Hello HAL folks, A few questions on Eurodam

[CruisinManiac]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but don't bash the HMC cabanas if you have'nt tried one.

 

Personally, a visit to HMC is incomplete without a cabana.

 

Exactly why I said "I guess it's just us," because everyone seems to love them. :o

 

Not bashing either, just giving an opinion to those that have not tried them. And, we didn't need to try it to see that it was not our cup of tea.:rolleyes: We were close enough (at the foot of the cabana) to see what was offered, and as I said, during a cool day like we had, IMO the cabana would not be worth the cost. I would think most would agree on that. ;)

[Gliderrider54]

My partner and I are looking to jump ship from Carnival to Holland America for our next cruise. We've enjoyed our Carnival cruises but looking to move beyond the hairy chest contests and bad music. We're reaching well into our 40's and looking for a more relaxing type atmosphere with a crowd more our speed.

 

The thing we've always appreciated about Carnival however, is the great gyms, sauna's, steam, and how these are free in the Men's and Lady's locker rooms. Looking over the ships at HAL, it seems these are all unisex and I'm worried they require additional fees for features that are usually free on other lines. For instance, Eurodam is touting the therapy spa pools. Unfortunately, I'm not the kind of guy that likes to sit around in a warm puddle with a bunch of strangers, let alone pay for it every day. Happy to pay for great experiences but hate getting nickeled and dimed to death for things that used to be included.

 

Also, we are seriously looking at booking the VT Spa Cabins on the Observation deck. We enjoy being up high and far forward. I know it is only a standing balcony but thinking about purchasing a cabana in the retreat for the entire week so I can live fine with a small balcony. Has anyone stayed in one of these rooms? I'm looking at 11002 but worried about the proximity to the Crow's nest and Explorers, if there is a lot of noise from people coming and going.

 

Lastly, has anyone stayed in a VF or VH room on deck 4?? Is this bad location/noise from theater above? I know it has the steal rails but is that a real downer??

general

Anything else you can tell me about the Eurodam or Holland America inwould be helpful too.

 

Thank you!!

__________________

We were on Eurodam last Oct. and had VF4007, and it was not at all noisy. We really enjoyed it and would have no trouble taking one again. The steel railing was not a bit of a bother. You can still sit and look out at the ocean. Just can't look directly down w/out standing at the rail. We did not hear any noise from the theatre down below us at all. And gentle rocking of the ship was all we experienced as far as motion. Hope this helps. We would sail Eurodam or Holland Ships again no problem.

[callmedeb]

Personally, a visit to HMC is incomplete without a cabana.

 

Agreed! My sister and I booked the Red Cabana on our recent cruise and LOVED IT!

 

If I'm on a ship that goes to Half Moon Cay again, I will rent again. It was fabulous!

 

If I can convince my family to do a Xmas cruise I'm thinking about booking a retreat cabana AND one on HMC.

 

Totally worth it IMO.

 

Cheers,

 

Deb:rolleyes:

[Typhoon1]

Agreed! My sister and I booked the Red Cabana on our recent cruise and LOVED IT!

 

If I'm on a ship that goes to Half Moon Cay again, I will rent again. It was fabulous!

 

If I can convince my family to do a Xmas cruise I'm thinking about booking a retreat cabana AND one on HMC.

 

Totally worth it IMO.

 

Cheers,

 

Deb:rolleyes:

 

Anther satisfied passenger. Then we have those that would not spend the money. They are happier dropping hundreds of dollars in the casino.

 

As I mentioned earlier, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[skidawg71]

What did you end up booking? I have some photos of the VF if you ended up with that Cat. In fact, I think they are on Joanie's site under the Noordam. We loved the closed-in verandah.

 

I also have photos of the cabana's that I need to post and get to Joanie. :)

 

CruisinManiac:

We booked 11002. It seems very handy to have the retreat right outside our own deck. I know many don't like being up high for fear of greater movement. However, since I am a flight attendant and used to getting tossed around, there's no issue with that.

 

For the same price, I can switch to a VF with a steal balcony rail. I'm intrigued by the larger balcony but then think booking a retreat cabana seems to be a waste if I have my own large balcony down below??

 

I don't know. The only worry I have with 11002 is if there will be noise from the Crow's Nest or if I should be in 11001 next to Explorer's Cafe. I'm probably putting WAY more thought into this than is necessary.

 

BTW: Those are the BEST photos of the Retreat I have seen yet. Thank you!:)

 

kent4489:

Thanks for the info on the Spa rooms. Sounds like you had a great VQ cabin. I love being in upper decks with only a handful of rooms. It seems much quieter, doesn't it?

 

Thanks to everyone about the Island Cabanas. I may be totally crazy but seems odd to book a cabana on a beach when we have a private cabana already on board the ship??? I think this will be a nice day to enjoy the retreat to ourselves:D

 

Typhoon: My email address is now under contact info of my profile.

 

Joanie has some pics of the VT cabins but hoping to get some more inside information from someone that has actually stayed in one of these. They seems a bit larger due to having such a small balcony. Also, the cabin I've booked, 11002 seems to have a side entry door, then a turn into the room??? If so, that would seem to be a nice feature.

[many cruises]

Thanks Joanie for all the photos. Wow, I can only imagine the amount of work and research for this site.

 

Thanks so much to everyone that replied, you were a great help. We've booked for the December 11th sailing on Eurodam and looking forward to our first experience on HAL!

 

We were on the Eurodam for a New Year's Cruise. You're in for a real treat...it's a great ship! :)

[RuthC]

I don't know. The only worry I have with 11002 is if there will be noise from the Crow's Nest or if I should be in 11001 next to Explorer's Cafe. I'm probably putting WAY more thought into this than is necessary.

I think there's little chance of noise in either cabin, but less noise from the Crow's Nest.

On the E-dam the Crow's Nest is not much of an entertainment venue at night. It's a place to relax, have a drink, and chat. There's a musician playing background music.

The Explorations Cafe is the combination library, coffee bar, and Internet center. It can have more activity there than on the Crow's Nest side---even late at night!

 

Each row of cabins is on a separate passageway than the entrances to the Crow's Nest and Explorations Cafe.

Yeah, you're overthinking this part of it.

[skidawg71]

I think there's little chance of noise in either cabin, but less noise from the Crow's Nest.

On the E-dam the Crow's Nest is not much of an entertainment venue at night. It's a place to relax, have a drink, and chat. There's a musician playing background music.

The Explorations Cafe is the combination library, coffee bar, and Internet center. It can have more activity there than on the Crow's Nest side---even late at night!

 

Each row of cabins is on a separate passageway than the entrances to the Crow's Nest and Explorations Cafe.

Yeah, you're overthinking this part of it.

 

AH, Thank you Ruth. That's exactly what I needed:) I was wrong in assuming the Crow's nest was similar to Celebrity's Navigator Club on the top deck of the Mercury which turns into a disco at night. Would not want to be next to that:eek: Crow's sounds like a great place to wind down with a glass of wine for the evening. Just our style!

[skidawg71]

I think there's little chance of noise in either cabin, but less noise from the Crow's Nest.

On the E-dam the Crow's Nest is not much of an entertainment venue at night. It's a place to relax, have a drink, and chat. There's a musician playing background music.

The Explorations Cafe is the combination library, coffee bar, and Internet center. It can have more activity there than on the Crow's Nest side---even late at night!

 

Each row of cabins is on a separate passageway than the entrances to the Crow's Nest and Explorations Cafe.

Yeah, you're overthinking this part of it.

 

WOW Ruth, I just realized you are in Warwick. Greetings from us in Pawtucket!

[RuthC]

WOW Ruth, I just realized you are in Warwick. Greetings from us in Pawtucket!

Greetings, neib. :D (but I don't go that far. ;))

[skidawg71]

Greetings, neib. :D (but I don't go that far. ;))

 

I know.. it's RI, so we have to pack a bag when visiting another town.......:)

[Rosethorn40]

This thread got me wanting to sail on the Eurodam so much that I went ahead and booked a VT cabin last night for the December 4th sailing, as well as a Retreat Cabana. I love The Sanctuary on the Princess ships, and have been wanting to compare the two.....Now I can!

[CruisinManiac]

CruisinManiac:

We booked 11002. It seems very handy to have the retreat right outside our own deck. I know many don't like being up high for fear of greater movement. However, since I am a flight attendant and used to getting tossed around, there's no issue with that.

 

For the same price, I can switch to a VF with a steal balcony rail. I'm intrigued by the larger balcony but then think booking a retreat cabana seems to be a waste if I have my own large balcony down below??

 

I don't know. The only worry I have with 11002 is if there will be noise from the Crow's Nest or if I should be in 11001 next to Explorer's Cafe. I'm probably putting WAY more thought into this than is necessary.

 

BTW: Those are the BEST photos of the Retreat I have seen yet. Thank you!:)

 

kent4489:

Thanks for the info on the Spa rooms. Sounds like you had a great VQ cabin. I love being in upper decks with only a handful of rooms. It seems much quieter, doesn't it?

 

Thanks to everyone about the Island Cabanas. I may be totally crazy but seems odd to book a cabana on a beach when we have a private cabana already on board the ship??? I think this will be a nice day to enjoy the retreat to ourselves:D

 

Typhoon: My email address is now under contact info of my profile.

 

Joanie has some pics of the VT cabins but hoping to get some more inside information from someone that has actually stayed in one of these. They seems a bit larger due to having such a small balcony. Also, the cabin I've booked, 11002 seems to have a side entry door, then a turn into the room??? If so, that would seem to be a nice feature.

 

Glad you like the photos. :)

 

I think you will be happy with your choice. We loved that area and where the VT/VQ's were located (although we didn't have one booked.) I think it would be fun to have a cabin so high up. I love movement!

 

One thing that you are wrong about, though. The cabin is not larger than a regular V cabin. No extra length because of a shortened verandah.

:(

 

We looked in quite a few, and I don't recall seeing one with a side entrance door, but I am not 100% on that fact. The four cabins that I don't think I'd want, are the two at either ends of the hallway. Not only is the hallway a bit narrower IMO, but the entrance and exit doors from the hallway are right outside these cabin doors. Noisy? :eek: Maybe it's not a bother and someone else with more knowledge would be able to pipe in.

 

Have a great cruise!