MS Maasdam is a Holland America cruise ship named after the Maas River in the Netherlands.

History

She was ordered along with her sisters MS Statendam and MS Ryndam in 1989 from Fincantieri Shipyards. During design of her class there was concern over her ability to meet the new SOLAS 90 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea stability requirements which went into effect in 2010. Her sister, MS Statendam, proved to meet these requirements beyond expectations and the additional ballast tanks fitted to the class to provide added stability usually travel void for weight reduction and hence, fuel savings. Her hull design is based largely on that of MS Costa Classica with changes to make it more buoyant as the superstructure of Maasdam and her sisters is much heavier than that of Costa Classica. Maasdam and her sisters have articulated "Hinze" flap rudders, basically a rudder with a small portion of its aft that can be steered in addition to the main rudder, for exceptional maneuverability. When launched her class proved to be one of the world's most technically advanced and optimised cruise ships in the world during sea trials.

Concept and construction

Maasdam features a teak promenade deck, two-tiered dining room, and atrium with glass sculpture. The ship also features an expansive art collection. In April 2006 Maasdam emerged from drydock in Freeport, Bahamas after a multimillion-dollar (US) refit. Additions included several new dining venues, a culinary arts center and all new cabin amenities, including flatscreen televisions and DVD players. And while their more expensive "suites" have an external balcony (basically a promenade that has been walled to individual staterooms), the "lanai" rooms, and many of the "ocean view" rooms, look out to or open on a public promenade on deck 6, requiring those occupants to close their curtains throughout the day and night to have any semblance of privacy.

Signature of Excellence program

Maasdam has received SOEP1 which included Pinnacle Grill specialty restaurant (available for an extra charge), the Neptune Lounge (for suite guests), the Culinary Arts Center with demonstration kitchen, expanded children’s and teens’ facilities, enhanced stateroom amenities, and improved dining and enrichment offerings and recently received SOEP2 in April 2011 which included Spa Staterooms, Mix, which is a bar type lounge and showroom at Sea (nightclub/lounge).

Cruises

In summer 2016, she spent the season in Alaska. In December 2016, she went south to New Zealand for the summer cruise season downunder.

Currently, the ship operates Canada&New England sailings. She is scheduled to take several Australia&New Zealand cruises in November/December 2018. Then she'll offer Asia sailings.