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Review of my first cruise ever aboard the MS Eurodam, 11/12/11

BugsyCruiser

By BugsyCruiser,
in Holland America Line

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lizziebargain

lizziebargain

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I agree with you about liking well done scrambled eggs. However just having gotten off the Zaandam last week I observed another passenger ask to have them put back on the grill to firm them up which I never would have thought of!

 

 

 

 

At this point I'm really enjoying the cruise. I did notice that HAL does cater to an older crowd. I'd say 70 percent of the passengers were in their mid 50's to late 70's. Maybe that is why things seem to close up rather early on the ship. Even the casino seemed to be pretty much done by midnight.

 

The lido buffet is good and they have a wide variety of choices. While it would get very busy at times, they always seemed to be able to get the lines moving fairly quickly so there wasn't a long wait for food. One complaint was at breakfast. I like my scrambled eggs to be done and they always seemed to serve runny eggs every morning. Just doesn't look appetizing to me.

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BugsyCruiser

BugsyCruiser

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Overall my impression of San Juan is I would not want to do it again. I thought the old fort was fascinating and I've been told a trip to the rainforest is great so maybe next time I will do that. San Juan reminds me of Chicago but shrunk about 5 times. I'm a truck driver and even I was scared of how people drove here! There are some good restaurants within walking distance of the pier so that is a plus.

 

But overall I would say San Juan would not be a repeat visit for me.

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BugsyCruiser

BugsyCruiser

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Well, being this was now Wednesday on the cruise, here are some observations of the ship and cruise so far:

 

1. Dinner each night in the dining room was very good and the service was excellent. I found the meals were delicious but I was disappointed with the portions... I guess being that I am a big guy and used to bigger portions I was surprised to see how small portions were. Also as I may have said earlier, the first night they offered prime rib and it was excellent. I'm not sure why it was never offered again during the cruise.

 

2. The lido buffet was good except for my earlier complaint about the coffee. Their coffee left a lot to be desired.

 

3. Always enjoyed the bars. I really liked the fact that after the first night they knew what my favorite drink was and had it ready. Didn't even have to ask for it.

 

4. I did fairly well in the casino, especially at blackjack. The dealers were actually pretty sociable. Made the night go a lot better, even when people were losing.

 

5. My cabin stewards were good for the most part but one minor and rather annoying complaint. After the first day I had drank the two cans of diet coke that were in the minibar and for four days in a row I asked for it to be refilled and never happened, UNTIL the last day of the cruise. Not something to go ballistic over but it was frustrating IMO.

 

6. The wait time for elevators drove me nuts. Seemed like they took forever.

 

7. I've read that on some ships, the announcements are constant and can get on people's nerves. That was not the case on HAL. Announcements were kept to a minimum on here.

 

8. The handing out of iced towels at the pier I thought was a wonderful idea. Especially after a day in St. Thomas. Felt good to get a quick cool down before getting back on the ship.

 

More to come my friends, but for now, everyone have a great night! Bedtime :D

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GeriatricNurse

GeriatricNurse

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Well, being this was now Wednesday on the cruise, here are some observations of the ship and cruise so far:

 

1. Dinner each night in the dining room was very good and the service was excellent. I found the meals were delicious but I was disappointed with the portions... I guess being that I am a big guy and used to bigger portions I was surprised to see how small portions were. Also as I may have said earlier, the first night they offered prime rib and it was excellent. I'm not sure why it was never offered again during the cruise.

 

2. The lido buffet was good except for my earlier complaint about the coffee. Their coffee left a lot to be desired.

 

3. Always enjoyed the bars. I really liked the fact that after the first night they knew what my favorite drink was and had it ready. Didn't even have to ask for it.

 

4. I did fairly well in the casino, especially at blackjack. The dealers were actually pretty sociable. Made the night go a lot better, even when people were losing.

 

5. My cabin stewards were good for the most part but one minor and rather annoying complaint. After the first day I had drank the two cans of diet coke that were in the minibar and for four days in a row I asked for it to be refilled and never happened, UNTIL the last day of the cruise. Not something to go ballistic over but it was frustrating IMO.

 

6. The wait time for elevators drove me nuts. Seemed like they took forever.

 

7. I've read that on some ships, the announcements are constant and can get on people's nerves. That was not the case on HAL. Announcements were kept to a minimum on here.

 

8. The handing out of iced towels at the pier I thought was a wonderful idea. Especially after a day in St. Thomas. Felt good to get a quick cool down before getting back on the ship.

 

More to come my friends, but for now, everyone have a great night! Bedtime :D

 

Since the stateroom stewards have enough to do with 30 staterooms to service, etc., my suggestion, if something such as this should occur in the future, would be to 'phone the Front Desk, and from my experience, your concern/request will be dealt with in a prompt & efficent manner! ;)

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GeriatricNurse

GeriatricNurse

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Well, being this was now Wednesday on the cruise, here are some observations of the ship and cruise so far:

 

1. Dinner each night in the dining room was very good and the service was excellent. I found the meals were delicious but I was disappointed with the portions... I guess being that I am a big guy and used to bigger portions I was surprised to see how small portions were. Also as I may have said earlier, the first night they offered prime rib and it was excellent. I'm not sure why it was never offered again during the cruise.

 

2. The lido buffet was good except for my earlier complaint about the coffee. Their coffee left a lot to be desired.

 

3. Always enjoyed the bars. I really liked the fact that after the first night they knew what my favorite drink was and had it ready. Didn't even have to ask for it.

 

4. I did fairly well in the casino, especially at blackjack. The dealers were actually pretty sociable. Made the night go a lot better, even when people were losing.

 

5. My cabin stewards were good for the most part but one minor and rather annoying complaint. After the first day I had drank the two cans of diet coke that were in the minibar and for four days in a row I asked for it to be refilled and never happened, UNTIL the last day of the cruise. Not something to go ballistic over but it was frustrating IMO.

 

6. The wait time for elevators drove me nuts. Seemed like they took forever.

 

7. I've read that on some ships, the announcements are constant and can get on people's nerves. That was not the case on HAL. Announcements were kept to a minimum on here.

 

8. The handing out of iced towels at the pier I thought was a wonderful idea. Especially after a day in St. Thomas. Felt good to get a quick cool down before getting back on the ship.

 

More to come my friends, but for now, everyone have a great night! Bedtime :D

 

One of the many reasons why I prefer & do eat in the Lido is that one is able to direct how much food to be placed onto one's plate at any meal, especially dinner! And you are freely able to return for more! :):D

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JR767

JR767

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1. Dinner each night in the dining room was very good and the service was excellent. I found the meals were delicious but I was disappointed with the portions... I guess being that I am a big guy and used to bigger portions I was surprised to see how small portions were.

 

If you would like another portion in the MDR, all you have to do is ask :)

 

Don't be self-conscious at all - the HAL waitstaff is there to make sure you are taken care of, and IMO they do a great job.

 

PS - some people believe that the quality and variety of food in the Lido is 'just as good' as in the MDR, there are many others (including myself) who believe the quality and variety in the MDR is in general vastly superior.

 

Portion size should never IMO be a reason to avoid the MDR given that you can always ask for additional portions -I'm with you in that sometimes the average MDR serving can be a little on the small side.

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BugsyCruiser

BugsyCruiser

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If you would like another portion in the MDR, all you have to do is ask :)

 

Don't be self-conscious at all - the HAL waitstaff is there to make sure you are taken care of, and IMO they do a great job.

 

PS - some people believe that the quality and variety of food in the Lido is 'just as good' as in the MDR, there are many others (including myself) who believe the quality and variety in the MDR is in general vastly superior.

 

Portion size should never IMO be a reason to avoid the MDR given that you can always ask for additional portions -I'm with you in that sometimes the average MDR serving can be a little on the small side.

 

Oh I dined in the MDR every night. Part of that was because being part of the National Review group, 3 of the nights my table dined with one of the guest speakers. Thanks for letting me know about asking for an extra portion. I was honestly not aware you could do that.

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BugsyCruiser

BugsyCruiser

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Well back to the sea we went. That night we had a cigar/cocktail reception on the aft lido deck. A lot of the speakers were there. I liked this National Review cruise because of the amount of interaction you got with the speakers. Almost all of them were very approachable and sociable.

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