MORE EURODAM Observations from 12/10

[zounds]

BACKGROUND: We are late 60's with 1 prior cruise on HAL (rd.trip Seattle), 1 RCI, 1 Carnival, and about 10 on NCL. We chose this one for the itinerary. I apologize for my lack of computer skills, so here goes: We flew down on Sat., stayed at the BW Oceanside which was clean and convenient (good free breakfast) and walked to Bahia Mar to watch the electric boat parade. Sunday we arrived at the pier at 10:55, chkd. in by 11:15 and boarded by noon. Smokers beware !! It's not allowed ANYWHERE while ship is in port, then only starboard at the aft pool. We took advantage of the 25% off Tamarind and enjoyed it very much, skipped the comedian on the main stage, and I am beginning to believe in the theory of the casino slots being loose on Day One as I couldn't find an open 25 or 50 cent mach., so I was prepared to throw $20. into a $1. machine. After 3 $1. pulls, I hit for $900. (not a typo). Of course I immediately cashed out, but ended up giving 25 or $30 back throughout the week. Monday: Tricia Kelly, a great singer and impressionist was on the main stage and BB King's and Lincoln Ctr. stage ROCKED ! Such fun to hear "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Stairway to Heaven" done by string quartet and piano ! TUE: Grand Turk-Walked to the right off the pier to the conch graveyard and found a hefty shell I brought home. Paid $7.40 for a beer at Beached Whale (I'm used to $2 or $3 beer in port), walked up to Jack's, had a sweet "sandy vagina" and free rum shot and made 2 feline friends. Saw the Billboard show on MS and BBK's and Lin. Ctr. Too bad they don't have a larger, quieter venue and the tech crew has to stand in the hall and shush people walking by. More to come. steve

[Krazy Kruizers]

Loving your start.

[ski ww]

Congats on the slot win, down payment on the next cruise?

Allan

[JRG]

Rock on Zounds, Queen and Zeppelin, now we are talking. We are starting to see more and more Classic Rock on board our ships and it is long overdue. As much as I love Rogers and Hammerstein, (and I really do), I'd just love to see more Aerosmith to ZZTOP and everything inbetween incorporated into more of the HAL music venues.

 

I'm a guitar player and musician, and I truly love all things musical, that being said, I still want to rock and roll all night and party every day, that's why I cruise.

 

Good call on the slots and have a nice vacation.

[Keith1010]

Enjoyed your first post and will continue to follow.

 

Keith

[kazu]

Great review.

 

Congrats on the casino win. Well done :)

 

hoping there is more to follow.

[puppycanducruise]

You're off to a good start!

Congratulations on the casino win.

Looking forward to reading more.

[zounds]

CHAPTER TWO--Thanks very much, y'all, for the kind words. Wednesday was San Juan and very warm weatherwise. We'd been there once before and taken the free trolley to El Morro fort. After waiting for a few minutes at a trolley stop, a kind man approached and explained they were not running due to storm damage. We then walked up the hill to San Cristobal which was very interesting. Then walked to Cortes Chocobar at San Fran. and San Justo and the gelato store across the street. Yum ! Heard two sets by Lin.Ctr.group and comedian Dan St.Paul was pretty good. Too bad the crew show was at 11pm, too late for us. While we were out, our balcony rail got a new coat of varnish. Thur.= St. Thomas. We just strolled the shops at Havensight. Saw the BBC Earth film with live music in the theatre which was excellent. Then scrolling through the 'on demand' movies, discovered that "50 to 1" was listed, so we saw that again. It's the true story of Mine that Bird who won the Ky.Derby and was partly shot at Churchill Downs and I'm in it (an extra, no lines, but visible in 3 or 4 shots). That was a nice surprise. Friday at sea: good cooking demo, Dive In burger lunch, Lin. Ctr., great 35 min. dance show and back to BB King's. Sat.=HMC: Perfect weather and beautiful setting with a more extensive lunch buffet than expected. The word 'idyllic' seems appropriate. Sunday, we were in the last group to disemb., and had a loooong line at Customs, as well as taxis, since there were 6 or 7 ships in port. Dropped bags at Hilton Marina and rode water taxi up to Lulu's on the beach for lunch. OVERALL: Loved the absence of sappy Xmas music on board and no pushing drinks or scratch-offs before shows, the NY Times daily, and rest. and cabin service. Thanks to stewards Erric and Asep who did a good job, considering the other 28 cabins they serviced. I would have liked to have seen more trash cans available in public areas and a coffee maker in the room. Also, why does the "adult" hot tub open at 9am when a lot of us old folks were up at 6? That's all, folks. Any questions? peace, steve

[kftw]

Thanks for posting your experiences. Great job!

[JohninVB]

Sounds like a great time! I'm boarding the Eurodam on 12/31 and your posts are helpful! :cool:

[zounds]

I'm glad I could be of service to a few of you. Computer problems have prevented me from responding sooner. I saved the ship's dailys if anyone has questions. steve

[Sea42]

Rock on Zounds, Queen and Zeppelin, now we are talking. We are starting to see more and more Classic Rock on board our ships and it is long overdue. As much as I love Rogers and Hammerstein, (and I really do), I'd just love to see more Aerosmith to ZZTOP and everything inbetween incorporated into more of the HAL music venues.

 

Now that would get me out of my cabin at night! I would love it

[Takes Notes]

I too was on the Eurodam for this sailing. I agree 100% with all that has been said. HAL really seems to have "nailed" the music issues with BB Kings, Billboard and Lincoln Center. The only complaint I have heard is from the "shrinking" number of passengers who like more formal ballroom dancing. They are limited to 2 short "tea dances" on most 7 day itineraries. Again, the number of ballroom dancers seems to be shrinking.

 

When you consider that these Caribbean sailings are deeply discounted, I think HAL is really good value. Not the fanciest ships, but great product for what we pay!