Live from Maasdam

[Gunters Oma]

This computer is doing strange things - don't know if this is post one or two. This will be quick I am on by-the-minutes charges. We are running on one engine. Did not leave Sydney until 7:30 last night - Will be in Halifax around 11:30. The captain said "our maintenance eningeer and Seattle are working on the problem". I have no other details and am not sure when I will be back on line. BTW we could not tender into PEI :o so we had an additional sea day. In spite of everything - we are having a great time! Oh yeah....the weather is very, very cold. 39 degrees!

 

We write more when I can - full report up return.

Jayne

[sail7seas]

Sorry you're having engine problems aboard. Hopefully they'll get it fixed soon.

 

Also really sorry you've encountered such bad weather. We've had some cold, wet, miserable weather in Boston this spring. We are having gorgeous weather now.

 

Was it because of the really bad weather you've encountered that you missed PEI? This early in the season, weather can be a real problem as far north as you've traveled.

 

Hope you have a good day in Halifax. Great port.

 

Enjoy the rest of your time aboard.

 

 

[grannynurse]

Sail,

If you remember, Maasdam had similar problems in 2005 prior to her RT to Europe. We missed Saguanay fjords and had some slow sailing, this was on your second leg back to Boston, I think they worked right up to the Europe sailing trying to fix her before her long trip. I don't remember hearing anything between then and now, do you?

GN

[Krazy Kruizers]

Honest people - we didn't brreak the Maasdam when we were on her! She did fine on the 20 days we were on her - no engine problems.

 

Hope they get it fixed soon.

 

Sorry you had to miss PEI.

[sail7seas]

Sail,

If you remember, Maasdam had similar problems in 2005 prior to her RT to Europe. We missed Saguanay fjords and had some slow sailing, this was on your second leg back to Boston, I think they worked right up to the Europe sailing trying to fix her before her long trip. I don't remember hearing anything between then and now, do you?

GN

 

Hi GN......

 

Yes. I absolutely remember the engine problems in 2005. They were on and off for several months but they got those problems ironed out and they've been fine since. We were on Maasdam two weeks and she was perfect. Or if she wasn't, none of us knew anything different and we weren't a minute late to any port.

 

All the ships have a problem from time to time. They'll get it fixed again and I would venture this isn't the last time there'll be engine problems. Sorry if they have to miss a port over it but we know that can happen on any ship.

 

Their bad weather, I think, has been a major factor for them this cruise. I imagine that was the reason they missed PEI. I think it is a tender port at the moment due to (I think) dock work being done. Maybe it was too rough in miserable weather to tender? I don't know; just speculating from the little info given.

[Krazy Kruizers]

So PEI could be a tender port? The last time we were there we were able to dock.

[sail7seas]

I don't know if they'll still be doing the dock work in August when you are scheduled, KK.

 

I think it might be ongoing for at least a month or so.

 

There was some really cold, miserable weather up north this week and that is why they couldn't tender at PEI.

 

 

 

[RuthC]

And tomorrow and Saturday there's going to be some really hot, miserable weather. We managed to get two nice days this Spring. :rolleyes:

[sail7seas]

And tomorrow and Saturday there's going to be some really hot, miserable weather. We managed to get two nice days this Spring. :rolleyes:

 

I LOVE IT!!! Beautiful weather for the official start of summer in New England. Memorial Day. Hot, sunny days.......

[Krazy Kruizers]

Forget spring - like RuthC - we had only a couple of days of spring and now we are into summer -- HOT and HUMID!!

 

Think we are going to like cooler weather in Aug.

 

Hope they solve the Maasdam's problems. I remember when she had engine problems in 2005.

[sail7seas]

We were aboard Maasdam on the second part of a b-to-b when the engine went down. Didn't wreck our cruise in the least.

 

I think it did effect the TA which followed but I seem to recall everyone loved that cruise.

 

[RuthC]

I think it did effect the TA which followed but I seem to recall everyone loved that cruise.

 

If there was any engine problem on the trans-At in '05 I was blissfully unaware of it. I do remember that many (including me) were concerned beforehand that "something" might go wrong, but no. Everything was fine then, and, you're right, it was a great cruise. :)

Things break; things get fixed.

Whatever is wrong with the Maasdam will be fixed.

[Bingo]

Is there anyone that can post an update of what is happening with the Maasdam since the original post a few days ago? Any news from HAL on this? We are leaving on her a week from tomorrow.

 

Thanks,

 

Dan

[carnivaljunkie]

I hope they fix it quick. Wwe are scheduled on the cruise leaving Boston tomorrow. Any word on the current situation would be appreciated. Dean

[sail7seas]

Don't worry about it. Worrying won't change a thing.

 

You're going either way so what will be, will be.

 

We've been on Maasdam on this itinerary when she was down an engine and had a fabulous time. We were hardly aware of it and it barely effected us in any way. (We are booked for two sets of back-to-backs on Maasdam this summer so don't think I'm just brushing you off. We, too, could experience the 'down engine.')

 

 

There isn't a chance in the world there is any danger involved so know you are safe, going on a magnificent ship with an outstanding crew and you will have a wonderful time.

 

"Ship" happens. Roll with it whatever it is.

 

It was 92 degrees in Bar Harbor today and Maasdam made her stop there....I think she might have been a little late.

 

Tomorrow is supposed to be a gorgeous day in Boston.......what a wonderful embarkation day and sailaway you'll have.

 

Bon Voyage!!! Have a great time.

 

Fair winds and a following sea........

 

[Gunters Oma]

We just got off the ship. The problem was resolved...they flew in a specialist from Seattle. It was an "electronic board" failure. A senior staffer said it was a $30.00 part, but $4000 for the specialist to fix it.

 

PEI is a tender port..we are sorry to have missed it, but they had a lot of activities to keep you busy.

 

We were very late getting into Bar Harbor -- unless you had a tour schedule you were not able to get off the ship until 2PM. Ship arrived about 10:30 (give or take 10 minutes) but the immigration folks didn't arrive until 11:30 -- we were called in ABC order and it was not a super quick process. Waiting in the lounge for a tender ticket was an experience (I will describe it in more detail after we are home) but they ran out of tender tickets and starting giving people tour stickers --- those folks gave it a great effort - but as one said " we have never had this people to accommodate at one time" and it was clear they had no idea what to do! Had a great time once we were able to put our feet on terra firma. Although the time was short - last tender left at 5: 30. (More later)

 

Sail -- if I had know you could see the ship --- you could have meet us for a lobster roll!!!! Had a delicious one at the "Lobster Claw".

 

Will do a review of this cruise --- properly called the "The Murphy's Law Cruise"

in a few days. We will be in Boston for two more days. Our favorite city to visit and we are anxious to put more miles on our shoes.

 

Jayne

[chcats]

Hi Jayne,

Thanks for the info. We are due to sail the Maasdam from Montreal to Boston next Saturday. I am looking forward to reading your review. Glad to hear the engine troubles got fixed but sorry to hear about the port issues. We are more interested in seeing the ports than ship activities so I hope we don't have too many problems getting into the ports. Hope you enjoyed your cruise in spite of the problems.

Cindy

[sail7seas]

Gunters Oma....... I would have loved to have that lobster roll with you.

Funny you should mention lobster. We were in Boston today and on our way home stopped at our favorite lobster pound. Picked up two 2 1/2 pound lobsters, some clams for steaming and DH got some shrimp for his shrimp cocktail. Good dinner tonight. :D

 

 

Yes.......Happily, Maasdam's engine is repaired. :) We heard the same about it being a very inexpensive part that caused the problem. All is now perfect on the beautiful and elegant ms Maasdam. :)

 

We CANNOT wait for June 23 to get here when we sail.

 

Welcome Back. Happy you had a good cruise despite the weather and engine glitch. And I most especially hope you enjoy your days in Boston. Hope you have a wonderful time. So very much to see and do. We have provided you with beautiful weather!!! Travel home safely.