holland-maasdam6

Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Mick Bettesworth
Email: commedia@lineone.net
Age: 50
Occupation: Operations Manager
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 26th November 2000
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
Cabin: Verandah 154
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 82
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 96
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 92
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 65
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 82
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 92
BeautySalonStaff: 88
EntertainmentLounges: 70
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 40
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon: 88
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 97
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 94
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 94
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 10 Dec 2000
Time: 17:52:18
Remote Name: host212-140-0-114.btinternet.com
Remote User:

Comments

This is the third cruise we have taken, the previous 2 being aboard QE2. This cruise was a 50th
birthday celebration and I went to great lengths to investigate various lines and ships. Living in England,
we wanted a line that had a good air/sea programme and preferably one that included a few days at
Pier 66 in Ft Lauderdale, which is a particular favourite of ours (not to mention the shopping at
Sawgrass Malls). Holland America came well recommended, but with a caveat that the food can be
disappointing – in the event we thought the food to be outstanding. As Europeans we were slightly
concerned that our tastes might not coincide with the American market but these fears proved
groundless. Holland America offer a very refined product which appeals to Americans and Europeans
alike, quality and good taste are international.

EMBARKATION/DISEMBARKATION. Essentially embarkation was achieved with the minimum of fuss. We
were bussed from Pier 66 Hotel straight to the embarkation hall the luggage having been collected at
the hotel. Upon checking in at the terminal, where you were issued with universal identity card and cabin
keys, there was a 20 minute wait before being called to embark. We went aboard and were immediately
shown to our cabin 154 on the Verandah deck by a smiling Indonesian steward. Our room steward
arrived within 2 minutes to introduce himself and our baggage turned up about 1 hour later. In the
meantime we went to the lido for lunch and explored the ship. The ‘ship’ side of disembarkation proved
to be equally well organised although the time taken for non US citizens to clear immigration is a bore.
Upon being called to disembark, we found our luggage immediately available in the hall, there were
plenty of porters. However once we cleared the baggage hall, chaos reigned. The bus taking us to
Miami airport was virtually full and loading the baggage was a problem as the AA hold was already full,
eventually 2 of our bags went in the United hold and 2 in the US air. The caused me considerable worry
as we have had luggage go astray before and it’s a difficult task to get it back particularly if you are
overseas. To add to the disorganisation 10 people proved to be on the wrong bus and had to
disembark and relocate their bags. In the end we departed 1houe 15 minutes late for Miami. We had
plenty of time but others were getting very concerned. Be warned….

THE GOOD POINTS

Overall we were hugely impressed with HAL and the Maasdam in particular. The ship was immaculately
maintained and the displays of fresh flowers were outstanding. The crew keep the ship in tip top
condition and were vacuuming, washing and polishing the whole time. Our cabin steward was not usually
visible - we hardly ever saw him, but he kept the cabin spotless and well serviced. Every time we left the
cabin, the fresh fruit was replenished as were fresh towels etc. Food. The Rotterdam dining room was
excellent, - we struck lucky with our steward Budi. He was exceptionally attentive without being
obseqious. The wine waiter also was excellent and knowledgeable and recommended a couple of wines
which were new to me but which were most drinkable and didn’t break the bank. We asked for and got a
table for 2 in the smoking part of the restaurant (the two tier room is quite stunning) in the second
sitting. My wife smokes, although I don’t, but I found that there was no overwhelming smell of cigarette
smoke. The quality of the food was excellent, and we were surprised at how ‘nouvelle cuisine’ the food
was> Portions were not over large and one did not rise from the table with an uncomfortable overfed
feeling. The choice of main dishes and desserts was wide, and one night included some outstanding
lamb. Every dish we ordered was well presented and tasted good. We ate dinner every night in the
Rotterdam Restaurant together with breakfast on one morning and one lunch. Other breakfasts we took
in our cabin. This is an area in which HAL need to tighten up.The cabin breakfasts were mediocre hotel
standard and were poorly cooked and presented. For lunch we usually went to the lido buffet. I was
slightly disappointed in this venue. There was a wide variety of food but I thought quite a lot of dishes
were bland and tasteless. The fresh grilled hamburgers and tacos together with stir fries at the pool side
grill were excellent., as was the complementary ice cream bar, with vanilla ice cream made with real
vanilla pods, as well as several low fat alternatives. We did not eat at the lido in the evening, nor did we
attend the late night buffets as we were simply not hungry. On deck The weather on our cruise was
disappointing and we did not have one entirely sunny day. Apparently the Caribbean in November is
unpredictable, however as the temperature was in the 80s it was quite comfortable to lie by the pool
under cloudy skies. Because of the weather the cover over the main pool was closed most of the time.
This tends to trap the smells from the lunch time grills. This is an area where quite a few of the activities
such as horse racing and ice carving take place and it can be very noisy. Deck service was efficient
although a few more smiles might have been nice. However there were plenty of fresh towels. The aft
pool area, and indeed the whole ship never felt crowded and on the occasions that the steel band
played there they kept the volume to an acceptable level (unlike the Carnival ship along side us in
Cozumel which could be heard 2 miles away!). Cabin We heeded the advice of our travel agent and
previous reviewers in this column and paid extra for a cabin with a Verandah. In my opinion it was worth
every penny. We spent a lot of time in the cabin and on the balcony and one occasion slept with the
door open to the sounds of the ocean. The balcony added a new dimension, we would not cruise again
without one. The cabin was spacious and spotlessly clean although the wall paper was beginning to fray
a bit around the joints. There was a mini bar and TV with a VCR machine (tapes could be borrowed from
the front office although the selection was poor).The bathroom had a jacuzzi bath which was fun, and an
excellent shower. HAL provided good quality shampoo and body lotion.

THE NOT SO GOOD.

Upon arrival at Miami airport after a 10 hour flight from London, the Holland America line representative
Mr de Sousa could not have been more unhelpful. We had to find him and he was far more interested in
a private conversation he was having on his mobile (it sounded like his girl friend). He made no attempt
to help with luggage other than rudely telling us that trollies were not allowed to be taken outside the
terminal building and that the car was 250 meters away. He made no attempt to help us find a porter
and we felt that we were an irritation to him. NOT an impressive start.

Shore excursions. I felt that these were very overpriced. We only went on two, a flight from Cozumel to
Chichen Itza and on an Island Drive in Grand Cayman. The Chichen Itza tour is stunning but they simply
do not allow enough time to see the site. There was considerable confusion over time and as a result we
had only 20 minutes after the guided tour to revisit points of interest. Unfortunately we confused the time
and kept every body waiting. For an excursion costing approx $280 each, I felt rushed and hurried. If the
excursion does not fit the time the ship is in port it should not be offered. The Grand Cayman Island
Drive was also disappointing. There were 3 other large cruise ships in port that day and the shore
excursion arrangements were chaotic. High temperatures and high humidity made it uncomfortable and
there was a half hour of queueing before we were ushered on to a ‘school bus’ – uncomfortable
cramped seats and high windows. I was not able to sit down properly and no one checked to see if
everyone was ok before starting off. Luckily we were able to transfer to another vehicle at the first stop
but there was a conveyor line mentality. Whilst I realise that this is not HAL’s fault as they do not run the
excursions, it left a sour taste.

Show lounge entertainment. We had read that the entertainment on HAL was a weak point. I certainly
agree with this criticsm. During the course of this cruise there were 2 ‘shows’, an illusionist and a tired
comedian. Quite frankly the standard was poor, and let the high standards achieved elsewhere down.
The 2 production shows consisted of 4 boys, of whom only 2 could hold a tune, and 5 girls, the leader of
whom consistantly sang ‘off key’. They part danced, part sang and part mimed to a click track and
orchestra. There was virtually no production, no scenery and the standard generally was what one
might expect in a mediocre city night club – one of the dancers even fell over one night…. and the ship
was steady! Come on Holland America ! Get your act together here. Click tracks were outmoded 5 years
ago and the ship and its passengers deserve something a bit fresher and more innovative!

Tipping. I do not like the tipping policy. Either tips are expected or they are not! Very confusing.

CONCLUSION

The quality of the cruise far outweighed the niggles and I would not hesitate to book with Holland
America again, in fact we will not look at any other line. Maasdam is a beautiful well kept ship. True, the
average age aboard was definitely towards the higher end of the spectrum but Holland America deliver
a package that makes passengers feel special. This was a wonderful holiday aboard a truly comfortable
ship.

Name: Jonathan Golaner
Email: golaner@umbi.umd.edu
Age: 39
Occupation: University Administrative Management
NumberOfCruises: 24
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 12/03/00
Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean
Cabin: Main Deck
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector: 75
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 75
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 75
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 75
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 99
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService: 99
GoodForSeniors: 99
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities: 75
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark:
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 11 Dec 2000
Time: 10:52:59
Remote Name: admin2-246.umbi.umd.edu
Remote User:

Comments

This was my 24 cruise, 1st with HAL. Many cruisers consider HAL to be the Cadillac of cruises. After
cruising and being pleased with Celebrity and Princess many times I was very anxious to try HAL. This
was a typical 7 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise with a standard cabin on the Main Deck. HAL exceeds its
competion in some areas and falls short in other areas. Let's start out with the positive items. The ship
always felt very spacious, with less than 1,300 passengers on a 55,000 ton ship there very rarely any
line or crowding in any area including the pool deck. The tender service was A+, HAL uses 4 tenders
that keep the traffic flowing with very little wait time. The Massdam singers and dancers were superb,
they perform 2 different shows during the week that kept me on the edge of my seat, the costumes were
also crisp and sharp! The standard cabins are some of the most spacious at sea. Delecious FREE Ice
Cream and sherbet are served at various times during the day in your choice of a bowl, small sugar
cone, and large waffel style cones, this FREE item was a big hit with many passengers - take note
Princess, people do not like to pay for ice cream on a cruise!! This is one of the easiest ships to get
around I have ever been on, after 24 hours aboard one could find his or her way around with ease. Half
Moon - HAL's private island is a paradise, probably the nicest of all the private islands - a must see!!
The salad bar in the casual dining Lido Buffet was very nice. The Crows Nest of Deck 12 was a great
place to get away, relax, enjoy the view and read a book. General items to note - The average age of
the passengers is much older than any other line I have sailed, my guess is the average age is about
75. The termperature inside the ship was never as cool as other ships, perhaps because the older
passengers prefer it that way. Self serve laundry facilites are available on various decks, washers are
the small front loading design and require eight quarters, yes that is $2.00 and dryers take $1.00 in
quarters for a cycle. Pools and hot tubs are open until 8pm, that better than Celebrity - they close their
pools at 6pm, but not as good Princess -usually has 24 hour tubs and pools. That leads us to the areas
that need improvement- The first on my list is Dining Room Food, the quality and presentation could
NOT compare to Princess or Celebrity.

The size of the servings were more than adaquate, but the
quality was lacking. For some reason they have difficulty cooking the beef dishes. Two nights I ordered
beef, WELL DONE, and both nights I received beef that was bloody rare. The service while friendly was
very slow, on most cruise lines the waiter and bus boy take care 12 to 16 people, our waiter and bus
boy were serving 30, and the same was true for the waiter and bus in the station behind us. Because of
serving so many guests water and tea glasses were very slow for refilling as well as reply time for getting
forgotten items such as horseradish for prime rib. The Caribbean Deck Party left alot to be desired as
well, Ribs, Sausage, Salmon, corn, and the same four salads that are served daily in the lunch Lido
Buffent that are rarely touched. Do people really want non-homemade tasting slaw, potato salad, and 2
other odd looking salads these days? I thought these items went to heaven the same time with mood
rings, pet rocks. and light blue polyester leisure suits. If you like to play any card games I recommend
you bring your own deck, that are a valuable item, perhaps a valuabe as a well done steak. The card
room only had a few decks that had seen a better day. It did take three visits to the front desk to get a
new pack, they kept saying they would be in tomorrow, I guess they were being flown in via helicopter?

One last item, while enjoying a cup of hot tea on the back pool deck, in a lounge chair, at sunset----does
it get any better than that??? I was told by a deck steward I must move because he had to clean the
deck in that area. and not just move to another chair, but to vacate the area completely. Overall---I had
a great time as usual. Would I sail HAL again, sure, but if the price is the same for Princess or Celebrity,
my vote still is #1 Princess, #2 Celebrity, and #3 HAL, and YES I did punch the right Ship name on my
voting card, no need for a re-count! One additional plus item, if you fly with Delta or US Air
representatives are on ship at time of disembarkation to verify seating and pre tag luggage, after you
claim your luggage off the ship you only are required to carry it a short distance to the trucks, this
eliminates the need to carry your luggage in the taxi to the airport, and stand in the baggage check in
areas that had very long lines. Happy Sailing!

Name: Karen Stanek
Email: stanek@infonline.net
Age: 41
Occupation: house wife
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 12/17/00
Itinerary: eastern caribbean
Cabin: A049
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService: 80
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff: 100
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 100
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 100
AirSeaProgram: 100
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 50
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 80
OverallCruiseValue: 80
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Dec 2000
Time: 09:46:44
Remote Name: pc423.infonline.net
Remote User:

Comments

Since we were flying out of Pittsburgh in December, we started our trip with an overnight at the Hyatt pier 66 in
Fort Lauderdale. It was a very relaxing way to start our cruise. We headed out to the outdoor bar and lo and
behold, there was a Steeler game on out by the pool. We hung around there and watched the game for
awhile and then walked down to the front of the hotel to watch the "parade of ships" which is an annual affair
and quite a spectacular sight. 20 to 30 corporate yachts all decorated with tons of Christmas lights, blaring
Christmas music and even a few ships setting off fireworks. It was very impressive. The next morning we left
for the pier, check-in was a breeze since we were in a mini-suite we were granted priority check in and we
were able to board very quickly. We were escorted to our suite and then we started to settle in. I was
disappointed by the condition of the furniture and bedspreads both in dire need of an update. The bed looked
like an egg carton, with depressions where the bodies had been. Much to my surprise, it was an extremely
comfortable bed. We then took a walk around the ship to check it out. It is a very lovely, well maintained ship.
Before I go any further, I must mention that all my other cruises have been on one line, Radisson 7 Seas, so I
wasn't sure what to expect with HA. Our only complaint for this trip was the crowds of people. The lido buffet
always had a line, the deck chairs were almost always unavailable. I am used to sailing on ships with less than
500 passengers, so this was sort of aggravating to me. There were also 150 children on this sailing so the
occasional wailing of babies was heard during dinner. Now that I am done with the bad stuff, on to the good
stuff. The service in the dining room was incredible, as was the food. I seemed to be on a beef kick for the
entire week, which was excellent. Filet mignon, prime rib and beef wellington, all were outstanding. I thought
the dining room was spectacular the stair case and the tulip ceiling was beautiful. After 2 days at sea, we first
stopped at St Croix where we snorkeled. It is a very nice clean island. The next day, we took the Atlantis
Submarine tour in St. Thomas which was really amazing. I was also prepared for a crowded port, but was
happy when it was only semi-crowded. Then another day at sea and a stop at half moon cay where we just
lounged on the beach and relaxed. Disembarkation went as smooth as embarkation. Some tips: If you can opt
for a balcony, I think it was a highlight of this trip. It is one place where you know you will always get a seat and
we spent mornings, before dinner drinks and before bedtime drinks on it. Room service was pretty good,
varied and fast. I brought along a little one cup coffee maker because I can't handle strong coffee in the
morning and I dont like to wait for room service to bring it.

We brought along a few bottles of wine and champagne for our room and enjoyed them on our balcony. Our
TA sent a bottle of champagne to the ship and we had that at dinner one evening, and much to our surprise,
no cork fee. There also was a bottle of champagne waiting in our room when we embarked from the captain.
For the price, this ship was just what we needed to break up the Pennsylvania winter blues. I would
recommend the Maasdam to folks who are used to cruising on the larger lines. Any questions, feel free to
email me. Karen stanek@infonline.net

Name: Mary Thomas
Email: mdthomas01@aol.com
Age: 46
Occupation: Finance/Business Partner
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: December 17, 2000
Itinerary: St Croix, St Thomas, Half Moon Cay
Cabin: 642/644/640/382 Large outside
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff:
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 80
CabinQuietness: 60
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 70
FoodVariety: 70
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 80
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 80
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 70
WheelchairAccess: 80
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 75
OverallPortsofCall: 82
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 75
SpaceRatio: 80
OverallCruiseValue: 75
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Dec 2000
Time: 15:07:11
Remote Name: brfw1ext.fl.icn.siemens.com
Remote User:

Comments

We just returned from a Holland America cruise, December 17 - 24 on the MS Maasdam, cabins 642, 644,
640 and 382, a family vacation cruise. We booked through a travel agency in April 2000 to ensure that we
would be placed in adjacent cabins and together in the dining room in a good location. This was not a first
cruise for most of our party, and four of us had cruised with Holland America (HA) previously, which is why we
choose the line, the itinerary, etc. that we did. We choose St Croix, St Thomas and Half Moon Cay as many of
our party enjoy snorkeling, and we had been to St Thomas, which is always lovely. Four of us had cruised with
HA on the Westerdam in October of 1999 and were all totally satisfied. However, our expectations, resultant of
the first excellent experience, were far from met. Perhaps we had such a positive experience the first time and
we set our expectations too high? But having said that, the service on our first cruise set the standard, a
standard, which they were unable to meet, never mind surpass. Perhaps the merging with the Carnival Cruise
Line has had some effect?

We felt we were receiving a far price, especially considering the time of year of the cruise as well as the
'standard' of service we expected to receive. When making the reservation, I had a few 'special requests' and
was advised to notify one month in advance. This I did, via phone as well as e-mail. I never received 100%
confirmation that everything I requested was taken care of, but was advised via e-mail and phone that
everything was set. Having had exemplary service from my cruise consultant the previous year, I did not find
this particularly troubling. We asked for the following. I have noted the problems or issues as they related to
each 'special request' which by the way, were not particularly special: 1.) Assistance in boarding for two
members of the group - this was handled without problem. 2.) Notification to the line that one member was
vegetarian (no eggs, fish or meat). We were assured that this was not a problem, that the line offered
vegetarian specials and we could discuss options with the dining stewards. However, we found that there were
very limited selections on the menu. We were not given more than one entrée choice on the evening menu
and could not get other options at the time of seating. We were actually refused any alternative meal or
suggestion, if the menu items did not suite us. Also, many selections that 'appeared' to be vegetarian, after
consulting with the staff, we were advised that they contained or were made with meat, fish or egg product.
Our one vegetarian survived on vegetables, fruits, cheeses and veggie burgers. Although usually fresh and
with a good selection, this becomes rather mundane eating. There were no offers of vegetarian dishes using
beans and actually most vegetarian dishes lacked any protein. We were very disappointed that this request,
although special, but certainly not out of the ordinary or very odd, could not be better accommodated. 3.) We
requested diapers for a small child This was not taken care of and we purchased and carried them ourselves,
but at least we were advised in advance that we would not be accommodated. 4.) We requested two
refrigerators. We received one without incident, but as in our previous trip, the other requested, was not
available. We then asked for a cooler, and were offered one wine bucket with ice. After asking for 3 or 4 more,
a refrigerator miraculously appeared. By the way, we were at sea by this time, so it must have been airlifted.
5.) We requested first seating, round table to accommodate the entire group, towards the windows. Since one
of the cabins was (erroneously) not linked to the rest, we had one smaller round table for seven and the other
party of two seated someplace across the room. We had to wait in line to speak to the Matre'D, who was rude
and abrupt. And although he did accommodate our request to sit together, we were seated in the 'Kings
Room' (certainly not fit for a King). (More later on that also.) 6.) We requested one small cake for three
birthdays in our party. This simple request went totally unheeded; and by this time we were so disgusted we
did not even pursue it. It was small compared to our other complaints.

Those were the items we asked about and had problems with. Here is the remainder of the list, categorized as
your own survey does: Food: This is a big one, as we were extremely pleased on our first HA cruise with the
variety and taste of the food, in particular the seafood (large, plentiful shrimps nearly always available at
lunch buffet) and the delicious and fresh variety of fruits. This time we found the fruit overripe, more limited in
selection and mundane. The buffet lacked variety and visual appeal. There were no large shrimp ever, less
food and less variety, although we certainly never went hungry. Our previous cruise featured wonderful
custom-made stir-fries and other specialties at poolside that were totally lacking this time. . Dining room
breakfast and lunch was fine, again nothing exciting or super in quality. Dinner was OK or fine, seldom (if
ever) great, although the beef was always exceptional. While presented well and served nicely, there were a
number of mix-ups and omissions in orders, but these were quickly corrected. Service seemed slow. Our
stewards in the dining room were fine, although their English was not very good. Were they perhaps
'staff-in-training' pressed into service in that wonderful (NOT) 'King's Room' because of overbooking the
cruise? We hardly saw the supervisor of our area until the last night, when all of a sudden he was
everywhere, helping everyone? Was he looking for his tip? Our Wine Steward (Willy) was very nice and his
recommendations were always good, as was his service and attitude.

Mid-night buffets lacked imagination and seemed to exist simply as a means of disposing the day's earlier
food leftovers. Late night buffets were always in the Lido, a disappointing monotony! A change in venue would
have been nicer. Here you could definitely take a lesson from Norwegian Cruise Lines whose midnight buffets
offered both variety and ingenuity!

The King's Room - Due to the cabin mix-up and the need for re-assignment in dining room seating, we ended
up in the King's Room. It was off to the side, out of the main rooms. We were not afforded the benefit of the
live music (or any music prior to our complaining) or any of the dining room attractions, i.e. we were the only
ones that did not have white table clothes and covered chairs on the 2nd formal night. We had a 'few' (and I
mean very few), waiters come through with the sparkling Baked Alaska's, but again, only after we complained.
The dining room maitre'd, whom we spoke to about the seating and etc, acknowledged that he 'was expecting'
complaints about the King's Room since he always receives complaints when it is used, but was forced to use
it due to over-capacity. That did NOT appease us particularly since we were far from a last-minute booking!!!
And if he knew that problems existed with the use of that room, why was he not proactive in attempting to
resolve some of the issues within his control such as the lack of music, the 'missing décor' and the exclusion
from main-dining room activities?! After complaining, we did finally get some piped in music, but certainly not
the lovely soft music that is appropriate to dining! Why was it so difficult to give us the same white cloths and
chair covers that the main dining room received? These would have been inexpensive fixes that at least give
the appearance of concern. He then placated us with a complementary bottle of (CHEAP) wine that was at
best sub-standard. Hardly ways to show guests you are GENUINELY concerned (or at least pretend a little!)

Services, general: These were generally below standards previously set by HA on the prior cruise, although
there some were exceptions (such as Room Steward Andjar, and Steward Chandra, (who assisted my
husband on-board with our own wheelchair and who continued to assist wherever and whenever possible).
Most of the rest of the crew and 'cruise staff' seemed to only be 'doing their job' wishing they were someplace
else. Language was a bit of a problem.

Services, cabins: For the most part, the cabins were the best part of the cruise. Although our group was
located on two different levels, we all had exemplary service from the cabin stewards. The cabins were well
appointed used space efficiently and were always clean and exceptionally maintained. The only drawback was
location. Although we did select the location, we were unaware of what was across the hall, Crew's Service
Area. This area was extremely noisy, from early morning, (sometimes before 7 a.m.) until late evening
(sometimes past 1 p.m.). At least 3 of our 4 cabins experienced this banging and clanging all day. It was
particularly bad for cabins 642 and 382. Although, the stewards were always pleasant to us and did try to
keep the outer doors closed as much as possible and Room service, variety of food, presentation and etc.
was very nice and was delivered promptly at any hour. This was great!

We had a couple problems with plumbing and at one point, when calling for follow-up service, were told the
request had already been put in2 hours prior, when it was actually 4 hours prior. In addition, the room steward
told us he noticed a problem and put in a report even early in the morning, yet at 8 p.m. it was still not
resolved. This same toilet was clogged again, at least one other time, and one another stateroom
experienced a waste back flush from the floor drain. And yes, the problems continued.

Two of our party, those who were somehow not linked to the entire group, were 'upgraded' to cabin #382. In
addition to being across from Crew Service Area, it was on the lower promenade, which I had specifically
requested we NOT be located on when booking the tickets. We do NOT like having people walking outside the
cabin window, which along with the presence of the deck inhibits access to the view. Also, the main galley was
directly above this cabin which produced noise incessantly!

This cabin was also hot and the air never fixed. (We were told they were having problems with the air on that
level-NOT a consolation-on an UPGRADE??). A fan was provided that did not work well and had to be
serviced at least once because of overheating. THE SOLUTION: Don't let it oscillate. And remember this
upgrade, occurred because they were not properly linked to the other rooms, which consequently lead to
other problems and issues. We had specifically made reservations early so that we could be together with
easy access to one another as a family. Not the case AND we were told the move was to accommodate
another family group!

PHOTO: Why bother? The photo services were totally unprofessional and the photos showed it! We
specifically made an appointment for a 'large group' photo. Upon arriving at our 'appointed' time, we waited 10
minutes only to find that we had been crossed off the list for some unexplained reason and then left waiting
another ½ hour before we were left to our own devises to 'arrange' our group and get two quick-shod shots
taken. Total time allotted by ?photographer?: maybe 5 minutes!!!!

Summary: Our overall experience was poor to average and disappointing as the Maasdam was very highly
recommended to us, and we specifically choose HA and did not consider another line because of our previous
excellent experience. Excuses related to the season and over-capacity is not acceptable. We feel it prudent to
highlight problems (the contents of this review were sent directly to the Chairman and CEO of Holland
America) in hopes that they are remedied for future travelers (even us?). We feel HA has some great features
and although we will not choose them exclusively again, we would hope they might be among our future
options

Name: Robert P. sawicki
Email: rsawick@yahoo.com
Age: 53
Occupation: attorney
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 03/04/01
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
Cabin: 1025
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 75
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 75
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 18 Mar 2001
Time: 20:05:30
Remote Name: ppp22.pm3-1.buf.ny.localnet.com
Remote User:

Comments

My wife and I booked our 3rd cruise aboard the Holland America Maasdam departing on 03/04/01 for
Western Caribbean cruise with stops at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Half Moon Cay. I humbly
suggest that if possible a cruise should be booked so that a full moon occurs during the cruise. It's a nice
touch if you are fond of walking up on deck on warm evening with your special person.

We have previously sailed aboard RCCL and Celebrity ships. With the increasing add-on charges for
alternative dining or activities, Holland America still offers a traditional all-inclusive cruise. Holland America
caters to a somewhat older population of cruisers, but since for us the cruise is a getaway for two busy
professionals, a quiet cruise is fine with us.

EMBARKATION

We left Buffalo (NY) International about an hour late for some unexplained airline delay. The temperature was
around 21 degrees with a storm expected in the evening. As we had a connection to make in Charlotte, we
knew we would be pressed for time, and as expected, boarding for our next flight was well underway when we
arrived at the appropriate gate after racing the length of the airport.

We booked our own flight to Fort Lauderdale, but we were still able to check our luggage in at the airport for
forwarding to the Maasdam. Then we quickly hopped a cab for Port Everglades. Boarding was a snap save
for the photographers who created an artificial bottleneck and then backed up 15 or 18 people who were
waiting to get up the gangplank. Time for some aggressive action... 'Excuse'. 'Pardon'. A firm, loud (for
anyone feeling intimidated), 'No thank you!' And we were aboard at about 2:00PM.

Once aboard we had a strange sensation. It was hot, and it was somewhat humid. Off to our room for a
change of clothes followed by an immediate trip to the Lido Café for a bite to eat. Back to the room and
surprise: our luggage was already there. Get the camera. Get the field glasses. Now up on deck for the sail
away.

Port Everglades was full of cruise ships: Enchantment of the Seas, Grand Princess, Celebrity Millennium,
Costa Victoria and Atlantica. Lifeboat drill is a must, and its off to sea. The ships parade out of port, and
well-wishers in the high rise apartment buildings add to the celebration.

THE SHIP

The Maasdam is a somewhat typical cruise ship. The Lido deck has a very nice buffet arrangement aft with
additional salad bar and ice cream station close at hand. The main pool at the center has a retractable roof.
The hamburger stand and Tex-Mex station are in this area. The spa is forward. The navigator deck
immediately below has the bridge forward, an open pool area aft and cabins in between. Down to the upper
promenade deck for the casino, mall and the upper floors of the Rotterdam Dining Room and the Rembrandt
Theater. The promenade deck below housed the office, the movie theater and the lower Rembrandt and
Rotterdam areas. The promenade itself did encircle the entire ship, and four times around was said to be a
mile. Jogging was prohibited on this level, but every day walkers (including my wife and I) could be observed.
All in all the ship was lovely lady to be with at sea.

There were some positives that should be noted. The full promenade which was pleasant walking and
equipped with lounge chairs for reading or napping. Fresh flowers were evident in the dining areas and
elsewhere. The artwork about the ship was very nice and a cut above what we have seen on other ships.

There were also some negatives. The ambient odor of the ship took a couple of days to get accustomed to.
The odor bothered me, but not my wife. By the next day I did not notice it either. There were a couple of
areas where the ship showed its age with substandard rugs and the need for a new paint job. Lastly, the
sports deck above the Lido deck was poorly set up. The sports deck was equipped with no lounge chairs of
any sort. This was also the only place where shuffleboard could be played as opposed to the Galaxy where it
was conveniently placed on the promenade.

FOOD

The dining room on the Maasdam does not serve food of the same quality as the Galaxy, or insofar as my
wife is concerned, the Sovereign of the Seas. Holland America makes up for the loss of quality with sheer
abundance. Notably a midnight buffet was served every night (at 11:00pm). The hamburgers, pizza and ice
cream were all superior to that which was available on the other ships. A nice touch was the fried eggs
personally prepared for your breakfast. They were very good, although it is important to make sure your eggs
are thoroughly cooked. On a personal note, ribs were available about ½ dozen times, and unlike Celebrity,
Holland America knows how to make excellent ribs. The bottom line is that there is absolutely no reason to go
hungry on the Maasdam.

ENTERTAINMENT

The regular entertainment staff was excellent, far better than what was offered on the other cruises. The
guest performers were unfortunately not as good as what was available on the other ships. The magician was
weak, as was the comedian. The guest vocalist/impressionist was very good. All told, it is a wash with other
lines. They all have their pluses and minuses.

PORTS OF CALL

I cannot say too much about the ports of call: Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Half Moon Cay.
Unfortunately, although we were in the sun every day, the wind blew unceasingly for most of the week. On
Monday the wind was just short of gale force, and at times it was not comfortable to be outside. On Tuesday,
our Cozumel shore excursion (beginner snorkeling from shore) was canceled as the surf was too rough. Our
stop at the Cayman Islands was canceled for the rough seas made tendering impracticable. Then my wife
became ill for about 36 hours, and I had to cancel our excursion on Ocho Rios. As there were no reports of
illness generally, we looked for something she ate that was hers and hers alone: those breakfast eggs?

Finally, we were able to tender ashore at Half Moon Cay. Sadly, it appears that RCCL has removed Coco Cay
from its itineraries. We fondly recall that bit of paradise, and the excellent BBQ lunch which was prepared on
shore for us. Thankfully, Holland America has done an even better job at Half Moon Cay. The BBQ lunch was
terrific, and the beach was every bit as good if not better than Megan's Bay in St Thomas. This day alone
more than made up for any negatives encountered elsewhere.

Unfortunately, the wind kicked up in the afternoon. The reboarding from the tenders became something of a
dangerous ordeal for some of the more elderly cruisers. The tender was really bouncing around and into the
ship. The handrails got a good workout, and more than a few passengers were visibly upset by the
experience although no one could blame the cruise line for the unpredictability of the weather.

POSITIVES

The availability of good coffee any time that I looked for cup was a joy. Whether to take a cup in mid
afternoon to the promenade for a bit of reading or to take by the navigator deck pool under the moonlight
before retiring, the coffee was good and available. (The reader may note that there is no review of the bars,
as neither I nor my wife drink alcoholic beverages. They are, as on most cruise ships, at every turn.)

The Champagne Strings, a quartet which played on most evenings in one of the lounges, were enjoyable.
While perhaps harkening more to gypsies than classical, and while perhaps confusing the speed of the
notation to the quality of the music, nonetheless we found it preferable to the fifties nostalgia nonsense which
was not that good in the fifties and thankfully is less heard as time goes by.

Nyron _ was in charge of shore excursions, and I can only say that he was cordial, polite and most
professional. My wife and I were 3 for 3 in missing shore excursions on Cozumel, Cayman and Jamaica for
one reason or another, so we had ample occasion to assess this man's considerable capabilities.

The breads aboard the Maasdam were baked on board, and they were uniformly excellent.

On one evening a BBQ was held on the Lido deck. We skipped the dining room and enjoyed the Caribbean
combo while enjoying the BBQ. Flags were decked out gaily, and the food was good. A very nice touch on the
cruise was this BBQ at sea.

IRRITATIONS

No cruise is perfect, and I will mention a few of my complaints.

Smoking cigarettes and cigars is still allowed in far too many places. I do not care if people are drug addicts
and smoke, but why must it be done around me. The smoke is offensive. (This complaint is repetitive and
cumulative with prior reviews).

On our day of arrival, Sunday, dinner was served by the assistant steward. The steward was 'reviewing
seating arrangements'. This made for slow and insufficient service, and as far as I am concerned,
arrangements could be made later, not during our dinner.

Generally, the no tipping policy appears to be counterproductive. The service was inferior to that
encountered on other ships. Only our room steward seemed to be efficient and unfailingly pleasant.

The Chinese midnight buffet was a disaster. When we lived in Toronto, Ontario, a trip to Chinatown for a
sumptuous repast was a pleasant activity. I learned to love good Chinese food. This buffet was the worst of
the cruise by a country mile.

Oddly, the windows in a number of locations needed a good washing. Celebrity and RCCL were meticulous in
washing the windows regularly, seeming an almost daily occurrence, but the Maasdam's windows were
carelessly maintained.

I have noted the excellent breads, all the more strange that the desserts were uniformly uninspired. Especially
lacking were chocolate anything of distinction. Even the cookies were without note.

The television was very limited. I do not sit about and watch much, but sometimes when I am waiting for my
wife, its nice to have some alternatives. This was your choice of 3 stations and 2 more for cruise info. I have
never missed ESPN so much.

CONCLUSION

Perhaps it is just the temporal nearness of the cruise, but despite the problems encountered, this was the
best cruise yet. Do not be misled by the number of negatives I have noted as they minor in nature relative to
the overall value of the cruise. The abundance of food and coffee, the pool aft on the Navigator deck, the
BBQ's, Half-Moon Cay and other highlights made this cruise most relaxing and enjoyable. I have no problem
recommending the Holland America Maasdam western Caribbean cruise. You will enjoy this cruise.

Happy sailing!

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