MS Maasdam
Encyclopedia
MS
Maasdam is a Holland America cruise ship named for a dam located on the Maas River in the Netherlands
.
and MS Ryndam
in 1989 from Fincantieri
Shipyards. During design of her class there was concern over her ability to meet the strict new SOLAS 90 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
stability requirements which go 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.
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 multi-million dollar (US) refit. Additions included several new dining venues, a culinary arts center and all new cabin amenities, including flatscreen televisions and DVD players.
in the winter based out of Ft Lauderdale and during the summer sails from Boston
, Massachusetts
sailing to Europe
, Atlantic Canada
& New England
.
Motor ship
A motor ship or motor vessel is a ship propelled by an internal combustion engine, usually a diesel engine. The name of motor ships are often prefixed with MS, M/S, MV or M/V.- See also :...
Maasdam is a Holland America cruise ship named for a dam located on the Maas River in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
History
She was ordered along with her sisters MS StatendamMS Statendam
MS Statendam is a cruise ship of the Holland America Line. She is the fifth ship to carry the name Statendam for NASM/Holland America Line...
and MS Ryndam
MS Ryndam
Ryndam is a cruise ship owned and operated by Holland America Line that is named for a dam on the Rhine River. She offers enhanced amenities and services and is designed to carry fewer passengers than other ships in her class...
in 1989 from Fincantieri
Fincantieri
Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. is a shipbuilding company based in Trieste, Italy. It was formed in 1959 and is the largest shipbuilder in the Mediterranean, and one of the largest in Europe...
Shipyards. During design of her class there was concern over her ability to meet the strict new SOLAS 90 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea is an international maritime safety treaty. The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships.- History :The first version of the...
stability requirements which go into effect in 2010. Her sister, MS Statendam
MS Statendam
MS Statendam is a cruise ship of the Holland America Line. She is the fifth ship to carry the name Statendam for NASM/Holland America Line...
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
Motor ship
A motor ship or motor vessel is a ship propelled by an internal combustion engine, usually a diesel engine. The name of motor ships are often prefixed with MS, M/S, MV or M/V.- See also :...
Costa Classica
Costa Classica
Costa Classica is a cruise ship for Costa Cruises. She was built by Fincantieri Shipyards. In 2001 and 2005, she underwent major refurbishments. On board are two restaurants, 9 bars, 2 swimming pools, and 4 whirlpools.-MSC Poesia collision :...
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 & Construction
Maasdam features a teakTeak
Teak is the common name for the tropical hardwood tree species Tectona grandis and its wood products. Tectona grandis is native to south and southeast Asia, mainly India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Burma, but is naturalized and cultivated in many countries, including those in Africa and the...
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
Freeport, Bahamas
Freeport is a city, district and free trade zone located on the island of Grand Bahama of the North-west Bahamas. In 1955, Wallace Groves, a Virginian financier with lumber interests in Grand Bahama, was granted 50,000 acres Freeport is a city, district and free trade zone located on the island of...
after a multi-million dollar (US) refit. Additions included several new dining venues, a culinary arts center and all new cabin amenities, including flatscreen televisions and DVD players.
Signature of Excellence Program
The Maasdam currently has received SOEP1 which included Pinnacle Grill specialty restaurant, 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 & Showroom at Sea (nightclub/lounge).Current Cruises
The vessel serves the CaribbeanCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
in the winter based out of Ft Lauderdale and during the summer sails from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
sailing to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
& New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
.