Recent Eurodam passengers - dish, please

[suec12]

Well there have been several passengers from the NA Alaska sails that have posted a lot of info from their trips but I am eagerly awaiting some info on the Eurodam sailings. I do appreciate the one poster that is dishing on trivia and some of the ports but I would love to hear more, esp. about food, menus, and such. I know it takes time (and internet minutes) but hopefully someone soon might post a LIVE from the Eurodam or detailed cruise review. THANKS!

[Chickadee910]

Been on my navigator for our cruise October 30 and the menu is up so I am vicariously seeing what we might have each day. The weather and temperatures are interesting to me also.. 

[eccsr]

Here you go….

 

 

Amazing Cruise Even with Covid Restrictions

 

eccsr

10+ Cruises • Age 60s

Sail Date: Aug 2021

Cabin: 

I booked this cruise in June and thought things would be better by August. As we all knew Delta variant came around and I was unsure about going but so glad that we did. The crew could not be happier or more attentive. The embarkation was not as hectic as I thought although they could have had fans in this huge tent we waited in. We got there at about 2pm, was given a group number to wait which took about 45 minutes. We then proceeded to get our rapid Covid test. From start to finish, it was about 15 minutes to get the test and results. 

The ship only had about 800 people which made it so spacious and comfortable. The crew was so happy to see everyone and from the dining room staff to the room attender, everyone could not be more helpful. 

All the stops were great. We went to Corfu, Montenegro, Santorini and Mykonos. Be ready to walk and climb steep hills but it is worth it. 

Shows were ok but not varied enough. They had a illusionist and a dance group. Both good but could use more variety.

Casino staff was great and couldn’t be friendlier. The wine tasting was fun and so was trivia. Food was also great and dining staff was fun and entertaining. 

The ship was clean but is starting to look worn. Some curtains were tattered and it could use a bit of updating. 

This was a dream destination for me and even my husband, who is not a fan of cruising as I am, thought it was a great cruise. Looking forward to returning to Holland America. 

Edited August 28, 2021 by eccsr

[SusieKIslandGirl]

Hi Chickadee, off topic but I can't find the menus on the Navigator for every day. Just one shows up. We're on board Oct. 30 also. Can't wait! (and remaining positive about sailing, not testing 😮😊).

[Riversedge]

Thank you for the info, eccsr.   Very informative.  

[Tjcal]

I would love to hear something about the COVID situation on some of these ships.  No cases? A few cases? No one seems to be posting like they usually do. On purpose? Are they being discouraged from posting? Just wondering. 
tjcal

[VMax1700]

55 minutes ago, Tjcal said:

I would love to hear something about the COVID situation on some of these ships.  No cases? A few cases? No one seems to be posting like they usually do. On purpose? Are they being discouraged from posting? Just wondering. 
tjcal

What Covid situation?  Stop trying to create news.

Feel free to believe that if you hear nothing then there is nothing.  

Not posting on purpose?  🙄

[eccsr]

If there were any cases, I did not hear of them on the Eurodam.  I know they tested us before we got on the ship and when we were getting off. 

[Tjcal]

Thanks for the info. 

[Chickadee910]

The menus change about 10 am every morning on the navigator for dinner. Breakfast and lunch stay the same

[Lindancer]

On 8/29/2021 at 8:47 AM, Tjcal said:

I would love to hear something about the COVID situation on some of these ships.  No cases? A few cases? No one seems to be posting like they usually do. On purpose? Are they being discouraged from posting? Just wondering. 
tjcal

We were tested in the middle of the our 2-week cruise, August 15 to August 29.  Of 800 or so people, no one tested positive.  Don't know why you would think there would be Covid onboard.

[zgscl]

On 8/29/2021 at 5:19 PM, Chickadee910 said:

The menus change about 10 am every morning on the navigator for dinner. Breakfast and lunch stay the same

Do they look somewhat similar to the Alaska menus? Would love a screen shot of a couple if you don't mind!

[Gary908]

We were on the Eurodam August 15 -29.  Had a great cruise.  Spoiled with just over 700 passengers.  No lines.  No waiting.  No searches for a table at the Lido.  Had one all day excursion with only 10 people on a big bus.  They were really pushing you to use your phone and a QR code on the table to view the menu which 99% of the people were refusing to do even if they did have their phone with them which most did not.  They would not initially offer you a regular menu, but would bring you one.  Menus in the main dining room were not very diverse.  Seemed to be even fewer choices than pre-Covid cruises.  Lots of repeated entrees in the same week and felt like I was eating the same thing or similar too many times.  Lots of beef.  Not much chicken or pasta selections.  Fish choice was prepared exactly the same each night, just a different type of fish.  Menu could have used more imagination.  Usually only 3 dessert choices plus hot fudge sundae and gelato.  No creme brulee except in the Pinnacle Grill.  And then of course all of the menus repeated exactly again the next week of the cruise.  Shrimp cocktails are a surcharge now as are 3-4 other additional entree items.  Main dining room service was hit or miss.  Slow if you were at a table where they seemed to be training people.  The first week the dining room was mostly empty each night.  The second week, more people were eating in the dining room.  Our final cruise night had the worst dining room service - never checked back to see if we need anything, no water re-fills, no offer for coffee/tea/expresso with dessert.  One person at the table basically created a scene just to get someone to refill water glasses.  It was also the most crowded night of the 2 week cruise and I don't think the staff was used to a mostly full dining room.  We had free dinners at Tamarind and Pinnacle Grill.  Also ate at Canaletto one night.  Food and service were flawless at all of the restaurants.  We enjoy sharing a table with others in the dining room as part of the cruise experience, but I will say the food was better in the specialty restaurants.

[Riversedge]

Thanks so much for posting your experiences.  Looks like I’ll have to downgrade my expectations somewhat.  With only 700 people on board service in the dining room should have been stellar.  

[suec12]

Thanks to those who posted - not too excited to hear about MDR service issues and perhaps lackluster chocies. But how was The Lido in the evening - a variety of ethnic dishes to pick from? Indian? Asian? nice salads and sides? thanks!

[Red Haired Lady]

8 hours ago, Gary908 said:

We were on the Eurodam August 15 -29.  Had a great cruise.  Spoiled with just over 700 passengers.  No lines.  No waiting.  No searches for a table at the Lido.  Had one all day excursion with only 10 people on a big bus.  They were really pushing you to use your phone and a QR code on the table to view the menu which 99% of the people were refusing to do even if they did have their phone with them which most did not.  They would not initially offer you a regular menu, but would bring you one.  Menus in the main dining room were not very diverse.  Seemed to be even fewer choices than pre-Covid cruises.  Lots of repeated entrees in the same week and felt like I was eating the same thing or similar too many times.  Lots of beef.  Not much chicken or pasta selections.  Fish choice was prepared exactly the same each night, just a different type of fish.  Menu could have used more imagination.  Usually only 3 dessert choices plus hot fudge sundae and gelato.  No creme brulee except in the Pinnacle Grill.  And then of course all of the menus repeated exactly again the next week of the cruise.  Shrimp cocktails are a surcharge now as are 3-4 other additional entree items.  Main dining room service was hit or miss.  Slow if you were at a table where they seemed to be training people.  The first week the dining room was mostly empty each night.  The second week, more people were eating in the dining room.  Our final cruise night had the worst dining room service - never checked back to see if we need anything, no water re-fills, no offer for coffee/tea/expresso with dessert.  One person at the table basically created a scene just to get someone to refill water glasses.  It was also the most crowded night of the 2 week cruise and I don't think the staff was used to a mostly full dining room.  We had free dinners at Tamarind and Pinnacle Grill.  Also ate at Canaletto one night.  Food and service were flawless at all of the restaurants.  We enjoy sharing a table with others in the dining room as part of the cruise experience, but I will say the food was better in the specialty restaurants.

Sounds like the same MDR menu as we had in Alaska...and lots of repeats.  Disappointing. No lobster which I look forward to.  No problems with the service on the Nieuw Amsterdam, however.  And I will be on the Eurodam on Sept 12...hoping it would be better.  Well, at least this will be a busy cruise with lots of ports and I won't think about food....I try to tell myself.

Edited September 6, 2021 by Red Haired Lady

[zgscl]

2 hours ago, Red Haired Lady said:

Sounds like the same MDR menu as we had in Alaska...and lots of repeats.  Disappointing. No lobster which I look forward to.  No problems with the service on the Nieuw Amsterdam, however.  And I will be on the Eurodam on Sept 12...hoping it would be better.  Well, at least this will be a busy cruise with lots of ports and I won't think about food....I try to tell myself.

 

It seems to me that they merged the always available with the day's menu into one section to make it look like there was more variety. I am giving them a lot of leeway given the food chain issues going on now but I really hope this does not become a permanent change. We ended up doing a fair amount of specialty dining and I did order off the indulge section a few times so I got my fill of lobster! 

[aliaschief]

First cruises in a couple of years with new employees and I expect to see some struggles. Seth Wayne Hal’s Brand Ambassador even stated after the first Nieuw Amsterdam cruise there were some problem areas.

 

Not sure what it is like in Europe and the Med but when I go grocery shopping lately there are some poorly stocked shelves. 
 

Give it time. Bottom line on our recent cruise we had a great time.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

They no longer offer the Indian menu ,and the Vegetarian menu in the dining room.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

The crew are very happy to be back.

[Gary908]

7 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

The crew are very happy to be back.

Yes, they definitely are happy to be back!  That was one of the first things every crew member said when you had a conversation with them.