Live and life from the Eurodam and her New Year's cruise

[TiogaCruiser]

Is sjoelbak the Dutch “tabletop shuffleboard” like Veendam has/had?

[mamaofami]

Happy New Year, John.Loving your review. We’re just back from a NYE cruise to Cuba. Cuba is amazing. I know you mentioned it’s on your bucket list. The architecture in old Havana is beautiful. You should go.

[BruhnSisters]

Sad for for YOU,  that you have to leave the ship tomorrow in San Diego . . . but happy for ME because I'll be boarding and sailing away!  Thanks for taking the time to share all your pics and excellent information John.

[Boatdrill]

On 1/1/2019 at 12:28 PM, DAllenTCY said:

Happy New Year to all.

 

Heavy traffic was due to visitors in town for the Holiday Bowl parade and game yesterday.  

 

A van from Tijuana arrived at 4:45 pm with 6 guests.  Lucky for them that they used their cell phone to relay their progress once through the border crossing.  

 

When your safety drill started, there were still 17 missing.  Slowly they trickled in, with a variety of "excuses" for not being on board by 4 pm.   Two had driven from Fresno, two misread their boarding documents and thought check-in was at 5 pm, and two were just married.  

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

David...remember when Tom would yell across the terminal at the tardy pax ??   "You're LATE !!"   It always scared them. 🙂 

[Copper10-8]

6 hours ago, mamaofami said:

Happy New Year, John.Loving your review. We’re just back from a NYE cruise to Cuba. Cuba is amazing. I know you mentioned it’s on your bucket list. The architecture in old Havana is beautiful. You should go.

 

Done deal! 2019-2020 New Year cruise on Veendam! Looking very much forward to it 

[Skipper's Mom]

20 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Hi Lynne;

 

Just discovered Maj Jongg inside a black carrying case inside the Gallery Bar. Took a pic for you however, unable to post pics right now. There are several other board games, all located inside similar carrying cases, stored in racks on one of the side walls of said Gallery Bar, in the part that was originally the dance floor of the Northern Lights disco prior to its conversion. Lots of other games, incl. fussball plus a traditional Dutch game by the name of "sjoelbak," as well as game tables inside the Gallery Bar, which was busy this morning at 11:00 AM

Thanks, John, for looking into this for me.  Hopefully, I can find a few other MJ fanatics to play when we board the E in March.

 

Best wishes for a great New Year!

 

Lynne

[mocruzer]

Thank you for your great review!

[Copper10-8]

Day 5 - Thursday 03 JAN 19 – Mazatlán, Sinaloa (con't)

 

E-dam shoved off her berth at 5:47 PM (All Aboard had once again been at 5:30) and passed part of the Mazatlán fishing fleet on her port side, and the lighthouse atop the hill on starboard, as she headed back out to sea. Our new destination was Cabo San Lucas on the tip of the Baja California peninsula. In order to get there, we had to cross the southern part of the Gulf of California/Sea of Cortez. That body of water is a part of the Pacific Ocean and separates the Mexican mainland from the Baja California peninsula.

 

We had a 7:00 PM reservation at Eurodam’s Pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant located on Deck 11 mid-ship. The main dishes are categorized into the elements of water, fire, wood, and earth. So, here’s the interesting part of this evening’ exactly eleven minutes upon arriving at the restaurant, the First Stage alarm of one short blast, followed by a long one, repeated three times, was activated. The OOW came over the p/a almost immediately after the alarm, and directed the first responders to, you guessed it, the Tamarind galley. We could actually see the staff entrance to that galley from where we were seated. What we didn’t see was any smoke and/or galley staff come charging out of the galley which was a very good sign as well as a reason to stay in our seats.

 

Tamarind staff remained ultra-professional, coming by each table to announce that the issue was being worked, and there was quite possibly going to be a little delay in serving the hot food! Signs of a well-trained staff! Capt. Eric came on to let us all know that a small fire had been detected inside the Tamarind galley however had been put out by the initial responder. There was no smoke and all other responders, incl. the fire teams, were stood down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

Day 5 - Thursday 03 JAN 19 – Mazatlán, Sinaloa (con't)

 

We continued with our meal which, after the incredible growing napkin in liquid trick, started out with Pan-Asian hot tea, a really nice bowl of Krupuk (Indonesian shrimp crackers) with four assorted dips(Soy sauce, Sambal, a sweet & sour plus a green contraption). Maria wound up having the chicken and rice soup and Hoison-lime glazed sea bass, while I had the chicken and rice soup, the trail of spices satay sampler, and the wasabi and soy crusted beef tenderloin served on an oak plank. Both came with Jasmin rice. For dessert, Maria chose the mango cloud while I had the Tamarind chocolate. Overall, we had an excellent dinner as well as professional service by Dian from Indonesia and her colleague, Kasawara from Thailand, in the Tamarind on Thursday.

 

The main entertainment tonight was the comedy, magic and of course audience participation of Jeff Peterson and his four-legged assistant Indy, the magic dog, a Coton de Tuléar breed, originally hailing from the East African island of Madagascar. We have seen Jeff before; he’s got some incredible acts of magic, the dollar bill in the orange, and the wedding ring inside the ‘bubble gum machine’ and some really funny comedy incl. the “shooting” of the three balloons.

 

We closed out the night after his show because we have an oh dark thirty wakeup call for Cabo on Friday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 7, 2019 by Copper10-8

[erewhon]

Thanks for the update.

The meal in the Tamarind sounds delicious.

Hope the Eurodam will be sent to  sail "down under" sometime in the near future!!

[Copper10-8]

Day 6 - Friday 04 JAN 19 – Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

 

As stated, after departing Mazatlán on Thursday, Eurodam sailed across to the tip of the Baja Peninsula until anchoring in the Bahia de Cabo San Lucas around 7:00 AM. Jutting out from that 1,000 mile long Baja peninsula where the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) meets the Pacific Ocean, Cabo San Lucas is separated from the north by Baja’s desert interior. At the tip of the peninsula lies a rock formation known as El Arco (“the arch”). The sea around Cabo is home to a wide array of marine life, including large sea mammals such as grey and humpback whales. The area is frequently referred to as “Los Cabos” (the capes) which identifies the two communities at the end of the peninsula, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is the main resort area on the western side of the peninsula while San Jose del Cabo, 18 miles to the east, is the more laidback, colonial community. The combined population was once 200 people, but that has grown to more than 50,000 today. The term “Los Cabos” also includes the almost unbroken line of hotels, golf courses and luxury condominiums in between both communities.

 

Today was our “early” day with a 0530 hrs. wake-up call so we could make a 0620 breakfast in the Lido Market and a 0650 assembly in the Main Stage. Why all that? Today, we had our one and only booked shore excursion that would take us to the sleepy town of Todos Santos, located about 55 miles north of Cabo San Lucas. After being “released” by the shorex ladies, our group “Green Five” made our way to E-dam’s A-Deck tender platform where we boarded Tender #15.

 

Once away from Eurodam, the 10 minute tender ride itself to Cabo’s Marina and tender dock was uneventful. Cabo is the only Mexican port where, right off the tender, the agents from the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) / National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality, including at times, a nice Golden Retriever, conduct an inspection of all carry-on’s for prohibited food items. Have not seen that conducted on a regular basis at any other Mexican stops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[puppycanducruise]

Fabulous pictures and comments.

Thank you.

[Copper10-8]

Day 6 - Friday 04 JAN 19 – Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur (con't)

 

Our little group met up with Becky, our guide and bus driver, Sergio on the pier and parking lot. Ahead of us was an approximate one hour and fifteen minute ride on Highway 19 up the coast to Todos Santos, passing shifting and contrasting scenery ranging from sandy beaches along the Pacific Ocean to the foothills of the desolate Sierra de la Laguna Mountains and through the desert dotted with massive saguaro cacti.

 

Todos Santos means “All Saints”. Settled in the 1700's, this primarily agricultural area has long been a haven for travelers, surfers, artists, and bohemians seeking tranquility away from the hustle of Cabo. It is a quaint little town where lots of artists have found a home which explains the multitude of art galleries in town.

 

Todos Santos is famous for one other thing: the Hotel California. The famous hotel is rumored (not true) to have been the 1969 inspiration of the song of the same name by the band “the Eagles” - “Relax said the night man. You can check out any time but you can never leave”. The Hotel California was founded in, 1947, by a Chinese immigrant named Wong. After three years of construction, it opened on February 5, 1950.

 

Upon arrival in TS, we kicked off a short, three-block walking tour with Becky explaining some of the history of the town and region. We continued on to the Misión de Santa Rosa de Todos Santos, the old Jesuit Mission established by the Spanish conquistadores in 1733 and had a chance to visit inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

Day 6 - Friday 04 JAN 19 – Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur (con't)

 

Some more Hotel California history; During the 1980's and 1990's, the hotel had become neglected and in 2001, a Canadian couple, John and Debbie Stewart. purchased the hotel. After completing a masterful renovation, which would later win numerous awards for design and décor, the original 16 rooms were transformed into the eclectic 11 suite hotel it is today. The restaurant, La Coronela and bar were added and the area of the original gas station became the tienda Emporio, the hotel's boutique gallery/bazaar.

 

After about 45 minutes of free time to browse some of the shops, and get a cup of Java at Baja Tasty, next up on the program was a Mexican lunch at the restaurant of Hotel California. A pretty good and tasty lunch was served consisting of a tamale, two chicken flauta’s, rice and beans. Included was a soft drink or a cerveza.

 

Back on the bus at was at 12:00 for the uneventful return to Cabo. Off in the distance in the Pacific, we did see vapor spouts from whales swimming off-shore. The tender ride to Eurodam was uneventful and we arrived back at our temporary home away from home in one piece. We can highly recommend the approximately five-hour Todos Santos excursion if you are getting somewhat tired of the scenery in Cabo San Lucas and/or if you want see something different.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[erewhon]

Intersting report, thank you.

Did the dog find any prohibited food items?

[Himself]

John:

Thank you for sharing your voyage with us.  Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

[mudscraper]

Thank you sir for a great cruise review.

[ETinCA]

On 1/2/2019 at 3:35 PM, pc_load_letter said:

It's an absolute embarrassment (as a San Diegan) that the Port of San Diego cannot get a parking lot to adequately supply parking for cruise guests.

 

I've always said the Port of SD couldn't manage a hot dog stand so I don't expect it to get fixed any time soon.

 

They better get their act together though because the Carnival Dream starts two years of departures here in 2020.

Say what now about the Dream in 2020 in San Diego? Nothing about that anywhere... You just hoping or know something?

[pc_load_letter]

15 hours ago, ETinCA said:

Say what now about the Dream in 2020 in San Diego? Nothing about that anywhere... You just hoping or know something?

 

D'oh....you're right, got my ships mixed up...Not Dream but Miracle.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/06/28/carnival-cruise-line-miracle-san-diego-return/741547002/

[Copper10-8]

On 1/7/2019 at 11:44 PM, erewhon said:

Intersting report, thank you.

Did the dog find any prohibited food items?

 

Hi Phil; no K-9 during our stop in Cabo, looking into all bags and purses by the agents only 

[DAllenTCY]

The Carnival Miracle will not pose an issue.  The sister ship Carnival Spirit was based in San Diego a few years ago.  As far as I know, only a few cruises between December and January are proposed anyway and none of them are double ship days.

 

David

 

 

 

 

Edited January 10, 2019 by DAllenTCY

[erewhon]

3 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Hi Phil; no K-9 during our stop in Cabo, looking into all bags and purses by the agents only 

Thanks for your reply.

They are very clever dogs.

[Loreto]

Thanks for the memories, Copper!  We had an SS Suite if the November Sea of Cortez sailing on the Eurodam and really enjoyed it and the cruise! A number of years ago we did the Todos Santos excursion and loved the scenery, town, mission and unique shops.  We had pitchers of their legendary Margaritas at the Hotel California.  I see they don't do that anymore, as I had a little too much to drink.

 

DH loved his Wasabi Steak at the Tamarind, said it was the best steak he ever had on a HAL ship!

 

Karen

[Copper10-8]

5 hours ago, erewhon said:

Thanks for your reply.

They are very clever dogs.

 

That, they are; at times more so then their handler 

[Skipper's Mom]

On 1/7/2019 at 12:45 AM, Copper10-8 said:

Day 5 - Thursday 03 JAN 19 – Mazatlán, Sinaloa (con't)

 

We continued with our meal which, after the incredible growing napkin in liquid trick, started out with Pan-Asian hot tea, a really nice bowl of Krupuk (Indonesian shrimp crackers) with four assorted dips(Soy sauce, Sambal, a sweet & sour plus a green contraption). Maria wound up having the chicken and rice soup and Hoison-lime glazed sea bass, while I had the chicken and rice soup, the trail of spices satay sampler, and the wasabi and soy crusted beef tenderloin served on an oak plank. Both came with Jasmin rice. For dessert, Maria chose the mango cloud while I had the Tamarind chocolate. Overall, we had an excellent dinner as well as professional service by Dian from Indonesia and her colleague, Kasawara from Thailand, in the Tamarind on Thursday.

 

The main entertainment tonight was the comedy, magic and of course audience participation of Jeff Peterson and his four-legged assistant Indy, the magic dog, a Coton de Tuléar breed, originally hailing from the East African island of Madagascar. We have seen Jeff before; he’s got some incredible acts of magic, the dollar bill in the orange, and the wedding ring inside the ‘bubble gum machine’ and some really funny comedy incl. the “shooting” of the three balloons.

 

We closed out the night after his show because we have an oh dark thirty wakeup call for Cabo on Friday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the pictures of Indy.  We have seen Jeff and Indy a couple of times.  She is adorable!