Maasdam apprehensions

[Stevero2]

I have posted this also under a different thread, but really need answers.

After reading cruise critic reviews of the Maasdam over the last three years, I am particularly apprehensive about sailing on the ship to the southern Caribbean in December. There seem to be consistent complaints about engine problems, excessive rocking, plumbing problems, foul odors, the smell of cigarette smoke and lack of and/or inadequate a/c in the staterooms. One person even commented that there was only one electrical outlet and that that was located abolve the dresser, which might make it impossible for me to even plug in a fan. Can some of you who have sailed on the ship recently, particularly in the southern Caribbean share your experinces with these matters?:confused:

[grannynurse]

Hi,

We were on the Maasdam for a NE/Canada trip and of all the HAL ships we've been on, my husband liked her the best.

All the S and R class HAL ships have only one electrical outlet in cabins below the SA category. Most everyone takes along an outlet extender and/or an extension cord. It's never been a problem for us, even on a 35 day cruise with lots of camera equipment and beauty aids that need outlets.

All ships have inconsistent AC at times, and many times it's due to people leaving their veranda doors open. That can affect a whole row of cabins.

Dining rooms can bee too cool or too warm anywhere. I always bring a wrap for evenings.

We have had sewage odors on several ships including HAL ships, it's one of the things encountered on ships at sea, but it's infrequent.

Your room steward can provide a fan if you need one.

Do a search for Sail7Seas threads, she and her DH have been on Maasdam countless times and truly love her. You'll find most negative comments get more attention than the positive ones.

Hope this helps,

GN

[LegalSailor]

I agree, DW and I have been on the Maasdam together 3 times, and I sailed her once before I got married. I can say without a doubt that she is one of my favorites. All ships have problems, but it's true that the good threads get passed over, and the bad reviews about the ship seem to get more. I cannot say I ever had a truly awful experience onboard.

The Maasdam is one of the older ships, but with age comes grace, and I think you'll agree with me when the cruise is over that it really is one of the best ships out there.

 

By chance, are you sailing on her for the Holiday Cruise? If so, we'll see you there!

Cheers,

[Two if by Sea]

I haven't been on her yet (sailing next June) but everything I've read here has served to reassure me that there is no special reason to worry about the Maasdam -- at least, no more than I would worry about ANY cruise.

 

I'm going to worry that I'll miss the ship in every port; that we'll all be seasick the whole time; and that in general I won't consider it a good value for my vacation money. But I would worry about that on ANY ship.

 

If it were just ONE person (Sail7Seas, for instance) writing about how great the Maasdam is while everyone else thought it was awful, that would be one thing. But I read every review I could find and on the whole I found the positives SO far outweight the negatives as to make me feel very good about my upcoming trip.

[BumperII]

The Maasdam was the first HAL ship we cruised on. We loved every minute of it, and we went back the the next year and cruised her again. The Maasdam is one of the older ships in the fleet, but she is still the "Beautiful and Elegant Maasdam".

We have never been on a "perfect" cruise. Problems do arise, and the HAL crew and staff are expert at dealing with problems. They do so many things so well that the minor glitches pretty much go unnoticed.

Please feel free to relax and enjoy your cruise. We have since sailed on several HAL ships, but the Maasdam remains our favorite. We plan to cruise on her at least once a year for as long as our health holds up, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise!

[sk8teacher]

We sailed her last November to the Caribbean and had a delightful time. We didn't notice any problems with her at all. The crew was absolutely the best, and we are looking forward to sailing her again next summer on the Voyage of the Vikings.

 

As others have said, all ships have minor issues at times, all ships will rock a little in rough seas, and all ships will have problems with air conditioning on occasion. We, like others here, love her and will sail her every chance we get.

 

Cheers,

[Sea King]

like any of the S class ships, Maasdam is "showing her age"

 

however, she is beautiful, elegant and has an incredible crew

 

as others have pointed out, the positive comments from other posters who have sailed Maasdam not only in the past but also recently far outweigh the negatives

 

IMHO, you an expect a wonderful experience

[jacank]

We've gone on three Caribbean cruises and all were on the Maasdam. She's a wonderful ship. Alas, she's no longer going out of Norfolk, so I doubt we'll get to go again. The ship layout and staff are marvelous. We were in some very rough seas on one trip and she handled it just fine. We've had balcony suites, outside views (lower promenade deck which was really fun), and visited friends that had an inside room. All of them were spacious and lovely. I don't doubt there were problems (they can crop up on any ship), but we never experienced any of them. December is a great time to get away to the Caribbean. We took her last cruise out of Norfolk last December. The ship was all decked out for the holidays and everyone was in a festive mood. Relax and look forward to a fabulous trip.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Last Feb/Mar we sailed back-to-back cruises on the Maasdam in the Caribbean. We also sailed on her in August - back-to-back cruises, Canada/New England. We spent 34 days total on her this past year.

We did not have any air conditioning problems on a ny of those cruises.

The only time we had a plumbing problem was when everyone came back from tours at about the same time. It took about 5 minutes before our toilet decided to flush.

We never experienced any foul odors anywhere on the ship. The area that is always smoky is the casino.

We never had any engine problems nor did the ship rock.

The only worn area we noticed was the carpet in the Lido. But that is to be expected as so many people spill items every day and the carpet has to be constantly cleaned - thus it is shrinking in places.

Can not answer about outlets as we only book delux suites and there are more outlets in them.

[agabbymama]

I haven't cruised the Maasdam, but I can't imagine HAL continuing to sail her if she wasn't up to snuff. The elegance of teak wood promenade deck all the way around the ship, brass and wood (like an old ocean liner), fresh flowers all around the ship, chimes to announce dinner, etc. etc. etc.

 

We cruised the "old" Noordam in '99, similar ship to the Maasdam, and we loved her. Being a bit smaller in size, she didn't carry the number of passengers that the mega-liners that are becoming popular do, but they are still beautiful ships. Less passengers make for shorter waits to tender, disembark, etc.

 

We cruised the Zuiderdam to Alaska in Aug '07 and while she was nice, comparing her to the Noordam, she wasn't quite in the same class in our eyes. Decorations were a little garish, but she still had the classic HAL touches.

 

You will totally enjoy your cruise.

[May4]

Welcome to the CC boards!

 

We were on the Maasdam just last month. I can report that everything was just fine. In fact, I remember thinking how remarkably elegant and spiffy everything looked.

 

This was our fourth time aboard the Maasdam.

 

Have a wonderful time.:)

[txyellowrose]

I'm glad you opened this thread as I have had second thoughts also about our New Year's Cruise on the Maasdam. The problems with the air conditioning in the cabins is a real concern for me. I haven't said a word to my husband about this as he cannot sleep unless the room is very cool. I know we're from Texas, but we do like a nice, cool room.

[hammybee]

CC is reporting 75 reviews and an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. This does not read too shabby to me.

 

I am thinking the Maasdam carries about 60,000 passengers each year. How many reports, good, bad or otherwise have been written about issues on the Maasdam?

 

If you are apprehensive, the best solution is to book a cruise on a ship, HAL or otherwise, that is well within your comfort zone.

 

Be aware that when you do, whatever ship you choose, regadless of age or cost, it may rock, have AC issues in some cabins, plumbing issues in some cabins, a foul oder here and there and the occasional whiff of a cigarette or cigar.

 

When we choose to cruise, we embrace more uncertainty than with a land-based vacation.

 

Whatever you choose to do, I hope the experience meets your expectations.

[Lurker1]

like any of the S class ships, Maasdam is "showing her age"

 

however, she is beautiful, elegant and has an incredible crew

 

 

DW and I sailed her on a NE/Canada crusie in May, she is beautiful, and I absolutely agree about "the incredible crew"

[sailandcruise]

Was on the Maasdam in October 2006 for the 11 night Southern Caribbean from Norfolk to Half Moon Cay, Saint Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Kitts, and San Juan. Got upgraded to an outside on the Lower Promenade Deck. Never any foul smells. Did notice lots of vibration in the aft section of the ship, especially the dining room, compared to other ships I have been on. Some rough seas on the way back to Norfolk, but a great ship overall. Didn't hear complaints from any other passengers. I wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.

[advocado]

Stevero -- Before I booked our Maasdam Panama Canal cruise (January 25th, Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego) I researched like crazy. Spent weeks on these boards. Examined numerous brochures of multiple lines. Checked and double checked. Based upon all I could glean from my efforts, the Maasdam was the best bet. It's not perfect, but given all the feedback I feel it was the safest bet to deliver the experience I was looking for. If it falls short, you better believe that I will shout about on every forum.

[Spinner2]

We just got off the Maasdam Oct 30; Caribbean, of course. We had none of the problems that the OP is mentioning. We do take a very small power strip but that's to manage powering my laptop and DH's camera gear. No plumbing issues, no odors that I detected, a totally comfortable cabin. A bit chilly in the show lounge; I take a wrap. Our last two sea days were rainy with sea swells; a bit of rocking. No more than I have observed on any ship. We didn't have an expensive cabin at all this time; it was an outside on the A deck so the lack kof problems wasn't because we had a deluxe cabin. This ship is now one of my favorites. We loved the crew, attention to small detail, etc. Best internet connection I've ever had on a ship.

 

Something can go wrong on just about any venue but our experience on the Maasdam was totally positive.

[Two if by Sea]

Can not answer about outlets as we only book delux suites and there are more outlets in them.[/font]

 

Could you be more specific? How many US/110V outlets are there? And where are they?

 

Thanks.

[osiebosie]

Like Spinner2, we just got off of Maasdam a few days ago. I'm really missing her!!

 

We had no problems at all like you mentioned. In fact, our cabin could get quite cold if we wanted it to (we always turned it colder at night). We were in 195.

 

I've been on old ships, and Maasdam is in great condition compared to some of the older ones I've been on. I'd sail her again in a heartbeat!

 

I posted my review about a week ago. It sounds like you did not read it.

 

Shay

[Harry1954]

welcome to CC - unfortunately we have not been on Maasdam .. but the Zaandam was great ... and thanks to all who contributed to this thread as we are on the Maasdam in three+ weeks ... looking forward to it.

harry

[sasha666]

Maasdam is our VERY FAVORITE H.A.L. ship. We will spend our 100th cruise (in 11 years) on her - in the same room & ship as our honeymoon in 1996. We have been on Holland over 527 days. Sasha is my doll - she has HAL clothes & I have a vest (made from 7 bags). We will meet with yawl at 6:00-7:00 in the crows nest. We have NEVER had a problem with Maas. We are doing 2- 10 day (back to back)cruises Nov 09-28, then again in April. We DO live in Florida....so we can drive to 5 ports. We luv the "S" class ships - bigger is NOT better. Half Moon Cay is absolutely the BEST private island in the Caribbean. We will bring pics of how we decorate our home "nautically". Friday is coming sooooon. CU Friday...Pat & John & Sasha........................

[sasha666]

Maasdam is our VERY FAVORITE H.A.L. ship. We will spend our 100th cruise (in 11 years) on her - in the same room & ship as our honeymoon in 1996. We have been on Holland over 527 days. Sasha is my doll - she has HAL clothes & I have a vest (made from 7 bags). We will meet with yawl at 6:00-7:00 in the crows nest. We have NEVER had a problem with Maas. We are doing 2- 10 day (back to back)cruises Nov 09-28, then again in April. We DO live in Florida....so we can drive to 5 ports. We luv the "S" class ships - bigger is NOT better. Half Moon Cay is absolutely the BEST private island in the Caribbean. We will bring pics of how we decorate our home "nautically". Friday is coming sooooon. CU Friday...Pat & John & Sasha........................