Eurodam 11-16-21 Thoughts and Impressions

[Florida_gal_50]

6 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

I think that says something bad about HAL.  On most lines the Cruise Directors are "everywhere" and easily accessible.  We are going on the new Enchanted Princess next week and I guarantee you that I will see the CD many times a day just roaming around the ship and chatting with passengers.   On Seabourn we were constantly seeing the CD and Assistant CD (who soon knew most of the passengers by name).  

 

But my point was that when something is terribly wrong on a cruise (such as blasting music) it should be easily rectified by simply bringing it to the attention of the proper person.  Many problems (like loud music) can often be easily handled with just a quiet word to the CD.  It makes little sense suffering through that issue for an entire cruise to only mention it on a later survey.   When Thom Faulkner was the CD on the Prinsendam he was "everywhere" interacting with passengers and dealing with issues.   When passengers have "issues" that can easily be handled onboard it is just silly to suffer in silence.  That is not to say that folks should whine/complain about everything but expecting staff to read minds is not always a good strategy.

 

Hank

The cruise director might have been everywhere.  Don’t even know what he looked like.  I found sending a comment through the navigator on the koningsdam did nothing.  It has on previous ships.  One of the things I want to know was if masks were required in the gym.  There was a stand saying masks required at the gym door yet I seemed to be the only one wearing one.  Near the end of the cruise a ran into someone that appeared to work in the gym so I asked.  He looked at me like I wasn’t speaking English then a person from the spa said you don’t have to.  Really, what was the sign for then, I asked.  She just kept repeating you don’t need to 🙄. I’m wondering if I asked about the music if I would have been told that’s what people want, loud music 🤪.

[Florida_gal_50]

8 minutes ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

I did mention the loud music to one of the white shirts working the Lido area. He told me that they have to consider all passengers' desires. I said with just 5 or 6 people outside for breakfast at 7 am most didn't want loud noise and without the crowd to absorb sound it was loud. There were a few times the volume was lowered but not most of the time.

I just love this canned response, not.  Just pull my string and you will hear it 😉

Edited November 27, 2021 by Florida_gal_50

[Hlitner]

Just remembered something my mother told me when I was quite young.  "Those who suffer in silence suffer!"   I believe that if something is wrong it is reasonable to politely give folks the chance to correct the issue.    So here is a recent amusing story that happened on one of our recent Seabourn cruises.  Our suite (on SB every cabin is called a "suite") had a light (guess you could call it a night light) underneath the makeup table located near the bathroom.  On our first night, after we turned off all our cabin lights that darn light became annoying (it lit up the cabin).  The following day, when I saw one of our stewardesses in the corridor, I asked her was there any way to turn off that light.  She showed me an obscure switch next to one side of our bed (very far from that light).  Problem solved :).

 

About a week later we were having cocktails with another couple when the lady complained about "a stupid light in their cabin that annoyed her at night."  DW and I just laughed, told her we had the same issue, and where to find the switch.   But that lady had allowed that problem to "fester" for about 10 days rather than just asking for some help.

 

But that tale has a twist.  A few weeks later we were on a different Seabourn ship and noticed that there was no switch for that "darn" light.  SB had redesigned the cabins and put those lights on a hidden motion detector (brilliant idea).  So if one got up in the middle of the night in a dark cabin that night light would turn on before your feet would hit the carpet.  It was a nice improvement and an idea we would like to see in all our cruise cabins.

[BarbinMich]

On 11/25/2021 at 12:57 PM, FlaMariner said:

 

Just a shout out for this event....ORIGIN STORY We saw this on our Rotterdam TA and it was very good...especially if you are into the history and lore of Holland America Line....Glad they have started promoting their heritage more as it is a selling point for some...

 

Great review of the Eurodam NCTribeFan.....enjoyed reading it all.

I was on this cruise and this was not my first HAL cruise, but I had never heard the ORIGIN STORY before so I really enjoyed it.  I've been to Rotterdam and the ships dock near the original "home office" of HAL.  Looks pretty old, don't know what it's used for today.

[OVgirl]

1 hour ago, BarbinMich said:

I was on this cruise and this was not my first HAL cruise, but I had never heard the ORIGIN STORY before so I really enjoyed it.  I've been to Rotterdam and the ships dock near the original "home office" of HAL.  Looks pretty old, don't know what it's used for today.

The old HAL building is now a hotel.

[NCTribeFan]

I have no idea who the cruise director was.  I just got up and had a look at the daily pages and he's not listed.  I'm sure he was on the TV, but i never went to the "Officers" tab.

 

I think maybe it was Ryan?  Only time I saw him (that I remember) was introducing the shows in the Mainstage.  And heard him during his daily announcements.

 

I neither want to "suffer in silence" nor do I want to be a non-stop complainer.  It just would seem that there could be SOMEWHERE (other than retreating to my cabin) to find a little peace and quiet.  I mean, the ship has enough venues, doesn't it?  Why oh why does the music need to be blasting in the Silk Den during the day when it's completely and totally empty?  Yes, if it's the same in a couple of weeks, I'll ask that it be turned off when the bar isn't operating.

[FlaMariner]

On 11/25/2021 at 5:08 PM, Hlitner said:

I may be in the minority among HAL fans, but I just do not like HAL using lectures, documentaries, and movies to replace live evening entertainment in the theater.

 

On our Rotterdam TA last month, none of the lectures (including Origin Story) were held in the evening...They were usually morning or afternoon.  

 

Also, there was no BBC animal movie with music.......anytime.  

 

But there were dancers, singers, musicians, comedians...oh my.....At the World Stage every evening.

 

We love HAL's entertainment....It's on our top 3 (crew, food, entertainment) as to why we cruise and love those 'dam ships.

 

 

[julia]

Constant blaring music is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.  I have walked out of stores because I couldn't hear myself think (but... not before mentioning the issue to a manager or personnel!)  It's very aggravating.

 

We recently sailed on NA to Alaska, and I was pleased with the music sound levels throughout the ship, especially in the Lido.  Never too loud and intrusive.  During our sailing day in Glacier Bay, we went up to the Tamarind lounge area around 2pm, and it was mostly empty.  We enjoyed the beauty around us, in peace and quiet, for several hours.  It was magical.

[NCTribeFan]

@julia Hope I find the same situation when I board NA soon.

[NCTribeFan]

Did I mention this already?  See, this is what happens if I don't take notes (even though I didn't really do much at all; after a few days, everything is a blur).

 

Chilled fruit soup appetizers.  Not there. 😥  I love those!  I've been having those chilled fruit soups for years on Carnival and HAL.  I was very sad when I realized that there wasn't a single one.  Maybe they still offer them occasionally on longer cruises.

 

I bet I neglected to mention that in the survey, too.  Maybe I should start making a list of things to complain about next time.  I mean, I'd hate to be enjoying myself so much that I forget to complain!! 😁

[Mrs. Walkinman]

What sort of safety precautions were being taken in the casino at the roulette table?  I love to play, but am worried about the cleanliness of the chips.  Also the close proximity to other players.  We will be on board starting on the Christmas cruise, and am looking so forward to it...especially dinner in Tamarind!