Maasdam Cruise Reviews - Reviews

I loved the smaller ship vs the mega-liners.  The staff was great, very friendly and helpful.  Embarkation and disembarkation was both extremely easy and fast.  The quality and taste of the food was excellent, although the variety/selection/availability could be improved.  We much prefer a self-service buffet on the Lido deck, and would like the Grill to be open for the dinner hours as well as lunch.  The ship's entertainers were first-rate.  There was virtually no passenger-participation  entertainment, such as Karaoke, talent show/contest, choir.  Even for the two times (we had to convince them to hold more than one) that Karaoke was hosted, the selection was limited, and they did not know how or have the proper equipment to change the key.  We really missed that aspect of cruising.  The ports on this Alaska cruise were great, the scenery outstanding, and overall it was a wonderful cruise. 

The best part of the cruise was the spa treatments I got. I would have liked a better food selection at the Lido buffet. My experience at the other food choices were not very good. The crew was very nice and did a excellent job during the cruise. I would recommend, but with a word of caution about the food.  

Pros- good food

          great entertainment

          great ports

          glacier stops were fantastic

Cons - did not get room credit promised from .

          - too short a time in some of the ports

This was our second cruise on Maasdam and our third cruise with Holland America. We like the beautiful ship, good food, classical music every evening, friendly staff both in hotel and in the restaurant.

We would suggest more steamed vegetables as a side dish to meat and fish (which were indeed plentiful and gorgeous).

We want to thank our agent Margaret Burdick for the magnificent trip, for her friendliness and patience working with a large group of 6 people.

The 14 day cruise takes you to ports other cruises don't. 14 days is almost not long enough for you to take in everything. Had a wonderful time and going back again in September for the changes in the weather.

Entertainment was good and you didn't have time to get bored on ship while out to sea. Lots of things to do and see.

The Holland America Maasdam was a terrific, older ship that was small which allowed it to get into every port we visited...no tenders! The staff could not do enough for their passengers: the food, entertainment and general atmosphere of the ship was superb. The ports of call were great and I was impressed that we either docked in town or there was a free shuttle to take us to town (with the exception of Victoria) 14 days was the perfect length for this perfect vacation!

had a wonderful time cruising Alaska on the Maasdam from Holland America. Staff and service were excellent. Room and available services were very good. First rate tour options but weather was inconsistent, sometimes very pleasant other times overcast and misty. Pretty small showroom so you needed to get in early to find a seat. Very little available activities for the third, final at sea day.

This was my first time on Holland America. Cruising on the smaller ships was excellent. I really enjoyed walking and viewing scenery from the promenade deck which goes around the ship. The ship was able to get very close the glaciers. The temperature for our trip was warm. Overall the trip was fantastic.

This was a fantastic cruise.  Our agent selected the perfect outside cabin for us on Deck 4 near the front elevators.  The ship moved very smoothly; we couldn't tell when we docked at ports or shoved off.  The staff and crew were great.  Service was outstanding.  Meals were delicious, introducing us to new foods, and were presented artistically.  Floral arrangements around the ship were beautiful; the flowers always appeared as if just picked.  All ports of call were interesting.  I can't say anything about the excursions because we didn't take any.  We were quite lucky with the weather...it was warm and sunny in every port.  The only complaints I heard from anyone was that the clothes we packed for cold, wet weather were not needed.  It took me 37 years to get my husband on a cruise; it took less than 24 hrs for him to like it!  Thanks, Angela Dawson.

We perfer smaller ships and Maasdam was great for us.  With only 1200 guests, you actually see some of the same people more than once and the crew get to know you by name,  It never felt crowded on board - there was always a seat or table or chaise lounge to be found.  An excellent size gym with new equipment, but did not like their charge of $12 for a yoga or Pilates class.  Morning stretch and aerobics were free. 

Food service in the buffet restaurant can be slow as it's not self serve - they serve you.  Also enjoyed both of their speciality restaurants.  

Wolud definitely consider Maasdam for future cruises. 

This route is very beautiful and with a great crew, however the onboard experience do not achieve our expectation. The main dinner room (Rooterdam) is ok, with good food but the restaurant at Lido aren't 24h or even open until Midnight and have only few options of food and plates (always repeating).

Beyond that, the onboard entertainment was very poor, without even radio music and inloco shows (bands or singers) to bring more happiness in at least one of their two pools. The music only happened 2 days, with no more than 1 hour each day. Additional that, the ship have +20 years, so the technology and innovation isn't their biggest motivation comparing with others ships.  

Comparing with others cruises that We already did with Costa and Norwegian, Maasdam was the poorest experience cruising.

it was nice being able to see four different places in a week.  Relaxed on beach in Bahamas, Swam with dolphins in Jamaica, Swam with stingrays in Cayman Islands and had some mexican beer and guacamole in Mexico.  

this particular ship needs to be retired as well as most of the staff. The staff was either brand new and not trained correctly, or burned out and didn't want to be good. Long time holland America cruisers we spoke to were very disappointed in overall shape or ship, poor service, not prompt docking by at the end. We docked hours late and many many missed flights home. Didn't plan on spending a night in San Diego plus meals hotel. I can go I and on but will stop now.  I'm still upset a week since we've gotten home. 

The best part was the carnival samba parade in Rio. The unusual natural  beauty of the Amazon. We had good lecturer on the ship who highlighted the history and the geography of the places we visited. Not to mention the Microsoft classes provided useful information about the new Windows 10. On sea days we had to make a decision which function to attend they had quite a few program to choose from.

Most on our cruise were over 60 (not a bad thing), so a relaxed pace and quieter group.  No issue on getting deck chairs or dining room tables.  Although main shows were busy, there were always a few seats for anyone coming in late.   Many did not go to shore at stops in Brazil, so usually no lines - except a 15 min or so wait for tendering. Ship was very clean, always picked up.  Rooms cleaned promptly.   However there were leaks in some of plumbing (not our room), so fans on often.  Food generally very good, although selection a bit skimpy (maybe because it is small ship - Maasdam).

Never cruised with Holland America before. We had been warned that it would be an older demographic, but hoped since it was the Christmas holiday season that it would be more balanced.  The mix was good - children, teens, adults and seniors.  We had outstanding weather so we were very lucky.  

Overall a good cruise. Staff very helpful, cabin attendant Bagus, excellent.

Dining room, helpful and attentive, food excellent as usual.

Bad experience in Pinnacle, service so slow we left. Dinner delivered to cabin.

Shower knob controlling temperature loose, kept getting hotter. Called 90, man came and fixed it. TV went out, called for repair.

excursions-7 mile beach, very good,, never could find promised bottle of water.

Major disappointment, Cozumel excursion, 12 meter yacht race cancelled for lack of participants. understand change possible but picked this cruise for it.

Dry dock for Maasdam, a must!

We are very grateful to World Travel Holdings for the detail and gifts found when we enter the cabin. It made our travel on the Masdam very enjoyable.

Thank You!

I expected a lot more from HAL.  I expected better service, I expected better food, I expected better shore excursions.  I didn't get any of that.  The food was okay...not great.  The service...okay...not great.  Lines? Everywhere. Everything had a line.  Wasn't the whole point of a smaller ship to have less lines?  The shore excursions...not even good.  My family took 3 different excursions in Jamaica...all of us were disappointed.  Things were a bit better in Cozumel, but this isn't a premium cruise line by any means.  Stick to RCCL...better all around.

enjoyed the cruise. was disappointed that we couldn't stop at Grand Turk or Half Moon Cay. Food was good but would be nice to be able to have smaller portions for people who don't eat a lot but still want to eat in the dining room. Ship was very clean and staff very friendly and helpful. Shows in the evening were not what they used to be. I didn't go to many of them. Music was nice.