Holland America M.S. Maasdam 8/1/2016
Maasdam Cruise Review to Alaska
14 Night Alaska Great Land Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: August 01, 2016
Ship: Maasdam
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 390
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
Where to begin? The staff of the Maasdam is beyond expectation. Room Steward Koko literally serviced our room at least 4 times a day, I swear he could hear a towel drop from the shower and was there to replace it in a heartbeat. He also taught us something, the ship has laundry service, $20 a bag, however, something that is on the laundry order sheet is "unlimited". Now think about this, for $98, we (wife andmyself) had laundry done, sometimes two times a day, washed, dried, folded or placed on hangers and back in our room in as little as 5 hours. The only laundry we came home with, was the items we were wearing!
Food in main dining room was very good, plenty of selections, and second and third portions were readily available (especially on Lobster night). The buffet in Lido was above our expectations. We had read and read about how your food is dowled out by the staff, and it is, however if you want twice as much, or a FULL plate of something, simply ask, there are no limits and plenty of smiles.
Swimming on the ship (remember this is Alaska) was available in the Lido pool, but rarely used. The outdoor pool, as far as I know was not used other than for the "polar bear challenge".
Not one day went by that we did not receive "mail" from the front desk, the communications were out of this world, they kept us abreast of everything you ould coneive of. Embarkation was a breeze, and debarkation was almost as easy. We suggest strongly, that cruizers take advantage of the Luggage Direct program. Read carefully: $19.95 for two pieces of luggage, NO WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS, taken from your stateroom door, and on the carousel waiting for you when your flight lands. My personal bag weighed 81 pounds when I weighed it at home, and I paid the airline not one nickel.
Our experience aboard this "old lady" was wonderful, the median age must have been close to 65 or higher, few if any kids. Would choose this ship again, if I find the right itinerary.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ports of call
Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska