Maasdam- June 12

[peaches from georgia]

I promised a review and though I still haven't totally unpacked and the luggage with the notes I took lies unopened in the guest room, I will do my best. I have trouble remembering yesterday, much less a month ago, so direct questions will jog my memory I hope, if I miss something.

 

We drove from Atlanta to Boston to have the use of our car for the following 3 weeks of vacation post-cruise, so we were more than ready to board the Maasdam on the 12th. Embarkation was a breeze and we liked the Boston pier facility very much. The parking deck was right by the Black Falcon Terminal; payment is when you enter, not when you leave. What did surprise us was the total lack of a security check until you were actually entering the terminal building, in stark contrast to security in FLL long before you are near the ship or terminal area. I asked a very friendly policeman about that when I was waiting for my DH to bring the car around when we disembarked and he looked at me like I was nuts for having any concern. Anyway, we were allowed into the terminal soon after 11, the check-in lines, at least the suite line, moved quickly and we were on the ship in no time.

 

We were escorted to the Neptune Lounge as we had booked a suite and the cabin would not be ready until approx. 1:30. I'm not sure where other pax were taken or if they had a personal escort. DH and I were more than ready for lunch, so after meeting May, our NL concierge, we proceeded to the Lido. We noticed our first change there from our previous HAL cruises- the prime rib we had gotten used to at the embarkation Lido lunch was no longer on the menu, with meatloaf served as a poor substitute. We were afraid this spelled trouble food-wise for this cruise, but actually it, and no crab legs on the first formal night, were the only 2 disappointments. The rest of the afternoon was the normal embarkation day- browsing the ship (sooo happy to be back on a smaller HAL ship after the Oosterdam), unpacking, muster drill, etc.

 

Dining: We had requested Main Upper Level which had been waitlisted, as we booked very late, but were thrilled to find not only did we get it, but our table for 2 was exactly what we had requested also- forward area of the dining room, along the railing right by the Strings, who did play nightly during our dinner, btw. Couldn't have been more perfect. We enjoy the smaller dining room and found the tables to be much less crammed together than the Vista ships. Our steward was Tony, who definitely is one of the most experienced yet friendly stewards we have ever had. We discussed him with our head waiter and the maitre d', who were so attentive we became good friends, and they agreed Tony was the best, so request his section if possible. (Our head waiter was soon being transferred to the Oosterdam which he dreaded; said no one on HAL dining room staffs want to go near a Vista ship- understaffed and they all are being worked to death.) We found the entire dining room staff on the Maasdam that we were in contact with to be terrific (officers and crew alike), the service superb, and the food very good. We ate at the Pinnacle once on Dutch night on Weds. and wish we had planned another night there it was such a good experience, but we wanted to be in the dining room for the 2nd formal night and the last night. (Actually what we needed was a 10 day cruise so we could have 3 nights in the Pinnacle and 7 with our HAL friends in the dining room.) Service was much friendlier than we had experienced in other Pinnacles; our European waitress and the maitre d' were most attentive and more than nice. I'm usually not quite this 'positive' about everything re the food service, but I have to tell it like it was for us on the Maasdam.

 

For those interested in pax attire, we were pleasantly surprised that on the 2 formal nights I would say 15% of the gentlemen wore tux, 80% had on suit or jacket and tie, and only a very few men dressed more casually. None that I saw in jeans.

 

Ports: It's not fair to say the itinerary was a disappointment because we knew going in what it was. I just am never happy or satisfied with a 7 day cruise and one with the first full day at sea and then 5 port days in a row turned out not to be the best itinerary for us. Yes, I know, we didn't have to get off the ship everyday. I just would like to see this itinerary rearranged so that the sea day is in the middle of the week (easily could be done as Martha's Vineyard is only a very short distance from Boston and could easily be reached by the first morning). Even better would be to drop one of the ports and have 2 sea days!

 

Martha's Vineyard: I stayed on ship; waters too choppy for me to have any desire to tender. DH went in town, walked around the village a few hours and bought himself a windbreaker. Weather was chilly the entire cruise and mostly cloudy, so we really needed our warm clothes and sweatshirts the whole week.

 

Portland: This would be the port we would drop if it was our choice. We took a little tour bus around the Portland area when we realized that the city area around the ship could be walked in an hour or less. The local trolley tour was enjoyable, but we would have much preferred another sea day. Others may have an entirely different opinion, especially those who took the tour to Kennebunk possibly, but DH's family is from KB, so this area of Maine was of little interest to us as a cruise port.

 

St. John's: Also somewhat disappointing. Definetely take an excursion of some kind. We did the HAL Bay of Fundy/Reversing Falls excursion- unfortunately there is nothing dramatically 'reversing' when you are there (wrong tide time) so all they can do is tell you about it.

 

Halifax, Nova Scotia: Loved it! We did the Peggy's Cove with Lobster Lunch HAL tour and it was terrific. It is an hour or so bus ride to P's C in a very comfortable tour bus, the fishing village itself is very quaint and most interesting and a very nice historical stop, and a most enjoyable lobster lunch at a nearby restaurant followed by a short stop at a Halifax cemetery where many Titanic victims are buried. We would recommend this excursion very highly.

 

Bar Harbor, ME: The highlight of our cruise! We spent the morning shopping and browsing in the village of BH and then did the Cadillac Mountain/Acadia Forest/Lobster Lunch excursion. It was terrific!! It was about the only clear day of the cruise, the view of the ocean and the Maasdam from the top of Cadillac Mtn. was fantastic and all in all a delightful bus tour of this beautiful coastal Maine area. The lobster lunch was the best ever- they took our 2 large busloads to a darling restaurant that only serves groups, so we had the place to ourselves and steaming cauldrons of delicious lobsters, corn and mussels to gorge ourselves on followed by fruit cobblers. We both cannot recommend this shore excursion highly enough. Well worth the cost and I know everybody on it the day we went said the same thing.

 

Suite/Perks: It was good to get back to the larger suite of this class ship! Our room steward couldn't have been better. We were exactly midship portside. We did have the new mattresses and we are calling Sealy to see if we can order the exact same mattress for home! We had NO plumbing or odor problems and as we don't spend a second looking at whether the carpet is a little worn or not, all I can say is that the Maasdam appeared in great shape to us.

 

Neptune Lounge and our concierge, May, were great. Anything we needed her for she did immediately and efficiently and we loved her.

 

Entertainment/Ship Services: We don't do shows, so not much help on that. Did go to one, a production show. No comment. We frequent the Ocean Bar and found it very friendly, good service, good music. Shops- So wonderful to have 'shops' again and not that rats' maze on the Oo. And ladies- the makeup and perfume shop was fully stocked with many brands and very nice! Casino- only play the slots and lost per usual. Pools- too chilly for swimming, but when we were at the Lido pool area eating breakfast or lunch everyday the bar staff and crew in that area were great. Truly, we have never had such a friendly crew experience on any other ship. Food in the Lido was okay, but I didn't think as good as on the Oo or Rotterdam.

 

There was the suite welcome party in the Neptune the first night. We spent the evening with the Casino Mgr., a hottie from New Zealand named Craig. Didn't help us with the slot machines, but he was a cutie-pie. We were lucky to be invited to the midweek VIP party; it appeared much smaller than the ones we have attended on other HAL ships. The officers couldn't have been more friendly, especially the Captain, the entire cruise. Meet the officers once and they know you by name from then on. No Captain's Dinner our week for those who might be interested in that, but the present Capt. may do things differently. There was no suite luncheon at all, but a late afternoon 4:15 farewell cocktail party which we missed as we were still eating lobster in Bar Harbor. It's difficult to schedule a luncheon with so many port days, but I wish the cocktail party had been held 7:30 like the others.

 

If I forgot anything just ask. We loved the Maasdam and would be already booked again on her, but hesitate to book a Carib cruise out of Norfolk after the problems last winter. I would recommend this Boston cruise to anyone, though with the itinerary be prepared to be more tired when you get off than when you got on!

[sail7seas]

Thank you for your review.

 

 

Seeing as the reason for us taking this cruise is that it is "MY" Maasdam :) , and seeing as we are from Boston, we shall probably have a more relaxing experience. There are days I am sure we will not leave the ship.

 

I hope as the summer progresses, it will be warmer weather. We have had lovely weather for the most part in Boston but, of course, the further north one goes, the cooler it can get. Mid July should be far warmer than you experienced.

[FlorenceItaly]

Peaches - Thanks so much for posting your review.

 

The Maasdam and her crew are indeed a wonderful ship. Also, did you notice the Front Office staff was always very helpful and friendly?

 

I really loved Bar Harbor, Maine, too and would love to take a land vacation there one day. Acadia National Park is a must see, for sure. Unfortunately, the day we were there, there was too much fog for Cadillac Mountain.

 

Boston ....what an easy embarkation and debarkation...unlike FL :).

 

Marie

[peaches from georgia]

For sure don't miss Halifax/Peggy's Cove or Bar Harbor. We had June 19th through the next 3 weeks already blocked out with other family vacation plans, so debated hard about doing the cruise before our other committments or after. Better weather was the plus for mid-July, but many more kids on the ship the negative. There already were problems our week with 2 obnoxious families with kids from 6 through teenage taking over the Neptune (the 6 year old spent the whole time in there moving the food dome up and down with the remote control with the adults saying nothing- they were too busy lying on the sofas and chairs with their feet up on the tables), so we were glad we didn't have more families like this to contend with.

 

Marie- we were so lucky with our day on Cadillac Mtn.! Crisp and clear as a bell- my pictures of the Maasdam from the top are fantastic.

[iluvcruzin]

Thanks for posting you review Peaches. Sounds like you had a wonderful cruise on the Maasdam. I'm looking forward to our sailing this October.

[sail7seas]

We have cruised so many times during the summer in the Caribbean and during Easter etc, I am quite sure our "usual methods" of not being disturbed by kiddies will prove successful once again.

 

 

It is always hit or miss how many kids will be aboard on any given cruise. And how well behaved or not they are. We cruise sometimes Thanksgiving, sometimes Christmas and New Years.....no surprises await us, I am quite sure.

[calteacher]

We will be on the Montreal to Boston cruise October 2. When we end our cruise, we are planning on touring New England for 9 days to experience the fall colors. We plan to rent a car. Did you observe any car rental offices at the pier? How near to the airport is the pier since we will return the car to the airport? Thanks.

[sail7seas]

From Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is about 15 minutes (depending upon day of the week/traffic) through the Ted Williams Tunnel.

 

 

Sorry I cannot help you with info re: car rental companies at the dock. I'll try to remember to look when we are there next week.

[F5Loar]

Peaches, so good you had a wonderful cruise. I didn't understand you saying the pools were too chilly. On our week before yours both pools were heated and quite nice. The middle pool with the top closed or cracked most of the week felt wonderful with the heated fresh water. The back pool with no cover was salt water but was also heated and not too many used that one.

There was usually a fight to hog the two little hot tubs but pool no problem.

I found the lobster bake at the Civil War Fort in Portland to be well worth the money and wonderful enlighting excursion. We've been to Portland several times and this was a really different view of it. Something about just you and those lobsters out on a private island is nice. You missed the great Paul Tanner singer/impressionist? He was the highlight on our week. Maybe he was not there your week. With that chilly weather we had our week I was glad we had so many ports and not too many sea days. Not much to do on that ship activity wise on sea days. They closed the pool for puttputt golf games in the pool. If you didn't do bingo/cards or listen to the art auction guy there's not much else to do on sea days. The library is great!

[gizmo]

Peaches,

 

Thanks for taking the time to write your review. I enjoyed reading it. Your lobster and mussels sounded yummy.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) peaches from georgia

 

Thanks for posting.

 

We also noticed on our 13 day cruise on the Maasdam that Captain van der Loo did not host any dinners in the dining room. However he did invite a couple of people to dinner in the Pinnacle Grill.

 

We did the Peggy's Cove tour several years ago and loved it. Recommended to others that have cruised to Halifax.

 

We had pre-booked the lobster lunch for Bar Harbor being as we had been to Bar Harbor before and had done Cadillac Mountain and Acadia National Park. About a month before the cruise, we got an e-mail from HAL saying that for our cruise that tour had been cancelled. They didn't give a reason why and when we e-mailed them, never got an answer back.

 

Great review.

 

:)

[Meridianfan]

Thank you for your review. My husband and I are cruising on the Maasdam on July 17th. This is our first time on a HAL ship and after all I have read about HAL on this board, I am sure we will enjoy it very much.

 

Marge

[FlorenceItaly]

Marge - You will love the Maasdam. It was my first HAL cruise, and honestly I can not think of one negative. I had a wonderful time. Please share with us upon your return.

 

Marie

[sail7seas]

Captain van der Loo has left the ship. Captain Schoonderbeck is now Master.

 

 

We had a fabulous Captain's table with Captain van der Loo on one of our b-to-b's last Thanksgiving. We totally enjoyed him and found him very friendly.

[CruisinNana]

Peaches, thanks so much for posting a great review. We will be taking the reverse cruise (Montreal to Boston) in August and can't wait.

 

What cabin were you in?

 

Is the Neptune as nice on the Maasdam as it is on the Oo?

 

Dee

[sail7seas]

Maasdam's Neptune Lounge is somewhat smaller than those on the Vista ships but, of course, there are fewer suites to be served by it. It is beautifully done IMO and we enjoy it alot.

[LoveLifeAtSea]

Peaches ....

 

I really enjoyed your review! I found it to be very informative and helpful and it really has me excited to go. I particularly enjoyed reading about your shore excursions. I'm leaving next Saturday for the same cruise and cannot wait!

 

I'm sorry that we didn't enjoy the same cruise ... I would have loved to have met you! :)

[CruisinNana]

Thanks, Sail7. The only Neptune I have been in was on the Oo, and it was lovely. As long as it has that great coffee machine, I will be happy!

Thanks,

Dee

[barbon]

Cannot agree with Peaches more. Went on the Maasdam May 29 and had posted a very similar review in regard to ports.

[Bill S]

Peaches: thank you for the informative review. We will be taking the same cruise on Aug 7 and I found your comments, particularly the excursion comments, to be very helpful. We had May as our concierge a few cruises ago and she was great--but this time, no suite, so might not get to see her. Thanks, again!

[LizB1]

Thanks, Peaches, for taking time to post your great review.

 

We had friends who sailed on the same cruise with you, one couple in a Suite and one couple in a mini-suite, and they complained about all the rust on their verandahs as well as other small things. Did you also find this to be true?? They seemed to complain more about this cruise than others they have done on HAL in the past and I was trying to figure out why. As we are sailing on the Maasdam from Boston next July for 35-days to Europe we are hoping that the "small" things folks have mentioned will be fixed by then.

 

By the way, when we sailed on the Rotterdam two years ago from NYC to Montreal we had a bad experience with kids in the Neptune Lounge. They took it over from morning til night and their parents were nowhere to be seen. There were about three families in Suites with a total of about twelve kids between them and instead of eating breakfast in the Lido they took over the large table in the Neptune so no one else had a chance to even sit there for coffee.

 

Again, thanks for your great review...particularly about the various ports of call.

[sail7seas]

Were the children loud and disruptive or just quietly sitting there and behaving? Did they literally take over the tables for hours thereby preventing anyone else from sitting in the Neptune and nothing was said to them or their parents?

 

Sure they have every right as suite pax to have their breakfast, snacks, whatever there same as everyone else.....but courtesy would tell an adult to not monopolize scant seating. Most adults would have their meal and would move along. Didn't anyone suggest the children do the same?

[LizB1]

Yes, sail, the kids were very loud and disruptive and didn't move along after they ate. Some were throwing cereal at others, etc. As far as I know nothing was said to them and it went on every day for hours at a time.

[doone]

Welcome home Peaches. Nothing like a Maine lobster, glad you enjoyed it.

[jazzsea]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. I especially liked your tour comments. We sail on Rotterdam from New York - New York on October 20 and stop at some of the same ports. Your review reminded me to think about packing warmer clothing. Can't wait for those lobster lunches!

 

We also prefer cruises with more sea days. Have you ever done a Transatlantic? Pure heaven!