holland-maasdam5

Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Bill Reif
Email: billreif@aol.com
Age: 46
Occupation: Project Manager
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 4/1/00
Itinerary: Panama Canal
Cabin: 53/A
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 99
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 99
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 99
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 79
GoodForHoneymoon: 85
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 100
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 99
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess: 99
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 99
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 99
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 20 Apr 2000
Time: 21:25:59
Remote Name: spider-tr024.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:

Comments

I recently completed the April 1 Panama Canal sailing of the MS Maasdam. The cruise more than exceeded all
of my expectations. This was my first cruise on Holland America and it will not be my last. At this point I would
be hesitant to cruise with any other line for fear of being disappointed. This cruise was my sixth and the fifth
cruise line I have sailed on so I think I have some basis for comparison. Also, if you read the review I posted
on the Carnival Elation in September 1999 you will see that little things can definitely bother me. At the end of
that review I said that I didn’t think I was a ‘Carnival Type’ person. I am now surer of that than ever and know
that I am a ‘Holland America Type’ person. Before I go any further let me state that Holland America isn’t for
everyone. If you are under about 35, have kids from teenagers on down or want to ‘party’ all day and night,
Holland America probably isn’t for you. If you want quiet refined elegance, fantastic food and service and
beautiful classic surroundings, Holland America is for you. Below I will comment on a number of major areas of
the cruise and then a quick synopsis of the ports of call.

Ship

The MS Maasdam is truly elegant. There were large arrangements of fresh flowers throughout. Many of the
rooms were decorated in muted colors, wood and brass. The three-story Venetian glass sculpture in the
atrium with a curving staircase around it was beautiful. The ship was filled with $3 million dollars in original art
and antiques. It seemed like every time you turned a corner there was something else to capture your eye.
The ship was also spotless, I had some concerns about sailing on an eight-year-old ship but it was in excellent
condition. The dinning room was very impressive. It is two stories with a balcony on the second floor that over
looks the floor below. The center of the dinning room contains a two story antique marble fountain. Overhead
is a Venetian glass chandler made up of about 100 glass sculptures that look like flowers and contain the
lights. The maximum capacity of the Maasdam is 1200 passengers, on our cruise there were only 1058. I
would never sail on a ‘Mega’ ship again. You never felt crowded. There were always plenty of seats by the
pool, in the lounges, in the show rooms, etc. I never had to wait in a line for anything.

Staff

Holland America advertises their commitment to service (e.g., ‘When was the last time someone remembered
your name or your favorite drink?’). I thought that it was a lot of hype but was very surprised that it was true.
Maybe I was very lucky but all of the people that served me did an extraordinary job! Our cabin steward was
Usup. The cabin was always spotless, he even cleaned the outside windows on the verandah three times
during the cruise. One day we were returning from shopping with a number of packages. He saw us coming
and ran down the hall to unlock our door for us. The dinning room staff was equally impressive. Our waiter
was Lufthi, Assistant Waiter, Ferry, Head Waiter, Jojon, Wine Steward, Bambi and Maitre d’Hotel, Jerry Spies. I
would match the service they provided against any of the best restaurants. By the first lunch they knew I liked
a lot of coffee in the morning, iced tea with lunch followed by coffee with desert and decaf with desert at
dinner. I never had to ask. Even though breakfast and lunch are open seating in the dinning room we were
always seated with our waiter. He would get me special omelets every morning. Some past reviews commented
on the ability of the crew to understand English. I had no problem and was talking to the Captain about it and
he said that in response to comments Holland America had opened schools in the Philippines and Indonesia
to improve the language skills of the crew.

We went to the Crow’s Nest for cocktails one night for drinks, the waiter and waitress introduced themselves
and asked our names. When we returned two nights later they greeted us by name and wanted to know if we
wanted our usual!! When we saw them around the ship they would always greet us by name and want to know
how we were enjoying the trip. The front desk staff was equally helpful and pleasant. I went down to mail quite
a few post cards one day and the woman behind the counter helped me stamp them!

The cruise staff was also equally good. The Social Hostess, Tonya Ward-Tysse was wonderful and we
thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her. The Cruise Director, Rod Pierce and Assistant, Jill Peloquin were also
excellent. I really appreciated the fact that they limited announcements to one or two a day rather than the
barrage that some other lines seem to employ.

The only staff that I had any issues with was the Shore Excursion Office. They had very limited hours, many of
the tours were not offered and one person in particular, William, acted as if he really could care less and was
arrogant to the point of being rude.

On the subject of tipping, there is a lot of discussion on that. Holland America’s policy is that tipping is
optional, not non-tipping. They don’t start pushing for tips two days before the end of the cruise and don’t
even suggest an amount (you may want to study up on cruise tipping standards before you leave, just check
some of the competitors web sites where they are very up front about what is expected in tips). These people
work so hard that they really deserve monetary recognition. I found myself gladly tipping over the industry
average because it was so well deserved. I also got a number of small bills before I left home and would carry
them with me so that I could offer tips in the lounge, room service, etc.

Food

I read a number of reviews that the food on Holland America was bland. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
I can honestly say that I didn’t have one meal that wasn’t excellent. Everything was served at the proper
temperature and the way ordered (e.g., medium rare, over easy, etc.). Extra effort was put into the
presentation of all dishes with extra garnishes, etc. I chose to eat most of my meals in the dinning room
preferring the service and ordering. However, the meals I had in the lido were also good. There was a good
selection at all meals and it was nice having someone hand you a tray with your silverware and cloth napkin as
well as a menu of the choices. They also served the entrées with a plate cover so that the food was still warm
when you got to your table. There was also a number of selections including the taco bar, hamburgers, etc.
The ice cream bar was great with four or five selections and I especially liked the fresh fruit toppings that they
often had. The deserts were varied and plentiful and it was difficult to decide what to have. And they all tasted
as good as they looked. Holland America goes out of its way to cater to people with special needs, there were
low calorie suggestions on the menus as well as a vegetarian entrée on the menu. One woman that we met
was on a very strict diet and the Chef would call her every morning and make a suggestion for her dinner
entrée!

Cabin

We had a mini-suite on the navigation deck. It was just the right size for two people. It had two large
wardrobes. A nice feature was that shelves were on hinges so you could convert it to hanging space if needed
or shelves depending on your requirements. The bathroom was just the right size with a whirlpool tub and hair
dryer. Robes were also provided. The cabin also included a sitting area with couch, side chair, adjustable
table, desk and shelves. There were six drawers in the desk and another two in each of the two nightstands.
There was also a stocked mini bar. Lighting was very good with a number of combinations that would suit any
mood and switches throughout the cabin. A TV and VCR was in the cabin. The TV got CNN, TNT (although
the reception would sometimes go in and out depending on how rough the seas were). There was also a
channel that showed the ship’s position and weather, as well as two channels that broadcast port talks, some
shows and lectures. The wall leading out to the verandah was floor to ceiling glass that provided a wonderful
view. The verandah had a chair, table and lounge. Once you’ve had a private verandah it is hard to do without
it. The ship is very quiet and I never had trouble sleeping.

Embarkation/Debarkation/Tenders

The embarkation was very easy. We left the hotel that Holland America had put us up at the night before on a
bus (can’t get from Vegas to Ft Lauderdale in one day and make the sailing). From the time we arrived at the
pier until we were in our cabin only took about ten minutes. It was also nice to be greeted upon embarking and
be led to your cabin. That way you don’t have to wonder around the ship trying to find your cabin. Tender
service was very efficient. You would go to a lounge, get a number and go to the tender when your number
was called. That way you didn’t need to stand around in passageways waiting for a tender.

Debarkation was also very efficient. Luggage didn’t need to be outside the cabin until 2 am, which provided
plenty of time to pack. All of the restaurants were open early so that you could get something to eat. Everyone
was assigned to a numbered group to leave the ship based on travel plans after the cruise. The groups were
called as the busses arrived for that group. You also were allowed to wait wherever you would like (other than
you cabin) instead of being crammed into one or two theaters and lounges like other cruise lines do.

Entertainment

The entertainment and lectures were excellent. I attended all of the production shows. The dancers were very
talented and sang as well as danced. The Guse family from Canada performed two nights. They do step
dancing and played fiddles. The daughter, Nicole, is a Canadian step dance champion. Both of their shows
were excellent. Also attended the shows put on by the Hill brothers, jugglers and Gary Hunter a very funny
comic/ventriloquist. It was nice being able to see movies in a movie theater and saw a couple of good ones.
The movies being shown were the kind you get on airplanes or pay-per-view.

I also enjoyed a number of the lectures that were given, vegetable carving and marzipan flowers, ice carving
and especially the art tour (I would really recommend that one). It was nice knowing some of the history of the
art work so that you could appreciate it. It was also nice to get hand outs that went along with the
demonstrations. I really enjoyed and appreciated the enrichment lectures. Holland America had the former
Public Relations Director for the Canal Zone on board who gave lectures the two days before reaching the
canal so that you really understood and appreciated what you were seeing. Another nice touch was the day
before arriving at the canal, they showed a History Channel special on the building of the canal.

Ports of Call

Half Moon Cay – This is Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas. It was beautiful, crystal clear water,
long white sand beach and all of the water activities that you could want. I was a little disappointed in the straw
market, only a couple of vendors with very average souvenirs.

St Thomas – It was my fifth time to St. Thomas so didn’t do too much. I took the Atlantis submarine. It is fun
being on a submarine but didn’t think that I saw as many fish as I saw on the Atlantis submarine in Honolulu, I
would have taken the one in Aruba instead but it was going to be closed when we were there. The shopping
mall on the pier had most of the major stores that are in town and was almost deserted so that seemed to be a
very good option to do some quick shopping and not battle the crowds. There were two other huge ships in
port the day we were there including Carnival’s new one with 3,000 (very loud and drunk) passengers.

Aruba – I had also been to Aruba three times before so only went ashore for a few hours to do some
shopping.

Panama Canal – This was really the highlight of the trip. Again Holland America enhanced it with a number of
extra touches. They had rigged awnings on the forward promenade deck to provide some shelter from the sun
and had refreshments on all of the outside decks. They also had a narrator on board that explained what you
were seeing as you went through the canal. Another nice touch was that they had a camera on the bridge that
was broadcast on the ship TV so that you could see what you were coming up to.

Nicaragua – This was probably the most disappointing stop on the trip. Nicaragua is very poor, a lot of trash
around. The shore excursion staff really pushed their tours, said it was the only way to see this ‘beautiful
country’. Save your money and stay on the ship, it looks a lot better anchored out than when you actually go
ashore. I took the tour to Granada, which was supposed to be a wonderful colonial city. What they didn’t say
was that Granada had been burned to the ground three times in history so little was authentic and that it was
generally run down with a number of kids hanging all over you begging (weren’t even selling the gum you see
in Mexico). It took over two hours to get there on the highway with two bridges washed out and the occasional
starving cow walking out onto the road in front of the bus. The bus tour I was on had a number of elderly
people on it. When we arrived in Granada, the tour guide said that we would have two hours to look around. A
couple of women on the bus decided that was too much time and demanded that we only stay 30 minutes and
represented that they were speaking for the entire bus. Another group of us wanted to spend the allotted time
so that we could explore since we had come all that way. Basically, no one ended up being very happy.
Holland America may want to in the future, where they have more than one bus going on a tour, segregate the
participants by physical ability so that everyone can be happy rather than no one.

Costa Rica – I took the two-day add-on rain forest tour. And was very glad that I did. Cost Rica is beautiful, the
people are industrious, cities are clean and everyone that I encountered was very friendly. Costa Rica was
everything that Nicaragua wasn’t. The full day tour to a nature reserve was very rewarding. On the transfer
from the ship to the hotel we got a tour of Sarchi, Gracia and San Jose. We stayed at the Melia Cariari, which
is one of the better hotels in San Jose. It was very nice.

Would I recommend the Panama Canal cruise on the Maasdam? Definitely! Will I sail on Holland America
again? I’m already planning my next two cruises on them. I now understand why Holland America has the
highest number of repeat guests of any other cruise line.

Name: Mary Ellen Haley
Email: maryellen.haley@worldnet.att.net
Age: 53
Occupation: Property Manager
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: April 11, 2000
Itinerary: Panama Canal
Cabin: 156
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 99
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 98
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 87
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 92
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 85
EntertainmentLounges: 91
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 95
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram: 99
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 99
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 98
OverallCruiseValue: 93
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 07 May 2000
Time: 17:39:06
Remote Name: 150.sanjose-10-15rs16rt.ca.dial-access.att.net
Remote User:

Comments

The cruise was wonderful, the Panama Canal awesome. We took a pre-cruise package to San Jose, Costa
Rica. It resulted in being in 17" seats of one form or another for most of 4 days. Would not do it again. My
experience of the cruise was as many have written already. The food was good to excellent (I gained 3
pounds), the service was excellent (we wanted to take our Cabin Steward home but he graciously declined our
offer). The Captain could have used a refresher course in charm, but as long as he knew how to run the ship?

The chef and his lovely wife had us for lunch one day and I couldn't eat dinner thereafter, lunch was
awesome. The entree was beef and veal medallions in a sauce so wonderful. Desserts were tempting and I
gave in about four times.

If you are left handed then you are in great shape to use the ironing board on the Veranda Deck. It was good
to see a lot of men tending to the laundry chores. Our veranda would have been perfect if they could supply a
table level table as opposed to the short round one provided.

I was just getting into the flow when oops, time to go home. We will be back.

Name: ken
Email: zagoblue@ameritech.net
Age: 43
Occupation: sales manager
NumberOfCruises: 10
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 6/28/2000
Itinerary: mediterranean
Cabin: c 356
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 94
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 75
CasinoStaff: 92
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 98
TenderService: 94
GoodForSeniors: 98
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge: 70
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 70
CruiseActivities: 70
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 88
EmbarkDisembark: 94
DiscoNightclubs: 70
DeckSpace: 75
Stabilization: 98
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 88
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 06 Jun 2000
Time: 09:21:27
Remote Name: dyn1-tnt13-88.detroit.mi.ameritech.net
Remote User:

Comments

Maybe I've been spoiled by my experiences on Celebrity's Zenith and Galaxy.... this was a very nice cruise
ship, yet i kept finding myself comparing it to those other ships. In most of those comparisons, I found that it
felt just a little short in most areas. Little things i suppose , yet when there's a certain expectation, anything
less can be annoying. A little wear on the brass or carpeting here and there... that kind of thing. The cabin
was fine and comfortable. Food in the dining room was uneventful. Entertainment was uninspired and
seriously lacking anything for younger people (and we're 43!)but the overall experience was great because
of the service and the ports of call! The service was wonderful. How these people remembered our names
and called us by them whenever and wherever they saw us is amazing.

Entertainment: The cruise director was not a performer at all, in fact she reminded me of an auto show
spokesperson/model. Too many "extravaganzas" featuring the ship's performers ("...in fantastic costumes!")
and not enough headliners. Although , the piano bar turned out to be a nice surprise: plush, elegant,
intimate, and a very personable and talented pianist. We were, however, run off several times by a guest
who was a Broadway wanna-be. She wouldnt stop singing with (over?) the performer. I dont understand
what makes people think we wanted to see her perform instead of the professional that was hired to do so.
Sing along once in awhile....not take over, lady!

Ports: This is the real reason we were here and they didnt disappoint! Tunis, Tunisia was a bit of a waste
(except for the inspiring American WW II cemetary), but every other port had us gasping with jealousy for
the people who actually get to live there. Each begged for longer stays and return trips. But , I suppose
thats what cruises are mean to do...have a great time and taste a little of the world, enough to want to/plan
to return.

Food: Lido and poolside breakfasts and lunches weere perfectly fine for what they set out to do. The dining
room featured an uninsoired menu, bland presentation. and always soggy veggies. It seemed to get bet as
the week went on (or did we just get accustomed to it, and accept it?) The service, however, was perfect,
once again. Efficient and unobtrusive, yet friendly and gracious, without being too stuffy.

Decor: Not what I'd call sophisticated or grand (like the Celebrity ships that we're partial to) but nice enough.
Not as open as the newer ships that are being built, but this is a 1993 ship...almost old by today's
standards. This might be the area I was most disappointed in. Nice, but not awe inspiring...let's just say I
didnt see it necessary to take photos of any of the ships rooms to show when i returned home, as I have
before.

Overall, a nice enough ship, great ports, good service and a very nice vacation to celebrate our 20th
anniversary.

Name: Warren Perry
Email: cjp@batnet.com
Age: 69
Occupation: Lawyer
NumberOfCruises: 10
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: May 7, 2000
Itinerary: Riviera Rhapsody and Taste of Tunisia
Cabin: 710 H
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 02 Jul 2000
Time: 18:58:07
Remote Name: wbay1-73.batnet.com
Remote User:

Comments

The MS Maasdam sailed on May 7, 2000 from Barcelona, Spain on its one-week Riviera Rhapsody & Taste
of Tunisia Cruise. We were among the 1250 or so passengers. Despite a bit of foul weather the ship rode
beautifully. The accommodations, food and service all get high marks. The land tours were somewhat pricey
but we were satisfied with our choices. With Holland American Line one expects and generally gets the best.
HAL is not a cut-rate operation. Hence, it is worth mentioning when expectations are not realized. We and
some other passengers spent the night before sailing at Barcelona's Princesa Sofia Intercontinenta Hotel.
Before you sign up for this one, please know that it is located on the Diagonal, a major thoroughfare, far, far
from the center of town. Our double room cost $400.00 a night (without breakfast) and had little to
recommend it beyond what you might expect of any run-of-the-mill American motel. The hotel's restaurant is
to be avoided except for breakfast. Our Maasdam cruise suffered greatly because of a circumstance
beyond the control of the crew or hotel staff. Unfortunately, of the 1250 passengers, approximately 950
were the lucky winners of the cruise by virtue of meeting their crystal stemware sales quotas. Most of these
people seemed to be first-time voyagers who would have been much more at home on a Love Boat type
vessel. This oversized group's presence resulted in the following: 1. All large tables were assigned to the
group. We were seated at a table for two, and never had a chance to mingle with other diners. 2. Dress
codes and table manners were often ignored. Baseball caps and the like were worn at dinner, for example.
3. Amazing insensibility to foreign languages and customs was exhibited. In particular, the Ugly American
was alive and well in Tunisia. 4. Service in the dining room was tailored to the big group schedule. For
example, the Baked Alaska required a lengthy wait after we were finished with our entree. We passed as the
din from the group was so unpleasant anyway. As one fellow outsider put it, 'This is like going to someonw
else's party without an invitation.' We did not expect this situation on HAL. If we cruise again on HAL we will
seek some sort of indication of what cruise groups will be on board. Should there be any indication of an
outsized group being signed up, we will shoot for another ship or another time.

Name: John Evans
Email: evansj@wilmington.net
Age: 65
Occupation: Retired
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: Jan 2, 2000
Itinerary: Panama Canal
Cabin: Oceanview Veranda
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 89
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 45
CasinoStaff: 65
PrivateIsland: 0
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 0
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 85
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 65
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities: 65
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 65
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities: 70
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 80
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 15 Jul 2000
Time: 14:41:06
Remote Name: wise1-104.wisedial.wilmington.net
Remote User:

Comments

Positives: Beautiful Ship Excellent food Great Waiters,Assistant, Waiters, Wine Steward Lido
Restaurant Putu was friendly and attentive. He was the main attraction in the Crew floor show but
wasn't there because he was sea sick as were a lot of the passengers. But the crew did the show
anyway minus one cast member.....no understudy...which was a little weird but fun anyway.

The shore excursions were excellent. we enjoyed Costa Rica Britts Coffee tour and Nicaragua was
beautiful but poverty stricken. The Volcano tour was interesting but the sulfur smell was like lighting a
match in your mouth. Hautico in Mexico was beautiful as was Acapulco. The cabin steward was
excellent.

The ship has a tipping optional policy. The dining room staff and Cabin boy and the Lido crew all
deserved their tips. If you sail with Holland American Please don't stiff them.

Negatives: I found a number of my fellow passengers to be rude and cantankerous. The European
staff were indifferent. service in the Crows nest was terrible. I left without being served after 20
minutes even on a quiet night. The cocktail waitress sat on the arm of a chair and hob knobbed with
another passenger for the entire time and the bar tenders looked at me and polished their glasses.
My wife got ill (TD) and I went to sick bay to report it. I did not need anything as I carried both
Immodium and Lamotel. The nurse told me that they were required to log it and they would call the
next day to see if everything was OK. They didn't call and then charged me a clinic visit for reporting
the sickness.

We had one day of heavy seas (10-12 feet) and a lot of passengers were ill from the rocking and
rolling. The ship had reasonably good stability considering the conditions.

The entertainment in the theater was mediocre with the exception of two musicians (the Fienkel
Brothers) who were excellent.

The Casino was so smoke filled that I waited for a slow afternoon to play. But sure enough after 15
minutes of play a smoke stack sat next to me so I cashed in my chips and left. I did complain about
the lack of smokeless places on the ship and was told there was nothing that the staff could do.

In general I thought the quality of the Ship and the Indoneasian staff excellent and the food good but
the rest of the onboard experience was mediocre. The experience did not compare with the excellent
experience that we had on an Alaska tour on Crystal Harmony in June of 1998. Because the cruise
had too many negatives in comparison to the positives, We will try another cruise line on our next
trip.

Name: Lynn Jackson
Email: ellieannew@netscape.net
Age: 27
Occupation: paralegal/legal secretary
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 07/30/00
Itinerary: Baltic Sea
Cabin: 122 - Mini Suite
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 08 Aug 2000
Time: 12:28:38
Remote Name: 63.71.218.130
Remote User:

Comments

I went on the m/s Maasdam's Gems of the Baltic Sea Cruise. It was one week -- one week is not long
enough. This was my third cruise and my second on Holland America. If it were possible, I think that
the staff and crew on this ship was even more enthuisiastic than on the first cruise I went on. We
boarded the ship in Stockholm and had a full day in the city before we left port. After Stockholm, we
traveled to Tallinn, Estonia. It is beautiful city and we had an excellent tour guide -- she even pointed
out the known pick-pockets we encountered on our walk. After Estonia, we spent 2 days in St.
Petersburg, Russia. There I took the Hermitage/Winter Palace tour and the Peterhof tour. The
Hermitage was beautiful and there is a lot to see, but I felt that the tour was about an hour too long. It
is a long walk and we went up and down several massive staircases. Peterhof was beautiful and well
worth the visit, the walk was gentle and just the right length. After St. Petersburg, we docked in
Helsinki. I did not get to see as much of Helsinki as I would have liked - it started raining and we
returned to the ship for the duration of the stay in port. The last full day on board, we toured Visby,
Gotland, Sweden. We were at anchor and used the ship's tenders to get ashore. I did not take a tour
in Visby, but walked where the wind took me. It was a quiant little town. The ship was incredible clean
and the crew was incredibly enthusiastic. I did not go to the shows, and only made the Desert
midnight buffet. From what I saw of the ship's activities, they were well planned and had sufficient
variety to keep the full (1200 passengers) ship happy and amused for the limited amout of time we
were at sea. The food was excellent, alhtough a couple of my tablemates did complain that the
lobsters were small and not filling. The beef we ordered was always on the rare side, but that did not
bother me as I like my steaks rare. I stayed in a Mini-Suite (an upgrade from a category H) and
enjoyed the verandah, although my one complaint with the cabin is that the verandahs do no have
speakers, so that you cannot hear the public address announcements while out there. Other than
that the cabin far exceeded my expectations. I do not know that I would have paid for a mini-suite, but
it was lovely to have one. I cannot say much about the stabilizers on this vessel, the seas were
smooth as glass throughout the cruise, but from prior experience on the Veendam, I know that they
are exceptional. This cruise was a great vacation and I would definately take another Holland
America cruise.

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