MS Maasdam

300px MS Maasdam in Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, with Noordam seen in background.
History
Name:	MS Maasdam
Owner:	Carnival Corporation & plc
Operator:	Holland America Line
Port of registry:	Netherlands, Rotterdam
Ordered:	29 November 1989
Builder:	Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Cost:	US$180 million
Yard number:	5882
Completed:	January 1, 1993
Identification:	Call sign: PFRO IMO number: 8919257 MMSI no.: 244958000
Notes:
General characteristics
Class & type:	S class cruise ship
Tonnage:	55,575 GT
Displacement:	10,965 DWT
Length:
Beam:
Height:
Draught:
Decks:	10
Ice class:	1D
Installed power:	(All engines built under license by Fincantieri/Grandi Motori Trieste)Two Sulzer 12ZAV40S, Three Sulzer 8ZAL40 diesels
Propulsion:	Electric shaftline
Speed:	22 knots (41 km/h)
Capacity:	1,258 passengers
Crew:	580
Notes:

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

History

File:Maasdam and Westerdam anchored in Half Moon Cay.JPG

Maasdam and Westerdam at Half Moon Cay.

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 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.

Concept & 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.

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 Caribbean in the winter based out of Ft Lauderdale and during the summer sails from Boston, Massachusetts sailing to Europe, Atlantic Canada & New England.

External links

• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons
• MS MAASDAM - Five Generations of Marine Tradition
• Holland America Line Maasdam official site
• short videos of Maasdam