Maasdam Review
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After reading another passenger's review of the cruise I just left, I was shocked, as my feelings were almost exactly opposite. So, here's another opinion.
We just returned from the December 12, 2011 sailing of the Maasdam to the Southern Caribbean for 11 days. This was our fourteenth cruise and for sure was the BEST. First, we love Holland America. I believe their staff are unsurpassed. The Dutch officers are gentlemen and the crew (mostly Fillipino and Indonesian) are the most courteous, cheerful and eager to please.
We booked a verandah cabin. About a week before sailing, HAL emailed to offer an upgrade to a deluxe verandah suite. We accepted. We are a retired couple living on modest income, so this is not something we could normally afford, but I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime spoil, and so it was. On newer ships most of the suites are just a few feet wider than standard cabins but on the Maasdam, they are huge. Our cabin was lovely in every respect including comfort, decor and cleanliness. Our stewards were wonderful and the convenience of having a concierge and using the Neptune Lounge was invaluable.
Cabin Review
Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite
Several days before our cruise we were given the opportunity to upgrade from a verandah cabin to a deluxe verandah suite, which we took and boy!, was it worth it. Cabin was HUGE. Balcony was HUGE. Every single aspect of it was absolutely wonderful, including the use of the Neptune Lounge and it's accompanying conceirge. Bed was fabulous. Decor lovely. Very clean. Very quiet.
On most of the newer ships there is little difference between a verandah cabin and a suite - usually the cabin is just a couple of feet wider, but on the older Maasdam, the suite is really large - feels more like an apartment.