'Twas the Week Before Christmas - Live from the Eurodam

[POA1]

What a great and comprehensive review!

 

Great pix, great attitude and a LOT of work.

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks. Love your handle/posting name!

[richard1s]

You must get tired of hearing this POA1 but I want to join the long list of appreciative readers who thoroughly enjoyed your imaginative, informative and amusing narrative. I can’t imagine how much work and research goes into something this comprehensive. Thank you again!

[bluesplayer]

There has to be more?? Are you stopping after embarkation?? Do tell us more, please..

[POA1]

There has to be more?? Are you stopping after embarkation?? Do tell us more, please..

There is more. I started to write about the rooms, but am now at jury duty. Once I'm done wielding the iron fist o' justice, I'll continue.

[ger_77]

Great photos, especially of the ever dapper Poohby Joe. Here's one of our towel animals ready for Gala Night. The cava came with us from Spain and one of us (I won't tell you who) forgot it in the fridge at our post-cruise hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. Grrr.

 

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[Liz54]

There is more. I started to write about the rooms, but am now at jury duty. Once I'm done wielding the iron fist o' justice, I'll continue.

 

Jury Duty? :eek: I would have thought you would have been excused due to the important research you have just done and the releasing of the results for the good of humanity!

[POA1]

Jury Duty? :eek: I would have thought you would have been excused due to the important research you have just done and the releasing of the results for the good of humanity!

Nope. It's a right, a privilege, and an honor to serve. It's also a key component of citizenship. (See? Someone was listening during orientation.)

[POA1]

Because the staterooms part of the review is in process on my computer in the office, I'll skip over to the clean, bright entertainments part of the saga.

 

Lincoln Center Stage

 

Replacing the old Explorer's Lounge, Lincoln Center Stage is an outstanding improvement in terms of music quality. They're even better than the old Adagio Strings, and I'm talking about before they were reduced to a duo.

 

The group consists of four women on strings and a man on piano. For our group, the pianist was also the ad hoc music director. In addition to the piano, there are two violins, a viola, and a cello. The group usually did three shows a day. Each performance ran about an hour and followed a theme.

 

I truly wish that we had seen more of their performances. They were outstanding. Really great.

 

I understand that they reconfigured the space to make more room for seating by the stage. It's good that they did, as the quintet usually played to a packed room.

 

My advice is to see them early in your voyage before everyone else finds out about them. I'd also recommend getting to the show at least 10 minutes early to ensure that you get a good seat. If you need a beverage, you can pick one up at the Pinnacle Grill Bar. There is beverage service before the show, but it stops once the group begins to play. Then it's all about the music.

 

Even if you aren't a classical music fan, do yourself a favor and go.

Edited January 4, 2017 by POA1

[POA1]

B. B. King All Stars

 

This was our fourth cruise that featured the group. A common misconception is that you'll hear a lot of blues at the B. B. King shows. You won't. What you will hear is a mix of music, most of it danceable, that spans the era from the 1950s until today.

 

The group is always very good to excellent. The line up consists of keyboards, lead guitar, bass guitar, saxophone, and trumpet. The band is fronted by a male and female vocalist. The band on our cruise had a very charismatic male vocalist who had the crowd up on its feet every show.

 

We've always enjoyed the B. B. King shows and this cruise was no exception. Some people find the band to be on the loud side, but it's never bothered us. If you enjoy the music but find the volume too high, you can always grab a seat in the hall and listen. You won't be alone.

 

Huskerchick and I are usually good for at least one or two shows a night. The music is good and there is plenty of opportunity for dancing - the unstructured kind that suits me just fine.

[POA1]

Billboard Onboard

 

Billboard Onboard replaces the traditional piano bar. While many people have referred to it as dueling pianos, it's really more like a piano duet. We had male and female piano players. They were good and engaging. They play a mix of themed sets and all request shows. Most of the shows were well attended and people seemed to have a good time.

 

The space encompasses the old piano bar, the sports bar and a portion of the casino. There is a full bar as well as quite a bit of living room style seating. There is roughly double the amount of piano-side seating as the old piano bar had.

 

All in all the new venue benefits from the extra seating and added space. DW and I think that the new piano bar is a nice upgrade. DFIL, on the other hand preferred the more intimate feel of the old piano bar.

[ON cruiser]

Just to say that, having been on Eurodam at end of October through early November for the TA (when Lincoln Centre during the TA was under construction) I have really appreciated your observations of the ship and on your cruise. Most interesting reading; and thanks for spending your holiday time to do this.

 

I hope you and your wife enjoy a nice relaxing cruise soon again--its easier for you, presumably, living where you do then alas for me! Don't wait another two years!

 

All best,

[POA1]

So far, they've picked 8 panels but my number hasn't been called. I'm not sure how they're managing to mete out justice without me.

 

The Mainstage - Main Show Lounge

 

The main theatre is where you'll catch the production shows and the guest entertainers. There are usually two shows per night with the occasional late night comedy show. We only managed to see two shows. One was a comedian/magician and the other was the BBC Earth show I wrote about earlier. We highly recommend it.

 

When you take in a show, you'll find the best sight lines if you enter the lounge on deck 2. You can find seating. If you enter on 3, but the seats are at a pretty steep angle and you're far from the stage.

[POA1]

The Band

 

The Band plays to accompany the Mainstage shows and they play for a few hours each day in Ocean Bar for those interested in dancing. They play a variety of music and they had an enthusiastic following among passengers who like to dance. (The real kind of dancing, not the semi-rhythmic wobbling I practice.)

[slidergirl]

I wanted to give you my "thank you" for this thread. I'm only doing a quickie 4 nighter on the Eurodam in April, but you've given me tons of information with which I can better enjoy the trip.

I was happy to see the menus - it gives me hope that I have more choices as a non-red-meat eater than in the past. The wine list: I was happy to see one of my "house reds" on the list - the Santa Cristina Toscana. I wasn't happy with the markup - I can buy here for $10 and they are charging $38. Not happy with the Riesling offering at all. With spicy Asian food one of the staples, I was surprised to not see more of this natural pairing. A note: our Thai restaurant in my town has been a yearly recipient of a Wine Spectator award for their fantastic selections of Rieslings - that's why I'm partial.

 

Don't sweat the jury selection. Sometimes, it's a mixed blessing. Got to the final selection for one trial and didn't get the call. Turned out to be a trial for a dad who left his toddler in the pickup while he went hunting - child got out, got lost, died. A very emotional trial. Dad was convicted. Judge allowed him a couple of weeks to get affairs in order before reporting to prison. The morning he was supposed to report, he was found dead in his pickup - suicide. No one on the jury or the Judge can forget that one. It affected our entire town.

[POA1]

The Casino

 

The casino was probably the busiest we've ever seen on a Holland America cruise. I don't know if it was a lot of casino offer people or just gaming enthusiasts. When we went to use our $5 match coupons at the roulette table, all the colors were in use. That's okay though. We won $30 and got out. DW won $10 on the slots. I still miss the old coin machines. We gamble so infrequently that we can never remember what we need to do to get our money out of the machine. We must have had our clueless moron faces on, because a floor manager came by to help us straightaway.

 

In addition to the slot machines, there were a few poker tables and a full compliment of table games.

[POA1]

Steel Drums

 

As is usually the case in the Caribbean, this HAL cruise had steel drum player who played by the pool. And, as is usually the case, steel drum lessons were offered. And as is always the case, I failed to take advantage of the lessons.

 

By my estimate, I'd be a virtuoso by now if I'd only have taken all the lessons on all the cruises I've been on over the years.

 

The live steel drum adds to the tropical atmosphere at the Lido pool and we had some Christmas carols on steel drum this year. It was a surprisingly festive touch for the season.

[POA1]

I started this post last night, but then I had to head out for jury duty. This is a little out of order and should have come before the entertainment posts.

 

 

Rooms & Accommodations:

 

We thought that the new room designs were well though out and well done. IMO, they have a more modern sensibility with muted earth tones. The bathrooms, in particular, are much nicer. While HAL's bathrooms always had a very efficient, IKEA vibe, the Eurodam's remodeled facilities are a cut above. They're really, really nice. They've even solved the problem of the leaking shower curtain that we've had in Neptune Suites on the Vista Class ships. (I think the lip of the shower tray is taller.)

 

(How great would it have been if I remembered to take photos? I thought that I'd be able to point you to a vast photo library on the web. Sadly, most of the photos I can find are pre-retrofit.)

 

The VA rooms, like DFIL had, definitely feel more spacious. There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of difference in the configuration, but on the whole, the room gives the sense of "more." Size difference isn't as noticeable in the suites. They're still spacious and all, but the verandah rooms seem to have gained more noticeably.

 

A lot has been made of the fact that the new flat screens are all mounted above the sofa. While I get that some people like to lie on the sofa and watch TV, I also understand that we're on a ship. If you cannot bear to have to watch a wall mounted television from the bed, book the Pinnacle Suite. You can sit in your room's chairs to watch television or you can prop yourself up on the bed. There are ample pillows - probably enough to make a fort. Speaking of pillows... We'd love a soft option. It's not that the pillows are hard. They aren't. We're just used to goose down which is softer. And in my case, my pillow at home is so well broken in that DW always wants to know if it's time to replace it. (It's a sad, flat, little pillow, but I love it.)

 

The sheets are of high quality, so no complaints nor concerns there. The duvet proved to be the right thickness for us. You mileage might vary depending on your preferred sleeping temperature. You can always add blankets. I'm also pleased to announce that after a quarter of a century of wedded bliss, we seem to have reached "total bed cover equilibrium." Couples typically achieve equilibrium at home, where no one's hogging the covers while the other person freezes. It's trickier when traveling though. New beds. New covers. New sheets and pillows. However, it looks like we made it. It seems that this occasion should call for cake. Probably chocolate with a buttercream icing.

[POA1]

Shifting over to dining -

 

Room Service

 

The only meals we ordered from room service were breakfasts. They always came hot and on time, except for one time which I chronicled earlier.

 

Our normal room service breakfast is eggs of some sort and a breakfast meat. Whether it's over easy, scrambled, or an omelet, we'll almost always have eggs. We always write in "crispy bacon" and never had a problem. I understand that the room service breakfast card changed, but it didn't impact us. Everything we normally order is still there.

 

We successfully tried a write in chocolate croissant, but that's been rendered moot by DW's chocolate croissant hack. She decided to put Nutella on a croissant one morning, and it seems to have kicked the chocolate croissant's butt to the curb. Now she goes regular croissant, with a side of Nutella. (Try it. It's good. You can find Nutella in the Lido too. I might be going out on a limb, but Nutella could probably make a raw turnip taste delicious.)

Edited January 4, 2017 by POA1

[RuthC]

I might be going out on a limb, but Nutella could probably make a raw turnip taste delicious.)

Probably. But I wouldn't risk perfectly good Nutella attempting to find out. ;)

[marysb]

 

 

The VA rooms, like DFIL had, definitely feel more spacious. There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of difference in the configuration, but on the whole, the room gives the sense of "more." Size difference isn't as noticeable in the suites. They're still spacious and all, but the verandah rooms seem to have gained more noticeably.

g.

 

I thought I read that only the suites had been updated - so were the VA's redone as well? From the photos on the HAL website, the decor looks lighter and airier, but, as you said, the configuation looks pretty much the same as before.

....or were you saying the VA's look bigger than the the Signature Suites?

 

Sorry to nit-pick this .... just wondering as we have a VA booked on the Eurodam and are travelling with our teenage son .... so I am very happy to hear there might be more space.

Mary

[POA1]

I thought I read that only the suites had been updated - so were the VA's redone as well? From the photos on the HAL website, the decor looks lighter and airier, but, as you said, the configuation looks pretty much the same as before.

....or were you saying the VA's look bigger than the the Signature Suites?

 

Sorry to nit-pick this .... just wondering as we have a VA booked on the Eurodam and are travelling with our teenage son .... so I am very happy to hear there might be more space.

Mary

I don't really know, Mary. My father in law's decor matched ours, so I assume that his VA had been redone as well. We were never on the Eurodam before, so I cannot be certain. Maybe someone else knows?

 

I don't think there's physically more space, it just seemed roomier than his previous verandah rooms.

Edited January 5, 2017 by POA1

[Tiggipaws]

Thank you POA1 for all your hard work putting all this information together, I am booked on the 2017 cruise from the 17th to 31st December. Did all those children spoil any part of the cruise for you?

 

Regards

[POA1]

Thank you POA1 for all your hard work putting all this information together, I am booked on the 2017 cruise from the 17th to 31st December. Did all those children spoil any part of the cruise for you?

 

Regards

 

Not at all. They were well behaved for the most part. It was just unusual to hear the sound of running footsteps in the hall on a HAL ship. Other than being loud at the pool, which is standard little kid operating procedure, they weren't particularly noticeable. I will say that we were very glad to have a retreat cabana.

[POA1]

Lido Market

 

Other than a handful of breakfasts, we really didn't eat in the Lido often. The breakfasts we did have were good and the food was hot, so no complaints.

 

We did like the pre-made cheese and charcuterie plates. They were a nice grab and go option for a light snack. We also liked the pre-made sandwiches, which were handy to take back to the room as a late night snack

[POA1]

Main Dining Room

 

We had 5 of our 7 dinners in the MDR. Aside from the dining time snafu I mentioned toward the beginning of this thread, (Right table. Wrong Time.) everything went well. Our waiter Eri, and his assistant Restu were on top of everything and gave us very good service. Our wine steward, Joan was great. We made his job easier by knowing what we wanted in advance and ordering our entire wine flight up front. (That's right, kids. I said flight. No glass at a time for us.)

 

We did have a couple of instances where our food wasn't as hot as we would have liked, but generally everything was fine. (Cruz Chic, if you're reading this please note that we're not immune from the "just warm" entree problem. ;) ) We were able to find several dishes that tickled our fancy each night, so choice and selection were never an issue.

 

If you like fish, the selection was excellent. For main courses, you could have had (Alphabetized for your convenience!) Barramundi, Kingfish (Yellowtail Amberjack), Maine Lobster, Salmon, Sea Bass, Shrimp, Sole, Trout or Tuna. And that was just our week, or Set A of the menus. The Set B menus added Snapper and Mahi. If you include appetizers, you'd add a few more choices, including crab & scallops.

 

I thought the appetizer selection was outstanding and I often ordered two appetizers instead of one and a soup or salad. The "raw" appetizers: ceviche, beef tartare, tuna tartare, and salmon tartare were delicious. My father in law always gives us a funny look when we eat our raw dishes as he doesn't quite trust them. He turns 80 later this year, so he may have a point. Huskerchick gave the soft-shelled crabs a huge thumbs up. (For the initiated, they're "deep fried sea spiders.") If you really like an appetizer, don't be afraid to double-up. There's no rule against ordering Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail followed by Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. (Just don't fill up on the endive!) You can also order a double portion if you really like something.

 

If you're a fan of chilled fruit soups, you won't be disappointed. There's one almost every day. We really didn't go in for the hot soups because they seem incongruous with a tropical vacation. The daily salads were good and there is a Caesar salad available every day. (By that, I mean it's a new salad each time. By "a Caesar salad available every day," I don't mean it's the same sad salad trotted out day after day.)

 

I'm only going to make one entree recommendation and that's Chef Rudi's Weiner Schnitzel from Day 4, Set A. If you're hesitant to take the plunge and order this dish, order one to share.

 

Desserts were good and a cheese plate is available most nights. (I still miss the cheese menu from early 2014, but I suppose I'll have to get out of the WayBack Machine and move on.) There is a cordial available each evening and it comes in a newly updated cordial glass. Your cordial & glass are covered under the SBP if you have that beverage package. Otherwise, they're $6.95 which includes the glass.

 

Each day's menus are available on the in-room TV and NS/PS guests still get paper copies. If you are a wine by the glass person or have a beverage package, take a gander at the menus on the TV so you'll know what wine you want to order ahead of time.

 

The new (at least to us) system of wine stewards and "wine runners" has really improved the efficiency of the wine ordering/delivery process. In addition to the regular wine stewards and wine delivery personnel, they also have additional staff available for busier nights. Our emergency back up wine steward was Dodie, whom we met on the Nieuw Amsterdam in 2014. We never had an empty glass problem. Tip: If you drink wine, or anything else really, have your order ready to go when you sit down. If you are buying wines by the bottle in a package, gibe your server instructions the night before. If you need to see the menu first, look it up on the television and pop in to the MDR before dinner with instructions. ("Table 4. Second Seating. We'll have the Franciscan Equilibrium tonight.") If you brought your own wine, just tell your waiters how to set your stemware. "Tomorrow, we'll need red glasses & Champagne glasses."