1st timer riding the Maasdam... any suggestions?

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Walldozer

Guest
My wife and I are going on our first cruise on 4/13 and I am soooooo excited. We will be on the Maasdam going to Key West, Cozumel, Grand Caymans, and Half Moon Cay. Does anyone have any suggestions or hints on two things. First, any suggestions on how to better enjoy our time while we are on the trip (ie. things a first time cruiser might miss, or mistakes that we might make that could be avoided). Second, my wife and I are relatively young newlyweds and are trying to save money, any suggestions on how we might be able to do that.

Oh yes, I almost forgot. Does anyone know if they have hair dryers on the ship or do you have to bring one? Also, how do you press out the wrinkles that you get in your suits and dresses (ones brought for formal dinner) after you get on the boat.

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated and very very helpful. As stated above, we have never been on a cruise and do not know anyone who has traveled on Holland-America so we truly do not know what to expect.

Thank you so much,
Wally
 
T

tomc

Guest
When you buy something onboard, write down what it cost. Physically put pen to paper and keep a running total. You will be surprised how much you spend and how quickly. This will help you keep your spending within whatever bounds you have set.

There are irons in the laundry room.

Don't do everything. Save something for next time -- it will give you a good excuse to book another cruise.

It's your cruise, not anyone else's. If friends tell you you just have to do this and see that, smile at them and nod in agreement. As soon as you get onboard, forget it. If you run into someone during the cruise who likes to run everybody else's life, just smile and move away. If that doesn't work, tell them you have your own plans, thank you.

You do not have to chip in for someone's alcohol needs during supper. If you and your wife do not drink and someone says, "Let's all share a bottle," tell them your religion prohibits purchase or consumption of alcohol.

If you buy photos, make sure the photographer does not slip another one in with it and charge you for both. They do that these days. If you want one, and only one, photo then tell them it's one or nothing. The photographers are like head lice: they are in your hair and you can't get rid of them. Smile and nod.

You will never be pressured to buy alcohol. Whatever you want is there, but only when you want it. Tip per visit to the bar.

Tipping is not required. That means they will not hint, talk about it or leave envelopes on your pillow. But it's still the universal symbol of gratitude. The industry standard is --per person-- $3.50 a day for the waiter and cabin steward, half that for the assistant waiter; others as appropriate. Many of us give them more, as the service is so wonderful.
 
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sail7seas

Guest
If you do a "search" on the Community Seciton of this BB, you will find many comments I have posted re: Maasdam in the last two years.

We have cruised her about 8 times in that time period and she is our favorite ship. We have back-to-backs booked on Maasdam for November and can't wait to return to her.
She is beautiful, lovingly maintained and carries a fabulous crew. A very gracious, welcoming comfortable ship IMO

Hope you enjoy her as much as we do.
 
J

JBB

Guest
The key is to just relax and enjoy every day. The private island is great. Rent somesnorkle gear for the day or bring your own. Key West - been there dozens of times. Walk around or take the trolley tour. Doesn't cost much and you can get off and on around the island. Cozumel - we took the Jeep "Yeep" ride for the day up on the northern end of the island. Never laughed so hard on this ride. Bring some wine with you if you want to. HAL lets you carry on wine, sodas, beer, water, etc. Saves you some money over the week. We also bring insulated drink mugs with us. No problem. See the shows. They are good.
 
J

JBB

Guest
there are hair dryers on board but they are "weak". My wife prefers to bring her own since it has more power....
 
S

Sabina

Guest
My husband and I just got back from a trip on the Maasdam 9 days ago. I would agree about the hair dryers, bring your own. There are laundry facilities provided with irons for any wrinkles that may need pressing.

We've been on 4 cruises now and I have to say that the best food award would have to go to HAL. Don't miss out on the chocolate cake at the late-night buffets. I had a piece just about every night with a scoop of ice cream on the side. Yummy:)

Although this isn't the grandest ship that we've been on, we really enjoyed ourselves. I overheard people from time to time complaining about this or that, ignore them! If you aren't a ship critic and are there for a fun time, you'll have just that! We always felt like the ship was kept very clean and has aged very well. It's also a great size, not too big and not too small.

The only thing we were slightly disappointed about was the lack of young couples on our trip. We are 28 and were hoping that there would be some 30-somethings to hang out with. We ended up making friends with another young couple a few days into our trip and had a great time with them at the Ocean Bar after dinner. There is a band that plays in there every night that is really entertaining and fun to watch or dance to. I think that we literally only saw 2-3 young couples besides us and our new friends. Although, that may not be a problem depending on what you guys have in mind.

One thing you may want to think about is this - we always ask for the late dinner seating. I know, I know, I'm not big on eating late like most people. What we've found though in previous cruises is that if you get the early seating it really puts you in a time pinch when on shore seeing the sights. You usually want to shower and dress before dinner and that means less time on shore if you have to be back on the ship early for dinner. Just something I thought I'd mention...

Hope that helps!
 
K

KismetCruiser

Guest
Wally,

My boyfriend and I were first time cruisers on Maasdam last August. I love that ship! She is classy and regal! We are going back out next month on Zuiderdam and couldn't be more excited!

In answer to the question about the blow dryers, I have waist long hair and the dryers on the ship just didn't cut it. I don't even own a blow dryer, but will be buying one before we leave this time, as the afternoon showers before dinner meant wet hair in formal wear, or borrow from my boyfriend's mom, who was a few cabins down from us.

In terms of stuff to do, we loved the Cozumel Sail, Snorkel and Beach Party. The water was SOOOOOO warm and beautiful! And the Fury crew was hilarious! (It was actually my favorite shore excursion) In the Caymans, we did the Stingray Snorkel, which my bf and his family (there were 10 of us total) loved more then me, but I just wasn't comfortable with the things swimming up to me on their own. :)

Cayman had wonderful shops everywhere just off the dock, with all kinds of cool stuff. Cozumel was kind of under construction at the dock when we were there, but I still poked around and found some cute stuff. I purchased my Tanzanite onboard, but they has some wonderful jewelry in Cozumel. We loved everything we did!

I hope your trip is as great as mine was and I hope to get to visit the Maasdam some other trip! She's a great ship!
 
S

stargazerm31

Guest
Great ship. Sitting on the Promenade deck at sea or by the pool is great. If you are a pool person, stay on the ship at Ocho Rios, you get the pool almost all to yourself.

Have a wonderful time.
 
S

stargazerm31

Guest
I would also suggest that you go check out the reviews on the board. I have one from October 2002 that did the same itinary as you. That would be the best bet to get some ideas.

:)
 
S

sail7seas

Guest
Just got it confirmed from "one who knows of what he speaks" that Maasdam is indeed scheduled for drydock in October. She is definitely getting a Pinnacle at the drydock but not sure if she will get a Neptune Lounge.
 
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