Located at the base of the Atrium is a glass case containing a multitude of interesting objects.  Included in this case is a ebony cross staff that is a copy of one of the earliest navigational instruments.  Also therein is a rudder head that is typical of the small Dutch sailing vessels of the 18th Century.  Several smaller and one larger compass can also be seen within the case.

A desk is available at the base of the Atrium for group tour leaders who request the use of a hospitality desk.

When guests embark the Maasdam on Main Deck, they may ascend to Lower Promenade Deck by means of the escalator.   The main attraction within the Atrium is undoubtedly the glass pillar, 'Totem'  by Luciano Vistosi.  It consists of a steel center column and three wings.  Each wing is made up of fifteen frames.

Each frame has a glass panel with thirty eight pieces of glass.  The center column also has 270 glass pieces for a grand total of 1,980 components.  Surprisingly, It took three days to assemble.  Luciano Vistosi was born in Venice in 1931 and grew up on the island of Murano where his family owned glassworks that produced industrial products.

Toward the end of the 1960's, Vistosi began to focus on blown glass.  His first great sculptures were created in glasswork furnaces in the early 1970's.  Luciano Vistosi is a figure of great importance in the Italian art world.  Some of the most famous Italian photographers such as Ugo Mulas, Gianni Berengo Gardin Paolo Monti, and Franco Fontana have interpreted the innovative character of his work with their pictures.

Outdoors on Lower Promenade Deck is a complete full-circuit walk.  Four laps around the exterior walk equals one mile.  Traditional wooden deck chairs also line this walk for those who would like to relax, read, and enjoy the invigorating sea air.

Access to the ship's bow is located forward on Lower Promenade Deck.  Guests may ascend one of two staircases to proceed forward onto the bow.  This is one of the best locations for scenic cruising days such as in Canada & New England, the Norwegian Fjords, and Alaska.