Live from the Eurodam 10-10-09

[Jen&Rich06]

David..

Is the retreat area for Concierge class only? And are the cabana's that are poolside available only by reserving them? We will be boarding the Eurodam in January and are excited by how modern and up dated the ship looks compared to westerdam and the zuiderdam..thanks for all your information :)

We are currently waitlisted on late seating..not sure about the anytime dining,kinda scares me. I like to get to know my wait staff..eating in the dining room is always one of my favorite parts of the cruise!

[sldispatcher]

To answer some of your questions:

 

I have always found a table at the lido...

 

Piano Bar is busy at night....haven't spent any time there....

 

Entertainment has been enjoyable...pick and choose..different styles

Singers and Dancers always put a lot of energy...The "Dreampark" show has very sophisticated staging.

 

 

Now onto the cruise...

 

Rained a bit in St. Thomas...Princess and Holland are using a "new" port in St. Thomas that has lots of shops right off the ship....taxis are $4 one way into town..and they cram you in like sardines.....pull away..then pull over to collect the $4.

Rain showers all day, but we went over to the Marriott Frenchman's reef to enjoy a quiet beach.

 

Dinner in the dining room was okay...prime rib was okay. No one is blown away. Parents said the duck was very tasty.

 

Where oh where has my HAL gone?

 

Today, is an at sea day. I always enjoy those. Excellent waffles...dining room at lunch. Less than inspiring menu. (which seems to becoming the norm).

 

Special dinner at Tamarind..unique..don't know if I'd do it again, but quite interesteing and spicy.

 

Show....nice (see above)

Casino..smokey and crowded...dessert extravaganza..very crowded..and again..with the 7 day turn it just attracts a different crowd....there was even breastfeeding taking place by the pool!

 

Some observations:

 

1) crew seems green and not together

2) Cruise Director..get this...got on the mike 3 times today hawking ship programs! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

3) No days of the week carpets in the elevator.

4) Menus that were so inspiring 18 months ago.....gone.

5) Tamarind may not succeed if they don't get something more "chinese" oriented....Filipino/Indonesian..although sincere, isn't going to cut it in the long run.....It has to be something that people will come back for

6) HAL feels more like Carnival...and if they don't do something quick, they are going to chase off the very base that has put money in their pockets for years.

7) There are odors and hotspots throughout the ship. Nothing you can't look past, but not good in the heat of the Caribbean.

 

If you are going to go on this ship/HAL for the first time you will enjoy it. However, it is probably a result of the cruise / price that is has had such an "unrefined" feel.

 

Take me back to the Ryndam or Amsterdam.....

 

tomorrow is Half Moon Cay....redemption is still possible.

 

HAL...please quit "dumbing down" the experience. If Eurodam is not going to give the consistent product that your other ships provide, I want no more part of her.

 

David

[martyap]

We just booked our first HAL on the 2/6 Eurodam, 7 day Eastern Caribbean. Hal was running a sale and we booked a category G oceanview for a grand total of $1432 FOR TWO. That was $300 less than the comparable Carnival Liberty and $450 less than the Emerald Princess. Would cost me more to stay home for the week!!!

 

Seems like HAL is trying to compete with everyone else and probably cutting many corners.....but the more you read CC, isn't everyone cutting corners?

Canned tuna used to be 7oz and now it's 5oz and I don't think half gallons of ice cream exist any more. I do not think the mass market cruise lines will ever be what they used to be which is unfortunate. My expectations are more realistic.......good weather, calm seas, fun in the sun and everything else I'll take as it comes........I do appreciate your blow by blow synopsis of the Eurodam but I guess I fall into the "different kid of people" category.......Enjoy the last few days of your cruise..............Marty

[texancruzer]

We are booked for our first HAL cruise on Eurodam for Thanksgiving.

 

After reading the thread...... I guess we fall into the "other kind of folks" too. While we enjoy a nice ship, good food and a pleasant experience - we are not particularly picky. We do not especially cruise FOR THE SHIP, but more the ports and our experiences there.

 

We were Loyal Royals..... until our last cruise on Celebrity. They just went where we wanted to go. We enjoyed Celebrity alot. That said, it was the first Med cruise for Solstice and there were some snafus..... oh well. We still had the trip of a lifetime !

 

This cruise was picked pretty much last minute for relaxation purposes and price..... and the fact that RCI does not have any ships out of Galveston this early since it is more convenient for us. DH just wanted to "get away" somewhere.

 

What I can't wrap my head around is cruisers who find their cruise "ruined" by the small stuff. When you look at the price of a cruise, and the fact that it covers hotel, food, entertainment etc. etc. and break it down - no where else can you find that value. AND throw into the mix that it moves around and you can experience different views from your hotel room each day.

 

I figure Thanksgiving week will be a little "crazier" than a regular non-holiday cruise (we have cruised this week before) even on HAL which is said to be more subdued (not sure this is a good thing or a bad thing).

 

So, if the steak is a little overdone....no problem. If the cruise director needs to announce something..... no problem. If there are no date rugs in the elevator....I'll ask someone what day it is. I know I will just be glad to be on a ship somewhere :D

[Dona March]

Very well said Texancruzer and Karen I sailed on HAL to Alaska on a 7 day cruise and it was amazing that is why I booked again with HAL, I overlook all the small stuff and it really is small stuff, a good cruise is what you make of it....

[suse]

And I doubt breast feeding by a pool would be a big negative for me. That's kind of crazy. These days.:)

[boca7]

Don`t criticize the review, its a very honest opinion of a person actually experiencing it & who has a lot of past experience. This review is costing them a lot of money to advise us, & thankfully I will follow it. Unfortunately I didn`t read this earlier as I`m sailing on it tomorrow.

[texancruzer]

Don`t criticize the review, its a very honest opinion of a person actually experiencing it & who has a lot of past experience. This review is costing them a lot of money to advise us, & thankfully I will follow it. Unfortunately I didn`t read this earlier as I`m sailing on it tomorrow.

 

So you mean you would have cancelled your cruise on the Eurodam from the information you received on this review ?????

 

As I re-read the posts I honestly could not see anyone "criticizing" the review - only comments on the OPs observations of HAL "dumbing down" an entire cruise based on a few items he found undesirable. What he may find undesirable - others may not have a problem with....... that is what this whole website is about.....opinions. All of them.

[martyap]

DITTO....................but I really do hope my Eurodam has those days of the week carpets in the elevators!!!! Marty

[Dona March]

Boca7-go on yur Cruise with an open mind, you will enjoy yourself as soon as you get on the ship you will glad you are going, we all look at things in differant ways, no one here meant to criticize we are only giving opinions that is what we do here.

have a Great Cruise,

[pipedreams62]

And I doubt breast feeding by a pool would be a big negative for me. That's kind of crazy. These days.:)

 

 

Do you remember which pool?:p:p:p

[sldispatcher]

Half Moon Cay:

 

Strangely, the HAL crew encountered something different (what they said) this morning. After 2 tenders with 250 people each were loaded...we had to sit..and wait.

 

and wait.

 

 

and wait.

 

Apparently, the Bahamian authorities would not clear the arrival of Eurodam. A few phone calls and waiting (in the shade of the ship)...and 40 minutes...we were allowed to depart for the island.

 

We had the red cabana (highly recommended).

 

We had a great time and the ocean/weather were perfect. Lots of goodies brought to the cabana. One difference from last year are allllllllll of the beach chairs that have been added along the cabanas. this makes for many people coming up and staking claim..the cabana is not so private anymore.

 

In fact, at 300pm, some of the HAL staff decided to use our cabana as a changing room and clothes drying station while we were in the water! Even changing behind a towel to get a dip in the water! What?????

 

Back to the ship and sailed away.

 

My wife was very upset about the HAL staff hanging all over our cabana (without our permission). They even took the beach towels we had.

 

Dinner at Pinnacle we already had scheduled....extremely slow service. 3 hours for the meal. The Pinnacle was completely overwhelmed. they need to add an assitant waiter/bus boy to each wait staff station. We still left a generous tip.....but my goodness. The table next to us was totally upset with the raw meat that showed up.

 

I suggest a 515 or 530 dining time to get better service.

 

 

I realize that there have been those saying that some people should overlook some of those details. I have a similar attitude about many things...but sometimes, those small details are exactly what makes something stand out compared to other businesses.

 

It's not the details, but the general attitude that concerns me.

 

Did we enjoy ourselves? SURE!

 

Would I go on Eurodam again? Maybe.

Would have to be a 10 day or greater itinerary.

I'd have to have more assurances that some of those "details"...have been resolved.

 

But there are many HAL cruisers who want this info and opinion as it may be the days of the week in the elevator...or only 1 time a day announcements that is the reason they sail HAL. They want to know.

 

Also, thanks to the person who noted that filing live reports ain't cheap!

[sldispatcher]

No need to rush.

 

Stay in your room or away from the general area until your color/time is appropriate. Later is better as there is less luggage to go through.

 

Use the starboard side midship elevators (glass ones)...to go to 3...closest location to the exit (if the ship is docked on the starboard side)

 

Ask for a porter as soon as you get downstairs..they are waiting for you..and tell him what you want. We wanted a van for our 7...he rushed us (in his own way) through customs...and then straight to a van.

 

Trip to airport was swift.

 

Overall, Eurodam did fine. I think anyone would enjoy their time on her.

 

However, I can't say this enough, long time HAL cruisers with experience on R and S class ships are probably going to go...."oh my goodness - what have you done to my Holland America?"

[sldispatcher]

Do you remember which pool?:p:p:p

 

 

Haha...Lido...dessert extravaganza!

[sldispatcher]

Thanks again for your posts sldispatcher...I am really enjoying them! You had mentioned that the Lido is busy, but not overwhelming. Have you had a hard time finding a table? What time do you think it is the busiest? If we just want a leisurely morning and a fairly calm breakfast in the Lido, what is the best time to go?

 

Thanks so much!!

 

 

 

I would think the best time to have a calm lunch on the Lido would be before 8am and well.....forget it. It was busy enough from 8am on.

I'd avoid 8-930.

 

Great made to order specials there and we thought the food there was really good.

[sldispatcher]

You stated you were in a "SS" but 8063 is a "V". Are you in 8063, and if so, how is the "V" room? I'm in one next week.

 

Our friends were in 8032..under the ping pong table.

 

As has been stated, this is not the R and S class style of V room. It is smaller and tighter. I don't know what they were thinking!

[kim826]

Just got home from the 10/10 cruise. I have been on 3 Royal Carribbean, 6 NCL, 1 Princess, 1 Carnival and 1 Costa cruises. This was my first Holland cruise. I had an absolutely wonderful time. We had anytime dining and had no problems (we showed up at 5:30). Food and service was excellent. We always found a table by the window at the Lido buffet. We didn't find any crowding at all but I have to say that I didn't frequent the casino. The few times I walked by it didn't look like it was half full. Dealers waiting for customers. Never had to wait longer than a minute for an elevator. The only issue we had was the first day - at embarkation we went straight to the front office to reserve a retreat cabana for one day. The computers were down and the girl wouldn't take our name to make a reservation. She told us to call back in 20 minutes. We went to the dining room to eat lunch. Called after 20 minutes. She told us to call in another 20 minutes. Left lunch to call again - one was available but I had to get right down there to make the reservation. Got down there and was told they were sold out for the entire cruise. The first two days we noticed most of all the cabanas (retreat and lido) were not being used. We checked at the lido bar and found we could reserve. We enjoyed the cabana but did not like the lunch menu offered. I asked if we could order from the room service menu but we were told no. We only got off the ship in San Juan as we've seen the other ports numerous times. In San Juan we did the Segway Tour offered privately. That was awesome! The rest of the time we enjoyed having the ship to ourselves on port days. On sea days we never had a problem finding a lounger at the pool. We loved the ship and experienced superior service other than the one front desk issue.

[kim826]

Forgot to mention that we ate at the Pinnacle and had excellent service other than a small wait between one of the courses. Loved the food! Enjoyed the Tamarind for lunch one day as well. Didn't get into the Italian place but only made one attempt for a reservation and nothing was available until too late. Had one breakfast in the dining room, one in the Lido and rest on our balcony. Lunches were usually at the Lido and dinner was in the dining room except for the last night which we ate on our balcony. Our room was 8047. It was a bit noisy when they were setting up for the dessert special and the last night was noisy but other than that it was quiet above us.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience.

[eudell]

hi kim826:

 

just wondering, what company did your group use for the segway tour? price? highly recommended?

 

thanks,

e.

 

Just got home from the 10/10 cruise. I have been on 3 Royal Carribbean, 6 NCL, 1 Princess, 1 Carnival and 1 Costa cruises. This was my first Holland cruise. I had an absolutely wonderful time. We had anytime dining and had no problems (we showed up at 5:30). Food and service was excellent. We always found a table by the window at the Lido buffet. We didn't find any crowding at all but I have to say that I didn't frequent the casino. The few times I walked by it didn't look like it was half full. Dealers waiting for customers. Never had to wait longer than a minute for an elevator. The only issue we had was the first day - at embarkation we went straight to the front office to reserve a retreat cabana for one day. The computers were down and the girl wouldn't take our name to make a reservation. She told us to call back in 20 minutes. We went to the dining room to eat lunch. Called after 20 minutes. She told us to call in another 20 minutes. Left lunch to call again - one was available but I had to get right down there to make the reservation. Got down there and was told they were sold out for the entire cruise. The first two days we noticed most of all the cabanas (retreat and lido) were not being used. We checked at the lido bar and found we could reserve. We enjoyed the cabana but did not like the lunch menu offered. I asked if we could order from the room service menu but we were told no. We only got off the ship in San Juan as we've seen the other ports numerous times. In San Juan we did the Segway Tour offered privately. That was awesome! The rest of the time we enjoyed having the ship to ourselves on port days. On sea days we never had a problem finding a lounger at the pool. We loved the ship and experienced superior service other than the one front desk issue.

[khall]

We were also on the 10/10 cruise. Always found a table at the Lido by the window?? Thats amazing!! We couldn't hardly ever find a table let alone by the windows!:D Overall an excellent cruise, but yes, the service was spotty. Pinnacle took a loooong time for us too, Tamarind was excellent service and food! Beautiful weather!!

 

And yes, we were in the Eggshell cabana on HMC and were a little dissapointed in all the chairs and clamshells right in front of our cabana steps. The crew did change and get in the water after they quickly rushed to take away all of our plates, glasses, and snacks from our cabana by 1:45!!! Overall great first time experience on Eurodam though with the few little things that are always there...Eurodam is a beautiful ship...

[kim826]

Re the Segway Tour in San Juan. I don't have my paperwork with me right now but I found it by googling "Segway Tour in San Juan". Also first saw it referenced under the ports of call board. We chose the three hour tour for $85. It was easy to learn how to ride, very fun experience and the guide did an exceptional job delivering the history of San Juan.

[kim826]

Re the lido buffet - we probably didn't have any problem with crowds and getting a table by the window for lunch because we ate lunch right at 11:30. We learned early on from other cruises how to pick times to eat to avoid rushes at buffets. If you can do this, it is a much more pleasant experience. On embarkation day we ate lunch in the dining room. I wouldn't even attempt the lido on that day.

[sldispatcher]

Re the lido buffet - we probably didn't have any problem with crowds and getting a table by the window for lunch because we ate lunch right at 11:30. We learned early on from other cruises how to pick times to eat to avoid rushes at buffets. If you can do this, it is a much more pleasant experience. On embarkation day we ate lunch in the dining room. I wouldn't even attempt the lido on that day.

 

Agree with Kim826 completely.

[Dona March]

I booked a cabana now I have my doubts I booked the Red one I want this day to be perfect it is DH's birthday.....not sure what to do will have to think about this one...