LIVE From The Eurodam 2WK Holiday Cruise ...Brought To You By LAFFNVEGAS

[Chivalrygirl]

Lisa, those sheets are disgusting. One of those pictures looked to me like Joey had done a big piddle :p He he you know where my mind was going don't ya matey :)

Hoping I can watch you doing a big wave, you must be on board by now but I am confused with the time difference.

Talk to you soon

Love Val

[Atomica]

Lisa, glad your flights went well - sorry to hear the hotel wasn't up to par. It may have just been that room. I've been to a couple hotels more than once where once the stay is great, the other time not so much.

 

Enjoy the Eurodam for the next two weeks!

[knitlady037]

We just stayed in Embassy Suites in Nov. Had an east facing room on 11th floor. This room was very nice. New furniture and very nice front desk people. They were very helpful about directions and finding places. Our trip from airport was $14.60 plus $2.00 trunk charge.

[innlady1]

Have a wonderful two weeks on the Eurodam, Lisa! I'm looking forward to your blog....

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Saturday December 13th, 2008

Finally LIVE from the Eurodam!!!!

Lot of first comments/impressions to make I just hope I can remember them all.

I last left off before we checked out of the hotel, when we checked out and they asked how our stay was in a very nice way I explained we were very disappointed and even went as far as to shoe them the photos of the sheets. They were quite shocked at the front desk and ended up setting up to send up a comp night in the future and did not charge us for the internet and shuttle service to the pier.

We arrived at pier 26 at about 10:50 and dropped off luggage to the steveadore and went and stood in line. To our surprise and Red vest gentlemen came up to us and asked us what our cabin number was. He then said come with me and took us out of the long line that had formed outside and took us to the front of the line and gave us little badges to clip on that had the S on it. About 5 minutes later we were escorted inside and were the first to check in. This was all handled quite nicely and making Suite passengers feel like they are being taken care of….. Where the ball dropped was when you went up stairs. There seems to be a lack of information but about 20 minutes later after they boarded handicapped they then called PH and S Suite passengers. Fortunately we knew what we were doing and headed right up to the Neptune to drop off our carry ons. Like I said this is where the lack of information was which was different than when we recently checked in, in San Diego and June in Seattle.

After introducing ourselves to Christine one of our Concierges we had a lunch in the Lido. OK The first thing I noticed was the difference in colors. Nice warm earth tones. I did have the good feeling as I crossed the gangway and boarded the ship. It feels good but feels very different but yet the same. Very hard to explain. I thought maybe it would feel more like the Noordam but it definitely does not. We are pleased to say that there are so many crew we know. Many are from the Noordam that we got to know in two sailings in summer of 2007. Many familiar faces in the Lido and one of the first that we knew right away is the Assist. Culinary Mgr Wessel. He was in beginning training when we first met him in Feb. 2006 on the Oosterdam.

He is moving up nicely in management and we wondered where he was. After lunch we decided to start exploring, we did our walk to the aft pool, then to the Lido Pool area and thru the spa. Next up to the Crow’s Nest to see the new Explorations Café. I was convinced I would not like it but actually I do. But the big surprise was the person working the Coffee Bar. (Val this information is for you ) One of the Bar Staff from the Noordam Angie was there and that is where she will be working the next two weeks. We were so thrilled to see her right away. We exchanged big hugs and started talking about other crew members and I told her that I had heard from Bede who had also been on the Noordam and that she was back home in the Phillipines and was expecting her first baby. Then I said where is Romeo and she said he is just around the corner in the Crow’s Nest Bar. Again we had another big reunion with him. We have heard there are some others we know but have not found them yet.

We soon found our way back to our cabin just as they were available to go to them.

While the cabin is the same it does have a different feeling due to the color scheme. Of course we noticed the lights for reading at the bed were different but the biggest changes we saw were in the bathroom. Now of course all this comparisons on based on the Vista Class ship. The bathroom counter while done in corian is noticeably shallower. The bathtub is not as high and actually seems really short in height. There is no light on the whirlpool tub in the bathroom, I had always used that as sort of a night light. Then the toilet paper dispenser is on the other side of the toilet. Yeah, that is bugging me. I tend to be a creature of habit and know the Vista ships very well. Of course none of this is bad just things that we noticed right away.

We did have a 3 PM Web Cam Wave, I have yet to be on CC yet to see if anyone has posted it. It seemed funny that Deck 5 has that level above the actual bow but also very nice. The weather today is very cloudy, cold and extremely windy. Definitely not nice out at all. After the wave we came back and our luggage had all arrived to se did the usual unpacking and that was like always and placing items in their usual places. It really goes quickly when you have done it so many times. You know where exactly you want items.

Life boat drill was normal except the have the newer life jackets. No long strings and having to tie them. Bet those conducting the Life Boat Drill like that.

Oh yes before the wave Becky and her parent Jim and Cindy came down to our cabin then we went to theirs to see the Pent House. Definitely very nice and will be a great week for them.

For Sail Away we decided to go to the Crow’s Nest where it was not windy and cold but it ended up that the RCL ship in front of us was still bringing on luggage and was just conducting Life Boat Drill and Captain Mercer could no get around them with the high winds so we needed to wait till they left.

Sail away started right about 6 PM, after seeing that there was not much to see since it was so dark we decided to head back to the cabin so I could finish writing this.

The ship is beautifully decorated for Christmas and we had some lovely gifts in our cabin when we arrived. We even have a nice size 2.5 ft Christmas tree that was a gift from a good friend.

This first day seems to have all the makings of being an absolutely wonderful week on the Eurodam.

Oh Yes, entertainment for the HAL Cats had been Leanna and the HAL Cats but Leanna must have just left we now have Robin and the HAL Cats. And YES Shane is still the CD and Marks Pells is the Hotel Manager.

I am going to now sign up for the internet and see if I can get this posted before we attend the Suite Cocktail Party at 7:30, then we have 8 PM Tamarind reservations.

 

Signing off from the slightly rocking Beautiful MS Eurodam.

[richwmn]

Saturday December 13th, 2008

 

Finally LIVE from the Eurodam!!!!

 

We did have a 3 PM Web Cam Wave, I have yet to be on CC yet to see if anyone has posted it. It seemed funny that Deck 5 has that level above the actual bow but also very nice. The weather today is very cloudy, cold and extremely windy.

 

Lisa - I have captures from the MortgageMobile camera from around 3pm. It moved from the bow to the sports decks (behind Crows Nest) several time. I saw several people, but could not really pick out a "wave". Where were ya'll? Inletcam never zoomed in on either area.

I will post that location when you let me know.

 

Rich

[mamaofami]

Hey, Lisa. Way to go with Tamarind reservations for night one. I know you'll be happy with dinner there. Don't forget to try lunch too. It's so nice that you met up with crew you know. Have a great cruise.

[Northshorecruisers]

Looking forward to review of Tamarind....what you had to eat and if Tom found anything to eat. I know he and Steve have similar tastes in food. I would never be able to get Steve to go to Tamarind.

 

How does the ship feel size wise? Do you notice the additional people or does it seem intimate like a Vista class?

[richwmn]

I went back and looked again and it looks like these are the pictures I got.

 

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Rich

 

 

 

 

 

[GmaPajama]

Looks like a wave to me - Good job, Rich!

I watched this thread all afternoon and am so glad to see your pics. :)

[earl_m]

Sounds like you are going to have a great cruise. keep them

daily reports coming!!

[Chivalrygirl]

Lisa, I was so happy to hear that Angie is safe in the arms of a DAM ship :) I was a tad concerned, did you mention to her that Sir Bernie had been so dreadfully ill? But all better now thanks to a miracle drug.

Keep on having fun.

Love Val

[HeatherInFlorida]

Lisa, I wish I'd been paying attention but haven't visited the HAL board for weeks (months?). Tonight I had some time and thought I'd see what everyone was up to so when I saw your 'Live from...' thread I started reading and hoped you were still in FLL. I was going to call you at your hotel just to wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful cruise.

 

Then I saw you sailed today so I'm too late in person, but want to wish you a great cruise. Wonderful way to celebrate the holidays!

 

What a shame you had such a nasty cold day for sailaway ... not what we like to show our guests!

 

Have a fabulous cruise. Look forward to your journal here:).

[fcorey]

Lisa, hope you and Tom have a wonderful time. I cant wait to read more of your posts! :)

[ugminer]

Happy Sails to You, Lisa and Tom. We'll all be looking forward to your reports.

Rich, thanks for the pics. I think that may be our own Lisa In the middle of the second picture. It looks like there may be a short blonde there.:D Maybe Lisa can verify that

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi Heather good to see you over here :) Yes too bad we could not of gotten together.

Val, I will mention to Angie tomorrow about Bernie.

Deb, you are absolutely correct ;)

Rich...Bravo, you captured our Wave perfectly. That is so fantastic. So we had the First Ever Eurodam Web Cam Wave :D Thanks so much for doing this for us and Thanks to Mortgage Mobile for the Web Cam.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Saturday December 13th 2008.…. 2nd report

We are full content and happy!!!!

Leaving off from when I last posted …. At 7:30 we attended the Suite Cocktail reception in the Neptune Lounge. There appeared to be a very nice turn out. Of course I got a big hug from my favorite Captain Jonathan Mercer. It was so great seeing the big smile on his face when he recognized us. Of course we saw Shane the CD again, we had not seen him since the Noordam in 2007 and we met Mark Pells the Hotel Manager and Amber the GRM. We hit it off with Amber right away and talked about a mutual friend. (yes mutual friend it was all good ;-) )

We had dinner reservations at 8 PM in the Tamarind so we headed up to the 11th floor mid ship early in the day when we did our own tour of the ship we had already seen the Silk Den and Tamarind. Let me tell you that I already knew I was going to like this area and what it had to offer but in reality I was blown away. This is so very impressive. Even up there we knew more Bar Staff, we knew Paulyne the cocktail server from the Noordam. She served me my Pearl Sake and Tom a couple of bottles of Kirin Beer this evening.

Now if anyone knows Sashimi and likes it you will be extremely impressed. The quality of the Sashimi was melt in your mouth wonderful. I was so very impressed. Then I had the Sea Bass and yes Tom had the Steak and they prepared it without being Wasabi/Soy encrusted. He really enjoyed it and I think too he was rather shocked that he loved it. The Tamarind is really a huge HIT. We have got to find time to go again next week. For Dessert I had the Banana Ginger Bread Pudding and Tom had the Chocolate Fortune Cookie. Both were wonderful!!!

After dinner we went down to the shops. We love the new look, it has more of a High End Department store feel. The shop looks full but for someone like us that knows the shops very well I could tell they were low on inventory and had limited supply which is unfortunate. But I do like the look of the new shops and they did an excellent job of designing it.

OK some things I wanted to mention, I think Rev’s Infamous Step in the Lido has been fixed. Was it the step going into the area near the Canoletto’s because there is now a ramp there that appears slightly newer looking the space around it. Yes the tables in the Lido are closer to the food area but over all it has a much more open feel and I would guess there are more tables.

For the first day I am giving it a 10, I was not sure exactly how I would feel about the Eurodam because of numerous mixed reviews but I am pleasantly surprised. For someone like us that have had so many sailings on the Oosterdam, we know the feel of a Vista Class ship and while the Noordam was new and improved this ship is definitely NOT a Vista Class. I know many will argue that it still is a Vista class and while there are many similarities the feel is distinctly it’s own.

I think I am close to calling it a Good Night from a great Day.

 

Signing off from the Beautiful MS Eurodam.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Lisa - I am so glad that you are enjoying the Eurodam! I thought she was a real jewel when I was on her last month and I was so hoping you'd find her as appealing since your opinion seems to be so highly valued on this board. All the negative reviews are fading away and I know you will have nothing less than a fantastic time on your 2-week adventure! I look forward to the next installment. Wishing you calm seas and sunny days...

 

Diane

[PathfinderEss]

Wow Lisa, sounds like your already having a great time, nothing like a flight, a stay in Ft Lauderdale and on to a Hal cruise ship to get you going. Thanks for taking the time to do live reports from the ship, you know how we love them. Have a great cruise and a Merry Christmas on board, we'll be looking for more reports coming over the next few weeks. Sleep well tonight, your first night at sea.

[kryos]

Yep, you got overcharged! A new ploy, maybe? ('My meter is not working, that'll be $20 even')

Sadly, I think we'll be seeing more and more of this sort of thing in the coming years. With tourism so off in many areas, I guess the cabbies are hurting too and will be employing a lot of little tricks like this to increase their income. Sad ... but in some ways understandable. I would imagine they've seen a significant drop in their income over this past year and will do almost anything to add a few additional bucks to their pocket.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Copper10-8]

Sadly, I think we'll be seeing more and more of this sort of thing in the coming years. With tourism so off in many areas, I guess the cabbies are hurting too and will be employing a lot of little tricks like this to increase their income. Sad ... but in some ways understandable. I would imagine they've seen a significant drop in their income over this past year and will do almost anything to add a few additional bucks to their pocket.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Like a trunk fee:rolleyes:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi, Just a quick note before we head off to the Silk Den at 11 for our CC Meet and Greet. I have a correction, I did find the Infamous step and yes it is still there with black and yellow caution tape over it :o

We slept in till 9 so could not quite get ready in time to go to the Pinnacle for breakfast but did grab a small bite in the Lido.

I will write more later :D

[mamaofami]

Lisa, they were supposed to install railings in the show loungs because they made the steps down very close together and people were falling. Could you see if those railings have been installed? Thanks!

[Atomica]

Glad to hear you're having a great time!

 

Nice to hear Mark Pells is on the Eurodam - we were really impressed with him when we sailed on the Zuiderdam.

 

Hope you and Tom enjoy your day today!

[localady]

Lisa- I just knew you'd love your new home for 2 weeks!! :D :D Enjoy, relax and have a fabulous time.

Thanks for your reports, it's almost like being there but cheaper!! ;) :D