Let me first say,this was a fantastic trip. This was the Holland America I fell in love with years ago,that hooked me on cruisin.  We flew in two days early so we could go to a Red Sox Vs Yankees game. We flew Jet Blue from Florida and stayed at the Boston Sheraton for $91 a night which I booked on priceline. The hotel was great,it was 15 minute walk to Fenway Park,5 minute walk to the train,and had an incredible view of the Boston skyline from the 26th floor.The fist day was cold and dreary,we walked to Fenway and saw the Red Sox beat the Yankees. The whole energy around this beautiful park is amazing. It's something everybody should experience once in their life The next day we took the hop on/hop off Boston trolley around to all the sights. We went to Fanuel Hall,the North End,Boston Commons etc. The trolley was $36 each for all day. The weather was great and the sights even better The next morning we took a cab to the ship for $15. We arrived at about 11:15 and we were aboard by 12:00. The ship is gorgeous the crew extra friendly and as soon as I swiped my card,I had this overwhelming good feeling of "Ahh This Is Going To Be Good" and it certainly was We had lunch in the dining room,which was a real treat and avoided the Lido fiasco.  We did the lifeboat drill and we sailed away to start our cruise.We met our cabin steward Suwarmin we saw him every single day sometimes twice I might add. Suwarmin was the towel animal king,he must have taken advanced courses,his towel animals were intricate and detailed the best I've ever seen We went up to the spa and joined the thermal suite for a week (this is our drug of choice) the cost was $150 for a couple. We never missed a day there and it is pure heaven We had fixed traditional dining at 8pm. We had an awesome table right on the stern looking at the wake... sweet. We had fantastic waitstaff our waiter was Abu and his assistant Soltun. We were at a table for 6 but nobody ever showed the whole trip and we had this big table all alone the whole trip (I'm not complaining) Next morning was Bar Harbor Maine. We tendered in and we were renting a car from Enterprise for the day to drive the 27 mile loop in Acadia National Park. We were picked up by Enterprise and drove almost 30 minutes to their office. It was a rainy dreary day,and we put our "El Cheapo" rain ponchos to good use. It was still beautiful and can only imagine how stunning it must be on a sunny day. We stopped at all the sights to take pictures,Jordon Pond,thunder hole etc. It was an early day we were sailing away at 3pm so we got back to town,boarded tender,and went to the spa. A great day,I just hope the sun starts to show. Our dinner was great and we were tired and went to bed after dinner Nex Morning was Halifax- We ordered room service scarfed it down and headed ashore. We rented a car again and drove to Peggys Cove. We managed to beat most of the buses there. I have to tell you folks,this is a beautiful place but highly overrated IMO. The real beauty is up ahead on the drive to Mahone Bay and Leunenberg. I would suggest going to Peggys Cove ,but not spending too much time there. Mahone Bay is absolutely stunning,and you have a Kodak moment every 100 yards on the driver out there.It is also beautiful in Leunenberg with lots of shops and resaurants. The best place to take pictures of Leunenberg is from the golf course across from the harbor. This drive is a photographers dream. Oh yeah the sun came out today. You guessed it we went back to the ship and went to the spa,ate dinner and went to bed next morning was Sydney- We ordered room service went ashore and rented another car. We drove to Fort Louisburg. Wow what a place this is and the sun is out again. It's easy to spend the day there. We took in this whole beautiful place and then walked way out a path to the ocean for more amazing photo opportunities. We then went to the Louisburg lighthouse,which is about a mile from the Fort as your leaving town. In my opinion this lighthouse and it's backdrop was way prettier than Peggys Cove. I thought the Fort was going to be a Universal Studios and jammed with millions of people. There really wasn't that many people there to be quite honest. I guess we hadn't hit peak season. Back to the ship,head to the spa,eat dinner and go to bed Next Morning Prince Edward Island- This was my personal favorite place, I don't even know why? I just felt a spiritual connection here. The sun was out and this is where the farmland meets the sea. I've never seen grass as green as here anywhere. We drove all over the scenic coastal road and then went to the Anne of Green Gables House. This was a great place and it's simply beautiful. We hit the town of Rustico which is very scenic,and then I had some Fried clams in a beautiful restaurant in New London with floor to ceiling windows out on the bay watching the lobster boats come in,life is good. This place is beyond beautiful,I hope I make it back there one day. We went out on the bow as we were leaving this beautiful place. THis is where you want to be . Awesome day. back to the ship,went to spa ate dinner ,but stayed up tonight for tomorrow is a sea day. We went to the newlywed game which was a riot. We then went to the Filipino crew show. It was wonderful as usual. We then went to the adult comic,(not so good) I'm way funnier folks trust me Next day- Sea day Just a simple day to overdose on spa and tile loungers. This touring around and hiking is wearing me out. This was the second formal night and dinner was delicious and EVERYBODY was dressed,few tuxes but lots of suits, I met Sail7seas tonight and her husband Richard super people, and now I know why they love the Maasdam so much Next day Quebec- The sun has gone away and it's a little rainy and dreary,not to worry this place is beautiful. We walked all over this stunning place. A great day rain or shine. Simply gorgeous Back to the ship head to the spa,wait a minute. I'm getting that sick feeling in my stomach. I go to my cabin and I see the Rubber "Luggage" mats on our bed. This is a subtle reminder that we must pack and the trip will soon be over Last night we went to the Pinnacle for dinner. The dinner was sensational but we were close to the dining room. I could hear all the hooping and hollerin fun going on in there (master chefs dinner) and I was asking myself "Why Am In This,Can Hear A Pin Drop Pinnacle,when they're having so much fun in the dining room?I miss my guys Abu and Soltun anyway Wrap up- I had NO expectations for this cruise. I have only done Alaskan and Caribbean cruises. My wife and I agree,after our first cruise which hooked us on cruisng (nothing can top that) this was a very close second. I can't rave enough, beautiful ship and extra friendly crew. I mean everybody The spa staff couldn't do enough and we're always smiling. The photographers went the extra mile to get good photos. Every single crew member on this ship,from the towel attendant in the spa,to the guy polishing a bras railing had a smile. This crew love working on this ship and it shows. The whole dining experience took me back to the good old days. The waitstaff were fun, gregarious and we couldn't wait to get to dinner to see them. We even had the Maitre'd stop by evey single evening just to pour a glass of water and check in on us. I haven't seen that in six cruises. Some of the other ships should take a glimpse of the Maasdam and how a ship should operate I had none of the problems I read about on these boards. I saw my room steward everday. We ordered room service every morning and every item that was checked on the card arrived hot and as ordered. My coffee card and pinnacle grill reservations that I prebooked were waiting for me in my cabin. The aroma scented showers in the spa had aroma. My robes were a cheery white.I must be the luckiest man alive This was a photography trip. My wife brought all kinds of fancy shmancy lenses. I have to tell you this renting a car is tiring but you see way more and you save bundles of money. A ships trip to the Fort Louisburg was $99 or $189 and you got to eat luch with only a spoon We rented a car and the admission to the Fort was $18 Canadian. The same holds true for Anne Of green Gables House. It only cost us $6 to get in observations- Even though my wife had a 2 ft lense attached to her camera, people continue to walk in front of her while she's taking a picture why is this? Did You Ever Notice? Every port while 1200 people are trying to disembark the ship and head down the gangway. There'a always one guy who's trying to go against the grain and get back on the ship while 1200 people are trying to get off,why is this? Montreal part two- We got off the ship and had pre-arranged to spend two nights in Montreal. We had booked a bed and breakfast at the Ginger Bread Manor from Ephraim who's also a cruise critic member We took a cab to the Gingerbread Manor which was located in a hip and trendy section not far from Old Montreal called the Plateau What a warm and cozy place the Ginger Bread Manor was. The house was beautiful and had everything one could want. Spotless clean rooms,a house with character everywhere you looked,great area,and super Friendly hosts Ephraim and Yve. It's a good thing I didn't stay in Montreal prior to the cruise. The breakfast we had each morning at the Gingerbread were the best I've ever had PERIOD wow, now that's a breakfast HAL can't compete. Our host Ephraim and Yve couldn't do enough for us,and knew everything about the area and watched over us and took good care of us. I feel like we met two friends and hope we meet up with them again. Thanks Ephraim and Yve We walked down to old Montreal each day and took in all the sights, Beautiful city,lots to see,and I'm glad we hung around to take this beautiful city in. At night we would walk two minutes from our room in the Plateau section and there was loads of outdoor cafes that were jammed packed with people and a happening place. There's something to be said about eating outdoors and people watching. What fun After two wonderful days we waved by to Ephraim from a taxi cab window and headed to the airport. That's all folks. It was a sensational trip. I will try to answer any questions you might have. My wife has over 2000 photos and soon as I can I will post some of them.  I have some on my blog as well.