HOLLAND AMERICA
MS MAASDAM
CANADA/NEW ENGLAND CRUISE TRAVELOGUE
TRAVELOGUE #1
Embarkation and First Day at Sea
May 8, 2009 and May 9, 2009
Hello everyone!
We arrived to the MS Maasdam around 2:30 p.m. and boarded the ship. Classic, old-world charm would best describe the Maasdam. There are several walkways with lined with display cases of ship replicas, antique china from Holland and a variety of other memorabilia. There are stunning floral arrangements throughout the ship and in the buffet, there is a different live orchid on each table.
The “festivities” are quite subdued on board the Maasdam as compared to other ships we’ve been on. Things are definitely more “refined”. The ladies coming around asking if you would like a cocktail are dressed in very conservation mid-calf length straight burgundy colored skirts and coordinating tops. There was a nice sailing away appetizer table set up with chips and several types of salsa and guacamole that you could help yourselves to down around the pool in the aft of the ship. There was a band playing Caribbean calypso type music – but quite low-key and very much in the background. There were not many people out on deck for the sail away at all.
Because we had had lunch so late in the day, we opted for dinner in the Lido Buffet which actually turns into a very nice buffet-type restaurant at night with white linens and all. Everything that was offered in the main dining room was offered up there as well, and after you placed your order with the maitre’d, your food was brought to your table. No “buffet” in the true sense of the world. I started my dinner with a delicious shrimp and scallop ceviche and had prime rib and risotto for dinner with green beans. Everything was delicious. I cannot begin to tell you how tender this prime rib was. Suffice it to say, that I could literally cut it with my fork! FABULOUS! We sat at a table next to a window with a view of Fort Lauderdale in the distance.
Because the ship is much smaller, there are not a whole lot of areas to go and “explore” We did like the looks of the “Crow’s Nest” lounge up on the 12th deck. It is in the front of the ship overlooking the bow with huge picture windows and quite comfortable seats for sitting and viewing or relaxing and reading a good book. At night, it turns into a dance floor with a DJ. We took in the first Maasdam Show after dinner introducing the singers and dancers and the cruise director. The showroom is quite intimate with velvet curtains and velveteen covered seats and brass railings facing the triple oval stage. The show was nothing spectacular, but it was nice to see the venue and all. After that, we stopped by the casino to make a little “deposit” and then came back to our stateroom.
Our stateroom is a mini-suite. We have a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and shower. There are two closets, one for Jim and one for me, each with a hanging side and another side of floor to ceiling shelves. There are two drawers for each of us on either side of the bed; and in addition to that, there are nine drawers at the vanity! There is a natural colored wicker chair and chaise lounge on our little verandah with a small table. It is quite nice out there!
This morning, Saturday, we started our day with a light breakfast up in the Lido Buffet. We are impressed with the food thus far on the ship. I went to a digital camera presentation while Jim went to the Shore Excursion talk. We met up together for a Culinary Arts presentation by the Chef of the Pinnacle Grill – the specialty restaurant onboard the ship. He showed us how to make Tequila Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche. And, then they gave out samples and recipes! Yummo! There are several more culinary events planned while we are on board. I’ve even signed up for two hands-on cooking demonstrations and lessons, so I’m looking forward to that.
Jim attended a lecture by author Bruce Chadwick whose specialty is George Washington and the American Revolutionary era. He has written a number of books, and I know that Jim will really enjoy that.
While Jim was doing that, I was at the “spa” in the “capsule”. It is a capsule type device that relaxes you for 25 minutes and is supposed to be equal to having 2 hours of good sleep. Now it’s time for a nap!
We have met numerous people on board the ship from California – several from San Diego area from Oceanside to Santee. It’s a very small world!
As I sit here in our cabin, it is about 3:45 p.m. EST on Saturday, I have the door open to our verandah (which is totally covered by the deck above) , and I am just enjoying watching the calm waters of the Atlantic Ocean pass by. We are not sailing fast – only about 10-11 knots which is quite slow. It is quite pleasant outside – about 70-75° with no winds whatsoever. I can hear the gentle lapping of the water against the ships hull as we sail along. I think that chaise lounge out there is calling my name!
Tomorrow we will be in Charleston, South Carolina.
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