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Live Eurodam 11/7/09 Voyage of the Wind

byucougs

By byucougs,
in Holland America Line

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byucougs

byucougs

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We arrived in Miami Friday November 6th, after a layover in Atlanta. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Miami Airport South-Blue Lagoon. The hotel was nice. I shipped my luggage with Luggage Free and it was there upon arrival, wrapped in heavy duty plastic. The next morning we got up early and headed to Holiday Everglades Park, which my hubby really wanted to see. Then off to the Eurodam in Port Everglades.

We arrived at the port about 10:45 am and gave the porters our luggage and went through security. There was an indoor waiting area there with chairs. Suite guests were directed into a priority area and were the first allowed on the ship. We were in group number 3 and were called and boarded at 11:30 am. The staff was alternately directing people to the main dining room or the Lido. We had embarkation lunch in the main dining room. It was wonderful. I had a very moist, tasty bass entrée. DH had a yummy mango chicken salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. As usual the staff is incredibly attentive. We needed to check some things at the front desk. They were very nice and helpful, which was a relief after reading a few comments to the contrary.

We have had a rocky sailing, with 45 mph winds and 12 foot seas. We have had rain off and on. Our deck 4 aft is a comfortable “ride” through these seas. The upper decks do feel it much more. In fact, they closed the promenade deck and the “Retreat” area, and closed the roof over the Lido pool most of our first sea day. Our steward was surprised we were smiling after dinner, saying many people were in their cabins, not feeling well from the motion. Grand Turk day was scrubbed because of the winds and waves. We were notified as we arrived at Grand Turk. DH was very disappointed as he was looking forward to scuba diving here. So we have an extra sea day now. The refunded any excursions for the port plus the port fees and taxes. They also offered free champagne with dessert at dinner.

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byucougs

byucougs

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We have one of the two VB aft balconies on deck 4. It is a standard balcony cabin. The view is great, as we love the wake. It is very private being in the corner. You cannot see our door or the SC cabin door walking down the main hall. Our shore excursion tickets and prepaid goodies were in our cabin upon arrival, along with some wine from our TA (we shared the wine with our Cruise Critic buddies at the Meet n Greet the next day.) The robes are very comfortable and not a “rough” waffle weave, which we have had at times past. The hairdryer works very well, it has its own special plug on the desk, which allows use of the other two outlets for other things. Sue, wdw1972, has a CA spa cabin, which she let me see and it was HUGE. The window was very large with a nice forward view. She did say the motion was pretty noticeable being on deck 10 forward. The stewards are cheerful, helpful and efficient. They have been making two towel animals a day, once when making the bed in the morning and once in the evening for turn down.

Our Meet n Greet was set up for the next day, a sea day, at 10 am in the Crows Nest. Sue was so nice to arrange this and there were cookies for us, along with a gift from her. We had ten people come. The men folk snuck out to go to various activities and left the ladies to chat awhile. Later in the evening Sue and my hubby and I went to the Tamarind for dinner. The food is wonderful and service, again, impeccable. For cruise food, the spicy foods were really spicy, which we love. I had the Wasabi encrusted beef tenderloin, yum.

The Crows Nest/Exploration café/Internet area/library by far is the best we have experienced on a ship. It is roomy and has plenty of books, DVDs to rent and games to play. The trivia challenge is held here. For the first sea day had a nautical theme, and my DH fancies who himself a sailor, was determined to win. By golly he got 20 out of 20 and won! He got a nice silver keychain and his answer framed in the Café for the day J Oh, the internet service has been quite fast, for a cruiseship. Interestingly, the Deck ten cabins under the Internet café had spotty reception, but our cabin was great on aft deck 4.

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byucougs

byucougs

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General comments -The Lido is crowded, as has been stated in previous posts. We had no problem finding a table a little before noon, however, it is tight walking through the serving area. I don’t think the Lido cabanas are the problem with the buffet, more than the extra cabins on deck 10 and the additional cabins added at the aft of the ship. The shopping area is nice and roomy. The movie theater is nice. The group that is on board has been unobtrusive. I think HAL does a great job not closing down public areas for groups, unlike some other cruise lines.

Retreat cabanas- We booked one for the week. It faces the Lido pool, not the sides of the ship. The area has very comfortable lounge chairs. There are fruit bowls in each cabana, two qt size water bottles, and a water mister. We had no problem asking for and getting the ipod. Dante and Romeo were the “butlers” for the area. They were very helpful and told us that they would get anything for us, including breakfasts, lunches or dinners! They came around mid morning offering OJ or coffee. Would we do this again? ….probably not for the full week. We would take our chances for booking for only a sea day. The service, location and perks are nice. Part of the time was spent in the cabana after spending a portion sunning in the outside area.

Other random thoughts: The gym has everything you could want. There are some free and some paid exercise classes, such as stretching, pilates, or yoga. The spa area has an acupuncturist and a teeth whitening specialist, among the normal offerings. The hydro pool and thermal suite area is very nice. The main dining staff is great. We are at table 12, upper area, next to a window. Cipta is our server- funny, knows our names and very attentive. The dining room manager has checked on us a couple of times and the bar attendent, Ricardo, is on top of things.

 

next- San Juan and St Thomas

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mollybax

mollybax

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Great information, thanks. Sorry to hear about the rough weather. I am scheduled for that trip in March on the Eurodam. I have book the aft cabin on Navigation deck 9, I am curious if you look down from the aft of the lido deck, can see the cabin balconys?

 

I can't wait to experience Holland America.

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many cruises "Live from...." Rare

many cruises

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We have one of the two VB aft balconies on deck 4. It is a standard balcony cabin. The view is great, as we love the wake. It is very private being in the corner. You cannot see our door or the SC cabin door walking down the main hall. Our shore excursion tickets and prepaid goodies were in our cabin upon arrival, along with some wine from our TA (we shared the wine with our Cruise Critic buddies at the Meet n Greet the next day.) The robes are very comfortable and not a “rough” waffle weave, which we have had at times past. The hairdryer works very well, it has its own special plug on the desk, which allows use of the other two outlets for other things. Sue, wdw1972, has a CA spa cabin, which she let me see and it was HUGE. The window was very large with a nice forward view. She did say the motion was pretty noticeable being on deck 10 forward. The stewards are cheerful, helpful and efficient. They have been making two towel animals a day, once when making the bed in the morning and once in the evening for turn down.

Our Meet n Greet was set up for the next day, a sea day, at 10 am in the Crows Nest. Sue was so nice to arrange this and there were cookies for us, along with a gift from her. We had ten people come. The men folk snuck out to go to various activities and left the ladies to chat awhile. Later in the evening Sue and my hubby and I went to the Tamarind for dinner. The food is wonderful and service, again, impeccable. For cruise food, the spicy foods were really spicy, which we love. I had the Wasabi encrusted beef tenderloin, yum.

The Crows Nest/Exploration café/Internet area/library by far is the best we have experienced on a ship. It is roomy and has plenty of books, DVDs to rent and games to play. The trivia challenge is held here. For the first sea day had a nautical theme, and my DH fancies who himself a sailor, was determined to win. By golly he got 20 out of 20 and won! He got a nice silver keychain and his answer framed in the Café for the day J Oh, the internet service has been quite fast, for a cruiseship. Interestingly, the Deck ten cabins under the Internet café had spotty reception, but our cabin was great on aft deck 4.

 

Thanks for posting live from "our cabin" on the Eurodam. Hope the weather will cooperate soon & the seas will calm down. Enjoy the rest of your cruise...we will be reading your wonderful posts! :):) Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

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byucougs

byucougs

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San Juan- We got in at early because of the extra sea day 8 am vs 10 am. We were docked in Old San Juan, which is awesome to be so close. We walked up to Forteleza San Cristobol and then took the free trolley around Old San Juan. We then took the El Yunque forest tour through the ship. We had a great time. Our group only consisted of 5 people and so it felt like a private tour. The rainforest was beautiful, amazing fauna and waterfalls. Of course you get the obligatory stop at the local tourist trap for a “bathroom break”/buy here please J. The bus driver then brought us back an gave us a tour of Old Town as well.

 

We hurried back to the ship to grab a bite to eat at 3 pm ish. The day was beautiful, sunny , warm and no wind! We got a few souvenirs and then had dinner. The magician show was good. The comedian didn’t come on until 10:30 pm (late departure from San Juan) and was good. We have spent a lot of time at Explorations Café/library area. There are games to play, newspapers to read and good cucumber sandwiches- healthy stuff.

St Thomas- We arrived early 8 am ish and headed to a private tour on Island Girl sailboat for some snorkeling. A bit of a headache being at Crown Bay port as the taxis are a money scam. Some people spent tons to go to a beach, rent chairs, umbrellas etc, up to $80 for two. So, buyer beware. We had a great time snorkeling. It was sunny and we saw turtles, rays and lots of fish. We got back to Havensight just as there was a downpour. We hailed a taxi/bus and headed back to the ship. We grabbed a bite to eat at the Lido and went to the Library to play scrabble. We have been to this port before and were not interested in buying souvenirs.

 

We left at 5 pm. If there was one side note, it would be that there is never a real sailaway party on HAL ships. It’s all been very low key. Also our dinner tablemates have been a bit disappointed in the nightlife, at Northern Lights, etc. We dropped by the cabana and the butlers/cabana attendents checked in on us asked us if we needed anything and offered us champagne.

We love our dining room waiter/asst waiter and the bartender. They know what we like and anticipate our needs. The room steward has been awesome and tonight we had a bulldog towel animal. One of our tablemates for dinner had gone ATVing in San Juan. His boots were all muddy and he put them in a plastic bag. He went to dinner and when he got back his room steward had cleaned his shoes for him!! We did the Laundry by the bag special last night. The steward warned us it takes 48 hours but was on our bed by 3 pm the next day, nice service. It is now up to $20 for 1 bag or $45 unlimited for the week. Hubby included 4 button colored shirts and none were faded or shrunk.

Tonight is Celtic music and dance for the main show.

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byucougs

byucougs

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Gorgeous warm sunny sea day yesterday. Looks to be great weather for HMC. Looking forward to my pink cabana and to kayaking.

 

Baked Alaska parade for second formal night last night. Piano man did Rat

Pack song all evening in piano bar. Dessert extravaganza was at 11:30 pm - yum

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iriemon

iriemon

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Gorgeous warm sunny sea day yesterday. Looks to be great weather for HMC. Looking forward to my pink cabana and to kayaking.

 

Baked Alaska parade for second formal night last night. Piano man did Rat

Pack song all evening in piano bar. Dessert extravaganza was at 11:30 pm - yum

 

Thanks for all the great updates, we are leaving in a month and can't wait. One quick question, are the formal nights the two sea days?

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callmedeb

callmedeb

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St Thomas- We arrived early 8 am ish and headed to a private tour on Island Girl sailboat for some snorkeling..

 

My sister and i are doing this same cruise in February and have booked a half day with Island Girl as well. We'd love to hear more about the charter when you have the time!

 

Thanks for the updates!

 

Cheers,

 

Deb

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byucougs

byucougs

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My sister and i are doing this same cruise in February and have booked a half day with Island Girl as well. We'd love to hear more about the charter when you have the time!

 

Thanks for the updates!

 

Cheers,

 

Deb

 

I'll post that review on the ports of call board in a week.

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byucougs

byucougs

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Would you mind posting the prices for the internet packages (length of time and price)?

 

is it $20.00 bag for laundry still?

 

thanks for any additional info on the ship and may you have calm seas:)

 

100 minutes was $55, with the last day special of 30 minutes for $12.50

 

yes, laundry one bag special still $20 with all week for $45. So if you think you will do more than two bags the week deal is better. We asked for things to be put on hangers but not ironed and they looked ironed anyway. Also they got it back to us the next day, even though it says 48 hours

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FYI, self disembarkation began at 7:15 and we were through customs and at airport this morning by 7:45! Thus, I am on cruise critic this morning:D

 

It sounds like you had a great time. Welcome home...I hope you enjoyed "our cabin." When you get a chance, we'd love to see some pictures of the cabin & the ship. :)

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wdw1972

wdw1972

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I'd almost forgotten about all that wind! I really hated having the promenade deck closed off the first 2 days - the 2nd one I snuck out there since your DH did it the first day!

 

I bought the 250 minute internet package for $100 and got 20 free minutes for buying it on the first night. I was really surprised I couldn't get a signal at all directly underneath the Crow's Nest!

 

Hope you enjoyed the pink cabana - I ended up spending most of that day on the ship. A surprising number of people did!

 

I did hear the reason we only had 1 show the 1st night was the psychic group had a private event and some other night they had the whole Sea View pool area blocked off for a private party. I heard that from other guests - it didn't interfere with my trip.

 

Sue/WDW1972

Ryndam 4/11/10

Eurodam 3/05/11 (still trying for Grand Turk)

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