Maasdam 2004

Maasdam 2004 - Canada / New England I'm originally from Montreal but live in Seattle now. I like to visit my Mum in Montreal at least once a year, and thought it would be fun to visit for a bit then hop on the Maasdam for a trip around the Canadian Maritimes. She thought it was a good idea, and with about a month's planning we were off. I had dome a similar itinerary on Rotterdam a couple of years prior so had a good idea what to do at the ports. Foliage isn't my big attraction to this itinerary, did a June trip on Rotterdam and like fringe seasons. Since there were several hurricanes either broken up, or heading to Florida we were a bit concerned about weather. It was chilly but we had no rain for the trip, and several beautifully sunny days. Our cabin was I-134 on Verandah Deck. It was an inside cabin, we booked an NN guarantee and were very pleased with our location. There are only a few inside cabins on Verandah deck, it was a great location! Only 2 decks up or down to get to most public space and activities. After a few days in Montreal my brother drove Mum and I down to the port, about 11:30. As we walked into the waiting area they handed us a number 2. They just began boarding so we were on board in a few minutes. It was until 1:00pm before we could enter our cabin, they actually keep doors closed to the floors during this time and so we enjoyed the Lido, got some of the yummy Bread and Butter Pudding, and hung out near the pool. We went to Shore Excursions and booked our couple of tours when they opened. It was a good thing too, both of them were sold out by the next day. Many more pictures of these ports can be found on the Rotterdam page from when I did this itinerary a couple of years ago.
Departure - Montreal
Departure day was sunny and mild.	Mum was ready to set sail! We had a band playing on deck and enjoyed a "Sail Away" beverage in a souvenir glass

Quebec City, Quebec We cruised along the St. Lawrence River on the way to Quebec City. Both of us have been to Quebec multiple times so we decided to just enjoy a walk about the port area, teaming with shops and cafes, and cruise passengers, the Regal Princess was in port with us as well.
The Chateau Frontinac is perched above Old Quebec, its one of the first things you notice as you head out on deck after arriving in Quebec.	A very popular fresco is visited by tour groups as they visit Old Quebec.



The funicular transports people from Old Quebec to the Upper part of the City. The Chateau Frontinac is at the top as well.
My Mum was really enjoying our walk around Old Quebec, so was I :) It was a beautiful day.	The Regal Princess was parked beside us at the port. There was a snowboarding event in the park just by the ship, a truck came and dumped a load of snow and we could watch the snowboarding from the deck.
Saguenay Fjord I had previously sailed here on Rotterdam, this time we arrived at the statue of Mary for 7am and cruised out of the fjord for our trip to Charlottetown. Due to the long distance we needed to travel, we did not spend a lot of time here. I have many pictures from my previous visit on the Rotterdam page.
I got up early, and watched dawn break in the Saguenay.
Ava Maria is played on the ship speakers as we view the statue.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Once again, I got up early to be sure to view the Confederation Bridge - a 7 mile span linking PEI to the mainland. It is designed to break ice as it moves beneath it.

Back to the cabin to warm up, the wind was chilly as we approached Charlottetown.	Arriving in Charlottetown.
The Maasdam in Charlottetown	Here's me in Founder's Hall - just a few steps from the port. It is a multi-media exhibit about the formation of Canada as a nation. Its fun and informative, a great place to stop when you first get off the ship.
A lady in period costume lead our walking tour from Founders Hall. You can buy admission to the hall and for the walking tour here, it was about $9 Canadian for entrance and the tour.


Province House Home of The Legislative Assembly for the Province of Prince Edward Island.	The Speaker's Chair


Sydney, Nova Scotia - Cape Breton Island The Captain was a bit concerned if we would be able to make Sydney or not. There had been hurricane force winds the two days prior, but we arrived to sunny skies. The Crystal Symphony and Queen Mary 2 were not able to stop on the previous day. There is a lovely craft fair and shopping right at the port. Also there is free internet access provided by C@P a program started by the Canadian government 10 years ago. There was a short wait to use one of the 4 terminals. It was a very nice service. Then Mum and I boarded a bus for our tour through the Bras D'Or Lake to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum near Baddeck . It was very interesting, and the tour didn't allow enough time to see it all, so we'll have something to look forward to if we return some time. The tour included the town of Baddeck but we didnt' have time for a browse there since traffic was heavy due to construction leaving Sydney. We had a lovely day and it was nice to see glimpses of Cape Breton Island.




*Halifax, Nova Scotia* The last time I was in Halifax was on Rotterdam. Stephen ventured up to the Citadel while I did other things. This time I thought I'd go see the Citadel. We were going to take an on off Trolley, but as we departed the ship, we entered the terminal building and at the visitors information we were informed of a free on off bus called "FRED" (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown") .. it was the last week of the service for the season, but we took advantage of it. We first went to the Public Gardens, which were apparently torn up by a Cat. 2 hurricane that hit the city last year, but we didn't see any signs of it, the trees and flowers looked beautiful and made for a lovely start to our visit in Halifax.





The Citadel "From the time of its founding in 1749 through the 19th century, Halifax was one of four principal overseas naval stations in the British Empire. To defend Halifax, British military authorities built a series of fortifications in and around this strategic port - a system now known as the Halifax Defence Complex." "The present Citadel, completed in 1856, is the fourth in a series of forts since 1749 to occupy the hill overlooking the harbour. It is an excellent example of a 19th-century bastion fortification complete with defensive ditch, ramparts, musketry gallery, powder magazine and signal masts. Although never attacked, the fort was garrisoned by the British Army until 1906 and by Canadian Forces during the First and Second World Wars." *Read More :* The Citadel

Me and Mum at the Citadel
Back on board Maasdam After the Citadel we got back on Fred and took it to the Casino Nova Scotia ... ping ping ! then back to the ship for some snacks.
"Oh hamburgers from the grill!"	"Oh but the sandwich bar is open too! yum"
The Carnival Victory was in port with us in Halifax and also at Sydney. Its time to sail away from Halifax, we had a fun day!


Bar Harbor, Maine



	This was the second port we tendered at, the first was Sydney. The tender dock is right in town, near to a park, restaurants, shops and tour operators. We had a beautiful day here and enjoyed walking the streets and viewing the shops before our tour to Acadia National Park and Lobster Bake.


Thunder Hole - Acadia National Park



From Cadillac Mountain we looked down at Bar Harbor, the Porcupine Islands and the Maasdam.	Mum has a new pet!










	We had a wonderful trip, the Maasdam is a delightful vessel, and the Canadian Maritimes offer so much. The painting on the left was on the stairwell by my deck. I was fortunate to spend a week with my Mum on this cruise and will cherish the things we did together. Thanks Holland America for a lovely trip, my husband Stephen for making it possible, and anyone who takes time to view my pictures and read the notes, thanks :) You can see more from this route on the Rotterdam page. I have posted a list of links I used to research this trip at CAN/NE Links. Check back again around Christmas for a review of the upcoming cruise Stephen and I will be on, Celebrity's Infinity to Hawaii. Tina Johnson tinajohnson@recordlady.com