Overview
The Maasdam, which entered service in 1994, is still a classy ship. Like the other Holland America ships, she exudes a warm, high-quality feel through rich woods and a $2 million antiques and art collection. The crew provides especially friendly and proficient service. Outstanding mid-priced cabins and great pool options add up to an excellent cruise opportunity.

Public Rooms
The three-deck grand atrium stars a 30-foot-high glass sculpture, "Totem," by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi. Bars and lounges are all classy. The two-deck-high Rembrandt Lounge, seating 600 in two nightly shows, is a stunner. The decor features luxurious mahogany wood and Delft-tile designs, except for the glaringly glitzy stage curtain. The lower level, like her sister ships, provides individual upholstered chairs and sofas, offering a welcome flexibility not available on ships whose showrooms feature fixed row seating. This is also the scene of enrichment lectures, as well as Snowball Cash Bingo.

The modern Crow's Nest on Sport's Deck gleams with wondrous views through its walls of windows, the spot for ocean viewing by day and especially glamorous when the ship departs in the evening hours, such as at St. Thomas where the lights twinkle up the hills. Cocktail hours lure passengers for a drink and hot hors d'oeuvres. They're also served at the Ocean Bar, a small but popular spot where a quartet plays familiar dance music. The crowd thins out after dinner.

Cognacs, designer coffees and fresh chocolates, accompanied by The Champagne Strings, are served in the Explorers Lounge from 9 p.m. to midnight, while cigars are on tap in the Dolphin Bar. The Maasdam has a cozy Leyden Library where reference and travel books line the shelves; the contiguous card room accommodates 48 players at a time. The Java Cafe, outside the Wajang Theater where recent movies are shown, is underutilized. Fresh popcorn is served here at movie times. The ship lacks a central lounge conducive to large gatherings, such as the Captain's cocktail parties, which is held in the Rembrandt Lounge. Gorgeous fresh flower arrangements dot the public areas. Four self-service laundry rooms are located throughout the ship.

Fitness and Recreation
The Maasdam appeals to every age group with its recreational features. The spa and gym are located at the top the ship with a fabulous forward view. Equipment has been expanded; for instance, the number of treadmills has been doubled. The aerobics room is large and the sauna/steam rooms are outstanding. A personal trainer is available as one of the various spa options. Two tennis courts (watch the sides when getting those alley balls) are located outside on the top deck where basketball may also be played. You will also find a short jogging track (10 laps equal one mile) isolated from cabins and other activities; the Lower Promenade Deck track is longer, with four laps equaling one mile.

The pool choices repeat HAL's formula of appealing to all tastes in all weather: Swim in either of two pools or laze in any of three nearby whirlpools under the retractable dome on Lido Deck.

The video library boasts some 500 selections--claimed at the Front Office -- for those in cabins with VCRs. Days at sea are complimented by the usual range of activities but sometimes nothing beats a nap on a wooden deck chair on the Lower Promenade deck. A thoughtful touch: Narrow awnings stretch above the rail on the Promenade Deck so passengers viewing such sights as the Panama Canal transit are not subjected to the brutal sun's rays.

Cabins
The 633 cabins and suites are warm and appealing. The Maasdam's penthouse, with 1,100 square feet, is the ultimate in luxury, with kitchenette, dining room table accompanied by 8 chairs, and marble bathroom. Cabins like the 120 mini suites (284 square feet including verandah), each equipped with its own VCR, minibar, and sitting area and with a bath featuring a whirlpool tub, fill the bill for many. However, the line's "Suite Life" program of amenities and perquisites make the ship's 28 suites luxurious, and their 563 square feet of space includes a quite large private verandah. They include all of the mini suite features plus many extras such as complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, personalized stationery, and wondrous high tea and cocktail-hour hors d'ouvres served in the cabin. Suite occupants are invited to a Suite Dinner in the Half Moon Room (rather than a sitting at the captain's table), where a fabulous gourmet meal is served at tables presided over by the captain and officers.

The 336 outside and 148 inside standard cabins are among the best at sea in the moderate category. Each has ample storage space. All outsides have tubs, insides showers only and all have a hair dryer and wonderful toiletries. Bathroom amenities are no longer presented in the beautifully designed Art Deco liner designs used formerly. Skip the Lower Promenade Deck cabins; strollers sometimes try to peek into these rooms. Six cabins are equipped to accommodate physically challenged passengers, two near elevators on Lower Promenade Deck, four near the infirmary on A Deck.

Dining
The two-deck-high Rotterdam Dining Room, seating 657, is a stunning room with upper and lower entrances and a pair of gracefully curving staircases. The noise level is low here, where floor to ceiling windows afford exceptional views and lighting. The spectacular ceiling is a field of hand blown-Murano glass morning glories; a piano player or string quartet serenades during dinner. Breakfast and lunch are served at open sittings; however, most passengers choose buffet lunches in the Lido Cafe (where coffee and tea are served 24/7). Dinners are presented at two sittings. Menus are geared to American comfort-food tastes (heavy on the steaks and chops) but occasional theme meals like Indonesian and Filipino foods add zip. Food is less bland than previously, but quality isn't always uniform. Imaginative menus honoring Holland's heritage include a Dutch dinner and an Indonesian lunch. Menu selections include "The Lighter Fare" for healthy options. And a special "High Seas" menu offers broth and cheese with crackers for rare rough weather.

Lunch offerings poolside at the popular Lido Pool have been expanded: hot dogs/hamburgers/turkey burgers/tacos are accompanied by stir-fried dishes on days in port. Cafeteria-style breakfast and lunch are served in the Lido Restaurant, along with afternoon tea and complimentary ice cream at certain times. We have heard reports that the Lido will soon increase to almost 24-hour service to meet passengers' requests.

Maasdam now features, as its alternative restaurant, The Pinnacle Grill (which is gradually expanding across the HAL fleet). The cozy and intimate restaurant is gorgeous -- and menus feature mostly Northwest-inspired cuisine. Such as? Chicken Thai soup, Dungeness crab legs, grilled salmon, and duck breast with pickled Walla Walla onions, among others. Chefs also will cook up the basics -- filet mignon, lamb chops and cioppino are always offered. There is a $20 per person charge to eat at The Pinnacle Grill.

Once per cruise a magnificent Dutch High Tea is served on the upper level of the Rotterdam Dining Room, reminiscent of the elegant midnight buffets of yore, complete with string quartet, ice carvings, elegant finger sandwiches, cheeses and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Casual dinners are served more frequently than previously in the Lido Restaurant with linen tablecloths, convenient for tiring sightseeing days, but I found the food, served cafeteria-style, inconsistent: the lobster bisque, for instance, was delicious, but the Caesar salad was watery and the vegetables overcooked. And the kitchen ran out of several popular dishes early on. The 24-hour room service is complimentary.

Gratuity
For years and years, Holland America Line distinguished itself with its "no tipping required" policy, the objective of which was to prove that the cheerful and accommodating staff worked for the love of serving their guests, not for tips. Unfortunately, many passengers took this to mean "tips are included," or "tipping not allowed," so as Holland America hopes to attract a more diverse clientele and more first-time cruisers, the tipping policy has been specifically addressed.

According to a statement from Holland America president Stein Kruse, the tipping policy -- fleetwide -- is as follows:

"For your convenience, a gratuity of $10 per guest per day, for dining and stateroom service, will be automatically posted to your shipboard account. We are confident you will find the service on board exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by visiting the Front Office. Also, a 15 percent service charge will be automatically added to your bar and beverage purchases."

Fellow Passengers
45+ Americans seeking a classic cruising experience.

Family
They're in effect when youngsters are booked, but not in a dedicated space. Supervised activities take place poolside, with arts and crafts in the Hudson Lounge amid no specific facilities other than tables and chairs. The line offers tailor-made children-only shore excursions, such as kayaking, in the Caribbean. These special excursion depend on the number and ages of booked children. We have heard that the children's program will soon be expanded.

Entertainment
Production numbers are superb, particularly "Romance on Broadway," but other entertainment is sometimes hokey. Younger passengers find a DJ in charge of the Crow's Nest on many nights; other nights host Karaoke, Irish Pub Night, 50s/60s Night and other themes. The casino offers 6 blackjack tables (plus specialty tables), roulette, dice and 97 slot machines.

Dress Code
Casual by day, Maasdam includes two formal nights per week (dark suit or tux, although I spotted many men wearing sports jackets on the third formal night of my 10-day cruise.