Eurodam 29th January (long) review

[tcook052]

I've been trying to get my thoughts down for a week since returning from my Eurodam sailing and finally have done that so for what it's worth thought I'd share them with everyone. It turned out to be longer than I'd expected but put in what came to mind. :)

Background:

Sailing solo on my second HAL cruise, a fortysomething male from Western Canada.

Boarding:

I arrived pretty early, about 11:15 and waited maybe 15 min. in the sidewalk outdoors before shuffling into the building and checking in and getting a boarding group number. A very quick, efficient and friendly process I thought.

OnBoard:

After some touring of the ship made my way to the Rembrandt Dining Room for the Mariners lunch and coincidentally ran into a couple of CCers whom I'd met through the roll call and that sure was a welcome surprise and really started the sailing out well. Hi to Flaminkokid & the better half.

After a wonderful meal I made my way to the Greenhouse Spa and toured some of the areas open to the public including the Thermal Suite and purchased my one day pass for those facilities and used it later after the Grand Turk stop. I really think the $40 was really well spent as I used it for approx 3 hours split over two visits and it was especially quiet in the evening and so was something I'm glad I did. I'm not so sure I could've gotten as good a value out of a whole week pass but may but two day passes next time as the loungers with the view, steam & sauna plus the hyrdo pool were all very relaxing. Also while others had noted issues with some staying on the loungers longer than the time recommended on the posted sign I had to wait once in the first afternoon visit for a few minutes before one became available and I tried to be respectful of my time there for the other patrons so no issues there at all.

I was booked in an obstructed ocean view cabin H4116 on Upper Promenade Deck and booked this cabin after seeing some pictures Joanie has posted. I took some pictures but non really seemed to show the lifeboat well but will add you can see both through the cab of the lifeboat and a little around it so you do have natural light plus a view of the people walking past one deck below on Promenade Deck. I liked the location as it’s amidship plus towards the middle in terms of decks so going up one flight or down one was quite easily and I only used the elevators sparingly for moving between decks more than 3 levels apart. For a single traveler the cabin was more than spacious enough and everything I’d pre-ordered online including Le Cirque & Tamarind plus soda & beverage card was waiting for me in my room. The bathroom as reported had the shampoo, conditioner & body wash/soap dispenser wall mounted and it works good for showers but not so much when you’re having a soak in the tub and have to stand up. Everything in the cabin in working order and unpacked once my checked luggage arrived around 4 PM. Yanto & Tony, the cabin stewards, were super and friendly and kept the cabin clear & stocked very unobtrusively.

Later on embarkation day HAL hosted a meet & greet for our CC roll call and there were 10-15 folks who showed up at one point or another around sailing time from Fort Lauderdale. Even though we’d organized it later than HAL requests they still came though with some champagne and a few staff members including the cruise director Jason Venner so that was much appreciated. I met some wonderful fellow CCers and as someone traveling solo it was nice some folks and feel less alone during the cruise as we’d meet in line in the Lido or on a pool deck or waiting for a port of call disembarkation and it was nice to be able to say hi! and strike up a conversation.

 

Ship Shape & Dining:

The Eurodam is a beautiful ship but didn’t feel like a radical departure from what I’d experienced on the Zuiderdam, different but familiar at the same time if that makes any sense. The public areas are well laid out save the Lido pool deck which I’m sorry felt a little cramped with the cabanas on one side, especially when the drapes are pulled which to me served to narrow the walkway enough so you had to slightly turn to pass others coming the other direction. Not a huge issue but something I noticed that didn’t quite IMHO work as well as everything around rest of the ship. I spent an afternoon at the Lido pool and one at the Aft pool but found the latter windy enough I retreated to a lounge chair on the Promenade Deck for some reading & dozing.

The Tamarind and Silk Den were both impressive areas and very much enjoyed my Tamarind dinner the last night of the sailing. In fact it was one of the highlights to be welcome by name as I entered the Tamarind even before I could present the maitre d’ my reservation card. The tone was set as the rest of the meal was outstanding especially the Wasabi & Soy encrusted beef tenderloin which was an incredible edible creation as were the appetizers like the Streetside Pot Stickers and Satay Sampler. Gracious service that was attentive but not smothering, quick but not rushed and friendly without feeling false. I will admit to wondering if the Asian fusion theme would offer enough for me but the menu really has something for everyone.

Similarly impressive service was repeated in different ways elsewhere on the ship, including the Casino Bar which this ex-smoker braved as I appreciated the warm welcome bartender Jose always extended to me even when passing by on my way somewhere else on the ship. A friendly wave was nice and I stopped for a Coke Zero several times. FWIW I didn’t find the smoke at all a concern on this sailing.

I’ve already posted a separate Le Cirque review here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1357186

 

in case anyone wants to read that. The MDR was also wonderful service and meals and I’d be placed at tables with odd numbers as I was traveling solo so got to meet lots of different folks from all over and enjoyed that interaction. I was booked as Open Seating dining and seldom had to wait more than a few minutes at MDR to be seated and more often was only a few seconds until I was shown to a table. The Lido was a stop for breakfast every morning and did try the other food options on the Terrace Grill and Canaletto but missed grabbing a slice of pizza at Slice on the aft pool deck area so something for next time. The one time I ordered room service was after a port of call and the sandwich arrived promptly and was very good for some light mid-afternoon fare when I didn’t want to head out for a bit to eat.

Overall thought the food quality, presentation and customer service were all very high and complimented the wonderful surroundings well.

 

Entertainment & Events:

The daily Explorer newsletter/info sheet placed in the cabin is well laid out and highlights all that’s going on every day and found myself scanning it each morning to see what caught my fancy. One that did was the beer tasting conducted by the ships sommelier, Franck, and some talented bartenders in Explorer’s Lounge. The cost was only $10 for four beers and was much more to my taste than the wine tasting. I met a few couples at the beer tasting whom I ran into a day later at the Pub Crawl which was $25 for 5 drinks though unlike the beer tasting advance sign up was required but you could do that at any bar or lounge. There must’ve been 75 happy wanderers who took the Pub Crawl which ended in the Northern Lights disco where half price drinks for a short time and music from the 70’s both conspired to keep me there longer than expected. The event had a range in ages from twentysomethings to seniors but everyone had a good time trying different drinks and meandering through the ship.

The cruise director Jason Venner held a Q&A session in the Crow’s Nest with the Capt. Jeroen van Donselaar and hotel manager Stan Kuppens that drew a few dozen folks interested in asking general and more technical questions of the paid of officers. Mine was how often the ship failed to visit HMC and the Capt. explained all the factors that go into making a decision to cancel that stop but noted it was down to about 10%.

I took in a couple nights entertainment in the main theatre and thought the routines of the singers and dancers was good. I missed the magician James Cielen but heard from others how good he was so would make a point to catch his show if he’s performing next time I sail with HAL. I watched the piano bar for a bit but it’s not really my style though it always looked packed when I went past so it attracts a crowd.

I did catch a few movies in the Screening Room and made it a point to scan the Explorer for what was playing each day. My only advice to HAL for this venue is more popcorn. J

The Walk For The Cure attracted a large crowd to raise funds for cancer research and the stories of the handful of survivors in attendance were inspiring. I did managed to make the nine laps around the deck on a gorgeous afternoon and walked with a few other fellow Canadians I’d met earlier in the cruise. One note about the cost is that the suggested donation is $15 but you can tell the front desk staff who takes your registration that you’d like to make it a higher amount. The commitment from the cruise line staff to this cause is to be commended and it felt good to do something that was good for me while meetings others doing the same thing on a very pleasant afternoon and making a small contribution to a good cause. A total win-win all around and I’d encourage others to make a point to work it in to your plans.

 

Ports:

The Grand Turk shore excursion Discover Scuba was something I looked forward to trying and while it went well and was enjoyed I found after a snorkeling trip off a catamaran in St. Thomas it was more my style. There had to be some irony is being on Honeymoon Beach in the Virgin Islands but all I could say was “I Do” when the crew of the Adventuress asked if everyone was ready to hit the water after we’d motored from St. Thomas over to this spot on St. John. The excursion was called the Champagne Catamaran Sail & Snorkel to St. John and it provided the highlight of my cruise: snorkeling with sea turtles.

The Walking Tour Of San Juan excursion was lead by a personable tour guide and was what I’d hoped it would be. The visit to the El Morro fort was really enjoyed and I had some time to wander through the historic Old Town taking pictures and checking out the shops and sights.

HMC was a great beach day and enjoyed the clamshell rental though conditions off shore were a little too rough to allow a second snorkeling excursion I’d booked. No fuss about a refund whatsoever and the shore excursions staff were very friendly in explaining why all of the snorkeling excursion were cancelled that day and it took away some of the disappointment of not getting to dive again knowing safety was the prime consideration.

 

In Closing:

A very relaxing and pleasant cruise that I completely loved from beginning to end. The Eurodam was everything I’d hoped it would be and more and I completely enjoyed my week from embarkation to disembarkation, which unfortunately came all too fast. I added a post-cruise night in Fort Lauderdale and was glad I did as the Marriott Harbor Beach let me check in early and I was able to get another day of sunshine in before heading back north to the snowy reality of home here in Edmonton, Canada.

[portofrome]

Thank you for the review.

[VMax1700]

Thank you for the review. We are going on Eurodam in a few weeks and I was starting to have concerns after reading some of the other recent reviews. You have more than made up for the negatives I have read here.

thanks!

[Queeniecruiser]

Thank your your review. We are sailing her on March 29th and are very excited. Did you happen to take a look at the Retreat Cabana's? If you did, what are your thoughts.

[traveler1980]

Thank you so much for the review. Very well done and enjoyed reading all the details as we will be on in a few weeks. I'm intrigued by the beer tasting and pub crawl. Do you remember if they also had mixology classes? I've enjoyed those on HAL in the past. I was pleased to read about the mariner lunch in the dining room on embarkation day. Was it a set menu or did you get to choose off of a regular menu like usual? Thank you again for your write up!

[tcook052]

We are sailing her on March 29th and are very excited. Did you happen to take a look at the Retreat Cabana's? If you did, what are your thoughts.

 

I passed by them several times and they never seemed anywhere near full. I considered them briefly but they're just not my things as I enjoy seeing & doing things around the ship but to each their own.

 

Do you remember if they also had mixology classes?

 

They were offered as well but it conflicted with something else I was doing so choices had to be made but I'll look for it next time as I heard others talking about how much fun they'd had.

 

I was pleased to read about the mariner lunch in the dining room on embarkation day. Was it a set menu or did you get to choose off of a regular menu like usual?

 

Good question and it's testing my memory but as I recall it was a regular menu.

 

I neglected to mention in my long winded review the Mariner's dinner where they present you with the ceramic Delft tiles. I'd heard it talked about here so made it a point to get mine this cruise after missing it on the first HAL cruise on Zuiderdam. :)

[sportsmum]

Thanks so much for the review, well done!

 

Could you please tell me what movies you saw at the theater?

 

Thanks!

[kazu]

Great review - well written and thanks, as well for the le Cirque review. Much appreciated. I was getting concerned too as I always understood this was a nice ship and after bragging about HAL, my sister and her family has booked this ship. What a relief to see good reviews again. :):)

 

thank you so much :D:D

[erewhon]

Thank you for a great positive review.

[IRL_Joanie]

Great Review and I am so glad that the photos on my site helped you choose the stateroom:)

 

Only one question from me... Bet you know what it is already..... Any photos?? Stateroom and public areas???:D

 

Joanie

[RuthC]

Entertainment & Events:

I watched the piano bar for a bit but it’s not really my style though it always looked packed when I went past so it attracts a crowd.

Who was playing in the Piano Bar?

[coka]

Hi tcook052,

Thanks for sharing your solo experience. I was wondering how HAL seated solos with the open dining and you addressed it in your review. I read your Le Cirque review so thank you for that too!

 

If you can tell me a little bit more about the walk for the cure...I love to walk for exercise and plan for it in the later afternoons or early mornings. Does the donation go 100% to the cause? Is there more information about it in the daily newsletter/activity sheet? Thanks again for your help.

 

coka

[tcook052]

Great Review and I am so glad that the photos on my site helped you choose the stateroom:)

 

Only one question from me... Bet you know what it is already..... Any photos?? Stateroom and public areas???:D

 

Joanie

 

Your pictures helped immensely, Joanie, and thanks for doing that service to others. :) I'm not that much on technology but will try and show you some of my pictures of the cabin at least though too many of the public areas as I took quite a few. See how this turns out:

 

[IRL_Joanie]

Your pictures helped immensely, Joanie, and thanks for doing that service to others. :) I'm not that much on technology but will try and show you some of my pictures of the cabin at least though too many of the public areas as I took quite a few. See how this turns out:

 

If you could email them to me by clicking HERE I could post them for everyone to see at their original size?? The thumbnails are hard for me to see:(

 

Joanie

[Himself]

I enjoyed the review very much. It is the Eurodam I knew when I sailed her last October.

Thank you for taking the time to write it.

[tcook052]

If you can tell me a little bit more about the walk for the cure...I love to walk for exercise and plan for it in the later afternoons or early mornings. Does the donation go 100% to the cause? Is there more information about it in the daily newsletter/activity sheet? Thanks again for your help.

 

No, 75% of donations goes to the Susan G Komen Foundation and the fact sheet for the partnership is here to find out more. And yes, it was mentioned in the Explorer and a separate handout was delivered to my cabin.

[diamondgirl54]

Do you know who the cruise director and captain of the ship were?

[tcook052]

Do you know who the cruise director and captain of the ship were?

 

It's there in the OP under Entertainment & Events:

 

The cruise director Jason Venner held a Q&A session in the Crow’s Nest with the Capt. Jeroen van Donselaarand

[RuthC]

Did you somehow miss my question?

[schoolinmy3]

No, 75% of donations goes to the Susan G Komen Foundation and the fact sheet for the partnership is here to find out more. And yes, it was mentioned in the Explorer and a separate handout was delivered to my cabin.

I have done the walk for the cure on the Eurodam and plan to again on our next cruise. Hoping for a warmer walk this time. It was a cold rainy day on the Eurodam. ;)

Diane

[tcook052]

Did you somehow miss my question?

 

No, just didn't have the copies of the Explorer at home as I'd taken them to work. Now I'm back to work I checked and it was Piano Man Michael playing in the Piano Bar.

[RuthC]

... it was Piano Man Michael playing in the Piano Bar.

Thank you. I like to keep track of the important details, and who's in the Piano Bar is tops on that list.