Eurodam- Would you book a second cruise

[KenM]

Is it just me or do others have reservations about booking the Eurodam a second time.

 

I Booked the Westerdam for Thanksgiving because I was just not that impressed with the Eurodam. We had a SA suite and the service/food was great BUT I felt very crowded in the Lido and at the pool. The tents reduced the pool space and the LIDO was to narrow/ to many people. IT was a constant marathon to get a table and then go back and forth for food and beverages. IT was more work then casual RELAXED dining..

 

Don't get me wrong- the ship is beautiful, the crew and sevice were great, the two specialty restaurants were outstanding but it just didn't have that wow factor and everday was a grunt in the LIDO.

 

SO what do others think???

[jtl513]

If the itinerary and price was right I might go back to the Eurodam, but the Noordam is still my favorite ship. I only wish the Noordam had a Tamarind! :) Maybe someday it will.

[Mary Ellen]

We're also not planning a second cruise on the E'dam. Your reasons are the same as many of ours. IF (and that is BIG if) we were it would only be because of a fantastic itinerary, great pricing, AND because friends were also sailing. This would also necessitate the date not being during a school holiday. We would also not book a cabin on a deck that had a good number of triple and quads. We loved the Tamarind and Silk Den, but not enough to make us return without the above conditions.

[RuthC]

I know I should give the E-dam a second chance to make up for it's first two cruises, but there would have to be a special draw to get me to do it. Either an out of this world itinerary, or a great group of CC friends, would be necessary to entice me back.

The E-dam was all right, but just all right, compared to other HAL ships.

[baggal]

We were on the Eurodam last December in the Carribbean and were completely underwhelmed. Not so much at the Lido Buffet, but the pool area is too claustrophobic with the cabanas taking up so much space. We had a nice enough time, loved Half Moon Cay, but said we would never book a cruise on the Eurodam again.

 

Fast forward to this spring and planning for a Baltic Sea cruise. The Eurodam had the itinerary we wanted at the time we could travel. And, the price was right. We had a fabulous trip, but of course, given we were cruising the Baltic Sea, we hardly ever used the pool.

 

So would I travel on the Eurodam again? No to the Carribbean but definitely to Europe.

[Mary Ellen]

baggal - Our E'dam cruise was a Baltic one (same as Ruth's - we were next door). I still would NOT sail on her again to the Baltic without the qualifiers stated above.

[Willsot]

We sailed on the Eurodam Eastern Caribbean in April and then again for the Baltic/English Channel in July. Less than three months between cruises on the same ship is something that we've never done but we could not pass on the itinerary and great price (the 10-day Europe cruise was cheaper than our 7-day Caribbean). A bonus was that we were recognized by staff.

 

Would we sail her a third time - sure, if the itinerary and price is right. But probably not soon as we want to continue trying a variety of different HAL ships.

[baggal]

baggal - Our E'dam cruise was a Baltic one (same as Ruth's - we were next door). I still would NOT sail on her again to the Baltic without the qualifiers stated above.

 

 

I agree that itinerary and price are the determining factors. I'll just never say "never" again.

[mamaofami]

If the itinerary and price was right I might go back to the Eurodam, but the Noordam is still my favorite ship. I only wish the Noordam had a Tamarind! :) Maybe someday it will.

 

My sentiments exactly.

[baggal]

We sailed on the Eurodam Eastern Caribbean in April and then again for the Baltic/English Channel in July. Less than three months between cruises on the same ship is something that we've never done but we could not pass on the itinerary and great price (the 10-day Europe cruise was cheaper than our 7-day Caribbean). A bonus was that we were recognized by staff.

 

Would we sail her a third time - sure, if the itinerary and price is right. But probably not soon as we want to continue trying a variety of different HAL ships.

 

Yes, my husband was not happy that I was recognized by some of the casino staff and greeted with open arms!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We would book a 3rd cruise on the Eurodam (did back-to-backs) if the itinerary was different and she did 10 day cruises.

[wwinfl91]

We have only done one cruise on the Eurodam but would book it again if it had an intinerary at a price we felt was "right" (make that low enough). We enjoyed the ship and the restaurants and although we were only on her for 7 days in the Eastern Caribbean we enjoyed our cruise.

 

have a great next cruise.

[fun_seeker]

Is it just me or do others have reservations about booking the Eurodam a second time.

 

I Booked the Westerdam for Thanksgiving because I was just not that impressed with the Eurodam. We had a SA suite and the service/food was great BUT I felt very crowded in the Lido and at the pool. The tents reduced the pool space and the LIDO was to narrow/ to many people. IT was a constant marathon to get a table and then go back and forth for food and beverages. IT was more work then casual RELAXED dining..

 

Don't get me wrong- the ship is beautiful, the crew and sevice were great, the two specialty restaurants were outstanding but it just didn't have that wow factor and everday was a grunt in the LIDO.

 

SO what do others think???

We have only sailed on two HAL ships: Veendam and Eurodam. The former was an Alaskan cruisetour and the latter a Baltic cruise. Despite differences between the two ships, we found both to be enjoyable in their own way. Perhaps it is because we don't sail the Caribbean. In any case we would book a cabin on the Eurodam again. Of course the itinerary and the price have to be "right," but that would be the case with any line and any ship. Our next is on the Westerdam. Yes, we do like the 'dam ships. :)

[vino100]

I would not sail on the Eurodam again. Last year was my first cruise on a HAL ship and it was the Canada/New England cruise on the Eurodam. I was very disappointed in the dining room staff and the food in general. The tenders were very unorganized. Too many people in too little space. We have cruised Princess,Royal and Celebrity and have always enjoyed our cruise experience. I really want to give HAL another chance since several friends swear that it is the best cruiseline.

I have booked the Westerdam to Alaska on 9/6/2009 and can hardly wait!

[Zeta3]

We sailed the Eurodam last December and have the same cruise booked again this year. I will say that we haven't had dinner in the MDR nor do we use the pool/lido area so I could understand if things are not satisfactory in those areas that it could be disappointing.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Would I book another cruise on the Eurodam? Absolutely!! I loved everything about her. I'm still young and spry enough that the size didn't bother me and she has all the bells and whistles of a new ship. The crew is fabulous, Tamarind is an unbelievable treat at lunch for no charge, Silk Den is the most beautiful bar on the high seas.

 

Okay, now it's time for me to start researching my annual winter Caribbean cruise. And, I hope I can find the cabin location I want on the Eurodam. :)

 

Diane

[sail7seas]

We sailed Eurodam (in a "SA") b-to-b in March and really didn't expect to like the ship all that much. We booked her out of curiousity to see the new ship, the dates were right, cabin location availabilty was good etc but we surprised ourselves and liked her a lot .... so much so that we booked another set of b-to-b for January. We had wonderful service in our cabin, the dining room, the lounges. We think her a terrific ship.

 

She's not Maasdam or Noordam (our two that tie for favorites :) ) but we like her.

 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Oh in a Heart beat I would book the Eurodam again :D If I had the extra time and money I would be booked for a future cruise on her. But it may have to wait a few years:o

[High Flyer]

I rest my case:D

[catl331]

I would sail on any HAL ship asap. just give me an hour to pack! I was only on the Eurodam for the 3 day but I can see what others dislike about it. I am not a pool person so the crowded area there wouldn't bother me and I am an early riser for breakfast. I really hate crowds though so that would bother me at the Lido. I see that prices are lower on the Eurodam but the itinerary doesn't pull me to it.

[Tallassie]

My cruise ship experience is limited to Oceania's Regatta, Royal Olympic Voyager, Oosterdam, Prinsendam, and finally, the Eurodam to the Baltics this past May. All are difference and each was enjoyable.:)

 

I've already booked again on the Eurodam from Rome to Dover, 10 days next May. Can't wait! For me it's a combination of the ship and the itinerary--poolside ambience doesn't matter as I rarely use the pool because I'm busy on shore. I did think the food was fine and never felt overly crowded.

 

Tallassie

[JudyM]

I would not sail on the Eurodam again. Last year was my first cruise on a HAL ship and it was the Canada/New England cruise on the Eurodam. I was very disappointed in the dining room staff and the food in general.

 

I wonder if we were on the same cruise, vino - Sept. 1-10, northbound? Because I definitely agree about the MDR staff. On the first night, our waiter told us they were short staffed, and apologized sincerely, but the fact remains that the service was brusque and mechanical, we had long waits to get our food, and were then rushed to finish so the tables could be cleared for the second seating. We quickly migrated to the Lido, since it was less crowded and the staff were friendly and cheerful. The tables had white tablecloths, and we could always get a window table, so the Lido actually turned out to be the best site for a relaxed and pleasant dinner.

 

With full staff, the MDR may turn out to be lovely. But the whole ship struck me as dark and claustrophobic, especially the central atrium. The color scheme seemed to revolve around dark brown, with occasional flashes of navy blue, and the gloomy effect was accentuated by dim lighting.

 

On the plus side, the library and the fitness center were truly outstanding, and I spent some happy time in both. But no, I wouldn't choose the Eurodam again.

[vino100]

We were on the Sept. 11th southbound cruise. It sounds like the problems didn't improve with my cruise. The MDR staff were very understaffed and many times our food came out so late we forgot what we ordered. This did not just happen to our table .Many loyal HAL pax were not at all pleased with this ship but said we should give HAL anothere chance. And that is what will do on 9/6/2009.

[COLLEYBERRY]

We would sail on the Eurodam in a heartbeat, she only holds wonderful memories for us. Loved our cabin , the crew , the Tamarind and it's staff. The Silk Den was a favorite spot to relax with a pre dinner cocktail.

We are not the most seasoned cruisers and maybe not as discerning as others, but we left the ship restored from our vacation and eager to cruise again,.The Eurodam certainly fulfilled her promise to us:)

[ANSalberg]

We sailed on the "Eurodam" for 28 days last spring. A crossing from Ft Lauderdale into No Europe and then the 10 day Baltic cruises -B2B......I would sail her again in a HEARTBEAT! GREAT ship, FUN new venues like the Canneletto corner of the Lido -We TOTALLY loved the "Silk Den" and the Tamarind Restaurant. BTW- The Silk Den was a PERFECT morning retreat to read in. Only people there early were OTHER readers! And the ocean views from there were spectacular! The Pinnacle staff was WONDERFUL......would I sail again....I'm READY right now!???? :)

Anne