Maasdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
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Holland America makes the best of COVID outbreak

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Maasdam
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dfriise48
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Feb 2020
Cabin: Large Ocean-View Stateroom

My wife and I booked these back to back to back cruises aboard the Maasdam to avoid flying home from an extended trip to SE Asia and Australia. It was also meant to give us an opportunity to visit numerous ports in the South Pacific that we were anxious to visit for the first time. This was our 20th cruise, our only previous HAL (Holland America) experience was an Alaskan cruisetour we thoroughly enjoyed that left us with a desire to try HAL again. We chose the Maasdam because of it's itinerary, schedule, modest size and the EXC program.

We boarded in Sydney and spent a wonderful two weeks visiting ports in Tasmania and then New Zealand. The two day crossing from Tasmania to New Zealand was a bit rocky but not bad enough to actually make either of us ill. Tasmania and New Zealand were both beautiful and fascinating places that we'd encourage anyone with the slightest interest to visit. The EXC program was wonderful. It was hosted by 5 Naturalists and a professional photographer each of whom gave several fascinating and informative presentations with humor and great presentation skills. It definitely sold us on the EXC program.

Be forewarned - if enjoying big stage productions is one of your cruising needs you probably will not enjoy this itinerary or ship - there are none. The EXC presentations are the focus. The entertainment also include several comedians, a sort of one man variety act and several musicians or musical groups. The acts ranged from fair to extraordinary with an English pianist (whose name I've of course forgotten) putting on some of the most enjoyable displays of talent I've seen at sea.

Cabin Review

Large Ocean-View Stateroom

Cabin was comfortable with small sofa and plenty of storage space. The bathroom had a tub with included shower. A balcony would have been nice but the large window does allow for sunshine and at least a view of the outside world.

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