Live from Eurodam, Canada/New England, Sept. 22

[shrimp56]

Salut!

 

Another fitting overcast, chilly morning in the city unsure of its predominate language.

 

Perceptive comment. I have found Quebeçois more willing to speak English if they know you aren't Canadian. And I am sorry that Quebec showed you her pouty weather face. She IS a minx that way.

 

Thanks so much for your report. It's bringing back memories of our Boston-Quebec Veendam cruise last June.

[shrimp56]

That's all for now from the blue-hulled Musseldam.

 

Great ship name... if they run out of places they could try Oysterdam, Salmondam, Calamaridam, Shrimpdam (my favorite of course!)

 

This is the Eurodam in Bergen, Norway.

[shrimp56]

Thanks for the food porn. That was the best lobster roll on our trip.

 

We did the A'dam Norway RT and loved it, but from my previous experience on Royal Viking Sea you want Geirangerfjord and I think the Rotterdam cruise does that as well as Alesund and Bergen. We were contemplating that cruise for Fall 2014, but we've refocused on a repo.

[Vict0riann]

We did the Voyage of the Midnight Sun on Ryndam in July and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just amazing scenery! We spent some time in Ireland before, and England after, and 3 days in Dover before, too. Two weeks on board wasn't long enough! We didn't find the Canaletto on Ryndam as good as Eurodam's, and of course, we missed BBKing's (and Tamarind).

[Winters in NZ]

Perceptive comment. I have found Quebeçois more willing to speak English if they know you aren't Canadian. And I am sorry that Quebec showed you her pouty weather face. She IS a minx that way.

 

Thanks so much for your report. It's bringing back memories of our Boston-Quebec Veendam cruise last June.

 

The language complexity in Quebec has been around since the days when the British troops attacked, and conquered Quebec, so you are certainly on the right track.

 

A visit to the Morrin Centre in Quebec would certainly help to explain much of the historical development of Quebec.

 

English speaking folks are welcome.

[sppunk]

Happy last afternoon of regular season baseball from

Boston!

 

I'm honestly focused on my MLB.tv app so this report might be brief.

 

Last night the ship was as quiet as a church mouse, I assume the early immigration caught up with everyone. We were the only people in the piano bar after 10:45 p.m.

 

After the fire wake up call this morning (for the record I don't recommend installing these alarm clocks in your home as you'll begin looking for a life preserver that doesn't exist, unless you live in sinking cities like Venice or on a houseboat in Holland).

 

We met our new Dutch friends after breakfast and took a cab to the Commons and proceeded to wander the Freedom Trail. Did you know Dunken Donuts played an integral part of the Tea Party? Neither did I until I saw a billboard saying as much outside their store near Park and Congress.

 

We ended up at Harvard where I always feel like I'm imposing on someone's private party. Then back to the lovely Eurodam.

 

We and RCCL's Brilliance of the Seas are slumming it today with the über-French, über-expensive (wait, that's repetitive) Le Boreal. Her horn setup might cost more than HAL's insane new wine packages.

 

 

There is wonderful art all around the Eurodam. We always are greeted by this lovely photo - check out the hats!

 

 

But some art is questionable, especially one piece we stumbled on. I won't say anything other than this has no place in a pubic corridor, age regardless of the image.

 

 

Tomorrow is a day at sea for the long, arduous sailing to Newport, R.I. This must've been what Columbus felt when leaving for the New World.

 

Actually I'm perplexed why HAL leaves Boston at 4:30 p.m. followed by a sea day. Why not leave at 8 or 10 p.m.? It isn't far at all between the two and would allow a much better visit to one of America's best cities.

 

But enough of that!

 

More Tuesday from Newport - we are excited to return to our childhood cottage! We lovingly called her Marble House.

 

Time to ship out of Boston aboard the ms Red Soxdam.

 

Observed comment of the day

One of the many, many Aussies on board: "I wonder if it gets really cold here in Boston in Winter?"

[JPonboard]

Thanks for the excellent reporting and photos. Like several others reading this thread we board the Eurodam 12Oct.. How has the temperature been on board? Dining room warm or cold? Would appreciate your comments.

[sppunk]

Thanks for the excellent reporting and photos. Like several others reading this thread we board the Eurodam 12Oct.. How has the temperature been on board? Dining room warm or cold? Would appreciate your comments.

 

I've found it very pleasant, but it tends to be cooler rather than warmer.

[cruz chic]

Thx for the update:).

[sail7seas]

 

<snip>

 

 

Actually I'm perplexed why HAL leaves Boston at 4:30 p.m. followed by a sea day. Why not leave at 8 or 10 p.m.? It isn't far at all between the two and would allow a much better visit to one of America's best cities.

 

But enough of that!

 

More Tuesday from Newport - we are excited to return to our childhood cottage! We lovingly called her Marble House.

 

Time to ship out of Boston aboard the ms Red Soxdam.

 

Observed comment of the day

One of the many, many Aussies on board: "I wonder if it gets really cold here in Boston in Winter?"

 

 

It would be great if the ship left Boston late allowing people more time to tour or have lobster dinner ashore :), however, the slower the ship sails, the less fuel she burns. :cool:

 

Your reports are terrific. Thanks for them. :)

 

[sppunk]

Phone still working, and just learned something. The photo above with the blackface is a Dutch thing! Zwarte Piet they call it.

 

The more you know!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Happy last afternoon of regular season baseball from

Boston!

 

I'm honestly focused on my MLB.tv app so this report might be brief.

 

Last night the ship was as quiet as a church mouse, I assume the early immigration caught up with everyone. We were the only people in the piano bar after 10:45 p.m.

 

After the fire wake up call this morning (for the record I don't recommend installing these alarm clocks in your home as you'll begin looking for a life preserver that doesn't exist, unless you live in sinking cities like Venice or on a houseboat in Holland).

 

We met our new Dutch friends after breakfast and took a cab to the Commons and proceeded to wander the Freedom Trail. Did you know Dunken Donuts played an integral part of the Tea Party? Neither did I until I saw a billboard saying as much outside their store near Park and Congress.

 

We ended up at Harvard where I always feel like I'm imposing on someone's private party. Then back to the lovely Eurodam.

 

We and RCCL's Brilliance of the Seas are slumming it today with the über-French, über-expensive (wait, that's repetitive) Le Boreal. Her horn setup might cost more than HAL's insane new wine packages.

 

 

There is wonderful art all around the Eurodam. We always are greeted by this lovely photo - check out the hats!

 

 

But some art is questionable, especially one piece we stumbled on. I won't say anything other than this has no place in a pubic corridor, age regardless of the image.

 

 

Tomorrow is a day at sea for the long, arduous sailing to Newport, R.I. This must've been what Columbus felt when leaving for the New World.

 

Actually I'm perplexed why HAL leaves Boston at 4:30 p.m. followed by a sea day. Why not leave at 8 or 10 p.m.? It isn't far at all between the two and would allow a much better visit to one of America's best cities.

 

But enough of that!

 

More Tuesday from Newport - we are excited to return to our childhood cottage! We lovingly called her Marble House.

 

Time to ship out of Boston aboard the ms Red Soxdam.

 

Observed comment of the day

One of the many, many Aussies on board: "I wonder if it gets really cold here in Boston in Winter?"

 

 

Wonderful review.

Interesting picture.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Phone still working, and just learned something. The photo above with the blackface is a Dutch thing! Zwarte Piet they call it.

 

The more you know!

 

 

Thank you for the information.

[sppunk]

Good morning from the largest state of the union, Rhode Island. This live report will not be shuttered despite the government shutdown.

 

Leaving Boston, after dinner we decided to try that evening's show, a pianist dubbing herself as Piano Divalicious. I don't want to be rude, but it was the most awkward, embarrassing, unfortunate thing I might have ever seen on stage. After the first intro song, this woman dressed in an insanely over-the-top prom dress proceeded to kick the piano bench out of her way, get down to the ground (on her back, her head even with the keys) and play backward, hands reaching up backward from this position. She then, completely out of breath, jumped up, screamed some inaudible stuff, and played the piano with her fingers, toes, head, shoulder and breast. In that order.

 

We ran out of there like kids run out of school on the last day before summer. I might never recover.

 

Monday was a "day at sea" - completely within view of land. In fact the ship often shuddered as waves hit the aft ... because the current was outrunning the Eurodam. I still contend a later departure in Boston would be a huge benefit for this run.

 

But more importantly, yesterday was the wife's birthday. Being a wise man raised by a wiser man I had arranged for flowers to be delivered to our stateroom while we were out in Boston. Monday afternoon the tulips opened fully. I timed that perfectly, let the record show. The arrangement was beautiful; kudos to HAL.

 

We had lunch with Cruise Critic's wandb and husband at Tamarind. It was a lovely conversation, lunch and time well spent (we didn't do the sushi menu, but rather the normal pre-set menu). Thanks again for the invite, Barb! We hope to get to those Georgia mountains.

 

Chatting with the Stripes was in the afternoon and something we always enjoy. Nothing groundbreaking came out except the new Pinnacle ships will be 99,000 tons and have 340 or so more passengers than Eurodam. No word if the rock climbing wall will feature ice cliffs or if complimentary cigarettes will be offered on the inaugural voyages.

 

Oh! We celebrated the better half's birthday by booking next September's Rotterdam Norway trip (from Rotterdam). Anyone want to go in on a birthday gift and pay for it? ;) In honesty we are excited, as I have never been to Holland or Norway.

 

This cruise is part of this Explore4 deal, which I'd never looked into. $50 per person per day in drinks is crazy high. Is it just me that thinks so? That's a lot of alcohol, Lindsay Lohen would be impressed.

 

It was formal night, so glitterbombs were again out in full force. The escargot was as good as always, I love me some snails.

 

I had our waiter gather as many waiters as he could to perform the Indonesian Happy Birthday song, complete with banging trays (not from the Lido, clearly), spoons hitting glasses, clapping, pans banging each other and all-out chanting. It was spectacularly obnoxiously loud and awesome. I recorded it on the iPhone and would post if I knew how to do that easily.

 

But when we got back from dinner the dreaded debarkation and U.S. Customs forms were waiting. On the Customs form, Question 11, Part C asks "I am (We are) bringing disease agents, cell cultures, snails: ___ YES ___ NO" Since I ate snails and my throat is a bit scratchy, will I technically be carrying disease agents and snails?

 

The only photo I took Monday was of the sunset from our veranda. I wish you all had been here to share it with us.

 

 

OK, time to head to our family cottage.

 

More later from the Divadam.

 

Observed comment of the day

Lady outside the Future Cruise Consultant's office while we were booking our trip, sitting directly next to a giant sign that read OFFICE HOURS TODAY: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.: "I came here at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. and no one was here - I have wasted my whole day waiting for her!"

[shrimp56]

I couldn't resist....

 

[RuthC]

Good morning from the largest state of the union, Rhode Island.

Welcome to my home. We really aren't the largest state, you know. But we do have the longest name! :D

 

Happy we were able to offer you a gorgeous day here. This is truly a spectacular few weeks to enjoy New England. If it's foggy down in Newport right now, give it time. The fog will clear, and you will have a lovely sail away tonight.

 

Marble House, eh? Love your little summer house. ;) It's one of my favorites.

[sppunk]

Ruth, no fog. A sneak peak to our next update.

 

[mamaofami]

ruth, no fog. A sneak peak to our next update

 

beautiful

[sail7seas]

I couldn't resist....

 

 

 

 

Go Sox........!!!!!

Wonderful reports. Happy we were able to give you fabulous weather while here in New England.

 

Thanks so much for sharing with us.

 

[cruz chic]

. <snip>

 

Marble House, eh? .

Ruth, you are sounding like a Canadian:D.

[cruz chic]

Thx for the update. Save the good weather for me. I'll be there shortly.

[sppunk]

Good afternoon from home of the American sailboat armada, Newport.

 

After breakfast we embarked on the 17 3/4 hour tender ride into town. I might be exaggerating a bit, it truly was the longest tender ride I've ever taken (probably 30-35 mins long). If you have an early excursion here, keep this in mind. Eurodam anchors way out and the tenders pass through the entire no-wake harbor zone.

 

We walked down toward the transit center to grab bus 67 to the Cliff Walk and The Breakers. We actually ran into wandb there and spent the first portion of our time wandering around with her before heading into The Breakers. The walk is mostly closed due to Hurricane Sandy but the portion we walked was spectacular.

 

 

 

 

Then, we toured The Breakers. All I kept thinking was if we lived there, we'd never be able to find our cat (Pixel is her name, you should meet her - she's a genius cat). Because of this, it was decided we wouldn't be purchasing a Guilded Age mansion this year.

 

The Breakers is everything you imagine: over-the-top and loud. In fact, if it were a person it'd be a cast member on Jersey Shore. But it was a good tour and made you realize how the American royalty lived.

 

 

 

We came back downtown and were going to walk around the wharf but that's a no-go thanks to security. I wish we could though, it is a great busy harbor full of gorgeous boats.

 

 

So back to the Eurodam for a late lunch.

 

I think it is time now to pack, since the mats are on the bed. Bad sign.

 

Tomorrow we get thrown off in midtown Manhattan. We have a 9:15 a.m. train home so we'll be carrying off on our bags.

 

More then as we wrap up this vacation and I post some final thoughts.

 

Observed comment of the day

Lady in the tender headed into Newport: "They really need to add more storage space on these lifeboats."

[clueless2]

Welcome to my home. We really aren't the largest state, you know. But we do have the longest name! :D

 

Happy we were able to offer you a gorgeous day here. This is truly a spectacular few weeks to enjoy New England. If it's foggy down in Newport right now, give it time. The fog will clear, and you will have a lovely sail away tonight.

 

Marble House, eh? Love your little summer house. ;) It's one of my favorites.

 

Rhode Island 12 characters (inc space)

West Virginia 13 characters

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[RuthC]

Rhode Island 12 characters (inc space)

West Virginia 13 characters

"Rhode Island" is the shortened, unofficial, version of the state name---although the one in common usage.

The official name is:

"State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". (42 letters + 6 spaces, if I counted correctly. ;))

[comfortcove]

Interesting abt Rhode Islands name, never knew that.

 

Love your review! You are a great writer, and the "comments of the day" are priceless!