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A magical cruise

Maasdam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 15

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Verified Review
Maasdam

10 Night Southern Caribbean Wayfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 23, 2007

Ship: Maasdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 14 years ago

Review summary

My wife, Marjorie, and I found the Maasdam of the Holland-America Line, to be a ship that truly caters to one's every whim. Our cabin steward was absolutely the very best. He took care of us in a way that reminds one of "the good old days". Anything we needed, he took care of. The food was the best, expecially in the dining room. We enjoyed the warm atmosphere of the ship, the cleanliness, and the smoothness of all the logistical challenges

Ports of call

Fort-De-France, Martinique

1 out of 5
We had high expectations of this historic island. After all, it was the site of the Mt. Pelee vulcanic explosion in 1902, which killed more than 20,000 people. It also was the birthplace of Napoleon's mistress and wife, Josephine. Her statue in the park in Fort-de-France was vandalized some years ago - the head was knocked off - and I realized why this was done. Napoleon introduced some progressive reforms, but he also restricted the rights of women in France, and reintroduced slavery in the West Indies. We found the capital seedy and vaguely threatening, reminiscent of an old Graham Greene novel. We were cheated out of the few purchases we made - and our friends encountered the same treatment - and we were glad to be back on the Maasdam after a few hours in this unwelcoming little town.
Thumbs Up

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

3 out of 5
My wife has some skin cancer on her nose, so we decided not to visit the beautiful beach on Half Moon Cay. However, from the 12th deck of our ship we could see the activities on the island, and it appeared as if everyone was having a very good time. Maybe next time we will venture out and see this pretty slip of land in the Bahamas.
Thumbs Up

Fort-De-France, Martinique

1 out of 5
We had high expectations of this historic island. After all, it was the site of the Mt. Pelee vulcanic explosion in 1902, which killed more than 20,000 people. It also was the birthplace of Napoleon's mistress and wife, Josephine. Her statue in the park in Fort-de-France was vandalized some years ago - the head was knocked off - and I realized why this was done. Napoleon introduced some progressive reforms, but he also restricted the rights of women in France, and reintroduced slavery in the West Indies. We found the capital seedy and vaguely threatening, reminiscent of an old Graham Greene novel. We were cheated out of the few purchases we made - and our friends encountered the same treatment - and we were glad to be back on the Maasdam after a few hours in this unwelcoming little town.
Thumbs Up

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5
We liked the island. The shopping is said to be just about the very best in the Caribbean, and we did buy a few items. The beaches we saw were spectacular, and we had a very good time on St. Maarten/St. Martin
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: The beaches

Castries, St. Lucia

5 out of 5
This was one of our very favorite island. It was lush, beautiful, interesting, with gorgeous flora and fauna, and spectacular inlets, coves and beaches. This is one island we want to return to.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: Some of the little romantic inlets.

Bridgetown, Barbados

3 out of 5
We only saw the capital, which was interesting. Our tablemates, who became our friends, took a trip across the island, and had a terrific time, told us that we had missed a golden opportunity to see a romantic island.
Thumbs Up

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5
How different English and Dutch island are, vis-a-vis that of the French! Tortola was sheer delight. We took a trip by taxi across the island, and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. It was interesting, clean, safe and attractive. We definitely want to return to Tortola. Maybe next time we will even venture to Virgin Gorda, which our tablemates visited and liked.
Thumbs Up

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5
How different English and Dutch island are, vis-a-vis that of the French! Tortola was sheer delight. We took a trip by taxi across the island, and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. It was interesting, clean, safe and attractive. We definitely want to return to Tortola. Maybe next time we will even venture to Virgin Gorda, which our tablemates visited and liked.
Thumbs Up

Bridgetown, Barbados

3 out of 5
We only saw the capital, which was interesting. Our tablemates, who became our friends, took a trip across the island, and had a terrific time, told us that we had missed a golden opportunity to see a romantic island.
Thumbs Up

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5
We liked the island. The shopping is said to be just about the very best in the Caribbean, and we did buy a few items. The beaches we saw were spectacular, and we had a very good time on St. Maarten/St. Martin
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: The beaches

Castries, St. Lucia

5 out of 5
This was one of our very favorite island. It was lush, beautiful, interesting, with gorgeous flora and fauna, and spectacular inlets, coves and beaches. This is one island we want to return to.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: Some of the little romantic inlets.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

3 out of 5
My wife has some skin cancer on her nose, so we decided not to visit the beautiful beach on Half Moon Cay. However, from the 12th deck of our ship we could see the activities on the island, and it appeared as if everyone was having a very good time. Maybe next time we will venture out and see this pretty slip of land in the Bahamas.
Thumbs Up

Pros: The flawless service, the scrumptious food, the warm ambiance

Cons: The Island of Martinique. The

Recommends Maasdam? Yes!

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1 Comment

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.
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