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Name: M.C. McBroom
Email: MCMcBroom@aol.com
Age: 40s
Occupation: communications specialist
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: June 22, 1998
Itinerary: Glacier Bay Alaskan 7-day Inside Passage
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 92
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 98
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 98
OverallPortsofCall: 97
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 96
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 92
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 97
ShopsOnBoard: 94
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 96
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 Jul 1998
Time: 20:13:32
Remote Name: 152.201.156.98
Remote User:
Comments
My husband, and mother and I just returned from the Glacier Bay Alaskan 7-day Inside
Passage Cruise aboard the Maasdam.
All three of us (ages 40s, 60s & 70s) were thrilled with the cruise - - and my husband
is not that easy to please! Holland America was first class in every
way. We stayed in mini-suite (B)129 with verandah and found it to be comfortable and
quiet.
The weather was incredible. We had sunny, warm days in all three ports (Juneau, Skagway
and Ketchikan). Our only rainy day was our first day at sea.
Going through one of the narrow channels in the fog and rain made me feel as if I were in
a hushed cathedral. I loved the silence of the ship gliding
through the water.
My husband and I wore everything I packed -- shorts; t-shirts, short-sleeved shirts,
turtleneck/long-sleeved cotton shirts, hooded sweatshirts, bathing
suits, jeans, dress slacks with matching scarves/ties, cotton knitted vest, sweater,
formal wear, exercise clothes, light jackets, lined raincoats with hoods,
sneakers and dress shoes. Dressing in layers is the correct way to go. Don’t bring
anything heavy. While some folks really dressed up for formal nights, I
was surprised to see women in something as simple as a Sunday dress. If you don’t
like to dress up, women can wear a simple dress and men a dark suit
(or sports jacket/slacks) and will look appropriate.
We selected a better grade of room rather than going on a lot of shore excursions. The
only excursion we booked through the cruise line was for the
Gold Creek Salmon Bake in Juneau ($26 per person). We thoroughly enjoyed it, and the
salmon was superb. The setting for the bake was 10 minutes
outside of town next to a wonderful creek and waterfall. The local singer sounded like
Judy Collins and was very good. You can catch an early shuttle bus
at 5:30 p.m. and miss the crowd. Watch for signs at the plankway of the boat.
If you are flexible, you can book less expensive excursions on your own right on the dock.
We did just that when we took a tour of Juneau and the
Mendenhall Glacier in a 12-person van ($15 a person). It was pleasant and a bargain.
We caught a $1 shuttle bus to downtown Skagway to save my mother some walking, but
it’s not a bad walk. The stores were charming. You can book the
White Pass Summit Scenic Railway for $78 a person at the train depot in town. One lady on
the ship said it was great, but we decided to skip it and
lounged in the ship’s pool and Jacuzzi instead.
Ketchikan was fun. We walked to the funicular (which is visible from the ship) and the
lovely Creek Street section. We rode the funicular to the top and
saw a beautiful lodge with interesting totem poles in the front courtyard. There’s
plenty to do in this pleasant town.
My husband spent time in the casino and liked the setup and personnel. He would have liked
for the tables to open earlier and would have preferred the
area to be smoke free. My mother and I would have preferred that the ship be smoke free,
but we were able to avoid the smoke most of the time.
If you like the outdoors as I do, bring your binoculars. I spent a lot of time on the deck
and saw whales, porpoises and bald eagles. The sunsets were
awesome. I also enjoyed watching the cruise ship convoys/traffic jams -- we were one of
three ships within sight of each other most of the trip. And there
were times we had to maneuver around other ships!
We especially enjoyed the entertainment aboard the Maasdam -- the violins in the lounge,
the Piano Bar, the incredible shows including a world class
pianist, a N.C. banjo player and the Maasdam performers.
Things I liked about the cruise -- scenery, the ship itself (elegant, lovely wood and
brass, nice decks); excellent service; good food; people on the ship;
entertainment; variety of activities; exercise room; promenade deck, reading room; dining
room, red-checked blankets, blue pool towels, etc.)
What I didn’t like -- those who smoked inside; the ice tea could have been tastier.
Don’t book this cruise if you are looking for wild partying and a young crowd. Book
this ship if you like classy, elegant surroundings and behavior. (What
a relief not to hear vulgarity at the shows or from fellow passengers.) We loved it!
It’s a trip of a lifetime!
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