7 day Canada cruise

Item: Maasdam
Rating: 3.2
Author: chefchampagne

Maasdam Cruise Review to Canada, New England, New York

chefchampagne

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 27

Overall rating:

3.2 out of 5

14 Night New England & Canada Discovery (Boston Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 28, 2018

Ship: Maasdam

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 374

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Our cabin attendant was very kind and friendly, staff overall was engaging. This was the first cruise for my sister and I, and while we enjoyed the fast paced tempo of a new port everyday I don’t think either of us would choose this cruise line again. We had the most fun when we were off the boat wandering around the port cities. We chose not to do the excursions, which overall were pretty expensive and mostly took you away from the cities themselves. I was nervous all week eating on the ship that I was going to get sick from eating gluten. My sister has an onion allergy and was also nervous when she asked what she could have. Staff in the dining room just wants to hustle you through the line like cattle and it was hard to communicate. I’ll probably try another cruise, but on another cruise line.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Limited options and poor labeling for people with food allergies, in particular gluten free. It was difficult to communicate with the staff regarding what I could and couldn’t have. Mealtimes became limited when dining in the cafeteria, the restaurants were slightly better but I shouldn’t have to pay them even more money to ensure I don’t get sick on vacation.

Lido Restaurant

2 out of 5

This was where we ate most of our meals, because it was included in what we’d already paid. The highest volume restaurant on the ship, it’s basically a cafeteria dressed up as a buffet. Best stick to things made to order like salads or pasta. Anything sitting under the heat lamps was over cooked. Good luck if you have a food allergy, nothing is labeled and the staff isn’t well educated about what it means have a gluten allergy for instance. I asked for gluten free toast one morning, it was sliced on a cutting board covered in regular bread crumbs. I asked for a new piece and then it was put into the regular toaster where it landed in even more bread crumbs. I asked for a new piece and 10 minutes later got a warmed piece of gluten free bread. Thankfully I was watching closely, I would have gotten really sick. Gluten free pasta was offered but I didn’t dare try it. Some further training would be appropriate. Omelets and fried eggs were great! Salad bar was also wonderful. One gluten free dessert was offered a night other than ice cream, it was available to everyone so I didn’t always get to try it. Taco bar next to Lido pool was pretty good also.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Aft Pool

2 out of 5

Each day when leaving port, black sooty pieces would cover the pool and deck area. I could feel it hitting my skin, it was in my hair, my drink, my pool bag. It stained my bathing suit. By the looks of the deck chairs it’s been happening a long time. Really gross.

Casino

3 out of 5

Smoking area isn’t well ventilated so it all smells pretty bad. Also kind of hard to get a drink, although they were the strongest on the ship. Also, no one told is how the keycards and game machines worked until we asked another guest.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Service staff was friendly but sometimes difficult to communicate with due to language barriers. My family and I often went without water during meal periods in the dining room when staff was walking back and forth past us. Bar service poolside ended around 5pm each day with the sudden disappearance of the waitstaff when you wanted another drink.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Public areas appeared clean, ship overall could use major updating. My sister and I spent most late afternoons outside laying next to the pool. Each day when we’d leave the ports, black sooty pieces would blow through the air all over the pool deck covering everything and everyone. You could feel it hitting your skin, and it stained my wet bathing suit.

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

When we checked into our room, we found a dirty washcloth behind a pillow on the couch and melted ice in the container for the mini bar. Our air conditioning didn’t work once during the entire trip despite us asking it to be looked at.