green Cables here. Right at the pier is the Lobster at the Wharf restaurant which has great mussels.

Quebec City -- one tour we enjoyed was Montmorency Falls. Other wise you can walk and see lots on your own.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Does the return cruise offer different ports or it is the same exact itinerary?

 

We also did the return cruise back to Boston.

Gives you a chance to do some extra tours.

[Fred321]

We just did this cruise up and back from Boston this September. Had done the same thing 2 years ago on Maasdam. Trip was great. Ship is very comfortable and in good shape. Crew was fantastic. One of the best we have ever had, as was the food in the mdr.

 

I'd suggest doing the round trip. Always something you see on the first stop that you don't have time to do in one day. Also suggest you look into renting a car for your stops in Charlottetown and Sidney at the very least. We also had one in Halifax two years ago that let us do Lunnenburg and Peggy's Cove on our own schedule and for a lot less than the excursions.

[sail7seas]

Does the return cruise offer different ports or it is the same exact itinerary?

 

Summer after summer we did that cruise Boston to Montreal to Boston b-to-b and absolutely love it. The itinerary repeats but in reverse. You will visit the same ports.

 

Maasdam has been lovingly maintained and while certainly there are some signs of age she is a beautiful ship. Her art is wonderful, the size is perfect for this itinerary, she has a fantastic crew and while they do rotate some enough of a core remains that Maasdam's crew is always great. I love that ship and sail it every opportunity. :)

 

[kqcallahan]

It did the same places on the b2b but that was great. Meant we got more time at each port and there was a day or two we didn't bother getting off the boat and enjoyed a peaceful day on the ship pools when everyone else wasn't around!

 

Quebec we walked around town the first day and stayed on the ship the next time since it was our last day on board.

 

Charlottetown - We were there for Canada day so we got to enjoy the celebrations. Anne of Green Gables is always a not to be missed :)

 

Sydney - Since we go to Cape Breton every year we just walked around town and enjoyed the ship. But We have done the Fortress before (LOVED it!) and the Baddeck lake is always nice

 

Halifax - Peggy's Cove is lovely and just walking downtown is nice. Also there is the Citadel and I know a lot of people do Titanic things, like visiting the graveyard where many were laid to rest.

 

Bar Harbour - One of my favs. On the way to we were there for July 4th!! Perfect timing. That town goes nuts for it. There were lots of stores, parade, and my fav the Lobster Races! On the way back we booked kayaking through the ship. I have to say it was worth it. Peaceful day and it wasn't half the work I was expecting.

 

Boston - The turn around day so we decided to head to Quincey Market and just see the area as we had already done the trolley tour and Aquarium on a previous trip.

 

We booked the trip as a relaxing, someone else to clean and cook, trip. And that's what we got. I would make it a annual thing if I could find someone to go with me :) Enjoy!!

[Folk Singer]

Hello there!

I am considering a cruise on the ms Maasdam for next summer. The itinerary is the following:

Embarkation port: Boston, MA, USA.

Ports of Call:

Bar Harbor, ME, USA.

Halifax, Canada.

Sydney, Canada.

Charlottetown, Canada.

Quebec City, Canada.

Disembarkation port: Montreal, Canada.

 

I have cruised before with HAL but never in one of their smaller ships, how do they compare to the Eurodam or the Noordam?

Do you find the itinerary interesting? Which are the best ports of the itinerary? Is the ship in good shape bearing in mind its age?

Any recommendations and opinions are welcome!

Thank you.

 

 

Here is some information for Halifax, NS.

 

HALIFAX:

 

12. Tip for Halifax NS. Bus Fare is $2.50 for Adults and Seniors is $1.75 but ask for a Transfer and you can get on and off the Buses and the Ferry back and forth for about 2 hours on the same transfer. It is exact change; as the Metro Transit do not give out change on the bus. There is a Board Walk at the Port that is full of Shops,Bars,Restaurants,Casino,Museums,Brewery Tour etc. Around the corner from the ship is the Westin Nova Scotia and Via Rail Station is an Atlantic Superstore where you can get just about anything you may need.) Liquor Commission right next door for buying "Sheridan's".

 

At the Port will be a lot of Craft Stores and Boutique Shops right at the Pier, as soon as you get off the Ship.

 

13. Alexander Keith's Brewery Tours in Halifax NS. $15.00 per person,over 19 get to taste several samples of the Beer on the tour. 10 minutes walk to Brewery Market from the Ship.

http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll/...tid=28#details

You can also just book when you get there as well for the Tour. Off Licence for buying extra Keith's to take with you.

 

14.Nova Scotian Crystal 15 minutes walk down by the Ferry Terminal. This is the only Crystal Glass Blowing place in North America. http://www.novascotiancrystal.com

 

15. Halifax Citadel- It would be a 1/2 hour walk to the Top or $10.00 approx. for a taxi from the Ship. http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/visit.aspx

If you get there before 12.00 noon . Each day we have the firing of the Noon Day Gun right at 12.00. There is a little Ceremony as well for this. Great for Photos.

Check out the video on youtube.

 

16. Halifax Port/Cruise Authority Website: http://www.cruisehalifax.ca/

[Folk Singer]

We also did the return cruise back to Boston.

Gives you a chance to do some extra tours.

 

 

So true. :):)

[Folk Singer]

Does the return cruise offer different ports or it is the same exact itinerary?

 

Same Ports of Call but great to see something you missed the first time around.

[sail7seas]

Here is some information for Halifax, NS.

 

HALIFAX:

 

12. Tip for Halifax NS. Bus Fare is $2.50 for Adults and Seniors is $1.75 but ask for a Transfer and you can get on and off the Buses and the Ferry back and forth for about 2 hours on the same transfer. It is exact change; as the Metro Transit do not give out change on the bus. There is a Board Walk at the Port that is full of Shops,Bars,Restaurants,Casino,Museums,Brewery Tour etc. Around the corner from the ship is the Westin Nova Scotia and Via Rail Station is an Atlantic Superstore where you can get just about anything you may need.) Liquor Commission right next door for buying "Sheridan's".

 

At the Port will be a lot of Craft Stores and Boutique Shops right at the Pier, as soon as you get off the Ship.

 

13. Alexander Keith's Brewery Tours in Halifax NS. $15.00 per person,over 19 get to taste several samples of the Beer on the tour. 10 minutes walk to Brewery Market from the Ship.

http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll/...tid=28#details

You can also just book when you get there as well for the Tour. Off Licence for buying extra Keith's to take with you.

 

14.Nova Scotian Crystal 15 minutes walk down by the Ferry Terminal. This is the only Crystal Glass Blowing place in North America. http://www.novascotiancrystal.com

 

15. Halifax Citadel- It would be a 1/2 hour walk to the Top or $10.00 approx. for a taxi from the Ship. http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/visit.aspx

If you get there before 12.00 noon . Each day we have the firing of the Noon Day Gun right at 12.00. There is a little Ceremony as well for this. Great for Photos.

Check out the video on youtube.

 

16. Halifax Port/Cruise Authority Website: http://www.cruisehalifax.ca/

 

 

 

Nice list.

I'd add to this the Maritime Museum which is a nice walk (for mobile people) from where the ships dock. They have some Titanic items and a wonderful collection of ship's bells.

 

Walk the boardwalk and find a nice place to enjoy a lobster lunch. :)

 

[albingirl]

Everyone has given you great information about the trip and Sail has been very happy with that trip for years. That being said, we've taken two long cruises on the Maasdam this year and we are about to take a long one in 2 weeks. We love the ship; her crew is fantastic; and you can't beat the schedule.

[Folk Singer]

Everyone has given you great information about the trip and Sail has been very happy with that trip for years. That being said, we've taken two long cruises on the Maasdam this year and we are about to take a long one in 2 weeks. We love the ship; her crew is fantastic; and you can't beat the schedule.

 

 

Have fun and enjoy your trip.

[RD64]

We did this cruise on the Maasdam this year (July 2014) from Montreal to Boston. To be honest, prior to the cruise I was not looking forward to it - I was doing it because my parents wanted this itinerary.

 

That being said, this was one of the most unique cruises I have ever done. I would have gladly stayed onboard for the return trip to Montreal. If we don't go to Alaska next summer, we will definitely repeat this one. The Maasdam is a great ship, and the staff and crew are the best in the HAL fleet (in my opinion).

 

Book it - you won't regret it.

[albingirl]

Have fun and enjoy your trip.

 

Thank you so much!

[Folk Singer]

You are welcome.:D:D