We hopped onboard the Holland America Maasdam to take a look around the impressive ship and sample the cruise liner's dining options.

As the smallest ship in the Holland American fleet, at 719ft and up to 1258 guests, the Maasdam sails around Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, the Pacific Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, and the United States. As the ship is on the smaller size it can visit smaller ports giving guests the opportunity to see more while on their cruise.

Like all Holland American ships when we entered the Maasdam we were greeted by a beautiful glass totem spanning three levels of the foyer. Unlike other cruise liners, Holland America limits the height of the entrance to a few floors rather than the whole height to of the ship so they can make use of the space on the upper levels. The result is still a grand statement when entering the ship.

Starting at the top level in the crow’s nest we were able to enjoy the amazing views out onto the harbour before beginning our tour of the ship.

Amenities
The Maasdam features The Greenhouse Spa and Gym, the equipment is free to use for all passengers with classes also available, passengers can also have spa treatments or visit the hot room to relax while on board. The hot room cost $40US to visit or $20US with a treatment and features heated chaise lounges and a spa allowing passengers to fully relax.

Moving out of the spa area we visited the Neptune Lounge. The Neptune Lounge is exclusive for guests staying in the Neptune Suites and provides a nice quiet spot to sit and enjoy a coffee. There is also concierge that can be utilised by Neptune Suite guests.

Continuing through the ship we entered the Explorer Lounge which is reported to serve the best coffee at sea. Here guests can look out at the view, find out more about their destinations or catch up on the latest news.

In the Maasdam Theatre guests can enjoy entertainment from local guests and performers on stage. The two tired theatre is filled with comfortable seating to allow guests to sit back and relax.

The entertainment on the Maasdam is different than the other Holland America ships which feature performances in 3-4 different music styles, The Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. Kings Blues Club, Billboard onboard, and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. Other amenities and activities on board included cooking classes that bring techniques from the destinations onto the ship, with live demonstrations for guests, as well as outdoor tennis and basketball on the upper deck

Pools
A standard feature you'll find on all Holland America ships is two pools, both on the same level one pool is indoors and the other is outdoors at the back of the boat. The outdoor pool is called the sea-view pool, surrounded by sun lounges it is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some fresh air.

The main pool is under a retractable roof, covering not only the pool but other leisurely activities including a giant chess game, sun lounges, spa and the Dive-in restaurant. The retractable roof allows guests to enjoy the pool no matter the weather.

Dining
Onboard the Maasdam there is a range of different dining options catering to everyone’s tastes and needs. From casual dining at the Dive-in Restaurant by the pool ,which serves delicious burgers and fries, to restaurants like the Italian Canaletto serving authentic Italian favourites. A staple of the Holland America cruises is the Lido Market Moving, providing a selection of ready-made options that are ready to grab and go or to sit back and relax while enjoying the passing view. Featuring freshly baked bread and pastries, hearty salads, hand-carved meats and to finish ice cream creations and delicious desserts. Both the Lido Market and the Dive-in Restaurants are featured on all Holland America cruises.

Unlike the Lido Market which is self serve, inside the main dining room you can enjoy a la carte dining and table service. On all Holland American cruises the Dining room is over two levels, the top-level is reserved for two different timed seatings, the lower level is not reserved allowing guests to enjoy dinner at whichever time suits them no matter the day.

No detail has been missed in the Dining Room from the side plates in the Holland America Blue to the cutlery embossed with the logo, this is definitely the more formal dining option on the ship (although formal attire is not required).

Opening times for the dining options vary, the Lido Market is open for Breakfast and Dinner, Canaletto is open for Lunch and Dinner and the Dining Room is open for all meals. The Dinning room is often quieter during breakfast compared to the other casual eateries, allowing passengers to enjoy a relaxing breakfast.

While we were onboard we enjoyed Lunch on the ship, a three-course meal with two options for entree and three options for main course. For Entree we sampled Mozzarella Di Buffalo Salad or Sesame Crusted Tuna Tataki, for Main the options included Cornflake Crusted Arctic Char, New York Striploin Steak, or Braised Eggplant Massaman, and for dessert we enjoyed a Tres Leches Cake. The meal and the service in the dining room were amazing and served with lovely local wines.

Bars
The Maasdam features a range of bars to suit all guests including the Piano Bar which features a Champagne and Martini Lounge. The Piano Bar is connected to the casino area, on the Maasdam which is a bit more open and connected to the rest of the ship compared to other American Holland ships where the Casino is a little more private. The large area had a good number of tables and machines, including roulette, and card games.

On the other side of the Casino area is the Scotch bar, all of the bar areas flow easily on from one another, and while they are light and open the way the seating is arranged creates intimate settings.

The Maasdam while the smallest of the Holland American fleet gives a great snapshot of the service provided by Holland America, the perfect cruise liner for travellers wanting to explore more and have more in-depth experiences. Contact the team at Flat Beds Tour + Cruise today and receive a 3% package credit when you book your cruise and business class flights bundle.