Use of Public Space on Eurodam

[ilovhywd]

We were on the Eurodam trans-Atlantic and, rather than write another general review, I thought I would comment on the use of some of the spaces.

 

The luxury jewelry store (Merabella) takes up alot of area that could be better utilized. I am sure that one big sale in that store pays its "rent" as far as revenue is concerned, but NO ONE was ever in there and the clerk sat at his little table doing nothing for 15 days. This is not to be confused with the shopping atrium which works very nicely.

 

Next door, the screening room has comfortable seats, but is way too small. Many folks were sitting on the floor. Some seats have wide tables between them which could be replaced with more seats! Better yet, they could take away the luxury jewelry store next door and expand the screening room!

 

I never saw more than 2 people at one time in the Sports Bar adjacent to the casino even though many televisions were broadcasting sports events. Is it that there are so many other things to do or is the room not inviting? On the other hand, the Piano Bar in the casino was always very busy with people singing the same songs every single night.

 

The card room is too small for the number of people wanting to play cards, so they ended up wrapped in blankets and freezing at the tables by the Lido Pool. When the King's Room (private dining room) isn't being used for a function, maybe it could be set up as an additional card room.

 

The Pinnacle Bar was very lightly used, probably because there was no music in there. Most people were at the Ocean Bar or Explorer's Lounge before dinner where there was live music. The new Silk Den is a beautiful location to relax and have drinks. For some reason, it wasn't busy.

 

It is hard to evaluate the cabana situation because we did not have cabana weather. However, I met a family who rented a cabana for the last sea day, and they said it was the best part of the trip - very relaxing for them. The cabanas are fine where they are on Deck 10 or 11, but they take up too much public space at the Lido Pool.

 

On a positive note, I love what they did with the Crow's Nest and Explorations Cafe. The front of Deck 11 is like one huge living room with people reading, playing scrabble, surfing the internet, and just socializing while watching the scenery. It is a most inviting and comfortable area.

 

I will be interested to read comments from future Eurodam passengers.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your comments.

 

We also noticed that the Merrabella shop on the Westerdam never seem to anyone in there and wondered if they made a sale in the 26 days we were on her.

[RuthC]

The luxury jewelry store (Merabella) takes up alot of area that could be better utilized.

I didn't care for the jewelry displayed there. There was nothing "wow!" about it at all. It wasn't particularly attractive. That was also true of the Mirabella jewelry shop on the Rotterdam in Jan/Feb, too.

On the other hand, the Piano Bar in the casino was always very busy with people singing the same songs every single night.

That sounds just like Bob. :rolleyes: Pretty poor repertoire.

The Pinnacle Bar was very lightly used, probably because there was no music in there.

That would be one reason. Another would be due to the incredibly uncomfortable chairs in there.

[bepsf]

Yes - The Merabella shop is a great waste of space, and the shopkeepers when they weren't looking bored were snooty - unlike the shopkeepers in the main shopping hall who were incredibly nice and helpful.

 

Ruth - I thought the Piano player's name was Johnny?

 

The Pinnacle Bar on Eurodam is empty because it's a poorly designed, uninviting room...

...unlike the Pinnacle Bar on Noordam - which occupies the exact same space - is a beautifully designed room with extremely comfortable seating and is often quite busy.

 

I too enjoyed the Crow's Nest layout (with the exception of the elimination of 1/2 the seats at the bar) - but other than the night in Hamburg when the place was jam-packed with people watching the fireworks as we sailed at Midnight it was sadly quiet in the evenings.

 

Of course, we all know how I feel about the midship Lido cabanas...

:cool:

[RuthC]

Ruth - I thought the Piano player's name was Johnny?

Hi, Brian. :) Jimmy Maddox was the musician in the Piano Bar for the Prelude and first cruises. He was good. :)

Sadly (for me, anyway), Jimmy left for a quick break, then transferred to the Noordam. He was replaced by someone named "Bob". No last name was ever given, nor was it in the Daily Program. Bob was terrible. :mad:

[bepsf]

Hi, Brian. :) Jimmy Maddox was the musician in the Piano Bar for the Prelude and first cruises. He was good. :)

Sadly (for me, anyway), Jimmy left for a quick break, then transferred to the Noordam. He was replaced by someone named "Bob". No last name was ever given, nor was it in the Daily Program. Bob was terrible. :mad:

 

Oh, I didn't realize there was a change - No wonder....

[cruiseluv]

To me the piano bar and sports bar was a big turn off due to heavy smoking going on there.

[mamaofami]

Hi, Brian. :) Jimmy Maddox was the musician in the Piano Bar for the Prelude and first cruises. He was good. :)

 

Sadly (for me, anyway), Jimmy left for a quick break, then transferred to the Noordam. He was replaced by someone named "Bob". No last name was ever given, nor was it in the Daily Program. Bob was terrible. :mad:

 

 

Bob's last name is still not in the program. I just checked. Maybe we'll get lucky on the Noordam. :D

[RuthC]

To me the piano bar and sports bar was a big turn off due to heavy smoking going on there.

The Piano Bar is a no-smoking venue.

[HEYJUDE1]

My first cruise ever will be on the Eurodam. Maybe I choose the wrong ship for a first impression? Boy I hope not! Please tell me everything will be ok! It took me 10 years to convince my DH that we would love cruising!

[cruiseluv]

The Piano Bar is a no-smoking venue.

 

Then the smoke must be filtering into it from the Sports bar or casino. One evening we went into the Piano bar and had to leave after 5 mins. due to heavy smoke smell. Plus, the music being played wasn't very inspiring.

[RuthC]

Plus, the music being played wasn't very inspiring.

That I believe.

[ilovhywd]

You did not choose the wrong ship! The Eurodam is lovely and you will not be disappointed.

 

Some of us veterans just like to make comparisons to other ships and sometimes we are nitpickingly critical. This is not to say that we didn't have a wonderful time!

 

Several of us have complained about the smoking. In our area, all restaurants, bars, and public buildings are non-smoking, so when we go on a cruise and are subjected to smoke on a daily basis, it becomes a problem. On sea days we couldn't enjoy our balcony because there were chain smokers on both sides of us. But we love cruising, and we just have to put up with it.

[sauvichick]

My first cruise ever will be on the Eurodam. Maybe I choose the wrong ship for a first impression? Boy I hope not! Please tell me everything will be ok! It took me 10 years to convince my DH that we would love cruising!

 

Having been on only one HAL cruise before the Eurodam I think you'll love it! We still prefer HAL over those "popular" ones. The Eurodam holds more passengers than many ships in HAL's other classes. I think that's what bothered die-hard fans. It still holds fewer than many of the major cruise lines. Definitely check out the new areas such as the Silk Den, Tamarind, Canaletto & the retreat cabanas. We plan on taking HAL again because we prefer the elegance & style many of the cruise lines lack.

[JimVrhovac]

Thank yopu for a review written in a very different perspective.

 

Ruth & Jim

[Taxguy7]

Several of us have complained about the smoking. In our area, all restaurants, bars, and public buildings are non-smoking, so when we go on a cruise and are subjected to smoke on a daily basis, it becomes a problem. On sea days we couldn't enjoy our balcony because there were chain smokers on both sides of us. But we love cruising, and we just have to put up with it.

We have had balconies on TAs and did not use it on many sea days. When I found out the smoking policy on HAL, it made sense to get an ocean-view and spend the difference in cost elsewhere.

We love smokeless resturants, but all the bars in our area are smoking. The ventilation system is very important then, as I don't last 5 minutes in some, but can spend a few hours in others seated next to friends who smoke.

[djhsolara]

My first cruise ever will be on the Eurodam. Maybe I choose the wrong ship for a first impression? Boy I hope not! Please tell me everything will be ok! It took me 10 years to convince my DH that we would love cruising!

 

 

I do not believe you chose the wrong ship. Please keep in mind that many of the people who have posted on here regarding Eurodam have cruised many times before. Please also keep in mind that the percentage of people who are on the ship that are the posters on this board is very minimal (most likely less than 10% of the entire passenger complement). If this is your first sailing, then you have nothing from which to compare it.

 

We did the Westerdam two years in a row. The first year was our very first cruise ever...and basically there was absolutely nothing wrong for us...it was "the best thing since sliced bread." I used the advice that I saw on here as a way to get additional knowledge, but I didn't allow it to jade my opinions. The second year that we sailed her, we had some issues...however it was because we were drawing from our experience the first year because we now had something to compare. While I would sail on Westerdam again in a heartbeat, the second sailing just did not live up to the first sailing. Keep in mind, though, that is the same for most anything in life...the first time you do something it is wonderful and then sometimes it gets a little less exciting as you do it more or as you do it more you pick out the little things that aren't quite the same.

 

We're very excited to be sailing on Eurodam in February. Many have posted their opinions here and once again I will use the advice that I see here as additional knowledge, but I am not going to allow it to jade my opinion of what I have seen as a gorgeous new ship.

 

I know you will have a wonderful sailing...and I look forward to hearing about it after you return!! :)

[HEYJUDE1]

Thank you to all who responded. I just took a deep breath! Now I can get excited all over again!