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Maasdam to Alaska - need quick help with questions


RMLincoln
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We are considering the 21 night Alaska itinerary leaving end of May, so VERY soon! Will call PCC tomorrow morning.  So please help me with some reassurance:

  1. I'm expecting that Maasdam will have multiple EXC lecturers aboard, in spite of recent changes occurring.  Will they only have presentations on the 4 Sea Days of a 21-day cruise?  Might they also have presentations on the glacier cruising days?   Probably not on port days unless in the evening?  
  2. DH would be very disappointed if there was no classical music, so I'm hoping Maasdam will at least have Adagio, but probably not Lincoln Center musicians. 
  3. The one Zodiac tour I saw listed in the shore excursions for this itinerary was the only Zodiac tour, and it was limited by age to 75... is this the case for all Zodiac tours?  Thinking they may add some Zodiac tours...?  

We have been on Maasdam many nights but not for 5 years, so not since EXC.  Many thanks for the last minute help!  Maureen

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We did In Depth Maasdam Sep.-Oct. 2018.

On the section with few sea days we had lectures on port days, late pm, also 7:15 pm every day and chat sessions with speakers at 9 pm. On glacier days the naturalists will be out on deck or giving commentary over the loudspeakers, plus there will be lectures I'm sure.

 

There was Adagio, Piano Bar and a live band in the Ocean Bar. We went to so many lectures that we attended very little evening entertainment. Too busy catching up and getting ready for the next port.

 

I read somewhere that they have had difficulty getting permission for using Zodiacs in Alaska.

They could not get permission to use them in French Polynesia. Remember that the zodiacs are a new venture and the In Depth program is in its first year in Alaska so nothing can be certain. The 21 day cruise is new, unlike a 7 day cruise HAL has done hundreds of times.

It was extremely interesting to us to talk with the man in charge of the zodiac installation and watch him work out how to get people on to them.

 

 

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2 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

We are considering the 21 night Alaska itinerary leaving end of May, so VERY soon! Will call PCC tomorrow morning.  So please help me with some reassurance:

  1. I'm expecting that Maasdam will have multiple EXC lecturers aboard, in spite of recent changes occurring.  Will they only have presentations on the 4 Sea Days of a 21-day cruise?  Might they also have presentations on the glacier cruising days?   Probably not on port days unless in the evening?  
  2. DH would be very disappointed if there was no classical music, so I'm hoping Maasdam will at least have Adagio, but probably not Lincoln Center musicians. 
  3. The one Zodiac tour I saw listed in the shore excursions for this itinerary was the only Zodiac tour, and it was limited by age to 75... is this the case for all Zodiac tours?  Thinking they may add some Zodiac tours...?  

We have been on Maasdam many nights but not for 5 years, so not since EXC.  Many thanks for the last minute help!  Maureen

I am onboard Maasdam now, en route to Valdez tomorrow, the third stop on our 21-day itinerary. To answer your questions:

1. So far, we've had multiple lectures and presentations every day. Some days have more than others. Today was mostly a sea day (we spent a couple of hours viewing Hubbard Glacier), and had wildlife viewing at 0700 & 1200, the Ice Features of Alaska at 0900, What to See and Do In Valdez and Homer (not a shopping talk) at 1000, and a port talk on the same ports (more good info, not shopping) at 1330. Before today, we've had talks on subjects like we whales and other aquatic mammals, and salmon, andsomewe'reintheevening. Some of the talks were at 1800 (in the middle of early dinner, so they were repeated at 2000. There is something every day, port or sea. 

2. On our next sea day two days from now, Adagio is scheduled to play at 1430, 1700, 1800, and 2000.

3. Neither my wife nor I recall seeing any excursions that used Zodiacs on this voyage. There were some minimum weights, but nothing on age. However, we didn't read many of the descriptions since we weren't interested in them. 

It's possible HAL will add excursions: we signed up for a couple that showed up in April. I suggest you track the number is excursions being offered in each port, so you'll know if any get added. 

Good luck, hope you enjoy it! 

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We liked our 48 nights of In Depth so much that we are going back to the Maasdam for 32 nights to Japan this July, as are several others we traveled with. We like HAL's small ships and we really learned new things even though we'd been to many of the ports already on the Rotterdam. Take an open mind and enjoy your cruise !

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KWB101 and Scottish Maid, your info is exactly what I've been searching for.  I'm waiting for a call from PCC this morning to learn about what rooms may be available at this late point in time.  It's fire season here and we usually avoid traveling in fire season, but this year it is wetter than usual so it would be a good year to break the rule!    Prices appear very good, taxes are very high, $1100 for a guarantee inside, $631 taxes!  It'll wind up being expensive enough with everything added up but an opportunity that won't happen again.  My biggest concern is getting sick, it's been happening to us on longer cruises and that is not a factor that anyone can help me decide on!!  Many thanks for the great input.  Maureen 

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1 hour ago, RMLincoln said:

Prices appear very good, taxes are very high, $1100 for a guarantee inside, $631 taxes!  It'll wind up being expensive enough with everything added up but an opportunity that won't happen again.  My biggest concern is getting sick, it's been happening to us on longer cruises and that is not a factor that anyone can help me decide on!!  Many thanks for the great input.  Maureen 

Prices have been dropping on all three trips, so you may do very well getting a deal.

Much of the $631 is for port fees, and seems high because you'll be going to so many ports.

When you mention getting sick, do you mean seasick? We did hit some rough weather the day before Ketchikan, but I already had my trusty seasickness patch on. 

It looks like the weather for most of the trip will be cloudy and cold or cool. We docked in Valdez four hours early this morning because of a medical emergency. 

Hope it works out for you

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Last Wed. we booked the June 18th sailing of Maasdam 21 nt to AK.  So I have been checking on the various stops.  (We did the 14 nt  AK 4 years ago, stopping at many of the same places.  Now I am especially interested in the new stops for us:  Haines, Valdez, Wrangell, Port Alberni & Astoria.) 

Last night I found a Port Alberni local newspaper article that says the community is planning a big festive celebration for the day the Maasdam visits this year, 1st cruise ships to their city since 2013!!   And the article apparently 4 Indian tribes will be "escorting" the ship through part of the 25 mile long inlet closest to the city.   I am intrigued how FAR  our ship goes into that inlet to get to that little city!   

Our cruise is at Astoria on a Sunday, and each Sunday Astoria has a huge Sunday Market downtown, covering several city blocks with various vendors (art etc), food, music, wine tasting, etc.  Learned about this last night too.

I posted links to each of these activities on our Roll Call last night.  

 

 

Edited by Cruisin Kay D
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16 hours ago, kwb101 said:

I am onboard Maasdam now, en route to Valdez tomorrow, the third stop on our 21-day itinerary. To answer your questions:

1. So far, we've had multiple lectures and presentations every day. Some days have more than others. Today was mostly a sea day (we spent a couple of hours viewing Hubbard Glacier), and had wildlife viewing at 0700 & 1200, the Ice Features of Alaska at 0900, What to See and Do In Valdez and Homer (not a shopping talk) at 1000, and a port talk on the same ports (more good info, not shopping) at 1330. Before today, we've had talks on subjects like we whales and other aquatic mammals, and salmon, andsomewe'reintheevening. Some of the talks were at 1800 (in the middle of early dinner, so they were repeated at 2000. There is something every day, port or sea. 

2. On our next sea day two days from now, Adagio is scheduled to play at 1430, 1700, 1800, and 2000.

3. Neither my wife nor I recall seeing any excursions that used Zodiacs on this voyage. There were some minimum weights, but nothing on age. However, we didn't read many of the descriptions since we weren't interested in them. 

It's possible HAL will add excursions: we signed up for a couple that showed up in April. I suggest you track the number is excursions being offered in each port, so you'll know if any get added. 

Good luck, hope you enjoy it! 

I’m on the May 28th itinerary and I signed up for the Zodiac excursion to Kake.   If we don’t do the cultural excursion we will not actually set foot in Kake, a native village. No mention of an age limit when I signed up.

 

I’ve been waiting for someone to report from this cruise.  It sounds like you are keeping busy as well as enjoying the cruise.  We are 15 days out and I’m still waiting for our cabin assignment!  It’s hard to figure out how many cabins are available due to outstanding guarantees.   I hope you will get another chance to report on this adventure!

Edited by oaktreerb
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4 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

I’m on the May 28th itinerary and I signed up for the Zodiac excursion to Kake.   If we don’t do the cultural excursion we will not actually set foot in Kake, a native village. No mention of an age limit when I signed up.

 

I’ve been waiting for someone to report from this cruise.  It sounds like you are keeping busy as well as enjoying the cruise.  We are 15 days out and I’m still waiting for our cabin assignment!  It’s hard to figure out how many cabins are available due to outstanding guarantees.   I hope you will get another chance to report on this adventure!

I don't think the Kake excursion is a zodiak excursion. I only recall seeing zodiak excursions in Ketchikan and Sitka and both have "zodiak" in the excursion title. The Kake trip is on an "expedition vessel" as is the other whale watching tour that day. I'm also on the 28 May cruise.

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3 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

I’m on the May 28th itinerary and I signed up for the Zodiac excursion to Kake.   If we don’t do the cultural excursion we will not actually set foot in Kake, a native village. No mention of an age limit when I signed up.

 

I’ve been waiting for someone to report from this cruise.  It sounds like you are keeping busy as well as enjoying the cruise.  We are 15 days out and I’m still waiting for our cabin assignment!  It’s hard to figure out how many cabins are available due to outstanding guarantees.   I hope you will get another chance to report on this adventure!

Interesting: I wanted to see Kake especially, and it was the first port knocked off the May 7 itinerary months ago. However, I just checked the itineraries for both May 28 And June 18, and Kake isn't listed on either. I think all three sounds are identical, except that you only get your choice of two: Anchorage, Vancouver, or Victoria. The May 7 sailing dropped Anchorage, May 28 dropped Vancouver, and June 18 dropped Victoria :(

 

Along with the pick 2-of-3 switch, Kake, and Eureka, were dropped from all sailings (Port Alberni and Astoria, respectively, replaced them). 

 

We're in Valdez today, and took the Worthington Glacier excursion. We didn't see much of value, mainly because it's too early in the season and some things and roads are still covered with snow. Our driver was interesting but dry, and the schedule hurried us at times, and made us hang around at others. It's definitely not worth $120 each.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day, and seafood chowder with the officers is on the schedule at 1000. Have fun! 

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1 minute ago, kwb101 said:

Interesting: I wanted to see Kake especially, and it was the first port knocked off the May 7 itinerary months ago. However, I just checked the itineraries for both May 28 And June 18, and Kake isn't listed on either. I think all three sounds are identical, except that you only get your choice of two: Anchorage, Vancouver, or Victoria. The May 7 sailing dropped Anchorage, May 28 dropped Vancouver, and June 18 dropped Victoria 😞

 

Kake is an excursion on cruising Frederick Sound day. Excursion is called Alaska Native Village Cultural Celebration & Market. Costs $200

 

About the Excursion

Situated on the northern end of Kupreanof Island, the village of Kake has a year-round population of fewer than one-thousand residents, but is characterized by a powerful Alaska Native community atmosphere. As you experience the village of Kake during this tour, you will likely witness unfiltered aspects village life -- a hunter's return after a successful seal hunt, families working together to hang their harvest of salmon in a smoke house, or a ceremonial potlatch -- many of Kake's remarkable residents continue to subsist off of the land and sea. The spiritual way in which the indigenous people here are connected to the earth and to each other is inspiring.

Your adventure begins when you board an Alaska-built expedition vessel directly from the Maasdam in Frederick Sound. As the vessel's captain navigates towards Kupreanof Island, your Alaska Native host and on-board naturalist will provide compelling background and context regarding life in a remote Alaska Native village.

Disembark in Kake and transfer to the site of a carving demonstration. Learn the cultural significance of totems, ocean-going canoes carved from cedars, and intricate Alaska Native art. You will see the world's tallest single-tree totem. At an astonishing 132 feet tall, this work of art is tricky to photograph.

The local gymnasium is where Kake's residents gather to perform the steady beat of the drum accompanied by Tlingit song and dance, invoking powerful ancestral traditions.

Local artisans and harvesters have assembled a mini craft market of Alaska Native art, jewelry and local delicacies, including halibut, salmon, seaweed, and berry jams. Shop 'til you drop; then, head back to the ship by coach and expedition boat.

Notes:

Tour details are subject to change based on village circumstances, such as subsistence harvest opportunities. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

 

 

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Our PCC found us the last H room, but we passed on this voyage.  There is/was room on the ship as of this morning... but we passed because of many other factors.  It looked like a good opportunity and sure worth a long look, but not for us at this time.  I know this itinerary won't be happening again in the foreseeable future, but maybe when the timing is right we will take a northbound, rent a car for a couple of weeks then a southbound.   I'm very appreciative of all the timely feedback that gave us a real feel for the timing of events, and I had a good look at the roll call and realized it will be difficult to get our choices of shore excursions at this late date, especially with tendering into the main ports and sharing it with so many BIG ships.... well we decided to pass.  Thanks to all of you, and to those aboard, have a grand time!  m--

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RMLincoln -- I am very glad you posted your question here because I learned some very good info from others'  responses!!    I am sorry you weren't able to work out a satisfactory cabin and enjoy this unique itinerary.   We also got the last H category on the 6/18th sailing.  You ought to rethink your latest decision.   We have stayed in HH & H cabins in years past and were perfectly happy with the location.   (Of course, if they wanted to upgr me to a lanai, I would not object.  But was NOT ready to pay the extra $1000pp to get one.)

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31 minutes ago, RMLincoln said:

Our PCC found us the last H room, but we passed on this voyage.  There is/was room on the ship as of this morning... but we passed because of many other factors.  It looked like a good opportunity and sure worth a long look, but not for us at this time.  I know this itinerary won't be happening again in the foreseeable future, but maybe when the timing is right we will take a northbound, rent a car for a couple of weeks then a southbound.   I'm very appreciative of all the timely feedback that gave us a real feel for the timing of events, and I had a good look at the roll call and realized it will be difficult to get our choices of shore excursions at this late date, especially with tendering into the main ports and sharing it with so many BIG ships.... well we decided to pass.  Thanks to all of you, and to those aboard, have a grand time!  m--

Thanks for getting back to us.  I understand your concerns about tendering and too many ships.  For those who haven’t been to Juneau and Ketchikan I hope they have planned excursions to get out of town.  If it’s raining we’ll probably stay on the ship!

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Our decision was less about the room than other factors.  Sorry I left that impression!  I think the room was a good location and would have been fine for us, we did a transatlantic on an H on Maasdam a few years ago and i'd do it again.  An Inside on LP deck might have been better with a bit more room but I didn't want to do a guarantee - too worried we'd get one under the galley. Other factors made us realize it's not the right cruise for us just now.  Thanks for the encouragement!  m--

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KWB:    So sorry to read your disappointment with the excursion to Worthington  in Valdez.   

We have been to Valdez on an RV driving trip to AK.  It was the last week of May and we drove down the highway to Valdez and were after passing the Princess Copper River compound, we were stunned at the glaciers so close to the highway and seeing the pipeline along the road.   We stayed 2 nights in Valdez in the campground across the road from the marina.   

Going back to Valdez is one reason of several as to why we booked the 6/18 cruise at the last minute.....what's so interesting about Valdez is that the whole town had to relocate to its current location after the 1964 earthquake and tsunami that obliterated the original location of Valdez.....back on our RV trip, we took the Columbia Glacier trip....

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46 minutes ago, kwb101 said:

Interesting: I wanted to see Kake especially, and it was the first port knocked off the May 7 itinerary months ago. However, I just checked the itineraries for both May 28 And June 18, and Kake isn't listed on either. I think all three sounds are identical, except that you only get your choice of two: Anchorage, Vancouver, or Victoria. The May 7 sailing dropped Anchorage, May 28 dropped Vancouver, and June 18 dropped Victoria 😞

 

Along with the pick 2-of-3 switch, Kake, and Eureka, were dropped from all sailings (Port Alberni and Astoria, respectively, replaced them). 

 

We're in Valdez today, and took the Worthington Glacier excursion. We didn't see much of value, mainly because it's too early in the season and some things and roads are still covered with snow. Our driver was interesting but dry, and the schedule hurried us at times, and made us hang around at others. It's definitely not worth $120 each.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day, and seafood chowder with the officers is on the schedule at 1000. Have fun! 

Each itinerary is unique.  I finally realized that Frederick Sound had two excursions and one of them was Kake as a Zodiac experience so I quickly booked it.  If it doesn’t happen we’ll get our money back.  

 

Enjoy your seafood chowder with the officers!

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28 minutes ago, Cruisin Kay D said:

Just heard on TV news that 2 flight planes in Ketchikan collided mid-air today.....4 people all dead from cruise ship on one plane; 10 people on other plane & 9 rescued.

(Off Topic somewhat but had to mention....)

The thread is here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2662882-ketchikan-float-planes-crash/

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15 hours ago, joekerstef said:

Kake is an excursion on cruising Frederick Sound day. Excursion is called Alaska Native Village Cultural Celebration & Market. Costs $200

Thanks for pointing this out: I don't recall seeing this when the Frederick Sound excursions became available. I'm not happy that HAL removed a port, then added it back in so they could charge extra for it.

It seems to me that HAL doesn't do a very good job marketing their excursions. There's no notice or identifier if they're added or removed, so it's always needle-in-a-haystack time trying to find them. The only thing I see that indicates a change is by taking the number of excursions for each port. 

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14 hours ago, Cruisin Kay D said:

KWB:    So sorry to read your disappointment with the excursion to Worthington  in Valdez.

Thanks, me too. Maybe I expect to much, but I think that is a bit early in the season to see some things, because they're covered with snow, and some roads were still closed, so you couldn't get very close to other things, like the glacier.

 

Everything else being equal, we should've gone on the Frederick Sound trip. Since that doesn't happen until next Monday, we may try to sign up for it. I'll let you know. 

Thanks again! 

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